Awful Announcing Podcast: Recent Episodes
Awful Announcing
One of the premier sports blogs on the internet now has its own podcast. Some of the biggest names and newsmakers in the sports media will join us regularly on the AA Podcast.
Host Brandon Contes interviews CBS play-by-play commentator Ian Eagle. Brandon and Ian discuss a wide range of topics including dealing with the Taylor Swift effect at NFL games, the nervousness of watching son Noah on commentary, how Aaron Rodgers is in pregame production meetings, his feelings on the NBA leaving TNT, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:49: Making a case to win the 2024 Best PBP Awfulie
-1:17: Being confused for Daniel Snyder
-2:39: Was the “Blank Space” call prepared?
-7:10: Taylor Swift effect
-10:43: Meeting with Aaron Rodgers during production meetings?
-12:51: Conversations with Rodgers behind closed doors
-15:25: Changes with Rodgers in production meetings
-17:45: Confrontations
-19:48: Value of pregame production meetings
-22:25: Is Tom Brady’s job more difficult?
-25:03: Working with a new analyst and seeing they’ll be good?
-27:13: Someone Ian knew who was immediately good at commentary
-28:27: Difficulties of working with so many different partners
-30:57: Relationship with Mike Fratello
-33:55: Howie Deneroff
-35:18: Working with Dan Fouts
-37:04: Charles Davis
-40:21: Challenges of calling games during COVID
-43:48: Competition between broadcast booths?
-46:21: Wanting to call a Super Bowl for a U.S. network?
-47:22: Getting to call Final Four
-50:24: Being comfortable speaking in a large audience
-52:01: Noah Eagle at the Olympics
-54:14: Nepotism claims
-59:14: Being at WFAN
-1:02:35: Working with Mike and the Mad Dog
-1:08:47: Thoughts on the NBA leaving TNT
-1:10:13: What happens to Ian on the NBA?
-1:12:56: Preferred NBA partner to work at
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Host Brandon Contes interviews ESPN NBA insider and senior writer Ramona Shelburne. Brandon and Ramona discuss a wide range of topics including her reaction to Adrian Wojnarowski's retirement from sports media, getting to know Kobe Bryant and the emotion of covering his death, how different it is covering LeBron James compared to Kobe, being on the Donald Sterling story, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:46: Finding out when Adrian Wojnarowski retired
-3:00: Conversation with Woj
-6:39: Work-life balance/mental aspect of being an insider
-11:00: Would Woj someday come back to media?
-11:50: Could Woj still drop a “Woj bomb” even away from the job?
-14:00: Recruiting Ramona to Yahoo
-16:16: Woj joining ESPN and bringing the Yahoo team over
-18:27: Changing the news breaking industry
-23:40: Does journalism put too much emphasis on breaking news?
-27:19: Would Ramona take on Woj’s role?
-32:38: Lakers/Danny Hurley story
-36:03: Being on the Donald Sterling story
-44:14: Kobe Bryant
-47:46 Could a pro athlete in 2024 be able to rebuild their image and reputation like Kobe was able to do after the sexual assault charge?
-49:46: Kobe’s death
-58:08: Covering the story as a journalist and as Kobe’s friend and seeing others in the media hastily report incorrect info
-1:00:32: Covering LeBron James compared to Kobe
-1:03:34: What is Ramona working toward?
Download the Awful Announcing Podcast:
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Listen on Spotify
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Host Brandon Contes interviews co-host of "GoJo and Golic," Mike Golic Jr. Brandon and Mike discuss a wide range of topics including growing up with "Mike & Mike" on the radio/TV, recognizing nepotism, being teammates with Manti Te'o during the catfishing story, the joy of calling the Duke's Mayo Bowl, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:45: Being involved in boxing again
-:40: Being in audience for “Celebrity Family Feud”
-2:52: Getting in audience
-3:51: Friendship with Mina Kimes and Pablo Torre
-5:23: Golic family doing “Family Feud?”
-7:21: “Saved by the Bell”
-7:48: Seeing Uncle Bob on “Saved by the Bell”
-9:13: Going into sports media
-10:49: Listening to “Mike & Mike” as kid
-12:39: Were the family stories uncomfortable?
-13:56: Did it feel like Mike Sr. was playing a character or was he the real deal?
-15:26: Other sports shows Mike Jr. listened to and watched
-18:11: Being done with football
-20:29: Starting out in media
-20:43: Criticizing players Mike Jr. knew or teams he was cut from
-21:56: Being comfortable on radio
-26:28: Being lead-in to “Mike & Mike”
-29:34: How Mike Sr. gave advice
-30:58: Mike Greenberg
-32:15: Knowing Greeny growing up?
-33:01: Emotion of final “Mike & Mike”
-34:38: Being a part of “Golic and Wingo”
-37:05: Working with Chiney Ogwumike
-42:13: Leaving ESPN
-43:56: Doing “GoJo and Golic” on DraftKings
-45:38: Recognizing nepotism early in career
-46:52: Pressure of overcoming nepotism
-48:19: Manti Te’o
-49:23: Te’o catfishing story
-50:59: Did that affect the National Championship Game?
-51:55: How was Te’o received by the locker room
-53:09: Calling games
-54:43: Calling the Duke’s Mayo Bowl
Download the Awful Announcing Podcast:
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Listen on Spotify
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FOR FUTURE EPISODES, SUBSCRIBE TO THE PLAY-BY-PLAY:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-play-by-play/id1763654809
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4HaEA8ssc7LpPoJ8pKT1hk
Shannon Sharpe accidentally posting himself having sex on Instagram Live. Is a Pistons beat writer moving to cover the Knicks a sign of change for The Athletic? Was sports media being condescending toward Tua Tagovailoa? Awful Announcing's Brendon Kleen and Ben Axelrod discuss all that and more, including ESPN getting their money's worth for Jason Kelce this Monday night on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.
Time Stamps:
-1:16: Shannon Sharpe having sex on Instagram Live
-13:00: The Athletic pivoting away from local coverage?
-27:31: Congress proposing sports gambling legislation
-41:21: Pro athletes getting endorsement deals within sports betting companies
-47:46: Jason Kelce was all over ESPN Monday night
-51:25: Sports media conversation about Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion
You can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!
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Host Brandon Contes interviews broadcasting legend Jim Lampley. Brandon and Jim discuss a wide range of topics including HBO getting out of boxing in 2018, Jake Paul not being good for boxing, drawing the ire of Howard Cosell, being friends with Max Kellerman, and more.
Jim will host PPV.COM's Viewer Chat, which doesn't require a subscription, for the Canelo Álvarez-Edgar Berlanga Unified Super Middleweight World Championship fight card, Saturday September 13 at 8 PM ET.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:45: Being involved in boxing again
-2:46: Has it “filled the void?”
-4:02: Teaching at UNC, going to school
-10:22: Question students ask most?
-11:20: Getting involved with PPV.COM
-12:42: Others reaching out post-HBO?
-12:57: HBO Boxing ending
-14:45: Finding out about HBO Boxing ending
-16:20: Who deserves more blame for HBO Boxing ending?
-18:16: Final sign-off of final HBO Boxing show
-20:15: Not wanting to take a break
-20:38: How was the five-year break looking back?
-21:54: Relating to those on “Inside the NBA” in their final year
-22:46: How Jim got into calling boxing
-27:38: Drawing the ire of Howard Cosell
-28:43: Relationship with Cosell
-29:45: Relationship with Muhammad Ali
-31:24: Working with Max Kellerman
-32:45: Being first on-air broadcaster on WFAN
-35:00: Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul
-35:53: Is Jake Paul good for boxing?
-36:17: Would boxing benefit from having a version of Dana White?
-37:19: Working the Olympics
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On the latest episode of The Play-By-Play, Awful Announcing's Brendon Kleen and Ben Axelrod discuss the Fox broadcasting debut of Tom Brady, the ESPN debut of Jason Kelce, Bill Belichick's numerous appearances. The guys also discuss the changes on "The NFL Today," Greg Olsen's pivot to the No. 2 Fox NFL broadcast booth, and Colt McCoy's rough broadcast.
Time Stamps:
-1:47: Tom Brady broadcast booth review
-18:51: Bill Belichick analysis review
-28:19: Jason Kelce “Monday Night Countdown” review
-33:52: “The NFL Today” getting younger
-36:04: Praise for Mike Greenberg hosting “Sunday NFL Countdown”
-38:14: Greg Olsen with Joe Davis as Fox’s No. 2 NFL booth
-39:34: Colt McCoy
-45:14: “Out of the Darkness”
-53:09: ESPN/NFL Media equity talks are off
You can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!
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Host Brandon Contes interviews Fox NFL and MLB play-by-play, and LA Dodgers play-by-play broadcaster, Joe Davis. Brandon and Joe discuss a wide range of topics including working with Greg Olsen, Tom Brady at Fox, succeeding Vin Scully and Joe Buck, covering Shohei Ohtani as a local broadcaster, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:59: Joe’s upcoming schedule
-1:46: Balancing work and family
-2:22: Working Steelers/Falcons Week 1
-2:51: Greg Olsen
-4:07: What makes Olsen great and beloved by fans?
-5:55: Being in competition with Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady?
-6:44: Burkhardt and Brady
-7:40: Importance of pregame meetings amid Brady restrictions
-10:18: How much did Joe know when Joe Buck left Fox for ESPN?
-11:36: Surprise Buck left Fox?
-12:10: How Joe reacted to the situation
-13:04: Working with Troy Aikman
-13:56: Difficulties of working with a broadcast partner once
-15:04: Arriving at Fox
-16:14: Taking over for Vin Scully at the Dodgers
-18:57: Dodgers reaching out first
-21:09: What made Dodgers interested in Joe
-22:07: Scully’s involvement in the hiring process
-23:07: Scully’s advice to Joe
-24:49: Winning over Dodgers fans
-26:06: Was following Scully preparation for following Buck?
-26:46: Which is tougher? Following Scully or following Buck?
-29:15: Buck as a mentor
-30:29: Best advice Buck gave Joe?
-32:09: Doing Dodgers long-term?
-34:06: Detroit Tigers
-35:00: Calling World Series
-35:57: Is calling the Super Bowl a goal?
-36:47: Covering Shohei Ohtani
-39:58: Favorite call?
-41:31: Calls Joe would like to have back
-44:12: Self-praise
-45:15: Joe’s cooking videos
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Host Brandon Contes interviews co-host of "The Fantasy Footballers" podcast, Mike Wright. Brandon and Mike discuss a wide range of topics including the origins of the podcast, Matthew Berry's importance in the industry, the evolution of fantasy sports coverage, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:36: 10 year anniversary of “The Fantasy Footballers”
-1:28: Last week’s live show
-3:13: When did Mike start playing fantasy?
-4:07: Number of leagues Mike is in
-4:58: More pressure to win in fantasy now compared to 10 years ago?
-6:02: Origins of the podcast
-11:52: Potentially bailing on the podcast?
-12:40: Listenership in the beginning
-14:28: Milestone that stands out most?
-17:04: Forging an audience
-23:17: Putting content on YouTube
-26:14: Thoughts about ever joining a larger company?
-28:58: Podcasts Mike was listening to 10 years ago
-29:56: Fantasy football shows 10 years ago
-31:29: Matthew Berry
-32:28: Mainstream media and fantasy sports
-34:12: Field Yates dislocating shoulder
-34:31: Draft order activities and last place punishments
-36:48: Change in target audience over the years
-39:00: Mike’s kids playing fantasy football?
-40:20: Bell curve for fantasy football?
-42:12: Legalized gambling and fantasy football
-45:45: When do most fantasy drafts take place?
-46:55: Right number teams for a fantasy league?
-47:42: Mike’s best sleeper pick
-50:49: Team and offense affecting a player in fantasy
-52:36: Holdouts
-54:41: Mike’s biggest busts
-56:57: Kyler Murray
-58:30: Running QB’s and fantasy football
-59:47: More important for Mike that the Cardinals win or his fantasy teams win?
-1:00:34: “Spitballers Comedy Podcast”
-1:01:33: Ultimate Draft Kit supporting St. Jude
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On the latest episode of The Play-By-Play, Awful Announcing's Brendon Kleen and Ben Axelrod discuss the debut of Fox Sports 1's "Breakfast Ball," the season premiere of "College GameDay" with Nick Saban's debut, Kirk Herbstreit going heel and Pat McAfee getting drunk, and Deion Sanders and Colorado banning The Denver Post's Sean Keeler from press conferences.
Time Stamps:
-:07: Welcome to The Play-By-Play!
-1:53: The debut of FS1's "Breakfast Ball"
-12:18: What happened with Michelle Beadle and FS1?
-13:03: The rest of FS1's new lineup.
-21:01 Nick Saban's debut on "College GameDay"
-29:37: Kirk Herbstreit goes heel
-34:47: Do we care Pat McAfee got drunk on air?
-39:10: Colorado and Deion Sanders ban a columnist from press conferences.
-49:14: Bill Simmons in a contract year
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On the first episode of The Play-By-Play, Awful Announcing's Brendon Kleen and Ben Axelrod discuss ESPN firing Robert Griffin III and Sam Ponder, Ariel Helwani announcing that he's partnering with Yahoo Sports and the social media feud between ESPN's Mina Kimes and Clay Travis.
Time Stamps:
-:06: Welcome to The Play-By-Play!
-3:03: Robert Griffin III and Sam Ponder out at ESPN
-18:49: Ariel Helwani partners with Yahoo Sports
-33:51: Mina Kimes vs. Clay Travis
-47:00: WWE superstar Sheamus is College GameDay's first celebrity guest picker of the season.
-50:49: Stephen A. Smith interviews Tom Brady at Fanatics Fest
You can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!
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Host Brandon Contes interviews The Athletic's NFL insider Dianna Russini. Brandon and Dianna discuss a wide range of topics including being an NFL insider, how Adam Schefter and Adrian Wojnarowski are mentors, what Aaron Rodgers really thinks of Dianna, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:35: “Scoop City”
-1:26: Podcasting
-2:47: Turnaround time from recording to release on “Scoop City”
-4:20: Chase Daniel
-6:02: Getting partnered with Chase
-9:05: Why did Diana launch “Scoop City?”
-10:40: Co-hosting show with Mike Greenberg?
-13:25: Was leaving ESPN more due to wanting to leave ESPN or because of The Athletic’s offer?
-15:58: Consistency of ESPN
-17:33: Envisioning leaving ESPN when Dianna was hired?
-19:41: Working with Adam Schefter/Having Adrian Wojnarowski as a mentor
-24:14: Not being in Schefter’s shadow
-25:31: Where does breaking news rank in Dianna’s career?
-27:31: Do insiders have the same sources?
-29:04: How demanding is it for an insider?
-31:51: Challenges of being a woman in a male dominated industry
-34:31: Harder to earn respect from employers and peers or teams and agents?
-36:27: Mentors
-37:02: Has Dianna’s Jets fandom faded now she’s covering the NFL?
-38:34: Relationship with Jets fans
-40:14: Aaron Rodgers calling out Dianna
-43:51: Zach Wilson report
-45:06: Rodgers on “The Pat McAfee Show”
-46:31: Dianna going on McAfee
-47:06: Relationship with Rodgers
-48:13: Rodgers with NYC media
-49:20: Does Rodgers care about how he’s covered?
-51:37: Ian O’Connor book about Rodgers
-53:38: Aggregators
-54:55: @PrettyRickey213
-56:13: Christopher Johnson
-56:49: Would Woody Johnson leave if Donald Trump is elected?
-57:15: Woody Johnson as an owner
-58:36: Would Rodgers have been receptive to change?
-59:36: Moving on from Robert Saleh?
-1:00:10: Saleh’s handling of Rodgers
-1:02:15: Diving catch from Rex Ryan
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Host Brandon Contes interviews TNT and Bleacher Report NBA insider Chris Haynes. Brandon and Chris discuss a wide range of topics including the future of the NBA on TNT and how the "Inside the NBA" guys are, being a local beat reporter and cultivating relationships, how LeBron James had a part in getting him a national reporting job, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:36: Second appearance on the podcast
-1:54: Chris Hayes
-3:28: Charles Barkley staying with TNT
-5:33: Where was Chris when Barkley made his retirement announcement?
-7:21: Discussion off camera after the announcement
-9:01: Getting to know the “Inside the NBA” crew
-12:21: Chris making sideline reporting role his own
-15:31: Toughest person to interview
-16:43: What makes “Inside the NBA” so special?
-20:03: What to expect in final year of “Inside the NBA” with the NBA on TNT
-21:09: Chris’ status with TNT
-22:15: Being an independent insider
-23:20: Being a local reporter
-28:30: Chris’ media origin story
-32:26: Odds being stacked against Chris starting out
-37:50: Being perceived by other writers when starting out
-42:58: Building relationships and trust
-46:29: Going to cover Cleveland Cavs when LeBron James came back
-48:35: Trying to build a relationship with LeBron
-53:35: Is it more important to cultivate relationship with players, teams/GM’s, or agents in terms of info gathering?
-54:07: Difference between being a reporter and being an insider in terms of relationships
-56:39: Being in competition with Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania?
-57:58: How Chris gets the stories he breaks?
-1:02:05: How much does Chris report?
-1:04:01: Wildest report that Chris reported
-1:06:25: Being on “Undisputed”
-1:10:53: Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe off camera
-1:13:08: Importance of breaking news
-1:18:26: “Doc Rivers to Milwaukee Bucks” CNN Sports report
-1:22:10: Report Chris is least proud of and most proud of
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Host Brandon Contes interviews former WNBA player and current ESPN host/analyst Chiney Ogwumike. Brandon and Chiney discuss a wide range of topics including Caitlin Clark's impact on women's sports, being tested by WNBA vets as a #1 overall pick, being mentored by Stephen A. Smith, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:38: Is Chiney retired from WNBA?
-1:45: Does Chiney miss playing basketball?
-2:05: Does media help fill the void of not playing?
-3:13: Playing with sister Nneka throughout career
-4:38: Playing against Nneka in WNBA
-6:27: Going to ESPN
-12:27: Being drafted by the Connecticut Sun helping with media career
-13:15: Working with Mike Golic Jr.
-14:22: Differences between radio and TV
-15:29: Feelings about debate shows while playing basketball
-19:46: Doing “First Take” with Stephen A. Smith compared to doing it without him
-20:49: Stephen A. and Monica McNutt moment on “First Take”
-22:45: Stephen A. being approachable
-24:09: Does Stephen A. deserve credit or criticism for his work in platforming women’s basketball
-28:20: Working with Kendrick Perkins and Richard Jefferson
-30:00: Feeling “stifled” by ESPN?
-32:01: Being more comfortable covering the WNBA or NBA?
-34:15: Has national media done a “good job” covering women’s basketball this year?
-38:25: Can a misinformed WNBA take from a national media member be better than no take at all?
-40:20: Importance of Caitlin Clark to growing women’s basketball
-42:30: WNBA as a physical league
-44:44: Being treated differently as #1 overall pick
-46:47: Caitlin Clark/Angel Reese rivalry
-48:58: Is WNBA unfairly judged due to being compared to NBA today instead of the NBA at 27 years old?
-52:32: WNBA’s willingness to speak on social issues and Chiney’s feelings about that
-55:12: Working as a election clerk in 2020 election
-56:48: Playing with Candace Parker
-58:20: Spoken to Candace since WBD lost NBA rights?
-58:55: Is NBC and Amazon getting NBA rights an opening for Chiney?
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Host Brandon Contes interviews Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Jonathan Tannenwald. Brandon and Jonathan discuss a wide range of topics including Gregg Berhalter's sacking from the U.S. Men's National Team, the logistics mess by CONMEBOL at the Copa América, Emma Hayes with the U.S. Women's National Team, Lionel Messi in MLS, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:51: When will U.S. Soccer hire a new head coach?
-1:33: Timing of Gregg Berhalter’s sacking
-3:22: Not giving a national coach two four-year terms
-4:20: How far would the USMNT have had to go in Copa América to save Berhalter’s job?
-6:50: Who deserves the blame for the USMNT’s performance?
-11:20: What else needs to be fixed at U.S. Soccer?
-13:15: Who will replace Berhalter and who should replace him?
-15:27: Tim Howard’s pitch to go after Jurgen Klopp
-16:20: Was Howard sincere?
-16:51: Alexi Lalas saying he would coach the USMNT if asked
-19:10: Lalas the analyst
-21:08: Realistic expectations for USMNT at the 2026 World Cup?
-22:31: Copa América logistics
-25:35: Concerns about logistics of 2026 World Cup?
-26:52: Fans attending 2026 World Cup
-27:47: Lionel Messi’s ankle injury and Inter Miami CF
-28:40: MLS clubs and reporting injuries
-29:28: Messi’s impact on MLS
-31:30: Kevin Durant and the Philadelphia Union
-31:43: Messi and media access
-33:08: Cristiano Ronaldo and MLS
-33:34: Ronaldo’s Euro performance
-33:55: Is Ronaldo hanging on too long?
-34:16: England’s struggles in tournaments
-36:04: Talent pool in MLS
-38:19: Popularity of MLS in United States and room to grow
-41:38: U.S. Men’s Olympic Team
-44:55: Alex Morgan left off U.S. Women’s Olympic Team
-46:55: Emma Hayes
-52:58: Adjusting expectations with USWNT?
-54:06: Which gap closed more? The world to the USWNT or the USMNT to the world?
-54:23: When is it realistic for the USMNT to win a World Cup?
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Host Brandon Contes interviews MLB Network host and emcee of the National Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Brian Kenny. Brandon and Brian discuss a wide range of topics including Brian defending the concept of having special uniforms for the All-Star Game, the responsibility of being emcee for induction weekend, what Max Kellerman has been doing and when he may emerge, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:50: Brian’s sports media origin story
-3:36: Getting to ESPN
-4:04: Going from ESPN to MLB Network
-5:28: MLB All-Star Game uniforms
-7:57: More important for MLB ASG to win the game or get everyone involved?
-11:15: Working with Chris Russo
-12:49: “Mad Dog” and Sabermetrics
-14:00: Being an early convert of Sabermetrics
-15:13: Turning point with Sabermetrics discussion
-17:45: Being on MLB Network in terms of editorial freedom
-19:05: Ken Rosenthal not being retained by MLB Network
-19:34: One thing Brian would like to see change in MLB
-22:38: Realignment?
-24:20: Does MLB do a good job marketing stars nationally?
-27:30: Being Master of Ceremonies at the Hall of Fame
-29:28: HOF voting process
-31:02: Will Barry Bonds or Roger Clemens get in?
-32:21: Being in “Rocky Balboa”
-34:04: Max Kellerman
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Host Brandon Contes interviews NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport. Brandon and Ian discuss a wide range of topics including Ian's relationship with ESPN's Adam Schefter, "The Insiders" on NFL Network, various stories about reporting, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-1:02: How busy is early July for an NFL insider?
-2:04: Busiest week of the NFL season for an insider
-3:23: NFL Draft and opinion on tipping picks
-5:29: Being first to a story in free agency
-6:58: Competition among insiders inside NFL Network?
-8:30: Relationship with Adam Schefter
-10:00: Sources
-11:42: Local reporters
-13:02: Giving gifts to sources?
-14:23: Has Ian ever felt he was being used?
-15:54: Can Ian be an NBA insider?
-17:14: Multiple phones?
-18:29: Story Ian missed breaking because he didn’t have his phone
-20:40: Most “out of nowhere” scoop
-22:18: Biggest “swing and a miss” report
-26:01: Rumors that never got reported
-27:05: “The Insiders”
-27:58: Being on and hosting “The Pat McAfee Show”
-29:02: Doing TV
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Host Brandon Contes interviews sports journalism legend Andrea Kremer. Brandon and Andrea discuss a wide range of topics including the state of sports journalism especially after the cancellation of "Real Sports," the #MeToo movement in sports media, being part of the first all-woman NFL booth, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-1:26: National Sports Media Association HOF induction
-5:12: Going into labor days before working Super Bowl
-6:55: Going on air right after giving birth
-9:47: Balancing career and being a mom
-14:27: Pro Football HOF induction
-17:43: Media industry progression for women
-23:54: Goal to be in sports media or to be a journalist?
-27:49: #MeToo and women in sports
-30:30: More difficult to earn the respect of male athletes or male peers in sports media?
-34:42: Covering the Chicago Bulls dynasty
-41:36: Reaction to “Real Sports'” cancellation
-46:08: Separating working for NFL Network and on “Real Sports”
-48:14: Journalism today?
-51:23: Charissa Thompson’s sideline reporter comments
-58:17: Calling NFL games with Hannah Storm
-1:05:58: Access for “Thursday Night Football”
-1:07:47: Most frequent question asked by aspiring journalists
-1:09:54: Biggest piece of advice
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Host Brandon Contes interviews SNY's New York Jets reporter Connor Hughes. Brandon and Connor discuss a wide range of topics including Aaron Rodgers being Aaron Rodgers, Robert Saleh's handling of Rodgers missing mandatory minicamp, reporting or not reporting what sources tell you, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:38: First season covering the Jets
-1:07: Covering the Jets today compared to when Connor started
-2:26: Aaron Rodgers skipping mandatory minicamp
-3:44: Where was/is Rodgers?
-5:54: Did Rodgers missing minicamp become a distraction?
-8:07: Rodgers’ infamous “winning” quote
-10:44: How did the Jets and Robert Saleh handle Rodgers’ absence?
-13:43: Does Rodgers trust Saleh?
-16:11: Joe Douglas as general manager
-19:05: Rodgers’ relationship with Woody Johnson
-20:15: Nathaniel Hackett
-23:31: Concern within the Jets that Rodgers would actually run for VP?
-25:19: Political tension between Rodgers and Johnson?
-28:24: Jets feelings about Rodgers on “The Pat McAfee Show”
-31:49: Have there been times Rodgers says something that led to a private talk afterwards?
-32:50: Rodgers in press conferences
-35:39: Concerns with NYC media regarding to Rodgers
-38:11: Relationship amongst Jets reporters
-39:59: Local reporters and national reporters
-42:10: Sources and reporting
-43:46: Does Robert Saleh still trust Joe Beningo as a source?
-45:24: Percentage of info Connor receives that he actually reports?
-47:01: Connor’s relationship with Jets fans
-48:40: Jamal Adams
-49:00: Why has Woody Johnson failed as Jets owner?
-52:42: Would Johnson again take a position in the Trump White House if Trump wins?
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Host Brandon Contes interviews former "Mike and the Mad Dog" producer and current co-host of "Carlin vs. Joe," Chris Carlin. Brandon and Chris discuss a wide range of topics including trying to navigate Mike Francesa and Chris Russo during their blowup, the "challenge" of working with Don Imus, entering broadcasting due to somebody getting pantsed in a bar, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:33: “Carlin vs. Joe”
-2:04: Meeting Joe Fortenbaugh
-2:46: National radio compared to local radio
-4:44: Is one form of radio more creative than the other?
-6:02: Is there a specific market to focus on when doing national?
-7:10: Cowboys talk
-7:49: Is there more an effort to have evergreen topics?
-9:08: Is ESPN Radio still prestigious?
-12:14: Connection with national audience
-13:33: Engaging with callers
-16:05: Going to school to be a lawyer
-17:08: Switching to sports
-21:06: Producing “Mike and the Mad Dog”
-23:46: Producing when Mike and Chris had their blowup during the 2000 NBA Eastern Conference Finals
-28:06: Producing when Mike and Chris weren’t talking with each other
-31:02: Continuing to produce “Mike and the Mad Dog”
-34:33: Most memorable moment from producing “Mike and the Mad Dog”
-36:31: Most memorable off-air moment
-38:38: Leaving “Mike and the Mad Dog”
-40:08: Working with Don Imus
-45:44: “Boomer and Carton”
-46:56: Doing shows on SNY
-49:21: WIP
-51:59: Spike Eskin
-53:44: Surprising Spike left WFAN for WIP?
-55:22: Going back to WIP?
-57:08: Not reaching out to Mike Francesa
-1:01:02: Learning when Mike was coming back
-1:01:59: Rebounding
-1:04:30: Ryan Hurley
-1:06:35: Relationship with Mad Dog
-1:08:50: Mad Dog on “First Take”
-1:10:32: How does Mike feel about Mad Dog on “First Take?”
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Host Brandon Contes interviews former "Around the Horn" panelist and current co-host of "Brother From Another" Michael Holley. Brandon and Michael discuss a wide range of topics including the Boston media's feelings about Joe Mazzulla, Kyrie Irving's tenure in Boston, being on "Around the Horn," working with Max Kellerman, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:40: Pressure on the Celtics in NBA Finals
-2:47: Confidence from fanbase/media
-5:37: Stephen A. Smith’s report on Jaylen Brown’s attitude
-7:54: Power struggle between Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum
-9:44: Joe Mazzulla and the Boston media
-13:36: Biggest criticism of Mazzulla
-15:26: Mike Felger and JJ Redick
-17:28: Northeast sports talk radio
-18:27: Kyrie Irving in Boston
-22:28: Irving with media in Boston
-24:25: Barstool influencing Boston sports media
-27:33: When was Michael aware of Barstool
-28:32: Who is more popular among Boston sports fans? Dave Portnoy or Bill Simmons?
-30:37: Teaching journalism classes
-32:09: Doing daily sports talk radio in Boston
-35:07: What happened to WEEI?
-39:57: Why did Michael leave WEEI?
-45:27: Bill Belichick’s relationship with Robert Kraft
-49:17: Logan Ryan’s comments that politics played a role in Patriots dynasty demise
-50:54: Tom Brady at Fox
-52:12: Could Brady play football again?
-52:59: Michael Smith
-54:34: Freedom of “Brother From Another”
-57:53: “Around the Horn”
-1:02:11: Panelist Michael didn’t like debating or working with?
-1:03:15: Being on “I, Max” with Max Kellerman
-1:08:53: Working with and having a relationship with Kellerman
-1:10:24: Relief to stop “I, Max”
-1:13:06: Talking with Max recently?
-1:15:41: Going back to “Around the Horn?”
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Host Brandon Contes interviews "First Things First" co-host Nick Wright. Brandon and Nick discuss a wide range of topics including going to FS1 instead of ESPN, Chennedy Carter's foul on Caitlin Clark and the overall WNBA discussion, doing sports talk radio in Kansas City, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:45: Who is the “face” of FS1?
-2:07: Striving to be a valuable personality
-5:07: Talking about the WNBA
-13:36: Who benefits more? WNBA or sports media?
-15:32: Racial aspect of Chennedy Carter’s foul on Caitlin Clark?
-19:56: Making it about race
-22:23: Being genuine in takes
-24:10: Ability to be definitive
-27:31: Would staying in KC be satisfying enough?
-32:23: Houston
-32:46: FS1
-35:59: ESPN offer
-40:18: Original Fox deal
-42:40: Cris Carter
-44:47: Kevin Wildes
-51:16: Chris Broussard
-52:45: Any talks on replacing Shannon Sharpe on “Undisputed?”
-59:41: Jason Whitlock
-1:00:25: Doing “First Things First” and Mad Dog Radio
-1:04:23: Changing shifts
-1:05:32: Sports/politics discussion
-1:10:30: KC parade post-Super Bowl
-1:12:15: Gambling
-1:16:43: Shaving head
-1:19:47: Career goals right now
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Bill Walton died on May 27, 2024 at the age of 71. Bill meant a lot to us at Awful Announcing, so we wanted to do something special. We invited a few of Bill's many friends and broadcast partners to tell stories and memories of the Basketball Hall of Famer and legendary broadcaster. Sit back with host Brandon Contes and guests Jason Benetti, Roxy Bernstein, and Dave Pasch as we celebrate the life of Bill Walton.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:20: Welcome Jason Benetti to the Awful Announcing Podcast
-:50: Bill making the most out of his life
-2:57: Emotions this week
-5:50: Creative freedom of working with Bill
-7:37: Knowing Jason would like working with Bill at first
-11:10: First broadcast with Bill
-14:02: First conversation with Bill
-14:15: Building chemistry with Bill
-17:55: Shift in Bill’s broadcasting style from NBA to college
-19:07: Pressure to need to entertain?
-21:27: Was Bill seeking to be more entertaining or more insightful on broadcast?
-22:43: Inserting non-sports topics in sports
-25:23: Will we see another analyst like Bill?
-27:31: Best piece of advice from Bill
-29:39: Welcome Roxy Bernstein to the Awful Announcing Podcast
-29:55: Reaction to the reaction to Bill’s passing
-30:52: First broadcast with Bill
-33:18: Comfort level working without pregame prep with the analyst
-35:02: Challenge of letting Bill go on tangents
-36:44: Notable tangents with Bill
-37:46: Working relationship becoming a friendship
-39:41: Being genuine/playing dumb
-41:22: Favorite off-air moment with Bill
-43:39: Going to a Grateful Dead concert with Bill
-45:31: Closing Pac-12 Network and mentioning Bill
-48:05: Welcome Dave Pasch to the Awful Announcing Podcast
-48:25: Emotions this week
-49:48: Catharsis of everyone sharing stories and showing love for Bill
-51:06: Bill’s basketball career being secondary when describing his life
-52:41: Bill resonating with so many people
-54:29: Bill off-camera
-55:59: Bill on college campus
-58:41: Was there a pressure to be “on?”
-59:39: First broadcast with Bill
-1:00:51: Surprised by the amount of tangents
-1:01:41: Was it a challenge to work alongside Bill?
-1:03:20: Getting caught up in the banter
-1:04:25: Will we see another analyst like Bill?
-1:05:43: Favorite tangent/memorable on-air moment
-1:08:00: Posting texts from Bill online
-1:09:57: T-shirt for final broadcast
-1:12:16: Favorite off-air moment with Bill
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Host Brandon Contes interviews legendary Indianapolis 500 broadcaster Paul Page. Brandon and Paul discuss a wide range of topics including working the Indy 500 on radio and TV, being mentored by Sid Collins, working with Bobby Unser, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:43: Working this year’s Indianapolis 500
-1:29: Best place to watch the Indy 500
-2:27: Getting into broadcasting
-4:15: Growing up a racing fan
-5:58: Broadcasting while in the Army
-6:25: Surviving a helicopter crash
-8:10: Memories of the crash
-8:55: First ride back in a helicopter
-9:18: Reporting from helicopter during crash
-10:22: Friendship and mentorship with Sid Collins
-12:13: Collins’ death and succeeding Collins to be “Voice of the 500” in 1977
-14:25: Emotions of the 1977 broadcast as chief announcer
-15:57: Difficulties of the 1977 broadcast
-16:44: Feeling after the 1977 race
-18:45: Differences in broadcasting compared to Collins
-20:38: Preference in doing radio or TV?
-22:08: Doing radio at Indy
-23:22: TV producers
-26:01: Ideas to ABC to improve broadcasts
-26:59: Delta Force intros
-29:14: Working with Bobby Unser and Sam Posey
-30:42: Was Posey and Unser competitive with each other?
-31:22: Playing peacemaker
-32:18: Three person booth
-34:27: Longest being on the air for a race
-36:06: Most memorable finish for Paul
-38:01: Favorite Indy 500 memory in general
-39:28: Broadcasting Indy 500 during COVID
-42:06: Calling Alex Zanardi crash in Germany days after 9/11
-48:53: Favorite sport to call
-49:25: Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest
-51:45: Preparation for offbeat sports
-52:18: Calling different forms of motorsports
-53:22: 30th anniversary of the first Brickyard 400
-54:56: What makes the Indy 500 special?
-58:24: Al Michaels
-1:00:45: Favorite part of Indy 500 weekend
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Host Brandon Contes interviews executive producer and host of "SportScience," John Brenkus. Brandon and John discuss a wide range of topics including creating and hosting "SportScience," how the science community reacted to the show, creating and running Brinx. TV, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:43: Legacy of “SportScience”
-2:36: TV aspirations?
-4:00: Start of “SportScience”
-4:58: Building set and producing “SportScience”
-6:50: Desire to find this info out
-8:38: Did “SportScience” influence how teams measure players?
-10:21: Reaction from Science community
-11:45: Episode that stands out?
-13:03: Experiments that went wrong?
-14:13: Why pro athletes weren’t paid to participate?
-15:40: Coming up with ideas
-16:25: Format of the show
-18:07: Not hosting “SportScience” segments
-18:50: Brinx. TV
-21:46: Content with Brinx Bux
-24:08: Measuring viewership
-26:00: Marcellus Wiley
-26:38: “GOAT Code”
-27:35: “The Perfection Point”
-28:28: Most room for performance growth among the “big four” American sports
-29:42: How much of a great athlete comes down to genetics and hard work/effort/training?
-30:57: Any unfulfilled passion projects?
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Host Brandon Contes interviews ESPN's Steve Levy. Brandon and Steve discuss a wide range of topics including being a Rangers fan and working with Mark Messier, working "Monday Night Football," his infamous "bulging disc" blooper, why Pat McAfee is a "genius," and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-1:00: Watching NHL games from the studio
-2:01: Becoming a Rangers fan
-3:00: ESPN’s near-“Heidi Bowl” moment Tuesday night
-4:08: NHL on ESPN
-5:30: Atmosphere at ESPN when the NHL left network in 2004?
-7:39: Calling an NHL game in 2021 compared to 2003
-8:49: Barry Melrose
-10:31: Working with Mark Messier and P.K. Subban
-13:06: Doing NHL in studio, “MNF,” and NHL games
-14:29: Being versatile
-17:37: Being the voice of “Monday Night Football”
-19:19: Three person booths
-20:43: “MNF” job being temporary?
-24:49: Being replaced by Chris Fowler on the second “MNF” crew
-27:20: Working with Pat McAfee
-29:52: NHL talk on ESPN shows
-31:08: NHL marketing its stars
-33:39: Another NHL who can transcend the sport like Wayne Gretzky?
-34:45: Working at MSG
-36:54: Doing updates at WFAN
-38:33: "SportsCenter"
-39:41: The “bulging disc” blooper
-43:41: Added pressure filling in for Dan or Keith on “The Big Show?”
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Host Brandon Contes interviews co-host of "The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz," Jon "Stugotz" Weiner. Brandon and Stugotz discuss a wide range of topics including being interested in being program director at WFAN, working with Dan Le Batard for nearly 20 years, the importance of being on ESPN and being jealous of Pat McAfee, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:36: How close was Stugotz to being program director at WFAN?
-2:50: Process of program director discussion
-4:08: Being a full-time host while being program director?
-6:14: Sal Licata
-8:19: Ryan Hurley
-10:06: Mark Chernoff/Spike Eskin handling WFAN program director role
-12:48: Talking to Spike Eskin about the program director job
-14:24: Talking to Chris Oliviero about before the program director job opened up?
-16:04: Wanting a full-time WFAN show before retirement?
-17:31: Letting Dan Le Batard know about talks with WFAN
-18:39: Le Batard understanding what WFAN means to Stugotz
-19:59: Any talks about doing WFAN and Le Batard?
-25:55: Mike Francesa or Chris “Mad Dog” Russo?
-29:34: Mad Dog on “First Take”
-33:24: Does it feel like it’s been 20 years with Le Batard?
-35:31: Francesa doing a podcast
-37:34: Le Batard being a perfectionist
-39:00: Size of the cast on “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz”
-41:17: Convincing Le Batard to be a sports radio host
-44:12: Chemistry between Stugotz and Le Batard at first
-46:15: Importance of being at ESPN
-48:09: Podcast audience growth
-51:05: Decision to leave ESPN
-52:15: Comfortable with leaving ESPN
-53:38: Did Stugotz consider leaving the show due to leaving ESPN?
-54:59: Being jealous of Pat McAfee
-55:45: Did ESPN give “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz” the freedom they wanted?
-57:32: Pat McAfee level of freedom?
-1:00:36: Stugotz’s book
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Host Brandon Contes interviews broadcasting legend Eli Gold. Brandon and Bob discuss a wide range of topics including being the voice of the Alabama Crimson Tide, Alabama not retaining him for 2024, telling a white lie to start broadcasting in NASCAR, Nick Saban retiring from coaching, and more.
NOTE: We apologize for some audio and visual issues during the episode.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:40: Eli’s health
-1:11: Returning to broadcast booth post-cancer
-1:57: Were there retirement thoughts when Eli sat out?
-2:54: Being out of work for two hours
-4:02: Calling home games only at Alabama
-4:56: Was the cutback a warning sign that Alabama wasn’t going to retain Eli?
-6:00: Alabama’s reason for not retaining Eli
-7:47: Response from Alabama fans
-8:46: Being the voice of the Nick Saban era [NOTE] Eli’s audio cuts out from 9:10 to 9:15. For full context, Eli is talking about not being at Alabama’s 2024 Spring Game which honored Nick Saban and the 2023 team.
-11:00: Not being welcomed by Alabama fans when Eli joined in 1988
-12:24: Considering leaving Alabama during that time?
-14:49: Getting to Alabama
-16:12: Goal as aspiring sportscaster in NYC
-18:01: Broadcasters Eli looked up to growing up
-19:25: Crafting your own style
-21:45: Verne Lundquist’s last Masters
-22:43: Jacksonville State University
-23:32: Nashville Kats
-26:30: Preparing for opposing team
-27:25: Commute to Nashville
-28:01: Were there other job opportunities while Eli was at Alabama?
-28:59: Reaction to Nick Saban retiring
-30:20: Any solace in that Eli’s Alabama tenure ended when Saban’s did?
-31:15: Can Alabama succeed without Saban?
-32:21: How will Saban do at ESPN?
-33:49: Most memorable and favorite moments/games at Alabama
-35:46: Favorite sport to broadcast
-37:24: Getting involved in NASCAR
-40:51: Working the 1979 Daytona 500 on MRN and importance of that race to NASCAR
-42:00: Being too close to Dale Earnhardt’s 1982 Pocono crash
-44:45: Being on the call for Earnhardt’s fatal crash in the 2001 Daytona 500
-46:24: Which sport changed the most throughout Eli’s career? NASCAR or college football?
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Host Brandon Contes interviews broadcasting legend Bob Costas. Brandon and Bob discuss a wide range of topics including his feelings on Donald Trump before and after becoming president, Bob's infamous gun culture essay, how Tom Brady would be as a broadcaster, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-1:07: Being selective with doing podcasts
-5:19: Thoughts about Joe Biden and Donald Trump
-13:19: Relationship with Trump pre-president
-17:55: Covering the Olympics
-19:50: Hearing back from China after being critical of them
-21:50: Responsibility of not “sticking to sports”
-24:14: Jim Nantz and the Masters
-26:27: Misconceptions surrounding gun culture essay
-33:47: Biggest detriment to the essay
-35:37: Can it be “not worth it” discussing serious topics when people can make their own headlines and twist around those words?
-36:34: NBC coming to Bob with issues they wanted him to talk about
-36:58: How did NFL owners and Roger Goodell react to some of Bob’s essays?
-38:04: Watching the NFL
-38:26: How will Tom Brady do as a broadcaster? Could Brady do this for a long time?
-40:23: Social media/aggregate media causing change in media
-48:41: Doing “Later” on NBC
-49:59: Can long-form interview format work on TV today?
-50:27: Why Bob feels he couldn’t do a show like “Later” anymore
-52:19: No studio audience on “Later”
-54:27: One thing in sports Bob would like to see happen before retirement
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Host Brandon Contes interviews "Parkins & Spiegel Show" co-host and co-author of the book "Pipeline to the Pros," Danny Parkins. Brandon and Danny discuss a wide range of topics including Caleb Williams (very likely) going to the Bears, being the best man at Nick Wright's vow renewal, breaking the news of the Jovan Belcher tragedy, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:42: Writing a book
-3:46: Difficulties of writing a book
-5:57: Moments Danny felt like giving up on book?
-8:06: People who declined to be interviewed
-10:02: Jeff Van Gundy stories
-13:29: Duncan Robinson
-15:41: Will book change how DIII schools are valued?
-17:40: Sports media not playing sports stigma
-19:40: BrainUp
-21:56: Dealing with real things and sharing that with the audience
-24:10: Becoming comfortable with discussing difficult personal things
-26:31: Landing first full-time on-air radio job
-28:17: Kansas City and Nick Wright
-29:39: Jovan Belcher murder-suicide story
-32:06: Difficulty reporting a story like that
-34:21: Lines between sports journalists and radio hosts being blurred?
-35:49: Do aggregators make life difficult in terms of separating media journalism and media entertainment?
-37:51: Not sticking to sports
-40:20: Jason McIntyre’s comments about Chicago
-41:13: Colin Cowherd calling Danny the “most talented sports talk radio host”
-43:13: Feelings of ESPN embracing digital for shows compared to his situation
-46:41: Landing dream job at a young age
-48:12: Working with Dan McNeil
-49:28: Having a say in a co-host after Dan was fired?
-51:07: Caleb Williams
-52:37: Divide over trading the pick or drafting Williams?
-53:42: Fans concerned about Williams’ eccentricities?
-54:36: Being friends with Nick Wright
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Guest host Jessica Kleinschmidt interviews ESPN MLB reporter Buster Olney. Jessica and Buster discuss a wide range of topics including the slow pace of the MLB offseason, Scott Boras taking some losses in negotiations, helping Buster Posey be more media friendly, and more.
NOTE: We recorded with Buster on Friday March 22, so in between recording and posting, some details about the Shohei Ohtani/Ippei Mizuhara gambling story have been updated.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:43: Baseball coverage changing over the years
-2:26: Relationship with players changing
-3:55: Clubhouse access
-6:00: Waiting around
-7:42: Covering Chuck Knoblauch during the "yips"
-9:30: Helping Buster Posey be more media friendly
-12:57: Embracing players as people in terms of social media
-14:16: Benefit to players having their wall back up?
-15:06: Embracing social media at the start
-16:04: Do the positives outweigh the negatives on social media?
-18:01: Buster being able to separate from work in his personal life
-21:06: This offseason compared to past years
-23:52: Who is a “middle class” MLB player?
-25:36: Players speaking up
-26:35: Buster’s take on a salary cap in MLB
-27:45: Top paying players involved in salary cap discussions?
-28:52: Scott Boras conspiracy theory
-31:26: TV concerns
-32:52: Increase in opt-out contracts
-34:54: Shohei Ohtani
-38:23: Ippei Mizuhara gambling scandal
-40:42: Personal relationship with an interpreter
-42:47: How would this go if it didn’t involve Ohtani?
-43:33: Not really unchartered territory
-45:20: Shock factor of Ohtani news
-46:42: Joey Votto
-48:49: Reds not bringing Votto back
-49:56: Votto’s potential post-playing future
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Host Brandon Contes interviews MMA reporter Ariel Helwani. Brandon and Ariel discuss a wide range of topics including discovering mixed martial arts and going to school to cover the sport, Dana White running the UFC, Joe Rogan as a UFC commentator, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:45: Confidence level on the New York Knicks
-4:05: Why be a fan of the Knicks instead of the Bulls in the 90s?
-5:54: MMA fandom
-9:20: Famous classmates at Syracuse
-11:15: MMA as a stepping stone?
-12:55: MMA 20 years from now?
-15:05: Covering UFC for Fox and ESPN
-18:29: Benefits to working with a big company rather than being independent?
-20:32: Anticipating roadblocks at ESPN?
-22:32: Leaving ESPN
-24:24: Why is ESPN deal with UFC important?
-26:30: UFC recognizing the value ESPN is bringing
-27:36: Why did Ariel’s relationship with Dana White sour?
-32:53: Does Ariel miss going to events?
-34:58: How is Ariel perceived by UFC fans?
-37:35: Did ESPN attempt to foster a conversation between Ariel and Dana?
-39:45: Dana White, UFC, and the media
-41:54: Does Ariel think that White thinks Ariel is good or bad for MMA?
-44:19: Sean Strickland’s response to Alexander Lee’s question about Strickland’s previous anti-LGBTQ posts
-47:32: White’s “freedom of speech” mandate for the UFC
-50:20: ESPN’s lack of response to Strickland compared to network going after other athletes for controversial things they said
-55:10: What is Dana White’s best quality?
-57:30: Relationship with Joe Rogan
-1:00:46: Kids being fans of UFC
-1:02:14: Covering boxing in Saudi Arabia
-1:06:01: Biggest thing Ariel does to be a great interviewer
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Host Brandon Contes interviews ESPN WNBA and college basketball analyst and Basketball Hall of Famer Rebecca Lobo. Brandon and Rebecca discuss a wide range of topics including Caitlin Clark and the growth of women's college basketball, going to the White House to interview Barack Obama filling out his bracket, her reaction to Kim Mulkey's comments, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:47: How Rebecca and husband Steve Rushin met
-3:03: How does Steve feel about the WNBA now?
-4:38: Viewpoint of athletes now being on the media side
-6:18: Being interested in media
-7:37: Envisioning top women’s college basketball games doing better ratings than the NBA
-9:05: Importance of Caitlin Clark to women’s college basketball’s growth
-10:51: Clark’s impact on women’s college basketball already changing the WNBA?
-12:08: Jay Williams’ Caitlin Clark take
-13:52: Getting caught up in a take
-15:08: Maya Moore “nasty woman’ comment
-16:51: Filling out a bracket with Barack Obama
-18:00: Going to the White House
-19:01: Playing in the 1996 Olympics
-20:20: Excitement level of the start of the WNBA at the time
-21:23: Envisioning the WNBA 25 years later?
-22:10: Equality among women’s and men’s college basketball
-24:21: Last year’s championship game on ABC
-25:39: Frustrating that women’s college basketball and WNBA constantly need to prove to be on a bigger platform?
-26:51: NIL helping grow the WNBA?
-28:04: NIL in college sports
-29:10: College coaches expressing disdain for NIL
-31:13: South Carolina-LSU fight, Kim Mulkey’s comments
-33:17: Added excitement calling title games
-34:20: Preparing for NCAA Tournament
-35:45: Relationship between WNBA and media
-38:03: Are there enough beat reporters at games every day in order to build trust with players?
-40:04: Does the WNBA get unfairly judged in comparison to the NBA?
-41:15: Steph Curry-Sabrina Ionescu competition at the NBA Skills Challenge
-42:51: Ryan Ruocco
-44:11: Knowing when to lay out for the play-by-play voice
-45:42: Ruocco growing with the WNBA
-47:36: Doris Burke
-50:05: Working NBA games?
-53:02: Coaching at the college or pro level?
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Host Brandon Contes interviews "Inside the NBA" host and co-host of "The Big Podcast with Shaq," Adam Lefkoe. Brandon and Adam discuss a wide range of topics including lots of talk about "Inside the NBA" and the crew, reporting that Doc Rivers was heading to the Milwaukee Bucks and the uneasiness throughout the night when that wasn't immediately confirmed, interviewing LeBron James after he broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's career scoring record, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:55: Going viral
-1:37: Building an audience after going viral
-4:08: Building a career in sports media
-5:52: Starting in the midwest
-8:05: Syracuse grads entering sports media
-9:56: "Seinfeld"
-10:51: "SportsCenter" anchor?
-13:29: Jerry Seinfeld
-14:30: Being Shaquille O’Neal’s co-host
-18:35: Similarities between hosting podcast with Shaq and hosting "Inside the NBA"
-20:37: Reason why Shaq was late Tuesday night?
-22:29: Preparation changes when Shaq is late
-24:21: First season working for TNT
-29:28: Working in the bubble
-31:07: Benefits of having Shaq there for the Tuesday show
-33:19: Pressure of being compared to the Thursday “Inside the NBA” show?
-35:37: Camaraderie between both shows
-37:40: Ernie Johnson as an influence
-39:29: Getting to know Charles Barkley
-42:54: Will Charles retire?
-43:54: What makes the “Inside the NBA” group so special?
-46:56: Thinking of the future
-48:42: “Monday Night Football” “audition” with Pat McAfee
-51:31: Envisioning McAfee’s dominance in sports media
-52:33: Reporting the "Doc Rivers to Bucks" news
-56:53: Worry about pushback on report
-58:01: Hosting "NBA on TNT Tuesday" when LeBron James broke the career scoring record
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Host Brandon Contes interviews head Apple MLS commentator Taylor Twellman. Brandon and Taylor discuss a wide range of topics including giving Tom Brady broadcasting advice, Lionel Messi in MLS, leaving ESPN for Apple, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:38: Excitement for start of MLS season
-1:51: Transition from pitch to booth
-3:29: Not giving bulletin board material when playing
-5:41: Times Taylor gave bulletin board material
-6:55: Robert Kraft’s involvement with the New England Revolution
-8:27: Tom Brady
-9:33: Broadcasting advice for Brady
-11:17: Apple’s first season in MLS
-12:30: Issues or complaints from fans about MLS on Apple
-13:22: MLS embracing streaming
-15:41: Lionel Messi effect for MLS
-17:01: Can one player make such an impact for MLS?
-18:26: MLS talent level compared to England
-20:01: Messi with the media
-20:53: Different feel when doing Messi’s matches
-21:46: Transition from ESPN to Apple
-23:41: Enjoying doing other shows like “SportsCenter” and “First Take”
-25:33: Complaints from viewers
-26:08: ESPN daytime programming not putting enough focus on soccer
-27:45: Is talent or management more reluctant to talk soccer?
-29:32: Talking soccer with Stephen A. Smith
-30:47: Twitter post on leaving ESPN
-32:20: “What are we doing?” clip
-35:14: Realistic the USMNT should’ve won a World Cup by now?
-36:54: What’s held the USMNT back from making the World Cup quarterfinals?
-38:41: Working the World Cup as a broadcaster
-40:05: United States hosting the World Cup
-41:14: Reservations about going to other countries to play
-42:47: Soccer industry handling concussions
-44:36: Movement to make changes happen during matches?
-46:12: Heading in youth sports
-47:02: Diagnosed concussions
-47:47: Effects from concussions
-49:12: Support from others when speaking about concussions
-51:08: MLS referee lockout and starting season with temporary refs
-51:59: Inter Miami’s 2024 season
-53:19: Messi backlash from China after missing Hong Kong friendly
-54:07 MLS season starting in February
-55:46: MLS players not named Messi that people should know about
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Host Brandon Contes interviews legendary Fox NASCAR play-by-play commentator Mike Joy. Brandon and Mike discuss a wide range of topics including interviewing being on the call for some of the best, and most tragic, moments in Daytona 500 history, what happens to the Daytona 500 if the Super Bowl is moved to Presidents' Day Weekend, Kevin Harvick joining the Fox booth, and more.
Tune in for the 66th running of the Daytona 500 Sunday, February 18 at 2:30 et on Fox.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-45: Excitement for Mike’s 45th Daytona 500 compared to his first in 1977
-2:02: Getting into racing
-4:01: Getting discovered by Ken Squier
-5:39: Importance of 1979 Daytona 500
-8:26: Memories from broadcasting 1979 race on radio
-11:36: Calling Dale Earnhardt winning the 1998 Daytona 500
-13:31: Earnhardt’s demeanor at the Daytona 500 before and after winning
-15:37: Calling the 2001 Daytona 500
-19:08: Balancing the emotions of the 2001 finish
-22:21: Kevin Harvick winning at Atlanta three weeks later
-24:03: Harvick in the broadcast booth
-26:11: Rotating panel of analysts vs having a permanent broadcast team
-27:21: How soon will Mike be able to tell who will be great in the booth or not?
-28:12: NFL possibly moving Super Bowl to Presidents' Day weekend
-30:31: State of NASCAR on TV
-33:43: Should NASCAR shorten races?
-36:21: Describing the start of the Daytona 500
-37:31: The unpredictability of the Daytona 500
-39:41: Winner that will bring big storylines
-41:06: Picking a winner?
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Host Brandon Contes interviews host of "The Drive" on 610 AM in Kansas City, Carrington Harrison. Brandon and Carrington discuss a wide range of topics including interviewing Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift living in KC, Jason Whitlock in KC, watching The Decision with Nick Wright, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:38: AA Podcast connections
-1:10: Confidence level in Kansas City entering Super Bowl LVIII
-2:18: Chiefs fandom
-4:04: Chiefs dynasty
-8:17: Broadcasting from Radio Row
-14:07: Interviewing Patrick Mahomes
-15:19: Mahomes as an interview
-16:50: Mahomes Super Bowl interview?
-17:27: How do the Chiefs handle the media?
-19:27: Travis Kelce
-22:53: Taylor Swift living in Kansas City
-25:17: Have Chiefs fans accepted Swift as one of their own?
-27:21: How will Chiefs fans react if Swift isn’t at the Super Bowl?
-28:57: Pat McAfee shoutout
-30:39: Being a journalist
-33:31: Tyreek Hill audio
-39:29: Jason Whitlock in KC
-42:20: Interviewing Whitlock
-43:51: Nick Wright
-46:36: Is the national stage appealing?
-49:31: Wright as a mentor
-50:21: Wright as the LeBron guy
-51:05: Has Wright ever lost a debate?
-51:36: Andy Reid’s popularity
-53:45: Is Reid retiring?
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Host Brandon Contes interviews NFL Network's Rich Eisen. Brandon and Rich discuss Jim Harbaugh leaving Michigan, Aaron Rodgers playing for the New York Jets and appearing on "The Pat McAfee Show," being Stuart Scott's friend, doing play-by-play for NFL Network, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:34: Winning the “Awfulie” for Best Sports Radio Personality
-6:00: Michigan Wolverines and the sign stealing scandal
-12:09: Does Rich get bothered when he’s asked about Michigan’s sign stealing?
-12:55: Connor Stalions
-14:02: Jim Harbaugh leaving Michigan
-16:39: New York Jets and Aaron Rodgers
-18:42: Where will a Jets Super Bowl rank in Rich’s life?
-21:19: Thoughts on Rodgers during the NFL season
-23:26: Rodgers on Pat McAfee
-26:13: How Rich would interview Rodgers
-31:01: Should Jets advise Rodgers to not go on McAfee?
-33:05: Does McAfee’s audience match ESPN’s audience?
-34:54: Robert Saleh and Joe Beningo
-38:32: NFL playoff game on Peacock
-42:23: Could Super Bowl be someday behind a paywall?
-43:16: NFL equity stake in ESPN
-46:35: Competing for eyeballs in conjunction with ESPN
-48:03: Feelings it’s been over 20 years since Rich was at ESPN
-50:04: Chemistry with Stuart Scott
-51:49: Remembering Stuart
-54:20: What would Stuart be doing today?
-56:17: “The Rich Eisen Show”
-1:02:31: Hosting style
-1:05:42: Doing play-by-play
-1:11:03: Is there any difficulty going back and forth from radio host to play-by-play commentator?
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Host Brandon Contes interviews CBS NFL sideline reporter Evan Washburn. Brandon and Evan discuss working the Super Bowl, interviewing the teams who lose big games, Charissa Thompson's sideline reporting admission, and more.
Evan will be on the sideline for the AFC Championship Game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens on Sunday 3:00 PM ET on CBS. Evan will also work Super Bowl LVIII, taking place February 11 on CBS and Nickelodeon.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:48: Being in hometown Baltimore for AFC Championship Game
-1:39: Pre-Ravens fandom
-2:37: What is Super Bowl week like?
-4:24: Not staying for the Super Bowl when CBS doesn’t have the game
-4:55: Working first Super Bowl
-6:47: Freezing up/funny moments on a broadcast
-7:49: Working with Ian Eagle and Charles Davis
-9:02: College basketball work
-9:37: Following college basketball during NFL season
-10:40: Getting into broadcasting
-12:43: Being in college
-16:41: Media interests
-19:56: More difficult to be accepted by coaches/players or broadcasting peers?
-22:15: Working with Jim Nantz and Tony Romo
-23:41: Challenges of joining the “A” crew late in the season
-25:22: Tony Romo’s preparation
-26:57: Wanting the chance to interview Taylor Swift?
-28:04: Toughest interview?
-32:00: “Competing” against the interview subject to get good answers?
-33:15: Charissa Thompson
-35:14: Did Thompson’s admission give sideline reporting a bad rap?
-36:49: Fighting through crowds for interviews at the Super Bowl
-38:56: Halftime interviews at the Super Bowl
-39:41: Evan’s wife going into labor while Evan was meeting with Bill Belichick and Tom Brady
-45:00: Info from pre-production meetings that Evan actually uses on the broadcast?
-48:42: Knowing what info to use in advance
-51:28: The art of making the most of your limited time in sideline interviews
-53:26: Not wearing a hat on camera
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Host Brandon Contes interviews "Undisputed" host and host of the "All Facts No Brakes" podcast Keyshawn Johnson. Brandon and Keyshawn discuss Keyshawn's new podcast, working with Skip Bayless, having conversations instead of debates, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:38: Being on “Undisputed”
-1:06: Interest in sports media while playing
-2:14: Listening to sports talk radio while playing in New York
-3:11: Keyshawn’s new “All Facts No Brakes” podcast
-5:50: Keyshawn’s son taking part in the podcast
-6:33: Appeal of podcasting
-7:31: Active players in media
-8:31: Is an active player in media a distraction?
-9:25: Aaron Rodgers on “The Pat McAfee Show”
-10:16: Rodgers playing well after healing Achilles
-10:40: Working with Skip Bayless
-12:06: Rooting against the Cowboys because of Skip?
-12:38: Compelled to bring balance when Skip and Michael are big Cowboys fans?
-14:31: Having “conversations” with Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith instead of debating
-16:12: Does Skip see this as a conversation?
-17:37: Respecting Skip’s and Stephen A’s football opinions when they didn’t professionally play football
-20:34: Has Skip “won” any conversations against Keyshawn?
-21:05: Is Keyshawn in competition with “First Take?”
-22:31: Being let go by ESPN
-23:42: Doing morning radio
-25:57: Working with Max Kellerman
-26:52: Replacing Mike Golic and Shannon Sharpe at different times
-27:33: Does Jon Gruden deserve another chance at NFL coaching?
-29:02: Tom Brady
-30:41: Tony Romo
-32:14: Mike McCarthy as Cowboys coach in 2024?
-32:37: Where will Bill Belichick go in 2024?
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Host Brandon Contes interviews former ESPN host and current writer for The Atlantic, Jemele Hill. Brandon and Jemele have an in-depth discussion about the Pat McAfee/Aaron Rodgers saga. From Rodgers insinuating Jimmy Kimmel was in the Jeffrey Epstein files to McAfee accusing ESPN exec Norby Williamson of trying to sabotage "The Pat McAfee Show." We also talk about "SC6," Stephen A. Smith, Skip Bayless, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:56: Feelings toward ESPN about Pat McAfee/Aaron Rodgers/Norby Williamson/Jimmy Kimmel situation
-2:14: Internal conversations at ESPN regarding Rodgers
-4:54: Should ESPN talent be treated equally?
-6:39: Is McAfee giving other ESPN people the invitation to be controversial on the air?
-8:29: How does “The Pat McAfee Show” fit at ESPN?
-10:02: Where does McAfee rank in ESPN’s hierarchy?
-11:46: McAfee having leverage at ESPN
-13:54: Pat McAfee and Norby Williamson
-15:25: McAfee’s comments on Williamson
-18:25: Value of an exec to potentially not stop the sabotaging of a show on their network
-20:40: Calling out an exec on the air
-22:03: Should McAfee take on a more journalistic approach?
-25:35: What will ESPN do in regard to Aaron Rodgers?
-28:06: Would Jemele file a lawsuit if she was Kimmel?
-29:04: Who holds more power at Disney? Kimmel or McAfee?
-29:57: Has ESPN quietly removed the “stick to sports” mandate?
-31:55: Expectation of what the audience should get from an ESPN show
-34:18: Is there an interviewer who could challenge Rodgers?
-35:45: Aaron Rodgers’ legacy
-39:37: Is this controversial attention beneficial for “The Pat McAfee Show?”
-40:47: Does ESPN view this as beneficial?
-41:48: Did Jemele wish she had this kind of freedom at ESPN?
-44:27: Value of traditional journalism at ESPN
-46:16: “SC6” as a personality driven show
-52:41: Trying to push back on the narratives
-56:10: Was “SC6” hurt by the SportsCenter brand or the 6:00 time slot?
-57:43: The Donald Trump tweet
-1:00:32: Any regrets to posting that?
-1:02:21: Potentially being Skip Bayless’ debate partner on “First Take”
-1:04:31: Working with Bayless
-1:05:25: “First Take” debating style
-1:07:36: Stephen A. Smith’s and Skip Bayless’ role and influence in sports and cable news debate
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Host Brandon Contes interviews WFAN VP of Programming and host of the "Rights to Ricky Sanchez" podcast Spike Eskin. Brandon and Spike discuss a wide range of topics including what happened with Carl Banks and how things are going, paid interviews, not liking JJ Redick, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:41: Are people complaining more about WFAN or the 76ers?
-1:41: Receiving feedback
-2:55: Has WFAN gone into the toilet?
-6:46: “Evan and Tiki”
-8:06: How long does it take for Spike to give a show time to develop?
-9:51: Shaun Morash
-14:09: Benefits of being the third person on a two-person radio show
-15:18: Awareness of the attention WFAN gets in the media
-19:27: Carl Banks situation
-21:37: Surprise that Banks said he wasn’t coming back on?
-24:40: Was Banks’ segments entertaining?
-26:04: Banks’ reluctance to be critical on the show
-28:05: Gregg Giannotti defending Sal Licata
-29:10: Value of weekly paid interviews with players and coaches
-31:57: Aaron Rodgers being paid for being on Pat McAfee?
-34:26: Rodgers in NYC sports talk radio scene
-35:43: Does Spike listen to shows not on WFAN or CBS Sports Radio?
-36:48: Most talented sports radio/podcast host?
-39:30: Stugotz at WFAN?
-40:28: Mike Francesa part-time at WFAN?
-43:16: Having the task of replacing Craig Carton
-47:12: Role in replacing Angelo Cataldi
-48:13: Reaching out to people to replace Carton
-50:18: Thoughts on potentially replacing Boomer Esiason
-51:52: The appeal of local sports radio for retired athletes and coaches
-53:50: ESPN New York
-54:59: Podcasting
-56:43: JJ Redick
-58:00: Growing up as a Knicks fan
-59:43: Joe Beningo revealing texts with Robert Saleh
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It's a special episode of the Awful Announcing Podcast. The first half of our show has host Brandon Contes sitting down with fellow members of the Awful Announcing staff. Ben Koo, Andrew Bucholtz, and Sean Keeley discuss the winners from the 2023 Awfulies, including Pat McAfee winning Sports Media Person of the Year, Stephen A. Smith winning Best Sports Debate Personality, and Greg Olsen winning Game Analyst of the Year.
Afterward, we put together a collection of clips from our first 30 episodes in 2023. We thank you for listening/viewing the podcast, and have a happy holiday season.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-1:04: Pat McAfee as Sports Media Person of the Year
-8:55: Kevin Brown suspended from Orioles as Top Sports Media Story
-16:57: Greg Olsen as Game Analyst of the Year
-26:46: Stephen A. Smith as Best Sports Debate Personality, First Take as Best Sports Debate Show, and Skip Bayless as Worst Sports Debate Personality
-38:01: Disney selling ABC as Most Overblown Sports Media Story
-39:33: College football changes in 2024
-41:07: Ted Lasso as Best Scripted Sports TV Show
-43:39: Bomani Jones on Stephen A. Smith entering politics (Episode 1)
-45:31: Mark Schlereth on the softness of today’s NBA (Episode 6)
-47:13: Brian Windhorst on covering LeBron James (Episode 7)
-54:03: Craig Carton on getting the opportunity to return to WFAN (Episode 16)
-55:12: Chris Myers on interviewing O.J. Simpson (Episode 18)
-59:27: Pablo Torre on confronting Dan LeBatard about interviewing Donald Trump (Episode 20)
-1:05:23: Michelle Beadle on LeBron James and Rachel Nichols’ roles in getting Michelle replaced on “NBA Countdown” (Episode 21)
-1:10:45: Trey Wingo on working “SportsCenter” with Bob Ley on 9/11 (Episode 23)
-1:15:45: Jay Crawford on Jalen Rose being banned from “First Take” (Episode 24)
-1:22:20: Dan Patrick on anchoring “SportsCenter” with Keith Olbermann (Episode 26)
-1:28:50: Jason Benetti on working with Bill Walton (Episode 29)
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Host Brandon Contes interviews Fox NFL rules analyst Dean Blandino. Brandon and Dean discuss a wide range of topics including Dean's thoughts on the Brotherly Shove, being on Jerry Jones' party bus, being Fox's rules analyst, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:42: What Dean misses most about Long Island
-1:39: What Dean misses most about being NFL VP of Officiating
-2:35: Is refereeing a “thankless job?”
-4:00: Being a replay official
-4:51: Goals from having internship in NFL officiating department
-5:25: How do referees get to the NFL?
-6:29: Officials looking down on Dean because Dean wasn’t an on-field ref
-7:31: Could Dean have been an on-field ref?
-7:51: Calls from coaches as VP of Officiating
-8:25: Coaches Dean dreaded talking to?
-9:26: Players who were more difficult to deal with?
-10:20: Going from VP of Officiating to an on-air rules analyst for Fox
-11:35: Communicating with Mike Pereira
-12:00: Does Dean have issues with saying something was a bad call on air?
-13:42: Working with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman
-14:20: Does Dean prefer the booth or the command center?
-15:06: Does Dean have more to offer as an analyst?
-16:33: Working with Kevin Burkhardt and Greg Olsen
-17:16: Prospect of working with Tom Brady
-17:50: Has Brady reached out about anything rules or broadcasting related?
-18:13: Aaron Rodgers’ comments about networks stealing the best referees to be rules analysts
-19:18: Should NFL referees be full-time?
-21:06: What does an official do during the week?
-22:21: What does Dean do during the week?
-23:04: Sports betting and refereeing
-24:23: NFL officials being approached to manipulate games for betting reasons?
-25:28: NFL impacting scores in terms of adjusting how many flags are thrown from week to week?
-27:05: Favorite rule change
-27:41: Should there be more reviewable plays?
-28:55: Working with the XFL
-29:43: Brotherly Shove
-31:43: Future of the NFL in terms of player safety
-33:06: Rules protecting the quarterback
-34:05: Does Dean receive more complaints when working at the league office or as a rules analyst?
-34:50: Working the Super Bowl
-35:51: Dean’s most controversial decision as a replay official
-36:44: Being on Jerry Jones’ party bus
-38:16: Was the NFL bothered by that?
-39:13: Stand up comedy
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Host Brandon Contes interviews Fox broadcaster and new voice of the Detroit Tigers Jason Benetti. Brandon and Jason discuss a wide range of topics including working with Bill Walton, Kevin Brown's suspension from the Orioles, having cerebral palsy, leaving the Chicago White Sox to become the TV voice of the Detroit Tigers, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:37: Being the voice of the Detroit Tigers
-1:12: White Sox voice being a “dream job”
-3:05: Being a White Sox fan while calling games
-4:39: Is it easier or harder to call games of a team being a fan of?
-7:23: Why was Detroit the right fit?
-8:46: Relationship with White Sox front office
-9:59: Complaints from Jerry Reinsdorf?
-11:21: Is Reinsdorf the same owner with the White Sox as he is with the Bulls?
-13:31: Surprised by the press and attention about getting the Tigers job
-16:08: Striving to have a deep connection to fans on a local MLB broadcast
-20:01: Did the Kevin Brown situation play a role in Jason going to the Tigers?
-22:01: Would Jason have trouble working for a team that wouldn’t allow him to be critical of that team?
-25:01: Interviewing for the Tigers
-27:16: Challenge of replacing Hawk Harrelson
-28:50: White Sox hiring Tony La Russa
-30:25: La Russa sleeping in dugout
-32:11: Being in the clubhouse and be available to the team before the game
-34:20: Tigers analysts
-35:09: Having a say in broadcast partners?
-35:57: Doing national broadcasts along with local broadcasts
-36:27: Is local MLB broadcasting always going to be a part of Jason’s career?
-38:55: Having cerebral palsy and being a broadcaster
-41:33: Being self-conscious about being on camera
-42:35: Going to law school
-44:27: Who would make a better attorney? Jason or Bill Walton?
-46:21: Working with Walton
-47:19: Things Walton said on the broadcast that surprised Jason?
-50:12: Having trust in Walton’s filter for a national audience
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Host Brandon Contes interviews co-host of "Shan & RJ" on 105.3 The Fan, Shan Shariff. Brandon and Shan discuss a wide range of topics including hanging Mark Cuban selling the Mavericks, interviewing Jerry Jones every week, his dislike for Skip Bayless, his respect of Stephen A. Smith, his falling out with Dan Orlovsky, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:37: Mark Cuban selling the Dallas Mavericks
-1:58: Ulterior motives from Cuban?
-3:12: Cuban retaining control of the team
-4:26: How does Dallas feel about Mark Cuban?
-6:05: Is Jerry Jones liked in Dallas?
-6:52: Interviewing Jones every week
-8:34: Surprised Jones is this involved and open to the media at his age?
-10:44: Surprising or strangest things Jones said that stick out?
-14:10: Interviewing Michael Irvin as he reveals his Marriott encounter before the Super Bowl
-15:49: Still interviewing Irvin?
-17:30: Were there issues with how the interview happened?
-18:57: When did Shan realize this was a major story?
-20:18: Are fans buying into the Cowboys?
-21:27: Do Cowboys fans have more faith in Dak Prescott or Mike McCarthy?
-23:14: QB’s to trust to win in Philadelphia
-24:49: Stephen A. Smith
-27:46: Surprised Stephen A. came on the show?
-28:21: Opinion of Stephen A. and “First Take”
-31:27: Dan Orlovsky
-33:58: How do Cowboys fans feel about Skip Bayless?
-36:59: Would Shan prefer Skip to be genuine?
-38:14: Does Dallas claim Skip Bayless?
-39:02: Does Cowboys talk on debate shows do it any justice?
-41:59: National voice aside from Skip Bayless that Shan rolls his eyes when they talk Cowboys
-43:21: Doing sports talk radio in Kansas City
-44:37: Nick Wright
-45:30: Surprised that Wright is now on a national platform?
-48:05: Shan’s “dream job?”
-50:29: Fitting in at Dallas
-52:48: Paying Mark Cuban’s restaurant tab
-53:44: How do the Rangers stack up among the Dallas teams even after winning World Series?
-55:11: Will the Cowboys model the Rangers and win the Super Bowl?
-56:11: Rooting for the Cowboys
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Host Brandon Contes interviews NBA on TNT reporter and host of "NBA CrunchTime" on the NBA app, Jared Greenberg. Brandon and Jared discuss a wide range of topics including hanging out with the "Inside the NBA" guys, being in the bubble during COVID, being on the receiving end of Gregg Popovich's interviews, remembering Kobe Bryant, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:40: Seeing Victor Wembanyama up close
-2:01: “NBA CrunchTime”
-2:56: Preparation for “NBA CrunchTime”
-6:55: Developing flow at hosting a whiparound show
-10:46: Working at Warner Bros. Discovery
-11:43: Pre-WBD
-12:56: Covering Kyrie Irving in high school
-13:25: “Inside the NBA”
-17:04: “Inside the NBA” roles
-18:47: Charles Barkley
-19:55: Drinking with Barkley
-22:10: Imaging Barkley retiring from “Inside the NBA”
-24:36: Imagining Ernie Johnson retiring from “Inside the NBA”
-25:21: What makes the “Inside the NBA” group so special?
-27:07: Being in the bubble
-29:32: Was it challenging being in one location for so long?
-31:23: Jamal Murray interview
-32:33: Approach to doing postgame interviews
-35:06: Gregg Popovich
-38:26: Favorite players or coaches to interview
-39:31: Kevin Durant
-42:57: Kobe Bryant
-45:10: Covering Kobe’s death/dealing with Rick Fox hoax
-47:45: Emotions at “Inside the NBA” when Kobe died
-50:12: Rick Fox
-52:08: Nets fandom when Jared was a kid
-53:06: Ian Eagle
-55:14: NBA In-Season Tournament
-56:37: How will people view the In-Season Tournament in 10 years?
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While on Barstool Sports' "Pardon My Take" podcast, Charissa Thompson revealed she would make up a sideline report if extenuating circumstances prevented her from getting a report. Thompson noted instances like the head coach not coming out at halftime or that it was too late to get an interview as examples where Thompson would come up with basic talking points that a head coach might say if they were to talk to her. While Thompson revealed this years before, it's brought strong reactions and on a live edition of the "Awful Announcing Podcast," host Brandon Contes talks with Oakland A's reporter and "Short and to the Point" host Jessica Kleinschmidt about Thompson's comments.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
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Host Brandon Contes interviews former "SportsCenter" and current host of "The Dan Patrick Show," Dan Patrick. Brandon and Dan discuss a wide range of topics including anchoring "SportsCenter," working in radio, retiring in four years, hosting "Jeopardy!," and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:40: Is this part of a retirement tour or a book tour?
-1:00: Collaborating with Joel Cohen
-2:55: Coming up with the format of the book
-4:30: Writing a book forward
-6:05: Most extensive book tour? Dan’s or Stephen A. Smith’s?
-7:10: Retirement talk
-8:22: Retirement announcement taking off
-9:41: Concern about being someone that social media views is too old and wants to point out every mistake
-11:08: Is four years long enough for Dan to welcome retirement?
-13:34: Being the “old man” at “SportsCenter”
-14:56: Radio
-16:40: Making producers part of the show
-18:28: Howard Stern
-19:26: Celebrities on “The Dan Patrick Show”
-20:38: Adam Sandler movies
-21:38: Interest in acting?
-22:12: “SportsCenter” as a creative outlet
-23:21: Creative freedom at ESPN
-25:05: Having more to offer as a radio host while at ESPN
-26:34: Anchoring “SportsCenter” with Keith Olbermann
-29:32: Confidence to push limits on “SportsCenter”
-31:55: Moment that got Dan and Keith in management’s office
-33:01: Future of “SportsCenter”
-34:55: The impact of embrace debate
-37:03: Do debate shows rely too much on topics like LeBron James and the Dallas Cowboys?
-38:11: The “Dan Patrick brand”
-39:20: Would Dan host a podcast in retirement?
-40:17: Keith Olbermann not having a long-term home post-ESPN
-42:03: Going political?/Sharing a name with an outspoken politician
-44:11: Interviewing presidents
-45:21: Interacting with Donald Trump
-46:24: Someone Dan would like to interview that he hasn’t yet
-48:27: Michael Jordan
-49:19: Matt Harvey/Kyler Murray interviews
-51:10: Did NBC/“Football Night in America” feel bigger than “SportsCenter”
-52:28: Did “Football Night in America” affect what Dan could say about the NFL on his radio show?
-54:01: “Jeopardy!”
-56:31: Were there discussions for Dan to host after Trebek passed away?
-58:12: Challenge of hosting “Jeopardy!”
-59:18: Reaction to Aaron Rodgers hosting “Jeopardy!”
-1:00:12: Was Dan glad “The Price is Right” didn’t reveal the pay in order to tempt him to host?
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Host Brandon Contes interviews Steve Letarte, NASCAR on NBC analyst and former Daytona 500 winning crew chief for Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Brandon and Steve discuss a wide range of topics including working for Hendrick Motorsports, improving as a broadcaster, previewing the NASCAR Championship 4, the New England Patriots rebuilding, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:47: Adrenaline of calling a championship race
-1:38: Working for Hendrick Motorsports at 16
-4:39: How people become crew chiefs
-5:52: “Pinch me” moments
-7:39: What was more special? Winning the Daytona 500 with Jeff Gordon or with Dale Earnhardt Jr.
-8:58: Interactions between a crew chief and a driver during a race
-10:46: Steve’s interactions between Gordon and Dale Jr.
-12:24: Watching the race as a crew chief on the pit box
-13:03: Watching the race as an analyst in the broadcasting booth
-14:35: Finding the balance in broadcasting to diehard and casual race fans
-16:54: Does Steve have the itch to go back to being a full-time crew chief?
-17:39: Ending up at NBC
-19:03: Dale Jr. as a media personality
-19:57: Working with Dale Jr.
-21:17: How has Steve improved as a broadcaster?
-24:09: NASCAR viewership
-26:28: Rightsholders helping NASCAR reach younger demographics
-28:45: Shortening races
-31:05: “Dirty Mo Dough/Has betting changed NASCAR broadcasts?
-35:00: Favorite bet for the final race
-36:14: Are the Championship 4 the best four drivers of this season?
-37:35: Internal competition among teammates
-38:55: Differences of Phoenix Raceway since last March
-40:50: The “race car drivers aren’t real athletes” argument
-43:28: Mac Jones
-44:35: Bill Belichick
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Host Brandon Contes interviews Jay Crawford, former ESPN "SportsCenter" anchor/"First Take" host and current host of the "Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show" and WKYC NBC anchor. Brandon and Jay discuss a wide range of topics including covering Deshaun Watson, working with Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith, coming back home to Cleveland, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:48: Having a low 90s fastball
-2:21: Jay’s Minor League Baseball career
-7:19: Thoughts on playing a full season?
-9:20: Going from ESPN to local TV in Cleveland
-18:56: Audience for local sports show on YouTube
-27:15: Covering the Deshaun Watson trade while also covering his sexual misconduct allegations
-33:50: How do Cleveland sports fans feel about Watson?
-36:46: Dealing with “The Decision” as a Cleveland sports fan and ESPN employee
-41:36: Working with Skip Bayless
-45:06: Is what Skip does an act?
-49:14: Woody Paige/Skip Bayless fight
-53:10: The blueberry muffin story
-59:46: Did others like working with Stephen A./Skip?
-1:06:42: Being in “Rocky Balboa”
-1:07:44: Not being in “Draft Day” despite being a Cleveland Browns fan
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Host Brandon Contes interviews Trey Wingo, former ESPN "SportsCenter" anchor and "NFL Live" host, and current co-host of the "Chasin' It" podcast with Chase Daniel. Brandon and Trey discuss a wide range of topics including having the scoop first that Aaron Rodgers was going to the Jets, not being a morning person, working with Bob Ley on 9/11, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:48: Thinking of Hawaii
-2:45: Is Taylor Swift “moving the needle” on Trey’s podcast?
-4:19: Swift’s ability to overshadow the NFL
-5:30: Chase Daniel
-6:39: Daniel co-hosting “Golic & Wingo”
-8:05: Freedom in the podcast space post-ESPN
-9:04: Does Trey miss being at ESPN?
-9:34: Leaving ESPN
-11:00: Taking over for Mike Greenberg to host morning show with Mike Golic
-12:49: “Golic & Wingo”
-15:17: Taking the morning show offer
-15:55: Would Golic and Wingo still be at ESPN if Trey stayed on as morning show host?
-17:27: Is ESPN Radio a prominent platform anymore?
-18:36: Focusing on major markets when doing national radio?
-19:47: Having the Aaron Rodgers to the Jets scoop
-22:07: Reaction to the reaction of the Rodgers report
-22:49: Hearing from Rodgers’ camp?
-23:23: Will Rodgers return this season?
-24:22: Fame of being at ESPN
-25:58: "SportsCenter"
-28:43: Writing on "SportsCenter"
-30:11: Anchoring "SportsCenter" with Bob Ley on 9/11
-33:29: Comfort level in the moment covering 9/11 on live TV
-35:11: Working the 2020 NFL Draft
-38:55: Favorite episode or moment on "NFL Live"
-42:01: Shift in how hard hits and head injuries are covered on "NFL Live"
-44:19: NFL as a league long-term
-47:23: Complaints from the NFL and Roger Goodell about things said on the air
-48:37: Doing play-by-play
-49:40: Would Trey go back to work full time at a network?
-50:17: Thoughts on ESPN going all in on Stephen A. Smith and Pat McAfee
-51:03: Would ESPN executives eventually sour on McAfee?
-52:19: Stunt app
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Host Brandon Contes interviews Kenny Albert, NFL on Fox broadcaster, NHL on TNT broadcaster, New York Rangers and Knicks broadcaster, and author of the book "A Mic For All Seasons." Brandon and Kenny discuss a wide range of topics including Charles Barkley as an NHL analyst, working with Tony Siragusa, covering all four major American sports, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:51: Kenny on his new book “A Mic For All Seasons”
-3:06: Book media tour
-5:49: Being Marv Albert’s son
-8:34: Getting broadcasting experience
-9:19: Wanting to be a sportscaster
-9:53: “Pinch me” moment?
-11:26: Combating nepotism
-13:57: Fox NFL coverage after 30 years
-15:40: Shock inside Fox that Joe Buck and Troy Aikman left for ESPN
-17:37: Aspirations to be lead NFL Fox analyst?
-19:33: Being lead NHL voice for NBC and then TNT
-21:31: Charles Barkley’s NHL fandom
-22:25: Barkley as an NHL analyst
-23:29: Most entertaining athlete to interview
-24:56: Tom Brady to Fox
-25:43: Wayne Gretzky
-27:43: Barry Trotz
-31:07: Tony Siragusa
-34:10: Building chemistry with top analysts like Troy Aikman or Tim McCarver who are used to working with someone else
-36:07: Terry Bradshaw
-37:09: Analyst Kenny most wanted to work with
-37:50: Was there difficulties working for MSG after Marv Albert’s falling out with James Dolan?
-39:36: Would Marv come out of retirement to do one more game?
-40:31: Passing Marv in frequent flyer miles?
-40:57: Closest Kenny came to missing a broadcast due to travel
-42:16: Does travel make it easier or harder to prepare for a broadcast?
-43:06: Working four different sports in four days
-43:55: Taking pride in having versatility
-44:51: Olympics
-45:49: Is Kenny looking to cut back on working so many broadcasts?
-46:31: Fear of making mistakes on the call doing so many broadcasts
-47:11: Specific call that Kenny would like to have a do-over?
-48:19: Specific favorite/memorable call
-50:42: Using the restroom during broadcasts
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Host Brandon Contes interviews Michelle Beadle, former host of many ESPN shows and current co-host of "Beadle and Decker" on SiriusXM's Mad Dog Sports Radio. Brandon and Michelle discuss a wide range of topics including LeBron James trying to get Michelle removed from "NBA Countdown," Rachel Nichols replacing Michelle on "NBA Countdown," Stephen A. Smith's repeated trashing of Max Kellerman, dealing with Gregg Popovich, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:53: Being on SiriusXM
-2:06: Post-ESPN hiatus
-4:34: Appeal of daily sports radio
-6:13: Excitement about being nervous on the job
-7:05: Cody Decker
-7:46: Chemistry with Decker
-8:49: Craig Carton
-9:34: Returning to TV?
-10:34: LeBron James
-11:04: When Michelle found out LeBron tried to get her fired from "NBA Countdown"
-11:42: Did LeBron have any influence in "NBA Countdown" staffing decisions?
-12:48: Rachel Nichols replacing Michelle on "NBA Countdown"
-13:01: Did Nichols influence ESPN to take Michelle off "NBA Countdown?"
-14:23: Michelle replacing Sage Steele on "NBA Countdown"
-15:56: ESPN failing to produce a good pre/postgame NBA show
-17:26: Would Michelle want to replace Ernie Johnson on "Inside the NBA?"
-18:28: Expectations for "Get Up!"
-20:13: Could Get Up have taken off if was given time to succeed?
-21:10: Watching football again
-22:01: Mike Greenberg showing off his Jets fandom recently
-23:16: Colin Cowherd
-25:04: Max Kellerman
-26:47: Stephen A. Smith
-28:25: What’s worse? Trying to get someone fired by talking behind their back or going public?
-29:10: Working out of the studio for "Beadle and Decker"
-30:00: Working with the San Antonio Spurs
-30:24: Skip Bayless and dealing with Gregg Popovich
-32:15: Bigger detriment to sports media: Skip Bayless or Gregg Popovich?
-32:53: Tom Brady/Fox
-34:10: Does Michelle still want to get into politics?
-35:40: How to change the world?
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Host Brandon Contes interviews Pablo Torre, host of Meadowlark Media's "Pablo Torre Finds Out" podcast, as well as being on "Around the Horn" and "Pardon the Interruption." Brandon and Pablo discuss a wide range of topics including the Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce relationship and how that's impacting the NFL, confronting Dan Le Batard about having former president Donald Trump on his show many times, Stephen A. Smith blurring the lines of journalism and entertainment, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-1:08: Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce
-3:14: Swift making NFL secondary to her
-5:15: Dan Le Batard/Donald Trump
-7:46 Was Pablo aware of how much Le Batard and Trump spoke?
-9:23: Trump on the radio
-11:18: Chris Christie
-11:47: Russell Wilson episode of "Pablo Torre Finds Out"
-14:06: Freedom at Meadowlark Media
-15:40: Work split between Meadowlark, ESPN, and MSNBC
-17:00: Has Stephen A. Smith helped others at ESPN to have other ventures?
-18:07: Le Batard possibly understanding conservatives leaving ESPN for more freedom
-22:54: Having first ever TV appearance on "The O’Reilly Factor"
-26:24: Toughest TV appearance
-28:06: Tony Kornheiser/Michael Wilbon
-31:41: Are debate shows good or bad for sports?
-34:03: Interactions with Stephen A. Smith
-36:27: Stephen A. as an entertainer and a journalist
-39:13: "High Noon"
-40:15: Why didn’t "High Noon" last as a show?
-42:14: Would "High Noon" have been more successful if it was streamed pre-recorded or live?
-43:19: Was it hard to keep working for ESPN after "High Noon" was canceled?
-44:51: Was "High Noon" hurt by it being branded as a “smart” show?
-46:53: Working in sports instead of going to law school after Harvard
-50:07: Aaron Rodgers and Jeremy Lin parallels
-53:18: Linsanity helping Pablo get hired at ESPN
-54:16: If Linsanity continued, would Pablo have been an NBA reporter and be Jeremy Lin’s Brian Windhorst?
-55:40: Sports content Pablo grew up watching/listening to
-58:00: What does Pablo want to do in the future?
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Host Brandon Contes interviews free agent quarterback and NFL Network analyst Chase Daniel. Brandon and Chase discuss a wide range of topics including being a career backup QB, how Hard Knocks isn't a distraction, why Drew Brees did a good job as an analyst, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:43: Is Chase retired from playing?
-1:28: Staying in game shape
-2:25: Finding the right fit to come back to play
-4:39: Being a backup quarterback
-6:22: Perennial backup QB’s who never got the opportunity to be a starter
-8:13: NFL Network
-9:54: Being honest at NFL Network while still playing
-11:46: Did Chase have a teammate or opponent complain about something he said?
-12:36: Similarities in preparation as a quarterback and as an analyst
-14:05: Tony Romo predicting plays
-15:28: Talking to networks about game analyst work
-16:50: Possible pushback from networks given Chase isn’t fully retired?
-18:03: Hard Knocks
-19:40: Does Hard Knocks hinder a team’s ability to go to the Super Bowl?
-20:55: Podcasting with Trey Wingo
-23:12: Interest in media
-27:06: ESPN Radio
-28:22: The Chase Daniel/Chase Patton ESPN the Magazine cover
-30:25: Former teammates who could be great broadcasters
-32:06: Drew Brees as a broadcaster
-34:21: Sean Payton as a broadcaster
-35:45: Payton returning to coaching
-36:48: Payton with Russell Wilson
-38:18: Are the Wilson/Brees comparisons fair?
-39:48: Talking to teams about coaching?
-41:07: Payton calling out Nathaniel Hackett
-43:15: Better offensive coach? Sean Payton or Andy Reid?
-44:44: Biggest surprise in Week 1?
-45:58: Biggest disappointment in Week 1?
-46:56: Daniel Jones
-48:33: Dak Prescott
-49:55: Do the 49ers more deserve credit for finding Brock Purdy or ridicule for missing on Trey Lance?
-51:14: Which veteran has a better chance of Comeback Player of the Year? Russell Wilson or Matthew Stafford?
-52:12: Current rookie QB who has the best chance to be a franchise QB?
-53:25: Impressed with Jordan Love?
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Host Brandon Contes interviews Fox Sports broadcaster Chris Myers. Ahead of Fox's 30th season broadcasting the NFL, Brandon and Chris discuss a wide range of topics including calling Bryce Young's first game, freezing up on live TV at the Super Bowl, interviewing O.J. Simpson post-trial, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-1:34: Still getting a rush calling football after all these years
-2:43: Calling Bryce Young’s first game
-4:27: Rookie players Chris called and thinking at the time they were special
-5:53: Preparing for the NFL season
-7:46: Difficulties of working preseason games
-9:51: Working the Super Bowl
-14:20: Interviewing Tom Brady after comeback Super Bowl win
-17:47: Based on interviews when he was a player, does Chris think Brady will be a great broadcaster?
-19:45: Working with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman
-20:44: Favorite analysts/analysts Chris wants to work with someday
-21:51: Reaction to Buck and Aikman going to ESPN
-23:11: Differences between working for ESPN and working for Fox
-26:17: Amid the Kevin Brown situation, was Chris ever unfairly reprimanded for something he said?
-29:19: Up Close and the O.J. Simpson interview
-31:18: Asking O.J. the tough questions
-33:33: Memorable or difficult interviews
-35:52: Being friends with Bill Murray
-38:55: Taking pride in being a versatile broadcaster
-41:35: Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets
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Host Brandon Contes interviews Parker Kligerman, NBC NASCAR pit reporter and driver of the #48 Spiked Light Coolers Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Brandon and Parker discuss a wide range of topics including racing and broadcasting on the same weekend, how sim racing taught Parker for the real thing, Parker's pick for NASCAR Cup Series champion, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:39: Getting into racing
-2:30: Karting
-4:45: Not coming from a racing family
-7:39: eNASCAR team ownership
-10:29: Accuracy of iRacing compared to the real thing
-11:14: Growth of iRacing
-13:41: Riverhead Raceway
-14:14: Talent pool at local short tracks
-16:40: Having the talent and finances to get far in racing
-19:18: Is the commitment of being a broadcaster hurting the ability to be a Cup Series driver?
-25:46: Would Parker leave NBC for a full-time Cup opportunity?
-28:19: Should more high-level Cup teams be knocking on the door given the increased notoriety?
-30:03: Resentment of seeing others getting Cup rides?
-35:12: Broadcasting being the more secure job compared to driving
-37:13: Racing and broadcasting at the same time
-39:56: Current drivers who have a future in broadcasting
-41:34: Are drivers more comfortable or more candid talking to Parker than to a reporter?
-44:15: Getting inside information from other drivers
-45:32: Has being a reporter and asking difficult questions gotten in the way of friendships?
-46:51: Fan backlash?
-49:05: Balancing the broadcasting/racing schedule throughout the week
-51:43: Men and women competing together in racing
-54:00: NASCAR Cup Playoff picks
-55:02: Bubba Wallace making the playoffs
-57:19: Wallace not speaking to media before Daytona
-59:52: Michael Jordan as a NASCAR team owner
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Host Brandon Contes interviews Craig Carton, formerly of WFAN and now host of "The Carton Show" on FS1. Brandon and Craig discuss a wide range of topics including his dislike of Mike Francesa, almost replacing Howard Stern, being the face of gambling addiction, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:40: Being a “former” WFAN host
-1:29: Decision to leave WFAN
-2:42: Doing TV and radio on the same day
-4:03: “The Carton Show” growth over the past year
-4:51: Reception of the show on social media
-5:46: Critics and haters
-7:05: Being comfortable with clips generating social media engagement
-8:43: Craig’s recent Jets soundbite
-9:41: Ratings talk
-10:37: Cody Decker
-11:15: Decker doing a morning TV show and a mid-day afternoon radio show
-12:46: Being exclusive to Fox growing “The Carton Show”
-13:12: Can you love TV as much as loving radio?
-14:06: TV hosting/radio hosting
-14:30: Is there any wasted talent by not doing radio?
-15:04: Being a performer
-16:46: Returning to WFAN after prison
-17:56: Evan Roberts
-19:10: Roberts being the right fit for “Carton and Roberts”
-20:01: Moment the show started to click
-21:12: Roberts and Tiki Barber
-22:23: Taking pride in seeing people develop while at WFAN
-25:17: Rooting for “Evan and Tiki”
-27:05 : Mike Francesa
-28:59: Enjoying the rivalry with Francesa
-30:22: Listeners wanting Craig and Boomer Esiason to have a rivalry when Craig moved to afternoon
-32:59: Camaraderie at FS1
-33:43: Skip Bayless/Shannon Sharpe breakup
-33:59: Does debate format appeal to Craig?
-34:51: Greg Jennings/Skip Bayless clip
-36:46: Building chemistry with rotating hosts
-37:31: Almost replacing Howard Stern
-39:34: Animosity working for a station that didn't let Craig replace Stern
-40:29: Affiliate plan
-41:21: Would replacing Stern been a harder challenge than replacing Don Imus?
-42:47: Mark Chernoff
-43:29: Secret meeting with Francesa
-44:29: Chris “Mad Dog” Russo
-44:56: Sports talk
-46:08: How long does Esiason have on radio?
-46:36: Would Craig ever come back to WFAN?
-47:22: Importance of “Hello, My Name is Craig”
-49:19: Gambling addiction
-50:40: Being an ambassador for FanDuel
-52:24: Does Craig treat the anniversary of his arrest different than any other day?
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Host Brandon Contes interviews Barstool Sports' Kevin Clancy, a.k.a. KFCBarstool. Brandon and Clancy discuss a wide range of topics including Dave Portnoy buying Barstool back from Penn Entertainment, Erika Ayers Badan’s impact on Barstool, Pat McAfee at Barstool and heading to ESPN, and more.
As a bonus, make sure you listen after KFCBarstool's interview as we chat with Awful Announcing's Andrew Bucholtz about his involvement in breaking the bombshell story that Kevin Brown was removed from Baltimore Orioles broadcasts for seemingly innocuous, and true, comments about the team.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:47: Finding out Dave Portnoy was buying Barstool back
-2:05: Concerns Barstool was moving on without KFC due to Penn Entertainment relationship
-3:49: How was Barstool’s relationship with Penn from KFC’s perspective?
-5:06: Could Barstool have existed without Portnoy?
-7:34: Fan reaction to Portnoy buying Barstool back
-9:17: Will the old Barstool come back?
-12:21: Did KFC ever consider doing things outside of Barstool before Portnoy bought back the company?
-14:12: How have things changed for KFC in terms of what is said or done at Barstool?
-16:39: Being unfiltered
-18:00: Old tweets resurfacing
-20:02: Being transparent with personal life
-23:04: Is it easier to bury an unfortunate story instead of being up front?
-25:06: Wanting something to not be content at Barstool
-26:24: Barstool’s charity work
-30:04: Are the original Stoolies around? Has the Barstool audience evolved to a younger demographic?
-32:17: Barstool content Stoolies most associate KFC with
-33:45: Barstool/Sirius
-34:36: Going to Fordham/working in finance/working at WFUV
-37:41: WFUV co-workers still in the industry
-38:58: Pat McAfee at Barstool
-39:55: McAfee at ESPN
-40:45: Erika Ayers Badan’s impact on Barstool
-41:51: Recent interactions with Portnoy
-43:09: Blogging pre-Barstool
-45:49: Being on Boomer and Carton
-48:02: Has KFC ever been approached for a job at WFAN?
-50:25: Surprised Carton left WFAN for FS1?
-51:20: Mike Francesa
-52:46: Mets struggles
-58:14: Welcoming Andrew Bucholtz to the AA Podcast
-1:00:02: Was there surprise at how the Kevin Brown story took off?
-1:01:54: Vetting the story before publishing
-1:03:16: Fair to say this treatment is a “pattern” by the Orioles?
-1:04:56: Would announcers hesitate to work for the Orioles going forward?
-1:05:54: Any sense of vindication as other outlets confirmed the story?
-1:06:59: Brown’s statement and return to Orioles
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Host Brandon Contes interviews On3's Andy Staples. Brandon and Andy discuss a wide range of topics including the Pac-12 realignment news, how the Big Ten and Big 12 fare, how it affects the regular season and College Football Playoff, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:41: Pac-12 realignment talk
-3:00: Oregon and Washington leaving for the Big Ten
-5:46: Networks influencing realignment
-6:32: Who was in better shape two years ago when Texas and Oklahoma left the Big 12? Big 12 and Pac-12?
-8:49: Person most responsible for Pac-12’s downfall?
-10:46: Apple TV
-11:28: Was there someone who could’ve kept the Pac-12 intact?
-13:00: Realignment recruiting casual fans
-16:08: Fewer out-of-conference cupcake games?
-18:58: Realignment altering College Football Playoff structure?
-19:44: Right number of teams in College Football Playoff?
-20:27: Will these big conferences split into dedicated divisions?
-22:29: Was the potential Apple deal close to saving the Pac-12 or was this inevitable?
-24:41: Where does Apple go from here?
-29:10: Value of being on ESPN
-30:55: Does college football want two superconferences?
-32:25: Would Big Ten and ACC work together to sell a media package?
-33:06: Does college football need the NCAA?
-35:23: Would the players become employees if college football does break off?
-38:12: Is there a correlation between NIL and realignment?
-38:40: Does college football need a commissioner to oversee everything?
-39:16: Ideal situation for remaining Pac-12 teams
-41:02: Will Nick Saban win another national championship?
-41:53: Over/under four seasons for Deion Sanders at Colorado?
-43:32: Will Urban Meyer be a head coach again?
-44:15: Will Arch Manning start a game for Texas this season?
-45:07: Is the hype level for Manning appropriate?
-45:58: Will Omaha Productions be following Manning around?
-49:05: Being a walk-on at Florida
-49:26: Playing for Steve Spurrier
-51:26: Joining On3
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Host Brandon Contes interviews Oakland Athletics broadcaster and Short and to the Point host Jessica Kleinschmidt. Brandon and Jessica discuss a wide range of topics including quitting a government job to pursue a sports broadcasting career, building a social media brand and dealing with the hate, working for the Oakland A's, how A's fans like Moneyball, working for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-47: Meeting the Oakland Coliseum opossum
-1:21: Is the opossum a menace or a nice animal?
-2:24: Oakland Coliseum
-5:43: Growing up an A’s fan
-9:10: Covering the A’s
-9:59: Dropping out of college and work before sports
-13:08: Moving to the Bay Area without an established job
-17:44: Role with the A’s
-19:47: A’s Cast
-21:25: Taking callers on the radio
-23:19: Things the A’s fanbase should be proud of
-26:41: Building a social media presence
-30:10: People Jessica looked up to in broadcasting
-32:21: Playing baseball
-34:13: Being a woman in a male dominated industry
-36:23: Dealing with social media hate
-38:19: Mentors
-42:25: Mentoring others
-48:45: Becoming friends with players while also covering them
-54:11: Players Jessica interviewed who have a future in media
-56:21: Do A’s fans like the movie Moneyball?
-59:24: Hosting Short and to the Point/working for Awful Announcing and The Comeback
-1:02:54: Dave Portnoy responding to the Jared Carrabis episode of Short and to the Point
-1:04:16: Career goals
-1:06:36: Thoughts about Chris “Mad Dog” Russo
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Host Brandon Contes interviews Bram Weinstein, former ESPN SportsCenter anchor and current play-by-play radio voice of the Washington Commanders. Brandon and Bram discuss a wide range of topics including Daniel Snyder as former owner of the Washington Commanders, the "Commanders" name, being a SportsCenter anchor, Dan Le Batard's thoughts on Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:45: Reaction to ownership change
-2:14: Fan frustration of supporting Commanders but not wanting to support Daniel Snyder
-4:08: Recent interactions with Snyder
-4:44: Was Snyder aware he was so disliked by the fanbase?
-7:15: Was Snyder unfairly blamed at times?
-9:41: Topic changing to Snyder when hosting fan events
-11:48: Most surprising Snyder move: Changing the name or selling the team?
-13:47: Did the rebrand buy Snyder more time?
-15:00: Will the Commanders ever have throwback uniforms?
-17:47: Was "Commanders" the right pick for the new name?
-19:58: Staff feelings with new ownership in terms of job security
-22:30: Being play-by-play voice of childhood team
-24:33: Play-by-play experience before the Commanders
-26:30: Difficulties of working first season during COVID-19 pandemic
-27:57: First time calling a game in front of a full crowd
-28:41: Balancing hosting local sports talk radio and working play-by-play in terms of having opinions about the Commanders
-30:41: Was Bram ever too critical on his radio show?
-32:10: Realistic expectations for the Commanders this season
-34:03: Working on SportsCenter
-35:25: How much input did Bram have in his SportsCenter episodes?
-37:09: Doing ‘This is SportsCenter’ commercials
-37:54: The SportsCenter brand changing
-40:28: Thoughts on Dan Le Batard’s comments about Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless
-43:55: People Bram looked up to
-46:15: Does hosting a sports talk radio show in Washington D.C. bring more political talk?
-47:20: Political talk radio shows
-48:23: Creating and running Ampire Media
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Host Brandon Contes interviews Heather O'Reilly, 2015 Women's World Cup champ, three-time Olympic gold medalist, and Fox soccer analyst. Brandon and Heather discuss a wide range of topics including the Women's World Cup and the USWNT, Grant Wahl's impact on soccer in the U.S., being on stage with Taylor Swift, Megan Rapinoe's retirement, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:36: Flying to Sydney
-1:53: Acclimatizing to the time difference
-3:42: Transitioning from playing to broadcasting
-5:57: Balance between being a fan and being impartial with the USWNT on broadcasts
-8:30: Retiring from play in 2019 and coming back in 2022
-11:18: Does broadcasting help fill the void of playing?
-13:17: Does playing/coaching help with broadcasting and vice versa?
-16:08: Thoughts about making a comeback to the USWNT
-18:59: Winning the 2015 Women’s World Cup
-22:08: Grant Wahl and his impact on women’s soccer
-26:15: Going to Qatar
-28:26: Megan Rapinoe retiring
-32:00: Equal Pay lawsuit
-35:17: Future of the USWNT and USMNT in terms of where they stand worldwide
-40:34: Casual fans coming in for the World Cup
-43:12: USWNT draw reaction, prediction for Women’s World Cup
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Host Brandon Contes interviews Wayne Randazzo, Los Angeles Angels and Apple TV+ MLB play-by-play person. Brandon and Wayne discuss a wide range of topics including Shohei Ohtani being a "walking legend," Stephen A. Smith's "Angels are irrelevant" comments, Albert Pujols' 700th home run, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:40: All-Star Game talk
-1:52: Becoming TV play-by-play for the LA Angels
-3:30: After doing radio, was TV the goal for Wayne?
-5:18: Does being a TV play-by-play person feel bigger than radio play-by-play?
-6:42: Covering Shohei Ohtani
-8:37: Interactions with Ohtani
-9:24: Ohtani’s competitiveness
-10:57: Could the Angels trade Ohtani? Would that be smart?
-14:38: Ohtani national media coverage
-18:41: Mike Trout being under-the-radar in national media
-20:34: Reaction to Stephen A. Smith’s “Angels are irrelevant” comments
-22:32: Did Stephen A’s comments resonate with Angels fans?
-24:06: Working for Apple
-24:46: Apple criticism/fan feedback
-27:17: Calling Albert Pujols’ 700th home run
-30:44: Working with Howie Rose
-31:59: Camaraderie between radio/TV booths
-34:19: Cadence differences between TV and radio
-35:06: Feelings about the pitch clock
-36:19: Feelings about In-game interviews with players
-37:47: Ingratiating yourself to a team broadcast for a team you didn’t grow up with
-40:07: Joe Davis
-42:19: Calling games while umpire cousin Tony Randazzo is working the same game
-43:14: Would Wayne someday want to broadcast in Chicago?
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Host Brandon Contes interviews Anish Shroff, ESPN play-by-play commentator and radio voice of the Carolina Panthers. Brandon and Anish discuss a wide range of topics including calling the Duke's Mayo Bowl, being on "Dream Job," working lacrosse for ESPN, being the voice of the Panthers, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:54: Being the voice of the Duke’s Mayo Bowl
-2:15: Anish’s reaction to finding out he was working Duke’s Mayo Bowl
-7:13: Having lots of mayo at home
-8:21: Anish eating Oreos and macarons dipped in mayo
-9:35: Mike Golic Jr. leaving ESPN and Brock Osweiler joining on to eat foods dipped in mayo
-10:45: Being on “Dream Job” for ESPN
-13:54: Was “Dream Job” an honest judge of talent?
-14:56: Was the goal to be an anchor or play-by-play entering “Dream Job?”
-15:58: Getting into lacrosse
-19:05: Cadence of calling lacrosse compared to other sports
-20:16: Continuing to call lacrosse after college
-21:04: Calling a big game in lacrosse
-23:16 Being the radio voice for the Carolina Panthers
-27:18: Traveling for college football on Saturday and NFL on Sunday
-30:06: Making pregame meetings for multiple games on the same weekend
-30:51: Prepping for multiple games on the same weekend
-32:16: Reaction from Panthers fans
-33:57: Announcers Anish wanted to emulate growing up
-36:33: Panthers fan expectations for this upcoming season
-37:55: Best and worst calls
-39:29: Future goals and aspirations
-42:51: Having a creative outlet
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Host Brandon Contes interviews Adam Schein, host of "Schein on Sports" on SiriusXM, "Time to Schein" on CBS Sports Network, and the "Rise and Schein" podcast that uploads every Monday. Brandon and Adam discuss a wide range of topics including interviewing Aaron Rodgers, that time Snooki and Adam had a beef, Larry King calling in, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:40: “Hot” coffee takes
-1:56: Interviewing Aaron Rodgers
-6:21: Has Adam’s perception of Rodgers changed?
-8:30: Rodgers dealing with the NYC media
-11:48: What is a host’s responsibility in interviewing Rodgers?
-14:05: The Snooki feud
-14:58: Interacting with Pat McAfee when he was on Mad Dog Sports Radio
-16:07: Thoughts on McAfee going to ESPN
-17:12: Working at Sirius satellite radio pre-Howard Stern
-19:16: Was Adam ever close to returning to WFAN?
-24:06: Talking to Mike Francesa about someday replacing him
-26:42: Interacting with Chris Russo
-28:00: Being a lead-in for Stephen A. Smith
-29:29: Doing the “Rise and Schein” podcast
-30:58: Differences in hosting styles between TV, radio, and podcasting
-33:10: Larry King being a regular caller into “Schein on Sports”
-35:29: Reaction to Brent Axe being fired for being “overly negative” about Syracuse sports
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Host Brandon Contes interviews Brian Windhorst, ESPN senior NBA writer and host of "Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective." Brandon and Brian discuss a wide range of topics including NBA Finals coverage, covering The Decision, becoming a meme, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:42: NBA Finals talk
-1:19: Covering the Denver Nuggets for ESPN
-1:57: Seeing new teams in the NBA Finals
-3:58: National media/ESPN criticism for covering LeBron James so much
-7:45: Criticism from ESPN people about their lack of Nikola Jokić coverage
-10:02: ESPN’s basketball coverage
-12:37: Thoughts on aggregate media
-17:50: The Rudy Gobert trade and becoming a meme
-22:56: The Paris interview with Victor Wembanyama on Draft Lottery night
-29:17: Doing TV as a reporter
-33:54: Covering LeBron and being linked with him through high school, the Cavs, and the Heat
-36:21: Going to Miami and facing animosity
-40:13: Cleveland’s reaction toward Brian when he left to cover LeBron in Miami
-43:10: Covering The Decision
-48:04: Is LeBron really contemplating retirement?
-50:15: How and when to decide to report on transaction rumors
-54:10: Difficulties of being on First Take as a reporter and not saying too much
-56:29: Working with Stephen A. Smith
-59:03: Working with Skip Bayless
-1:01:45: Current NBA player who could be a media star
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Host Brandon Contes interviews Mark Schlereth, three-time Super Bowl champion, Fox NFL analyst, and Denver sports talk radio host. Brandon and Mark discuss a wide range of topics including ESPN's treatment of the Denver Nuggets, Tom Brady entering broadcasting, working with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:48: Fan perception of a former football player talking about other sports
-6:06: Daily grind of morning radio
-9:35: Studio vs. game analyst and transitioning from the studio to the booth
-17:37: Tom Brady entering broadcasting
-22:22: Still enjoying doing studio shows
-25:52: ESPN and national media treatment of Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokić
-29:05: Does the city of Denver hold a grudge to the national media?
-31:12: Reaction to Kendrick Perkins’ comments on Jokić and racially biased MVP voting claims
-34:33: Coaching aspirations?
-36:30: Acting in "Ballers" and "Guiding Light"
-38:16: How was working with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson?
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Host Brandon Contes interviews Leigh Diffey, play-by-play commentator for the NTT IndyCar Series for NBC as well as IMSA, MotoGP, Supercross, and Olympic track and field. In the lead-up to the 107th Indianapolis 500, Brandon and Leigh discuss a wide range of topics including the narrative some people have that race car drivers are not "athletes," the importance of the Indy 500, what casual fans should be looking for at Indy, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:46: Busy week leading up to Indianapolis 500
-1:09: Motorsports background growing up in Australia
-2:46: Being a PE teacher while getting started in broadcasting
-5:09: Adversity in Australia from those in sports media who felt Leigh didn't belong
-6:59: Moving to the United Kingdom and then the United States
-8:39: Bigger transition going from Australia to UK, or UK to U.S.?
-9:32: Culture shock moving from London to Atlanta
-10:31: Becoming a U.S. citizen
-11:44: Working the Olympics for NBC
-12:32: Similarity of motorsports and race-based Olympic sports
-13:36: Preparation for Olympic events
-15:14: Being lead play-by-play for Olympic track and field
-15:44: COVID protocols in Tokyo during Olympics
-17:27: Working Beijing Olympics in-studio
-18:28: Getting the full Olympic experience
-19:27: The “race car drivers are not real athletes” narrative
-20:50: When Leigh felt he “made it” and could make a living in broadcasting
-21:33: Working with David Hobbs and Steve Matchett on Formula 1 broadcasts
-22:34: Hobbs speaking his mind
-23:27: Fitting into a broadcast where the analysts are already working together
-24:50: Preference in calling a race on a road course or oval?
-25:43: Longest Leigh has been on a broadcast
-27:12: Calling Formula 1 and IndyCar on the same day
-28:07: Was the Indy 500 a big event in Australia when Leigh was growing up? Is it now?
-29:30: What makes the Indy 500 special?
-31:49: The rush of being on the call for the Indy 500
-33:24: Leigh’s historic call of Helio Castroneves’ fourth Indy 500 win in 2021
-36:57: Booth setup for an Indy 500 broadcast
-39:47: “100 Days to Indy” discussion
-41:06: Impact of sports gambling on IndyCar broadcasts
-41:42: What should a casual fan be looking for if they’re watching the Indy 500 for the first time?
-42:34: Which winner would make for the best story?
-43:41: Graham Rahal being bumped and then replacing Stefan Wilson
-44:42: Future goals in broadcasting
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Host Brandon Contes interviews Ryan Ruocco, play-by-play commentator for the NBA and WNBA for ESPN as well as the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Nets for YES, in addition to co-hosting the "R2C2 Podcast" with CC Sabathia. Brandon and Ryan discuss a wide range of topics including being the "Voice of the WNBA," working an NBA game for ESPN the night COVID shut everything down, Pat McAfee moving to ESPN, working with Stephen A. Smith, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:50: Growing up wanting to do multiple sports or a single sport
-2:26: Being the "Voice of the WNBA"
-5:13: WNBA perceptions
-7:39: Has NBA comparison narrative started to change?
-8:27: Ryan’s voice exercises
-8:57: Ryan on Jeff Van Gundy’s reaction to his voice exercises
-12:02: NBA coaches could benefit from similar voice exercises to preserve voice
-13:52: Having voice issues
-17:17: Michael Kay’s influence on Ryan’s career
-20:13: Preference in doing baseball on TV or radio
-21:55: Being bumped from Aaron Judge’s 61st home run game
-24:25: Does Ryan envision being the voice of a specific team?
-26:43: Calling the NBA on ESPN when the league suspended the season due to COVID
-29:15: Sudden shift from normal to everything stopping while on broadcast
-30:56: Is there an analyst Ryan has worked with (Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, JJ Redick, Richard Jefferson, etc.) who’s more hungry to get into coaching?
-36:03: Broadcasting when at a similar age as many of the players
-39:10: R2C2 Podcast with CC Sabathia
-42:27: Interactions with Bill Simmons
-45:02: Thoughts on Pat McAfee moving to ESPN
-46:46: Working with Stephen A. Smith
-51:20: Were there difficulties working with Stephen A. at first?
-52:25: Stephen A’s lack of complacency
-53:19: Future career aspirations
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Host Brandon Contes interviews John Ireland, radio voice of the Los Angeles Lakers and co-host of "Mason and Ireland" on ESPN Radio in LA. Brandon and John discuss a wide range of topics including a potential "Last Dance" docuseries with Kobe or LeBron, Kobe and Shaq's divorce and reconciliation, and covering an NBA Finals during a pandemic.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:44: Living out a dream job as radio voice of the Lakers
-1:37: Working with Chick Hearn, receiving advice from Chick
-2:21: Working with Mychal Thompson, dealing with Lakers-Warriors series with son Klay playing for the opposition
-3:12: John on the Lakers’ dramatic turnaround this season
-4:24: LeBron James chasing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s career scoring record
-5:37: John explaining his call when LeBron set the record
-7:10: Was John nervous making a monumental call like that?
-8:14: Difference in radio and TV broadcasting during historic moments
-11:26: Covering LeBron in Los Angeles. How do the locals view LeBron?
-12:38: How do Lakers fans view the “bubble championship?”
-14:03: Lakers receiving local attention vs national attention
-15:43: Differences in covering LeBron James and Kobe Bryant
-17:15: Local news stations covering Kobe and LeBron
-18:30: Kobe, LeBron, Shaq personalties
-22:36: Kobe and Shaq divorce
-25:07: Were there any incidents between Kobe and Shaq during this time?
-27:42: Did John have a stronger relationship with Kobe or Shaq?
-29:25: Kobe or LeBron “Last Dance” docuseries???
-31:00: Covering Kobe’s death
-37:08: Calling the NBA Finals from a studio during a pandemic
-39:20: Doing TV play-by-play
-40:04: John on Charles Barkley saying broadcasting sporting events on radio is “the stupidest thing in the world”
-43:21: Difference between ESPN’s and TNT’s NBA studio shows
-45:12: Dynamic of hosting an ESPN Radio show in LA and working for the Lakers
-46:35: Has LeBron ever complained over something John said either on commentary or on the radio?
-47:54: John’s proudest call
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Host Brandon Contes interviews Maggie Gray from "Maggie and Perloff." Brandon and Maggie touch on a wide range of topics including replacing Mike Francesa, her hot take about kids being at postgame press conferences, covering Kyrie Irving in high school, and Aaron Rodgers dealing with the NYC media.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:36: Andrew Perloff eating a jar of peanut butter
-2:22: Eating challenges in radio
-4:40: Radio providing organic moments
-6:31: Maggie on the state of national radio
-9:15: Catering to a variety of audiences
-11:00: How does Maggie feel about not being on terrestrial radio in NYC?
-11:49: Similarities and differences in national and local radio
-13:28: Building chemistry with one co-host compared to two co-hosts
-15:37: Transitioning from WFAN to CBS Sports Radio
-18:56: Maggie on the pressure of replacing Mike Francesa
-20:08: Did Maggie feel she had Francesa's support when taking over?
-21:46: Did Maggie feel she had WFAN’s support when Francesa came back?
-24:04: Discussing James Dolan’s interview on Carton and Roberts
-27:14: Was Maggie concerned for her WFAN job after calling Dolan a “vile piece of trash?”
-28:25: Maggie talks about her “kids shouldn’t be at postgame press conferences” hot take
-30:28: The misconception that Maggie is against kids in general
-31:08: Maggie reveals the “genesis” behind her take
-32:32: Covering Kyrie Irving while Irving was in high school
-34:53: When Maggie stopped defending Irving
-36:31: Would Maggie have Jim Breuer back?
-37:26: Was Maggie surprised with the direction Breuer took his comedy in?
-38:59: Maggie’s appreciation of Artie Lange
-39:56: Maggie’s reaction to Aaron Rodgers taking issue with Romeo Dobbs interview
-42:57: How will Rodgers fare with the NYC media?
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We're back!
After a few years, the Awful Announcing Podcast returns with host Brandon Contes as he interviews Bomani Jones.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
*Apologies for some audio issues in the final couple minutes.
-1:02: Bomani’s path to ESPN and sports media
-2:36: Embracing streaming/podcasting before the industry did
-5:26: Does Bomani miss doing local radio?
-8:03: Bomani on ESPN layoffs
-9:42: Bomani on ESPN Radio’s future
-12:01: Did Bomani feel ESPN was “all in” on his radio show?
-14:56: Transitioning from radio to podcasting
-17:33: Content freedom/adjusting to writing team for “Game Theory”
-19:56: “High Noon” content freedom/why it ended
-24:04: Not hosting “Highly Questionable” full-time after “High Noon” ended
-26:57: Does Bomani feel he’s underutilized on ESPN TV?
-27:42: Why Bomani isn’t on “First Take?”
-28:56: Bomani on Chris “Mad Dog” Russo on “First Take”
-30:40: Debating Skip Bayless
-32:33: Praising Skip Bayless
-36:13: Bomani on why people “pile on” Skip Bayless?
-37:00: Would Bomani be interested in debating Skip Bayless again?
-37:29: Bomani on Stephen A. Smith getting political
-38:47: Does Bomani think Stephen A. Smith would run for political office?
-39:23: Bomani on Stephen A. Smith interviewing Clay Travis
-40:13: Bomani on Tucker Carlson and Don Lemon firings
-41:51: Does Bomani want a bigger role in cable news?
-42:35 Bomani on aggregate media
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
5:30 - In Watching "The Last Dance," when did the early memories of being a kid in Chicago watching the Bulls kick in?
7:35 - Did he ever try to emulate any 1990s Bulls when he was hooping it up?
8:42 - How and when did his father, as a Pakistani immigrant, become a huge Chicago sports fans?
10:36 - Their shared love of sports despite never going to a game in-person together
12:53 - The story of a really beautiful connected moment between his dad, him, and Steve Kerr
19:22 - How he views the series through the lens of his family/memories of watching the Bulls as a kid
22:18 - Did the documentary change his perspective at all of the 1990s Bulls?
24:50 - Does he envision more accessibility from teams and players in the future?
29:10 - Did he felt like there was anything left out from "The Last Dance" worth telling?
32:00 - On his competitiveness level and the feeling of having to outwork everyone in his path
37:33 - Is there a way to stay fresh as a broadcaster amidst COVID-19?
40:29 - Any surprise that both the NFL and CFB have operated with a "business as usual" mindset
44:00 - On how he ended up at FOX from ESPN / the relationships he's made at ESPN
48:10 - Nerding out on sports theme music, and now having Roundball Rock (NBA on NBC theme) as a broadcaster on FOX
50:40 - A petition to get the original MLB on FOX music back for FOX baseball
5:48 - How he admired his dad's ability to remember and connect with everyone he met
7:22 - Have things slowed down for him after starting his career so fast and quickly?
8:41 - Parenting in his late 20s/early 30s vs now at 50 with two young twin boys
10:30 - On his dad being his best friend and how he handled getting the Cardinals gig at age 21
13:21 - Did he feel like he got unfairly singled out early on because of his name?
15:24 - His relationship with him mom/sister and how his mom gave him far more feedback on his broadcasting than his dad
19:10 - Is he still able to get actual legitimate feedback for his broadcasts at FOX
24:15 - Who he envisions as the next Romo & great NFL broadcast analyst
25:56 - When did he feel like he needed to start opening up and feeling like he could be his authentic self
29:04 - On being able to break out of his shell after nearly 20-something years of feeling like he couldn't
30:50 - His newfound relationship with social media and the importance of being your real self on social media
32:52 - His favorite mundane home achievement that he got to broadcast
32:30 - On "Daddy Issues," and the early success of the show
36:00 - On connecting to their podcast audience through their parenting stories and being a dad
38:25 - The star power they've had on the show and gotten them (A-Rod specifically) to be a complete open book
41:15 - What's next for the show
42:30 - On booking on guest just to get another one (great story)
44:45 - If he's had a pot brownie since the infamous night in Cabo
49:00 - Old time crazy broadcaster stories
5:38 - How he and his family are handling/keeping busy during the pandemic
7:30 - On finding a routine / starting EJ's Journalism School
11:35 - Which of the "J-School" lessons has stood out most?
14:35 - His path in broadcasting... was there apprehension about working Braves games with his dad
16:50 - When did he feel like he found his voice in broadcasting?
20:36 - The moment he knew that there was something different and special about "Inside the NBA"
23:45 - On the origin of the "Inside the NBA" games like "Who He Play For?" "How You Say That?" (etc...)
29:25 - Memories/stories of travels and experiences with his NBA on TNT crew
32:21 - His NBA Together show
0:21: Podcast Introduction
5:30: Introduction with Joe Davis
6:35: How he's stayed busy throughout quarantine/stay-at-home in CA
8:47: Favorite spots around the country to find the best smoked meat in America
10:04: First interest in broadcasting and how he started calling his first games
11:05: The first broadcasters he emulated early on
15:13: Getting letters/DMs asking for broadcast advice after he did it when he was a kid
17:00: His college football days - was he good with the media as an athlete?
18:25: His time in Montgomery, taking every broadcast and gig that he possibly could during that time
22:20: What was his first "Welcome to the Big Leagues, kid" type of moment?
23:30: Reflecting on taking over for Vin Scully after getting the Dodgers job
24:41: The unbelievable advice Vin Scully passed along, and who he got that same advice from
26:23: Does he miss play-by-play on radio?
27:24: How he envisions the baseball season going post Corona Virus
30:00: How will the Astros scandal discussion likely unfold once the season begins?
32:57: How he'd like to see baseball improve/connect with younger fans
34:30: If he's had conversations on potentially adapting to betting information/more advanced stats into the broadcast
36:15: RAPID-FIRE!
--
2:45 - Intro
3:50 - Her start at ESPN, struggles on SportsCenter and how it changed her career
7:00 - How management was committed to helping coach her up and improve
8:55 - Her parents and how their tough love was instrumental early on
12:20 - On being an open book and living her life on-air
15:40 - If her producers have been receptive to her looking for more fun in the shows she's a part of
17:19 - On her famous impression of her mother and how she owes Stugotz the credit for it
20:00 - Her transition from DC to ESPN + why ESPN has found so much on-air talent in DC
24:03 - Where her "newshound" instinct came from
26:05 - If there's a lack of representation for women in sports media
29:50 - On the networking side of the business, and develop sources
33:15 - Has she found any insiders or newsbreakers that have found a work/life balance + how she met Woj
35:40 - Does she have a preference between being a host or being the analyst/insider
37:50 - On a type of show she'd love to pitch/be on - The NFL version of "The Jump"
40:25 - What is she most excited about for viewers to learn about the XFL
42:55 - Her recent interview with Olive
3:00 - Why he loves creating a bunch of new content on Instagram/Why it's more positive than Twitter
4:30 - Finding a good balance between talking sports vs life on social media
6:05 - Was leaving Gameday emotional for you?
8:41 - Does he still watch the show?
10:02 - His first interest in college football living in State College
12:08 - Early influences in the broadcast world
14:29 - His father being a Theater Professor and if there's any influence in getting him started in sportscasting/speaking
17:00 - On finding ways to stand out when newer generations are growing up comfortable in front of a camera
18:58 - Starting at ESPN just a few years out of college
22:02 - Does he ever think of the "what if?" Including a decision for him at ESPN that would've taken him away from the Gameday opportunity
25:30 - On the decision to move from Gameday to more play-by-play coverage, specifically the Saturday night game of the week
27:05 - What stands out the most in the 25+ years of being a part of the show
32:53 - On his time broadcasting tennis and how long it took him to get comfortable doing play-by-play for it
36:58 - Previewing the National Championship / Megacast talk
3:30 - On him being "Most Likely to Be a Bookie" for his high school yearbook superlative/first interest in sports wagering
6:04 - On choosing the career of an oddsmaker and whether he ever wanted to be a professional better
8:40 - First eye opening experience of working in and for a sportsbook
10:38 - What happens when a sportsbook has a bad day
11:57 - Does he remember the first bet he ever placed in Las Vegas?
12:50 - When he wanted to get out of oddsmaking and into content creation & media
15:33 - What were the conversations like surrounding sports betting in media 10 years ago vs now?
17:21 - How he met Payne, started the "Bet the Board" Podcast and what their ultimate goal is
19:53 - How they can appeal to casual betters, new betters and experts
21:38 - His initial reaction to PASPA being overturned and what the snowball effect might look like
23:35 - The day to day notes of "Lock it In" and what the reaction has been thus far
26:36 - What does he think the biggest misconception in sports wagering
28:12 - How does he anticipate the leagues & media companies changing in-game sports wagering coverage (if its legalized across the country)
30:48 - A guide to terminology and rapid fire advice on wading into the sports betting world
On this week's edition of the podcast, host Ben Heisler was joined by NFL Network's Colleen Wolfe.
4:20 - Her love for rescuing animals, despite being allergic to them
6:00 - Her rescue pet story gone wrong
7:56 - Family dynamic as a kid in Philadelphia / were they all sports fans?
10:10 - Her mom is a hot take artist
11:22 - Going from a potential art major to communications
14:56 - Her start in radio at WIP in Philadelphia
18:21 - How radio allowed her to have many opportunities and have fun in sports
20:50 - Why she believes there's not more women in sports radio
24:10 - Tough conversations she had with producers/management
27:05 - Being a "one-person band" in TV and doing everything on the fly
29:30 - How she was super close to quitting TV before the NFL Network gig came along
34:15 - When did she finally feel comfortable in her role at NFL Network?
39:00 - An inside look into the postgame show from the crazy ending to Browns/Steelers (the Myles Garrett incident)
47:15 - Stories from the travels with the Thursday Night crew of Michael Irvin, Steve Smith & Joe Thomas
2:08 - Her dominant High School championship performance against Ben's HS team
3:05 - Where her love of basketball first began
4:50 - How her and her dad were part of the "positionless basketball movement" early on in her life
6:00 - On all the challenging coaches that impacted her life/career
7:10 - Toughest player/competitor on the court she's ever faced
9:18 - Could the NBA learn or grow from anything the WNBA has been doing (or vice versa)
12:55 - Could she see herself running an organization or coaching after her playing career is over?
14:11 - On how she was approached by Turner to be an analyst
15:29 - Early influences in her media career and who helped her along the way
16:20 - Her new podcast with Kristen Ledlow
17:48 - Does she feel a connection to Zion Williamson as two highly touted prospects coming into college/pros
19:40 - Which team does she always have to tune in to watch?
21:05 - Any potential surprise teams this year?
22:55 - Any chance the Bulls could be a playoff team this year/Zach LaVine primed for a huge year
2:20 - On his 11 years at MLB Network
3:00 - What changed in his life early on that made him want to pursue this as a career
4:40 - Growing up with seven siblings
6:30 - How acting class were monumental for his career growth
8:10 - Why he needs to be reactive to be successful and how that's different than "not preparing"
12:00 - When he knew he could be more reactionary and not relying on notes/scripts etc
14:30 - On handling Producers not liking that he shares his opinions and not just "tees up analysts"
15:40 - Did he ever want to do radio or be a talk show host?
17:00 - His love for radio
17:50 - On working with Adam Zucker, Michelle Beadle & Kathryn Tappen back in the day at CSTV
19:20 - His relationship with the other analysts at MLB Network, notably Harold Reynolds
21:20 - What would he like to do that he hasn't done at the network yet?
23:00 - Why people continue to fight the changes and adaptations that baseball is looking to make
27:00 - "Dead Brain Heavers"
29:45 - Would MLB consider changing where and how they hold the MLB Draft?
33:00 - Mike Shannon stories
35:00 - How does he avoid/stay off social media with his job?
ROUNDTABLE (PART 1)
2:00 - Thoughts on the updated ESPN MNF Booth
6:20 - Are we likely to see more "hot take" style analysts on broadcasts in an "embrace debate" society?
8:40 - Tony Romo entering Year 3... is he likely to take more criticism after these last few years?
11:10 - Would they be interested in moving some analysts around to different pairings to try and make it a little fresh in the booth?
12:05 - How much longer is Dick Stockton going to hang around at FOX
13:30 - FOX's new College Football Pregame Show and its new time
18:50 - What role will FS1 play in all this?
20:40 - Favorite/under-the-radar pairings that more people should know about?
23:45 - CFB 150 and the impact it will have on this season
MIKE PEREIRA (PART 2)
27:30 - Helping couples fill out a prenup agreement ahead of football season
29:20 - Does he remember the first game he ever officiated?
31:02 - What was his first "Welcome to the NFL" moment?
32:15 - 10 seasons at FOX, what did he think the position would be and how has it evolved?
35:00 - His perspective on the new pass interference review rules
37:20 - What does a typical week look like for an NFL referee: from the moment the game ends to when the next game begins
39:21 - Which former (or current) NFL referee would he most enjoy having a few drinks and grabbing some wings with?
4:30 - Calling an Electrician Championship on ESPN 8 the Ocho this year
7:20 - When he learned that broadcasts could and should be fun
9:28 - Where did his love of sports first come from?
10:20 - How growing up in Chicago in the Michael Jordan era helped make sports part of the every day conversation
12:15 - The value of doing radio early in his life (high school)
13:20 - The impact of early feedback
14:10 - How he responded to the competitive atmosphere and nature at Syracuse
16:10 - Does he regret setting the tone for much of the competitive, aggressive environment
18:42 - What did he want to do when he left college
20:50 - On learning to do TV and deal with the challenges of it for the first time late in his career
25:00 - Did he ever want to be a radio talk show host
28:50 - On the possibility he could return home to the White Sox for his dream job
33:31 - Early broadcaster influences
39:10 - On the pace of baseball & college football and what can be done to fix it (if anything at all)
42:10 - Why do people and viewers get upset when changes happen in baseball?
45:51 - On being a part of the Statcast broadcast and going through trying to make it interesting and unique to traditional baseball viewers
49:45 - His "celebrity" weekend in Anaheim with Bill Walton, Mike Schur, and Mike O'Brien
55:00 - Pizza in a bag and fun times in New York
56:45 - His work and videos for the Cerebral Palsy Foundation
4:48 - The challenges and exciting things that come with putting out a 28 hour fantasy football marathon
5:33 - Keeping content fresh vs allowing newcomers to get the core information they need
7:53 - How he's done all 28 hours the last three years
9:30 - What does he remember about the first fantasy team/league he was in?
12:20 - When did his first break come when he was working in show business in LA?
17:42 - The fleeting nature of the TV/movie industry - How unhappy he was late in his show business career
21:30 - When the moment came to him that he wanted to leave show business
26:00 - Why people have a hard time leaving an industry they think they're supposed to be in...
27:00 - Did he have any idea the "fantasy sports revolution" was coming?
31:00 - What ultimately led him to ESPN after starting his own websites and developing a major following
32:30 - The transition from writing to more on-air work and if there were difficulties that came with it
36:00 - Learning the mechanics of TV and finding a dynamic that works
37:50 - How his research process has changed throughout the years
43:20 - How often does gambling/Vegas play a role in his fantasy research
44:17 - Is he a daily fantasy fan as well as the new spinoffs of traditional fantasy football etc...
47:40 - Stories of when he's given great or terrible fantasy advice to high profile celebrities
4:20 - Is her next opportunity to be a Head Coach in the NFL now that she's working with Sean McVay
5:35 - How the idea of being a booth analyst didn't really occur to her and how that changed
6:50 - Who were/are NFL analysts & color commentators she's enjoyed viewing/listening to
8:30 - The best way to incorporate more and new information into broadcasts
10:34 - When she knew she first wanted to become a writer
11:15 - Was the transition from the business world of journalism into sports an intimidating one
12:09 - Who helped in the initial transition? Who was in her corner from the beginning
13:05 - Was there a concern that transitioning into sports would ruin her ability to be a fan
14:35 - Balancing the joy of football with the on and off the field issues the sport provides
16:35 - Would football consider a more transparent approach when it comes to injuries/health issues
17:25 - Her takeaways from her profiles of Aaron Rodgers and Baker Mayfield - represent different times of players
19:20 - Do we expect the QB position and personality of that position change in this new generation
20:24 - How she came up with the voice for her dog Lenny on her podcast
21:40 - What's something about the Miami Clevelander studios we wouldn't expect
22:15 - Her viral reaction to Shohei Ohtani signing with the Mariners
23:20 - Her strangest etch-a-sketch
24:00 - Fan of The Bachelorette finale?
25:02 - Any other impressions besides "DMX"
25:35 - Is Pablo Torre as good of a karaoke singer as he claims to be?
26:10 - Who is a non-obvious Super Bowl contender for 2019
2:53 - How he became a Vikings fan growing up in Steelers country
6:40 - Growing up in Wheeling, West Virginia and the impact WTBS had on him as a sports fan
8:50 - When did he take to the NFL away from baseball?
10:11 - How he "stumbled" into his first NFL writing job
13:16 - Did he have ownership stake in the first NFL company he worked for? And how did that lead to a quick stop at ESPN?
14:35 - How his legal degree and career in law has been essential in his work
17:10 - What he considers his most important or memorable work in 18+ years of running Pro Football Talk
19:30 - How does ownership/partnership work with NBC/NBC Sports
20:31 - What would entice him to go out on his own and move away from NBC
21:20 - Al Michaels' career + Can he confirm that he's never eaten a vegetable?
22:52 - Is there a great future NFL analyst none of us are talking about yet?
24:00 - What does he look for in a good in-game analyst
26:20 - What would it take for the NFL and Players to avoid a labor dispute in 2021
28:05 - Are NFL owners actually seriously considering an 18 game schedule with players sitting out two games?
29:40 - Would the NFL/Roger Goodell ever consider transparency when it comes to dealing with player safety information
33:21 - Who's the white whale of guests for PFT Live / Who would he most like to talk to?
4:42 - His basketball camp wrapping up and if they've had to change their approach with how basketball has changed
7:40 - When did he first start to play and then grow to love basketball?
9:55 - Did basketball ever come easy to him?
11:20 - Life as a Duke player vs life as a Duke Coach (both under Coach K)
14:00 - What was Jay Bilas outside of basketball like?
16:45 - Did he think he'd be a full-time coach and pursue it as a career once he started in 1990?
18:42 - Was there any anxiety in becoming a basketball analyst? (Two-part answer)
21:28 - If there was a moment where he finally felt comfortable knowing he could be good at this job
24:10 - Understanding how to be a good analyst for television - perception of his role as an analyst/commentator
28:00 - On the realization of "you can't please everybody" and having fun with social media trolls
29:15 - Reminiscing over the 2015 Elite 8 broadcast between Arizona and Illinois
33:30 - When did the Young Jeezy daily lyric tweets start to become really popular?
35:35 - The impact of the California bill that would allow college athletes to be compensated for their own name/image/likeness and the NCAA's fight against it
39:14 - Will there ever be a time where the NCAA stops this fight and hypocrisy against student athletes?
45:24 - Would he like to see the "draft process" go away, since it doesn't allow rookies to decide where they'd like to play?
45:43 - Prouder moment: 94 feet with his son, or his son being featured on "Bad Beats" with SVP?
4:34 - Her co-host Jason Fitz's inability to pay up on bets
5:40 - The origin of how she became "The Commish"
9:10 - Has there been a scenario where she hasn't been able to solve someone's dilemma?
11:20 - Her time growing with the Le Batard Show
14:03 - What kind of kid was Sarah Spain?
15:56 - Learning to balance so many things all in one day and how it translates to her current career
18:05 - Was being a star HS/College athlete a part of her career path / what her ultimate goal ended up being
21:30 - Her time in Second City learning comedy and improv
24:38 - Does she feel like she was one of the first sportscasters that had to learn how to do everything to break in?
27:30 - The one fear she still has after all these years as an on-air personality and how to combat it
30:40 - Impact of power through association & improvement of women representation in sports media
33:40 - Early and current influences in the industry
36:12 - How Jemele Hill made a huge difference in her life
38:45 - How do we get the hiring practices to change?
42:44 - First working with Jason Fitz and how to get into rhythm with a show where nobody is in the same place
48:00 - The More Than Mean Video - Balancing the joy of winning a Peabody vs the difficulty of replaying awful things said to them
51:03 - Her charitable work and how it turned into everyone on Twitter sending in awkward teenage pictures of themselves
RUNDOWN:
- 3:43: The insanity of Tuesday night (Magic stepping down, Dirk & D-Wade's last home game)
- 4:30 - Her interactions with Wade & Dirk over the last several years
- 6:48: Her first interests in playing basketball and playing it competitively for many years
- 8:20: Did she anticipate trying to play sports professionally? Or was broadcasting always something she was interested in?
- 10:39: Early influences growing up in an era where there were more female sportscasting role models
- 13:00: Why she likes to mentor young women in broadcasting and sportscasting
- 14:50 - Her growth as a broadcaster and when she started to feel comfortable with her own voice and style
- 16:55 - Does she miss being a radio personality at all?
- 17:53 - Getting the call from Turner to revive and host Inside Stuff
- 22:03 - Having rare opportunities to reflect on her accomplishments
- 23:56 - Her friendship with Grant Hill and his influence in helping her make relationships with players/coaches in the NBA
- 27:54 - What it's like to interview Gregg Popovich on the sidelines? Is it as intimidating as it looks?
- 30:33 - Who's the most surprising interview in the NBA?
- 34:00 - Previewing the Eastern Conference Playoff race
- 36:45 - Who would be her pick for the next Space Jam Monstars
- 38:30 - Stories from the NBA on TNT crew going on Family Feud
5:00 - Does he have any optimism for this upcoming Mets season?
8:50 - Was Brockmire created as an homage to the older, more personality driven baseball broadcaster?
10:50 - On his show connecting with younger audiences and millennials despite baseball's issues relating to younger fans
12:10 - On Jim Brockmire starting off Season 3 sober
13:50 - On adding Bob Costas, JK Simmons, Tawny Newsome, Richard Kind amongst others to the mix
14:30 - On Costas and Joe Buck and Brent Musburger really showing a ton of personality on the show
16:40 - How much of the show is improvisation vs entirely by script?
18:05 - The complete and total trust he has for Joel Church Cooper (head writer/creator)
19:10 - How long does it take for him to work on a voice to have total control of that voice
20:45 - The impact of 31 years of the Simpsons
21:50 - The origin of Moe from The Simpsons and the connection he has to Al Pacino
22:43 - Has he lever lost a character voice and if so, how would he try to regain it
23:55 - Where the voices come from; are they based off friends, celebrities etc.
25:05 - Has anyone done voices you do in front of you?
26:10 - How he views voice impressions compared to impression comedians
28:00 - Story of how he would call Hollywood restaurants to get tables as Mickey Rourke and Sly Stallone
30:40 - Any other voices we aren't aware of?
32:20 - His work and volunteering with helping Miami Jewish Health Systems
4:45 - Why the NCAA Tournament is universal for all sports fans, both casual and hardcore
5:42 - His 25-year run at CBS and what's make it work and last
7:07 - His love of the game and if there was ever a moment that basketball wasn't the route for him
8:35 - His insane high school championship game performance and what it's liked to be locked in on a basketball court
10:28 - His time playing at Ohio State and how he's watched the game evolve working in basketball over the last 35-40 years
14:47 - His perspective on Zion Williamson and if there is a reasonable comparison for him
17:40 - Which games from previous NCAA Tournaments most stand out to him during his time at CBS
20:55 - Are there any teams that could have a Loyola-Chicago type of run in 2019?
23:30 - Would he like to see the Selection Committee put more of an emphasis on high quality mid-major programs over bigger schools?
26:00 - Who are the college broadcasters he gets the most hyped up listening to call a game?
4:20 - On getting the show together and the rehearsals taking place this week
5:50 - On the show feeling natural for everyone because sports betting is a passion of theirs
7:50 - When he sensed sports betting was starting to become less taboo
10:20 - Do they discuss how they'll try to market the show to all types and generations of sports fans
14:00 - His time working in Vegas and how it helped shape his worldview of sports wagering
15:20 - Why he feels baseball sets up best for the integration of wagering & live betting
20:00 - What his typical day looks like and what trends is he looking for to wager on a game
24:20 - Any futures bets he likes ahead of the NCAA Tournament, MLB season & The Masters
4:05 - Her love for the Howard Stern show
7:40 - Was being on the Stern "Wrap Up" show her most exciting moment as an interviewee
8:45 - Growing up with scoliosis and back surgery to now training for Iron Mans and running marathons
13:20 - Connecting with athletes due to their shared experiences
14:45 - When she went "all in" in broadcasting
18:50 - On sacrificing time with family for the job, and her kids being super excited about her role in Cars 3
20:00 - What was the first NASCAR event she ever attended, even before covering it professionally
22:10 - Who were early influences or helpful coworkers in the industry covering NASCAR
24:20 - What does she see as the biggest storylines throughout Daytona 500 week?
26:50 - Their brand new studio and is it difficult to not make the studio the new "star of the show?"
29:03 - Will FOX mention or reference sports wagering or gambling ahead of their coverage
31:00 - Predictions for the race
3:38: Ratings aside, should CBS feel good about what was in control of their broadcast?
7:11: On the wild live TV moment of the postgame scrum with Tracy Wolfson & Tom Brady
9:50: Has Jim Nantz changed for the better as a result of working alongside Tony Romo?
11:38 - How CBS should feel about the ratings, both on the TV side and on the digital side
14:22 - Should the digital numbers matter more to networks? Would the discussion be different if it were simply a good game?
16:10 - Did it feel like there wasn't a lot of juice leading up to the Super Bowl?
19:53 - What would have been the most ideal matchup for BOTH the NFL and the fans
20:30 - The Barstool vs NFL feud
24:20 - What should we be looking forward to most in sports media in February?
3:05 - Life on the road
6:30 - Why calling College Football trains you to be ready for any sportscasting opportunity
10:07 - What he considers the most difficult sport to do play-by-play for, and why you might be surprised by his answer
16:20 - Feeling comfortable as a broadcaster and early influences
21:00 - How he seeks out feedback on his broadcasts
24:25 - Going to Boston College, calling games and doing shows with Joe Tessatore and Boog Sciambi/Wanting to compete against them because of how talented they are
28:15 - Does he ever wish he would've stayed with talk radio and would he like to have his own full-time show down the road?
31:40 - How his gravitation to the talk radio side usually stems from moments when he's watching games
35:20 - Is there different preparation for the different analysts he works with (eg. Dick Vitale vs Fran Fraschilla)
37:40 - How he tanked his audition for the XFL
41:07 - His love for Phish and the first time he ever saw them live
3:40 - Has he gotten settled at ESPN yet
4:22 - Biggest change from Yahoo to ESPN
6:40 - Is there added pressure in trying to be the Schefter/Woj of MLB
9:20 - His football analogy to what the switch has been like
10:40 - Who his early media/journalism influences were
14:50 - Does he feel like writers need to become specialized? Or can they cover and break news across all sports?
19:40 - Transformation from feature writing to breaking news
21:40 - His appreciation and admiration for Ken Rosenthal & Woj
24:20 - Why covering breaking news can lead you to become a far better writer
25:15 - Who he'll miss most working with at Yahoo/stories from his time there
27:45 - The time he thought him and Pat Forde were going to die covering the Olympics in Rio
30:20 - His thoughts on the Kyler Murray story and what the public perception will be if he maximizes his money
34:50 - The remaining top free agents still hanging around in MLB
4:00 - His connection to Statin Island and his connection to the Impractical Jokers
6:00 - His move to New York several years ago, working at the new ESPN Seaport studios and the family connection it has for him
10:10 - Is it surreal since he joined ESPN 18+ years ago
14:40 - Early role models in the industry and trying to remain himself as a personality
19:45 - Does he feel like he gets enough feedback from his peers/bosses
22:50 - What does he remember about his first episode of hosting Around the Horn
26:40 - The moments throughout his career where he started to change and work through the uncomfortable to feel more himself
32:00 - The importance of authenticity in this business
35:40 - His struggles with mental health and anxiety and if it helped connecting and sharing those details with viewers/social media
42:50 - His goal to find more humanity in sports television and his connection and love
4:01 - The star panel he'll be a part of for "The Match" Tiger vs Phil
5:58 - Embracing the unknown and throwing out the rundown/staying in the moment
7:28 - Starting in local news and changing how content gets delivered over the last 10 years
10:13 - On making mistakes early and whether "going viral" is possible anymore
12:55 - How Awful Announcing played a role in his rise in the industry / the Seinfeldcast & Rapcast
19:00 - The feeling of watching his sportscasts go viral
20:50 - Any current/past influences on his work
23:35 - Describing what the Simms & Lefkoe show is
26:45 - Why hasn't the rest of the media focused on NFL personality driven content & why their show works because they're not in bed with the NFL
27:57 - How the origin and initial pitch of the show transformed over time
31:25 - On golf finally taking a risk and doing something genuinely cool with Tiger vs Phil
34:50 - The sports wagering rise in coverage of our favorite sports
3:30 - How she plans to get Astros updates while working Thursday's game (her husband pitches for Houston)
5:10 - What led her to pursue basketball, both playing it in D1 and covering it professionally?
7:50 - Her family ties to modeling, competition and sports and the role they played in her life
9:30 - How being named Miss Teen Ohio made her grow up really quickly as a kid
11:33 - Who was the first interview that made her geek out/get nervous
13:40 - Her first broadcasting moment getting thrown into the fire
17:00 - Who were role model broadcast figures for her
19:35 - Working with high profile women in sports on CBS Sports Network (eg. Lesley Visser, Andrea Kremer etc)
20:30 - What she considered her biggest challenge working her way up at CBSSN
23:00 - On all the roles she had at CBS before moving on to Turner
24:20 - Why she left CBS for Turner
26:50 - Her colleague Kevin Harlan getting to call a game with Olivia Harlan-Dekker on Monday
27:40 - What storyline(s) from the NBA is she most excited about this year
29:40 - Her work with HelpCureHD and helping to fight Huntington's Disease
3:20 - Did she have a vision for what she wanted to do when she started at NFL Films in 1984
7:20 - What she remembers about her first job at a newspaper and how drastically it's changed now
10:40 - On going into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and doing it as a mother
17:00 - When she found her voice and confidence as a broadcaster and journalist
19:30 - How she views the conversation of more diversity and more women earning opportunities to call games
23:40 - How she and Hannah Storm were approached about their new opportunity to call Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime Video
26:30 - What she hopes viewers will take away from their broadcast and why they don't want it to be traditional
33:40 - On how television and sports broadcasts is constantly changing and why that's a good thing
36:45 - Looking back at her longtime career, is there one story or one piece in particular she's most proud of?
INTRO:
2:40 - Did they know how they wanted High Noon to sound from the very beginning/not explaining the joke
5:00 - How he and Bomani first became friends
7:05 - Pitching the show to themselves
9:20 - Bomani and Le Batard as wedding guests
12:00 - Learning how to do TV without compromising integrity
15:20 - The power of transparency and being interesting without being "hot takey"
18:05 - What he remembers from their first show
18:50 - The backlash from the music playing the whole time
21:40 - Working with esteemed producer Erik Rydholm
24:30 - Our dislike of the word "talent"
25:30 - Is he responsible for "trust the process?"
28:40 - Does he think Sam Hinkie will get to be a GM or Executive ever again?
30:38 - The irony of Hinkie being let go to be replaced by Bryan Colangelo
32:30 - Can analytics eventually become commonplace in football in relation to the other sports?
35:55 - Is the future of football in trouble because of its inability to evolve?
38:40 - Could transparency work in favor of the NFL?
42:00 - RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS!
On her new deal/going from volleyball & women's basketball to everything she's doing in just four years (2:17)
How she'd love to do something the NBA as part of all the work she's doing (3:44)
How she once considered a career in medicine (5:33)
Her first ever broadcast (6:30)
The Taylor Rowe'd Trip with Holly Rowe (9:48)
The best way to describe SEC Football & SEC Football Culture (12:06)
The study that 45% of CFB fans are female (roughly 74 million fans) (15:43)
What could college football and/or the NCAA fix - welfare of the student athletes / future of athletes being paid (19:08)
Her new opportunity with Get Up (22:25)
How she'll handle giving strong opinions on subjects that she also happens to cover (used Ohio State as an example) (23:52)
Her ultimate goal of being on Good Morning America (25:40)
Who she would take in College Fantasy Football in Week 1 (28:13)
RUNDOWN:
0:18 - Intro + Game Show
4:30 - Baseball's latest issues
10:00 - What was the most notable sports moment of the summer
14:40 - Who would ESPN choose to keep more: Schefter or Woj?
18:30 - Bill Simmons' new deal at HBO
23:30 - How could Simmons be better used at HBO?
32:12 - James Franco and a possible ESPN movie
RUNDOWN:
6:05 - His "summer internship" experience with Van Pelt on SC & "Drawing the World Cup"
10:20 - The one goal he had when he was doing his SVP SC hits
11:02 - Was there any benefit for the USMNT not being in this year's World Cup for the viewers?
15:40 - How far out is the U.S team from positioning themselves into being legit WC contenders consistently?
19:20 - Who first inspired him to play soccer + his family's unique athletic background
23:00 - How he never expected to enter the media and who helped him get started as an analyst
25:00 - His perspective on hot take culture in sports talk
27:15 - Has he done a 180 on any strong opinion he's had recently?
32:54 - Working with as many talented broadcasters as he has at ESPN
36:52 - The ThinkTaylor Foundation and helping educate the public on head injuries and concussions
40:42 - Can soccer become a more "safe" sport?
6:30 - What to look forward to in this episode with Saban, Harbaugh, Jimbo & Frost etc
10:30 - How his situation presents opportunities for hard nosed coaches to let loose
12:40 - Starting at ESPN and being different than a lot of the other reporters he was around
18:08 - When he finally found his voice at ESPN
23:30 - How he started getting new opportunities & how his friends were crucial in his rise
27:30 - How he first pitched Marty Smith's America
32:30 - Where did the "Marty Party" nickname come from?
35:40 - Who is someone you've met that the public has misjudged or doesn't truly understand
39:00 - His most embarrassing moments on television
NDOWN:
5:30 - Intro & the demise of The Bachelor
7:49 - What the NBA, WWE, & Soap Operas share in common
11:15 - Why the NBA has marketed itself so well to younger viewers
14:10 - Basketball's strength in media sharing and did the NBA ever approach him for his creative content
16:24 - Did he ever have an a-ha moment in the early stages for what he was doing
20:00 - How "Buckets" got started and how he got paired up with Cycle, ESPN & Cassidy Hubbarth
23:30 - Why crowdsourcing works for what he does and why more outlets need to learn and interact with their audience
26:20 - Did "living your life" on-air ever backfire on you?
29:00 - Grades Ben's "NBA Looks-Like" candidates (a la Le Batard Show)
30:56 - Biggest surprise from the NBA Playoffs thus far
Ben koo interviews Adnan Virk on his rise at ESPN and previews this years Oscars as well as his taste in movies.
Ben has Andrew and Matt on to discuss various NFL media topics and what to expect at ESPN and Fox under new leadership.
Ben has on Jim Miller to talk the state of ESPN and also learn more about his new project, the popular Origins podcast.
The gang discusses the implications of ESPN buying FSN, the last round of layoffs, and looking back at this past college football season.
The gang talk about John Skipper and SVP's ESPN extensions, how losing net neutrality affects the sports world, and who is the biggest sports turkey of the year.
Domonique Foxworth joins Ben Heisler to talk about his unique career path.
The guys discuss the ESPN and Barstool disaster.
Bleacher Report President Rory Brown joins Ben Koo to retrace the company's ascension.
The AA staff discusses Barstool Sports partnership with ESPN, Jemele Hill, USMNT not making the World Cup, and the future of baseball on national television.
Ben Heisler interviews Casey Stern.
Ben, Matt, Andrew and Ken discuss the NFL's national anthem controversy and Katie Nolan leaving FS1.
Kirk Hebstreit chats with Ben Koo about College Gameday and what to expect the rest of this season
Matt Yoder, Ken Fang, and Andrew Buchholtz join Ben Heisler to discuss the fallout from the Jemele Hill controversy and also look at Tony Romo's debut and other football topics.
Ben Koo interviews Brent Musburger.
Michael Schur, best known on the internet as Ken Tremendous, is the guest on this special Christmas-week edition of the Awful Announcing podcast.
Schur and Dan Levy spend a good 70 minutes—good in terms of length and, hopefully, quality—talking all about his career as a television writer and producer for Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Parks and Recreation, going back to his days at The Office and SNL as well, and how all that comedy writing compares to what made him internet famous a dozen or so years back: Fire Joe Morgan.
Here is a quick rundown of most of what we discuss during the conversation.
- Talmudic Law and the notion of being "half-Jewish"
- Jews for Jedis
- Christmas with Regis Philbin
- Filming holiday episodes in October (and Halloween episodes in August)
- The legacy of television comedy, and how that's changed from watching re-runs of Gilligan's Island in the '80s to now
- Harold Reynolds, Tom Verducci and John Smoltz
- NFL, Star Wars, DraftKings and the Parks & Rec future of seven companies running the world
- Andre Braugher's comedic presence, and why he doesn't win every award, ever
- Chris Pratt, and if/when Schur knew he was going to be the biggest star on the planet
- Writing comedy for comedians, and the collaborative process of producing quality TV
- Aaron Sorkin
- Donald Trump
Rob Stone of Fox Sports is the guest on the Awful Announcing podcast this week and if you like hearing about the ins-and-outs of sports television, this is as in and out as it gets.
We talk FIFA World Cup, Fox, U.S. Soccer, haircuts, bowling and a whole lot more.
If you ever wanted to have an inside radio conversation with someone, well, inside radio, there is no better person than Paul Pabst, producer of widely heard and viewed Dan Patrick Show.
As Awful Announcing begins a new season of the AA Podcast, we had a chance to talk with ESPN's Kenny Mayne exclusively about his new contract.
As the call began (before the interview even technically started) and the conversation veered into directions most ESPN stars wouldn't dare talk about on the record—what would Jesus do if Syrian refugees showed up on his shores, for one—Mayne insisted he was fine with the tape rolling, and off the conversation went.
We learned there is no real start to an interview with Mayne, and 45 minutes in to a ride that goes in directions neither thought it would go, part of you wishes there would be no end.
We're privileged to be joined on this week's podcast by the biggest winners in our yearly People's Sports Media Awards - Roger Bennett and Michael Davies, better known as the Men in Blazers. The best British export since the Spice Girls have taken American by storm in the last year - first with their work at the World Cup for ESPN and then covering the Premier League for NBC. The duo has seen their popular podcast transform into a multi-platform brand with listeners, viewers, and fans all around the globe. In today's podcast, we chat with Rog and Davo about the following...
- Their chemistry together and what's made their partnership work.
- The importance of their connection to all the GFOPs.
- How EPL rights were central to choosing to join NBC instead of staying with ESPN or moving to Fox.
- The creation of their television show and how they find all the hilarious crap in football to feature.
- Why Mourinho and Van Gaal give them the most material to work with on a regular basis.
- Stevie G's Anfield farewell and the futures of Gerrard and Lampard in MLS.
- MLS vs EPL on American television.
- Which Premier League personalities would make the best crossovers into American sports?
- Looking ahead to the MiB season finale and secret plans for a summer holiday adventure to be chronicled on NBC.
Today we welcome the voice of the NBA Finals and one of our favorite guests, Mike Breen. The voice of the Knicks has also doubled as ESPN and NBA's lead announcer for almost a decade now. In today's podcast we talk about his illustrious broadcast career, the memorable Bulls-Cavs series that saw back to back buzzer beaters, and the overall state of the game. Topics include..
- The back-to-back buzzer beaters in Game 3 and Game 4 being the first that Mike has called in his career.
- How the second round of the playoffs has led to much more excitement than the first round.
- The physical nature of the Bulls-Cavs series and the health on both sides.
- How far Cleveland can go if Kyrie Irving is far from 100%.
- JR Smith as the potential X-Factor of the series.
- Being reunited with Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy together again and how Jackson has approached Warriors games this season.
- The challenges to Golden State and Atlanta and how many teams left have a realistic hope of winning the title.
- New stars rising up and the overall state of the league.
In today's podcast we welcome one of the top NFL Draft experts on the eve of the big event in Chicago. We're joined by Matt Miller of Bleacher Report to talk about the NFL's annual selection meeting as well as the site's evolution to a major mainstream force. Topics include...
- His writing career and how it's coincided with the growth of Bleacher Report.
- Evolution of b/r since he started writing till now with Turner's purchase of the site.
- His year-round work as a draft analyst and what that entails.
- What are the biggest challenges in analyzing the draft? How much time does he spend watching film and how does he slot players?
- What defines success as a draft expert.
- The strength of this year's draft class and who's his #3 QB.
- Where Marcus Mariota will eventually fall.
All that and much more on this week's AA Podcast.
WWE has made a lot of news in the sports world recently with Brock Lesnar announcing his re-signing with the company on ESPN, SportsCenter showing WrestleMania, and so many websites now covering the industry on a regular basis. With that in mind we welcome one of the best and funniest pro wrestling writers around, Brandon Stroud of With Spandex and Uproxx. Topics include...
- His journey online and how crazy intense it is to write about pro wrestling on the internet.
- Why Monday Nitro is Brandon's favorite show to review and some of its most lovable, ridiculous moments including The Giant surviving being thrown off a building by Hulk Hogan after a sumo monster truck match.
- All the mainstream sports media coverage WWE has received around WrestleMania and throughout various sports websites and why that might be driven by Attitude Era fans.
- The continued growth and future of WWE Network and what the best stuff is to watch on the network.
- Why Brock Lesnar is the only important person in WWE right now and whether someone can join him.
- The current philosophy of WWE and current state of the product. Why is it not as encouraging as a year ago?
- The evolution of the PG Era and why the Reality Era never took hold.
- Why NXT is the best thing going and how it can create the competition WWE has long needed.
- Rapid fire including best and worst announcers in WWE, the next first time champ, best promotion outside WWE, and the one matchup Brandon never wants to see again in a WWE ring.
It's NBA Playoffs time and we're joined once again by NBA on TNT analyst Chris Webber. The former All-Star has seen quite the rise in his broadcast career over the last 12 months as he's now the lead NBA game analyst for Turner Sports working this postseason with Marv Albert. We chat with Chris about his broadcast career and the NBA Playoffs. Topics include...
- OKC's firing of Scott Brooks and why the franchise needs someone with NBA experience to keep Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant.
- The local media's souring relationship with Westbrook and Durant and why that might play a role in their future in OKC.
- His growth as a broadcaster over the last three years and moving into a lead role.
- His relationship and chemistry with Marv Albert.
- Working the NCAA Tournament as a broadcaster for the first time.
- The Celtics-Cavs series and why he's been so impressed with Boston. Really good thoughts from Chris on why he's so high on Danny Ainge's rebuilding project.
- Why LeBron James and Kyrie Irving are really Cleveland's Big 2 and why that might be enough to see them over the line.
- The Hawks as the quietest #1 seed in NBA history, perhaps?
- Chris' NBA Finals pick.
All that and more on the latest AA Podcast.
On today's podcast, we recap another Dos a Cero victory for the USMNT over arch-rival Mexico with ESPN lead soccer analyst Taylor Twellman. TT joins us to talk about the state of the national team as well as to get caught up on his new contract with ESPN and the new MLS labor contract. Topics include...
- Staying with ESPN in spite of World Cup rights moving to Fox.
- How he hopes to expand and grow in his broadcast career beyond soccer.
- The MLS labor deal and why it maintains "status quo" for the league.
- How the players and the owners could have got a better deal for MLS's future.
- The good/bad side of the consistent Sunday evening broadcast windows.
- Why Kaka will make the biggest impact for a new MLS superstar.
- Reactions to the USMNT 2-0 victory over Mexico.
- The state of US Soccer under Jurgen Klinsmann.
All that and much more on the newest AA Podcast.
In this week's AA Podcast we become fully immersed in March Madness and chat with Steve Smith of Turner Sports. The longtime NBA veteran and Michigan State alum is one of the NBA personalities covering the college game for CBS and Turner during the NCAA Tournament. Topics include...
- Calling NCAA Tournament games from the broadcast booth for the first time.
- His chemistry working with Brian Anderson and seeing so many great games in Pittsburgh during the first week of the tournament.
- The challenges of shifting from covering the NBA to college basketball.
- His Spartans making another Sweet 16 run and how Tom Izzo (whose first recruit was Smith as an assistant at Michigan State) keeps doing it year after year.
- Notre Dame's great OT win over Butler and what makes them a threat to upset Kentucky.
- NC State advancing past Villanova with one of the second round's big upsets.
- Looking forward to working with Georgia State head coach Ron Hunter in the studio this week.
We shift gears (quite literally and figuratively) for this week's podcast by heading to the world of Formula One and open wheel racing. To do so we welcome NBC play by play man Leigh Diffey. In addition to his work calling F1, Leigh calls the network's IndyCar coverage and received acclaim for his announcing at the Sochi Olympics at the Sanki Sliding Center. Topics include...
- His journey from Australia to the UK to the United States in his broadcast career.
- His experience in Sochi and the challenges of calling a completely new sport.
- Being able to go between calling F1 and IndyCar racing.
- How controversy sells in F1 and the various issues presently facing the sport including top team Red Bull threatening to quit.
- Lewis Hamliton's dominating win in Australia and why having teammate Nico Rosberg be his chief rival is good for the sport.
- The struggles of McLaren and how teams can catch up to Mercedes.
- 17 year old Max Verstappen and the young stars of F1.
- Whether or not Mercedes can complete a perfect season.
F1 and open wheel racing fans definitely want to tune in to this week's edition of the AA Podcast.
In today's podcast, we get caught up on the free agency frenzy in the NFL with Fox NFL reporter/insider/draft guru/sideline reporter etc. Peter Schrager. Peter joins us from the University of Oregon pro day so we spend a bit of time on Marcus Mariota and his draft prospects before moving into all the major signings and trades of the last week. We also talk with Peter about breaking into the crazy world of NFL insiderdom. Topics include...
- Marcus Mariota's draft prospects and whether or not Chip Kelly channels his inner Mike Ditka.
- Kelly's "plan" in Philadelphia and whether it really does exist.
- How difficult it is to break into the world of NFL insiders and compete with Schefter and Glazer.
- How the reporting trail and player movement differs from the other hats he wears at Fox and why he felt like he needed to break more stories.
- Just how many retweets do you get for breaking the signing of Isa Abdul-Quddus?
- The very real pressure that exists for NFL reporters to break news around the clock, even the singles and doubles.
- What is going on in New Orleans with my Saints?
- Best and worst value signings in free agency.
- A look at the first 18 months of Fox Sports 1. We have a conversation about expectations, growth, challenging ESPN, and of course Mike Francesa.
And Peter also shares with us his vision of a travel/food show going to sports bars across the country. Think of it as a Diners, Drive-ins and Dives for Sports. How could that show fail? Make it happen, Fox Sports 1!
In this week's podcast we're joined by the host of the new Fox Sports 1 show Garbage Time with Katie Nolan... Katie Nolan. (Obviously she's the host, the show's named after her.) Katie has been one of the breakout stars of the first 18 months of Fox Sports 1 being a part of the original Crowd Goes Wild and then moving into her own No Filter online video series. We talk about Katie's journey to FS1, her new show, and a lot more including...
- Her transition from blogging and writing to doing video at Guyism and how she built her own studio from How-To YouTube videos.
- The unique process of writing, editing, and producing video content and how a No Filter video comes together and what episodes Katie is most proud of putting together.
- Thoughts on Curt Schilling and dealing with Twitter trolls on a daily basis. Do we have to accept "taking the good with the bad" in social media?
- What exactly was Crowd Goes Wild? Could one even try to define it?
- Working with Regis Philbin and her best Regis story.
- How the spirit of CGW will be alive in Garbage Time.
- Can Garbage Time succeed as a "sports version of the Daily Show" where so many have tried and failed before?
- The unique connection between Katie Nolan and the Men in Blazers and how they'll share the same (small) studio space.
- What will distinguish Garbage Time in a very competitive timeslot and what defines success for the new show.
All that and a lot more in this edition of the AA Podcast.
Our latest podcast features a man who has kept us pretty busy in the new year - ESPN college basketball analyst Dan Dakich. His outspoken analysis and straight-shooting style has led to dustups with everyone from Boston radio hosts to Big Ten coaches to midwestern mayors. In addition to his work at ESPN, Dan hosts a weekday radio show in Indianapolis where he talks about sports and society. In this podcast we talk with Dan about a wide-ranging number of topics that include...
- HIs relationship with college basketball fans, especially on Twitter.
- How he uses Twitter and how he deals with criticism.
- His advocacy against chewing tobacco and how comfortable he is talking about societal issues on his radio show.
- Battling depression while head coach at Bowling Green, how he's been committed to having fun as a broadcaster, and why he'd never go back to coaching.
- The stress that coaches are under daily and how Urban Meyer taking a year off from coaching may have helped him most.
- Why his mission in a game broadcast is to provide teaching tools for other coaches.
- His "Danny Awards" and some of his favorite broadcasters to work with and around sports.
- Whether or not fans can tell if an analyst is interested in getting back into coaching
- The state of Big Ten hoops this season: why Michigan State and Ohio State will be dangerous in March.
- Why Dan thinks it's 100% that Kentucky runs the table and what similarities they share with the 1976 Indiana team.
- How to improve the attractiveness of college basketball.
All that and so much more on this week's AA Podcast.
On today's podcast we look ahead to All-Star Weekend with NBA on TNT and NBATV analyst Brent Barry. In his lengthy career in the Association, Brent was a two-time champion with the San Antonio Spurs and a former NBA Slam Dunk champ. We chat with Brent about his family ties in broadcasting, the prep for All-Star weekend, and who the best shooter is in the NBA. Topics include...
- Following in his dad (Rick) and brother's (Jon) footsteps into broadcasting.
- His experience in the dunk contest and 3 point shootout and how players prepare for the individual showcase.
- Criticism of the dunk contest and whether or not it can be saved. Also, why the 3 point shootout is the main attraction this year.
- Who the best shooter is in the NBA and why it's both Steph Curry and Kyle Korver.
- The evolution in the NBA game and the importance of the three.
- Can Atlanta and Golden State's style survive in the postseason?
- Gregg Popovich's 1000th win and the side the media and fans dont' see.
For the latest edition of the AA Podcast we're pleased to be joined by the play by play voice of the Boston Celtics, Sean Grande. In addition to being the Celtics radio voice for more than a decade, Sean has experience working in a number of different capacities across the sports world including college football, the Frozen Four, and the Boston Red Sox. He also happens to be one of the biggest wrestling fans in sports along with friends Michelle Beadle and Bill Simmons. So of course you know we're going to dive into this Sunday's Royal Rumble and even the time Sean had dinner with The Iron Sheik and Fred Lynn. Other topics include...
- The Celtics entering full-on rebuild mode and the strategy of gathering assets.
- The astounding number of players that have passed in and out of Boston in the past month.
- The challenges of calling an NBA team that's in a rebuild versus when the franchise has been to the mountain peak and winning a championship.
- Which young players might be part of Boston's plan to get back to the top of the Eastern Conference.
- The Hawks as maybe being the story of the year in the Association.
- What's the latest with Grande's good friend Bill Simmons and his uncertain future.
- The differences in working in the studio and the broadcast booth.
- Sean's picks for most underrated in sports media.
- His friendship with Jim Ross and having JR call NBA games with him.
- How he got into wrestling as a Bob Backlund guy and his hilarious silent protest at Summerslam '88 against Hulk Hogan.
- Why Daniel Bryan should be the guy to win this year's Rumble and not Roman Reigns.
Grande also brags about being the only guy to achieve the triple crown of appearing on the AA Podcast, The BS Report, and The Ross Report. I don't know why we're mentioned in the same breath as those other two, but I'll take it.
It's a special episode of the AA Podcast as we have a tripleheader of guests with a Columbus flavor. Our trio of guests join us to talk about Ohio State's victory over Oregon in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game from their varying perspectives covering the Buckeyes.
First, Matt Barnes of NBC 4 in Columbus gives us his perspective on the trip to Dallas, following the team this season, and the win over the Ducks.
Second, Dave Biddle from Bucknuts.com examines some of the national media storylines and the "Ohio Against the World" mindset of the team and the fanbase. We also take a deep dive into Urban Meyer's recruiting success and whether or not the Big Ten is really back.
Finally, Beau Bishop of 97.1 The Fan and WBNS examines the remarkable storylines from this season and putting what we just witnessed into historical perspective.
Continuing our annual tradition at AA, we welcome Sports Illustrated media scribe Richard Deitsch for your special 2014 Year in Review podcast. We chat about the biggest sports and media stories of the year (including Darren Rovell blocking him on Twitter, naturally). Topics include...
- How the media handled the massive NFL stories this year of Michael Sam's coming out and the domestic violence crisis.
- ESPN's year in journalism for good (Don Van Natta/OTL) and bad (ESPN & Media Reports)
- The Bill Simmons suspension and what might be in the future of The Sports Guy.
- Did 2014 represent progress for women in sports media?
- Did Twitter take a turn to the dark side in 2014? Richard and I are in agreement on this one.
- Gus Johnson's soccer experiment coming to an end and Fox taking the World Cup baton from ESPN.
- The current state of Fox Sports 1 and NBCSN.
- A rundown of RD's Media Awards including Doc Emrick as his person of the year.
All that and a lot more on our 2014 Year in Review special. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
In today's episode we welcome ESPN's Sarah Spain. Sarah is a contributor to espnW, ESPN Radio 1000 in Chicago, and appears on a number of television platforms. We talk about her increasing national exposure at ESPN, Chicago sports and a number of other topics including...
- Her start in the industry in Chicago.
- What has changed for her since becoming a national personality at ESPN.
- Increased platforms for women in sports media (and how ESPN has led the way) and where there are still areas for growth.
- The NFL seeing an increase in female fans this year.
- Our hopes of bringing Talk Soup to the sports world.
- Whether or not Jay Cutler is losing support in Chicago.
- The Derrick Rose panic-meter and how Jimmy Butler suddenly became an All-Star.
- Which team most defines the mood of the Chicago sports fan.
In this week's podcast we talk with one of the busiest announcers in sports - ESPN's Dave Pasch. We catch up with Dave in Houston in the middle of a four game stretch this week spanning the NBA, NFL, college football, and college basketball. We chat about the Arizona Cardinals being the best team in football and of course, his long, strange, trip with Bill Walton. Topics include...
-What it's like to work 6 games in 8 days and the differences in calling each sport.
-How he can loosen up and be a fan on radio broadcasts with the Arizona Cardinals.
-Seeing the Lakers in person and what their season might be like.
-Just how the Cardinals have got to 9-1 and the best team in the NFL.
-Can Drew Stanton become a Super Bowl winning quarterback?
-The prospects of Arizona hosting a home Super Bowl.
-Seeing the growth of J.T. Barrett at Ohio State firsthand.
-His partnership with Bill Walton and how he prepares for a telecast with the big redhead.
-The experience of being in Bill Walton's backyard teepee.
With the NASCAR season nearing the checkered flag, we welcome ESPN's lead play-by-play voice for the sport, Allen Bestwick, to the podcast. With the new Chase format and the Texas pit road brawl, the sport is at a fever pitch at the moment. Allen joins us to chat about...
-His future at ESPN and moving on from NASCAR as the sport goes to Fox/NBC next year.
-Being able to call the Indy 500, Wimbledon and the British Open and what led to his decision to stay at ESPN versus staying with NASCAR.
-Whether or not NASCAR has finally found the right formula with their current Chase format being a true playoff.
-The Brad Keselowski-Jeff Gordon fight at Texas and how Keselowski is received by fans and the garage area.
-NASCAR's ratings and why finding an answer to growing the sport again is so complex.
-Why Kevin Harvick is the favorite in Phoenix this weekend.
-What to expect at Homestead for the first true championship race in NASCAR history.
Cleveland is the epicenter of the sports world tonight. To talk about LeBron's return to the Cavs and the opening of the NBA season we're joined by Dustin Fox of 92.3 FM The Fan. As a national champion with the 2002 Ohio State Buckeyes, we also chat about this year's OSU team and the first year of the college football playoff. Topics include...
-How LeBron's SI letter was the defining factor in winning people in Cleveland back.
-The enthusiasm of the city when James announced his return and tonight for opening night.
-How the excitement and optimism in the city surpasses even LBJ's first tenure with the Cavs.
-How different of an environment it is in Cleveland sports talk radio than a year ago at this time.
-The Browns as a possible playoff contender.
-Why claims of ESPN's SEC bias are a cop-out and why Michigan is the key to the Big Ten's return to prominence.
-This year's Ohio State team being a playoff contender.
-Why Urban Meyer and LeBron James will both be defined by championships in Ohio.
Hello, friends. For the centennial edition of the AA Podcast we welcome the one and only Jim Nantz of CBS Sports. As the longtime play by play man for the NFL on CBS, The Masters, and the Final Four, nobody in sports broadcasting has a better list of assignments. This year Nantz has added Thursday Night Football to his busy schedule to mark his 30th year at the network. In this wide-reaching podcast, Jim talks to AA about...
- The new Thursday Night Football schedule and how he copes with non-competitive games.
- The effort being put into the TNF franchise behind the scenes and the work he puts into calling 2 NFL games some weekends.
- The current state of golf and the passing of the torch from Tiger to Rory. Why a duel at next year's Masters might be a historic occasion for the sport.
- Tiger Woods and the '97 Masters as the transcendent athlete and event that he has covered in his 30 year career at CBS.
- The surprising reason why his call of Devin Hester's opening kickoff return for a Super Bowl is his favorite call of all-time.
- The influence of great broadcasters of yesteryear like Jack Whitaker, Chris Schenkel, and Pat Summerall on his broadcasting career and living up to their legacies.
- His broadcast style, the current state of broadcasting, and what resonates with fans. Does he ever get caught up in what's written about the industry and his place at CBS?
- His goal to work 50 years at CBS and why he'd choose The Masters as his favorite event.
- His trademark game-ending or tournament-ending calls and why we might be seeing less of them in the future.
- His work with Alzheimer's research and the Nantz National Alzheimer Center.
Our last episode in double figures welcomes one of our favorite and most frequent guests back to the show - New York Times #1 bestselling author James Andrew Miller. As the co-author of Those Guys Have All The Fun, Jim has remained an authority on all things inside and outside Bristol, Connecticut. With so much happening around ESPN in recent weeks, we talked with Jim about the following...
- The severity of the Bill Simmons suspension and the "civil war" within Bristol.
- Simmons' roller coaster year at ESPN and whether or not he will stay with Bristol when his contract is up next year.
- The comeback of Keith Olbermann and the big personalities that have returned in recent years... and why John Skipper's personality is instrumental in that.
- The rash of suspensions this year at ESPN.
- The new NBA TV deal and why it was "required" for ESPN to get it done.
- How ESPN is further separating itself from its competitors and why Fox Sports 1 overshot expectations.
- The big picture of John Skipper's tenure as ESPN president.
- Details on the re-release of "Live from New York" the oral history of Saturday Night Live.
With the dawn of the 2014 MLB Postseason, we're joined by one of the best playoff pitchers of the last generation - John Smoltz. After an illustrious career with the Atlanta Braves, Smoltz moved to the broadcast booth and has been a consistent presence covering the sport. In today's podcast, we talk about John's TV career, his duel with Jack Morris, and which pitcher is most important this postseason. Topics include...
- Starting in television right away after his playing days and the differences in preparation between his analyst and pitching jobs.
- The differences in postseason pitching versus the regular season.
- The state of the game and pace of play issues.
- Why John is against the one game Wild Card round and why a Best of 3 series would be more fitting.
- Memories of his postseason duel with Jack Morris in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series and whether that is his defining playoff moment even in defeat.
- The pressure on Jon Lester against the Royals to justify Billy Beane's risky midseason trade.
- Why Washington is the favorite and best positioned team to win the World Series.
- Why Adam Wainwright is the most important pitcher this postseason.
John will be part of MLB Network’s Postseason coverage, which includes Game Two of the NLDS between the Nationals and Dodgers this Saturday at 930pm & Game Three of the NLDS between the Nationals and the winner of the Pirates/Giants game on Monday, October 6. He'll also appear throughout the postseason on Fox Sports.
On a special edition of the AA Podcast we break the news of ESPN's newest additions to the basketball version of College GameDay - former Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg and former Duke star Jay Williams. The ACC pair will join Rece Davis and Jay Bilas on the 2014-15 version of ESPN's flagship college sports show. On the podcast, Seth and Jay take us through their ESPN careers and getting the call to join GameDay and the different paths they took. Also, there's plenty of lively banter between the two on topics ranging from their history with one another to the current state of college basketball and paying players. Other topics include...
-Their unique paths to ESPN and how the veteran and rookie roles might be reversed for the two from the normal player-coach dynamic.
-Taking GameDay on the road and performing in front of a live crowd.
-Seth and Jay's relationship and how it evolved after a rocky start after Williams criticized Va Tech on the air before Greenberg came to ESPN.
-Flex scheduling for GameDay and the importance of going to the best game every week.
-The criticism of Coach K's recruiting advantages with college basketball and the race to get ahead.
-Is Kevin Ollie one of the game's elite coaches?
-Parity and the importance of the regular season.
-The state of college basketball and where we're at in the discussion of paying players.
-Just how did Jay Williams get so many Twitter followers? Must be that Bieber kid.
All that and a lot more on a very fun, unique, AA Podcast.
For the second time, we've collected our editorial staff for a roundtable discussion on the eventful month that's been in the NFL. We're joined by Steve Lepore, Ken Fang, and Joe Lucia to wade through arguably the worst month of off-field news in NFL history, the league's response (or lack thereof), and how the media has covered it all. In addition, we tackle some other sports media topics of the day. Our conversation covers...
-Major takeaways from the NFL scandals.
-Where is Roger Goodell?
-How NFL insiders reported the story and the trust gap that may have developed.
-TMZ as the sports media person of the year? It doesn't sound too crazy.
-Mike Francesa's simulcast woes on FS1.
-Gus Johnson stepping down from Fox soccer and who should replace him.
-How will the MLB postseason do in the ratings without the Yanks and Sawx?
A lively discussion on a number of topics, hope you join us.
Today's podcast features a lenghty, in-depth interview with Josh Elliott of NBC Sports. Elliott recently moved to the peacock after a succesful run at Good Morning America saw that show vault over Today to become the number one morning show in the land. Now Elliott serves as a features reporter across a variety of NBC sports and news platforms. We spent a lot of time talking about the Ray Rice story and the credibility crisis facing the NFL as well as his time in morning show television and his future at NBC. Topics include...
- Why this story (Ray Rice-NFL-domestic violence) has resonated with so many in becoming a mainstream sports and news story.
- Being in San Francisco for Sunday Night Football, what the reaction is to the ongoing Ray McDonald and Greg Hardy cases in relation to Ray Rice.
- The pressure mounting on Roger Goodell and whether or not he should lose his job.
- Whether or not this credibility crisis will affect the league's popularity in any way.
- The larger cultural issues in sports that need changed when it comes to equality.
- Josh's move from GMA to NBC and the defining factor that led him to a new opportunity.
- His desire to be a great teammate at NBC Sports and what may be in his future at the network. I tried really hard to get Josh to say whether he would rather have Bob Costas' primetime Olympic job or Matt Lauer's Today hosting gig, but he deftly handled my line of questioning.
- The ability to tell stories in sports and news and the crossover between working in both.
- The feature story he would most like to do (on Lionel Messi) and his proudest story to date (Steve Gleason).
All that and so much more on this edition of the AA Podcast.
The AA Podcast is back! After a summer hiatus we're back for a new fall season of the Awful Announcing Podcast. And what better guest to invite on the program than one of the most respected journalists and hosts in the history of sports media - ESPN's Bob Ley. The OTL host has been there since the beginning and we were fortunate enough to spend an hour chatting with him talking about a number of topics including...
- Saying goodbye to ESPN's World Cup coverage.
- Making the case that Germany 7, Brazil 1 being the most shocking result in the history of sports.
- ESPN's next steps in soccer and increased competition in the sports rights derby.
- ESPN's growth into a multi-billion dollar corporation and whether some of the soul of the network's beginnings is still in tact.
- How ESPN has adjusted to being watched by sports media observers and reporters.
- What advice he would give to someone starting out at ESPN and how the network can continue to push forward.
- The recent Redskins OTL special and the nickname debate as well as his personal commentary that drew attention from both sides.
- His feelings on using the nickname: “I’ve chosen to not use the words Redskins as best as I can for about the last year, but I haven’t made a big deal about it. It’s just a personal choice.”
- The media and NFL reactions to the Redskins nickname debate and what it says regarding the larger culture of both.
- The OTL timeshift and how the show hopes to power through being pushed to a worse timeslot for football season.
- Why a trip to Wembley is what's left on Bob Ley's bucket list.
This weekend represents the biggest day in motorsports across the world and the marquis event is the Indy 500. On today's podcast we're joined by the host of the race for ABC, SportsCenter anchor Lindsay Czarniak. This will be Lindsay's first assignment since having her first child in March. On today's show we talk about the race, her time away, and working on the 6 PM SportsCenter. Topics include...
- Coming back to broadcasting this weekend for the Indy 500.
- Her personal reaction to the backlash to Daniel Murphy's paternity leave and her Today Show segment with husband Craig Melvin about their own experience.
- The journey to ESPN and why her time working with the legendary George Michael was the pivotal step in her career.
- What might surprise viewers about working the daily 6 PM SportsCenter.
- Her relationship with co-anchor John Anderson and the chemistry they've developed.
- Her affinity with motorsports and excitement in hosting the Indy 500 and being the first woman to do so.
- Storylines to watch this weekend at the 500.
- What's on Lindsay's bucket list.
For this week's podcast, we have a special treat. ESPN coordinating producer Amy Rosenfeld granted us some time for an interview in the midst of preparations for the 2014 World Cup. Amy has played a major role in ESPN's critically acclaimed coverage of international soccer and the 2010 World Cup in particular. She's been one of the driving forces in transforming ESPN's coverage of the sport from a foreign novelty to the revered, mature product it is today. In this podcast, listeners are granted insights into that transformation and a look ahead to the 2014 World Cup broadcast. Topics include...
-Amy's journey to being at the controls for ESPN's World Cup coverage and how far the network has come since the 1999 Women's World Cup.
-Her personal philosophy in broadcasting sports and why staying out of the way is so important as well as how her life as a fan helps in production.
-The transformation made at ESPN from the 2006 to 2010 World Cup and why the network no longer felt like it had to explain the offside rule.
-Getting some of the best broadcasters around the world to come to ESPN and the meteoric rise of Ian Darke.
-The importance of continuing to improve and evolve the telecasts of soccer.
-The unique challenges represented by going to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup and how the network might cover social unrest during the tournament.
-Who might be the breakout star in this year's cast of on-air personalities.
-The years of preparation that goes into broadcasting the world's biggest sporting event.
-Looking at the soccer landscape and all the major networks being invested in the sport.
-ESPN's post-World Cup soccer coverage and the new MLS TV deal.
On today's show we're joined by one of the best basketball players of the last generation, former All-Star and current NBA on TNT analyst Chris Webber. C-Web has seen his broadcast career take off since joining Turner and he's currently working alongside Ian Eagle calling the Pacers-Wizards Eastern Conference semifinal. In this podcast, we chat with Chris about his broadcast career, his desire to get into coaching, and how the playoffs have shaken out so far. Topics include...
-How being close to the game as a broadcaster helps to prepare for an eventual coaching career and his desire to follow the paths of Mark Jackson and Steve Kerr.
-What it's like to work with EJ, Kenny, and Charles at Inside the NBA and why it's even funnier behind the scenes.
-Why this year's first round was the best ever.
-The struggle in Indiana and what's really going on with the Pacers. It's not all Roy Hibbert's fault that the Pacers are reeling.
-Walking the line in being able to be critical of players having been there before and having conversations with current players about some of his analysis.
-Why the Wizards have a core group that could eventually be Finals contenders.
-How many teams left have a legit shot at a championship.
-HIs reaction to the Donald Sterling controversy and why he hopes it motivates the NFL to change the Washington Redskins nickname.
On today's podcast we talk about the Donald Sterling controversy with Bomani Jones of ESPN. Bomani's work has drawn plenty of attention this week due to a column he wrote in 2006 documenting Donald Sterling's racism and asking why it wasn't news. Although Bomani has been credited with showing "foresight" the truth is he was one of the few calling attention to the real issue at hand that was ignored for years. In this podcast, we cut straight to the heart of the matter to talk about sports, race, the media, and society as a whole. Topics include...
-Why his 2006 column is receiving more attention now than it did then.
-Whether or not a threatened player boycott forced the hand of Adam Silver to deliver a maximum punishment.
-Why we are easily drawn to the sexiness of the TMZ audio versus housing discrimination.
-The validity of Mark Cuban's "slippery slope" comments.
-The legacy of David Stern.
-Who takes the brunt of the blame for enabling Donald Sterling for years and not speaking out.
-Whether or not the NBA and professional sports have been changed forever.
-Why it's so difficult to address serious issues dealing with discrimination in sports and society.
-Why Bomani thinks this week showed no progress in how we talk about and approach race in sports.
-His journey from freelancing for ESPN.com to being a stalwart in ESPN's daily lineup.
On today's podcast we shift our attention to the NHL postseason and chat with NBC sports host Liam McHugh. Liam is the lead studio anchor for NBC's coverage of the NHL as well as Notre Dame football, the Tour de France, and other sports. In many ways, he is one of the faces of the young NBCSN. Today we talk with Liam about the Stanley Cup and his career at NBC. Topics include...
-His journey to NBCSN including looking back at his time with Versus and The Daily Line and what that experience meant for his career.
-How he became a "hockey guy" with his NHL assignments.
-Whether he's ever had to break up a fight between Mike Milbury and Jeremy Roenick. Sadly, answer is no, but the behind the scenes dynamics are great.
-Why Pens-Blue Jackets is the most exciting first round series.
-How the physicality of the Blackhawks has been one of the most impressive things from the playoffs thus far.
-What it maeans to have an 18 year old, Nathan MacKinnon, as the top points scorer of the postseason.
-What's left on Liam's broadcasting bucket list?
On today's podcast we welcome the co-host of Fox Sports 1's newest show, America's Pregame, Molly McGrath. Molly has been with FS1 since the network launch in mid-August. After serving mainly at the newsdesk providing updates, she then got the call to co-host Fox's new daily show alongside Mike HIll (who she incredibly used to print scripts for as a production assistant at ESPN). Molly also chats with AA about...
-Her sportscasting journey including how she created a sports reporting role as a Boston College cheerleader.
-Her time with the Boston Celtics and whether she has any good Tommy Heinsohn stories.
-Moving to Fox Sports 1 and the difference in sports on the west coast and east coast.
-Fighting the stigma against blonde women working at Fox News and Fox Sports 1.
-Is Fox Sports 1 really "the one for fun" behind the scenes?"
-The vision for America's Pregame and how it can grow into being an alternative to SportsCenter.
-Why taking viewer suggestions for improving the show is so important.
-Which would she rather watch - NBA or NHL Playoffs?
-Her advice to young, aspiring sportscasters.
It’s been one of the most exciting EPL seasons on record and NBC has earned rave reviews for their first year coverage of the league. The biggest game of the season takes place this Sunday at 8:30 AM Eastern when Liverpool hosts Manchester City in what some are calling a winner take all title clash. To talk about it all we’re pleased to welcome to this week’s AA Podcast one of NBC’s Premier League analysts, a man who knows the league very well from his nearly 500 apperances in English football, Robbie Mustoe. Robbie joined NBC this season after working at ESPN for several years on their global soccer coverage. Today, we chat about...
-How soccer coverage has evolved in the states and what excites him most about the response to NBC's EPL coverage.
-Why EPL fans in America may have it better on television than fans in the UK.
-How Liverpool have leapt to the top of the EPL table in a huge surprise.
-Why manager Brendan Rodgers has been Liverpool's catalyst and how he might line up the team against Manchester City.
-Who the real favorite in the three-way title hunt is at the moment. Will Chelsea's Champions League pursuit distract them?
-Arsenal and Everton's battle for fourth.
-The relegation dogfight between Fulham and Norwich City (10 AM ET this weekend on NBCSN)
-Which player is Robbie keeping an eye on at this year's World Cup.
It’s WrestleMania week and we’re pleased to welcome WWE Hall of Fame announcer Jim Ross to the podcast. Good ol’ JR has seen his popularity increase in the sports world as his most famous calls have become a favorite soundtrack to some of the most exciting plays in sports. These days JR writes for Fox Sports and has just launched one of the top rated podcasts on the internet. We talked with JR for a wide-ranging, in-depth podcast about the wrestling business and its evolution, his writing at Fox, announcing in his future, and so much more. Topics include…
-What excites him most about his post-WWE career and his WrestleMania anthology series at FoxSports.com.
-WWE slowly moving its way alongside mainstream sports at places like Fox and elsewhere.
-How the WWE Network is another bold move from Vince McMahon and why it may be a gamechanger for sports and entertainment.
-JR’s favorite eras from his career in the wrestling business.
-The evolution of professional wrestling from being presented as sports to sports entertaiment to purely entertainment.
-How that evolution affected broadcasting and his approach as an announcer.
-Dealing with pro wrestling bias as an announcer and who the closest announcer in sports would be to being able to pull off a wrestling telecast.
-Why it helped him as an announcer to not know the outcome of matches.
-Would there be an opportunity with Fox to step back behind the microphone and call UFC fights?
-On Daniel Bryan: “I think he has the ability to be the lead guy as far as the championship is concerned.”
-Looking ahead to WrestleMania 30 and JR’s thoughts on some of the big matches on the card and the top young stars in WWE.
ONIONS!!!!!
We're pleased to be joined by one of the most beloved announcers in all of sports on today's podcast, Bill Raftery. He's been a part of NCAA Tournament coverage for CBS for many years and continues to be one of the highlights of the television production. His classic calls, humor, exuberance, and enthusiasm are a trademark of one of the finest careers in broadcasting. Today Raf joins us to talk a little bit about that career and this year's tourney...
-Working Big East games with Gus Johnson and how Gus used to play basketball in New York City with Bill's son.
-Working with Verne Lundquist and the chemistry behind their partnership.
-Balancing bringing fun to the broadcast while still teaching the game.
-The Dayton Flyers as this year's Cinderella and his admiration for Scoochie Smith.
-Looking ahead to the East region and the meaning of playing in MSG.
-A look ahead to the Iowa State-UConn and MSU-Virginia matchups.
-How many more tournaments does he plan to call in the booth?
In the middle of March Madness we welcome one of the play by play men who called Thursday's action on one of the best days in the history of the NCAA Tournament. Brian Anderson of Turner & CBS may be more known more as a baseball announcer from his work for TBS baseball and the Milwaukee Brewers, but this is his third year working the NCAA Tournament. He chats with AA today about the exciting games from Orlando yesterday. Topics include...
-How much sleep he got after Louisville-Manhattan ended well after midnight.
-The mental challenge of announcing 4 games in 1 day and resetting for each broadcast.
-Where yesterday ranked among his favorite days in the broadcast industry
-His experience with college basketball and what it means to call tournament games.
-How the St. Louis-NC State game was one of the most unique games he's ever seen and how St. Louis' fouling strategy fueled an epic comeback.
-Manhattan being a tough matchup taking Louisville to the brink.
-The upcoming Brewers season and how the team is dealing with Ryan Bruan coming back from suspension.
-Who's more likely to provide an upset tomorrow - Pitt over Florida or St. Louis over Louisville.
In today's episode we're joined by one of the broadcasters that will be covering March Madness for CBS and Turner - Allie LaForce. In addition to being a sideline reporter for the NCAA Tournament, Allie is also the co-host of CBS Sports Network's late night program Lead Off with Doug Gottlieb. The 25 year old from Ohio has had a quick rise through the industry in the last year and she chats with us about that ride and her assignment this weekend in Buffalo. Topics include...
-How a beauty pageant winner and basketball player gets into sports broadcasting.
-How CBSSN found her through her YouTube reel and why prospective broadcasters need to do everything they can to get their name out there.
-What's unique about working on a program that airs at Midnight ET and how that presents something different compared to other sports networks.
-The different challenges of hosting and reporting.
-The experience of working four games in one day at the NCAA Tournament and the preparation that goes into it.
-The Ohio State-Dayton matchup as the one she's looking most forward to in the first round.
-Her Final Four picks and why Syracuse might be on upset alert.
-What's left on Allie's bucket list.
All that and more on this week's AA Podcast.
In today's podcast we welcome Seth Davis from CBS and Sports Illustrated to talk about the NCAA Tournament and his new biography on John Wooden. Seth is a veteran sportswriter who has also served for over a decade as a television analyst in college basketball and brings that unique perspective to viewers. In today's podcast, we discuss...
-Why he was motivated to writing a book about John Wooden and presenting the coach in a three-dimensional way.
-The mythologizing of college coaches.
-Whether contemporary media can learn to balance building up and tearing down coaches.
-Building towards March and what it's like to cover the NCAA Tournament.
-Working with his CBS and Turner colleagues in Atlanta.
-Who's the fourth #1 seed?
-Which bubble teams have helped and hurt themselves the most during Championship Week.
All that and more on this week's AA Podcast.
In today's podcast we're joined by one of the best new television analysts working in sports today - ESPN's Seth Greenberg. After a lengthy coaching career, Greenberg moved to Bristol from Virginia Tech after the 2012 season and he's quickly cemented himself as one of the sport's most enthusiastic and insightful voices. Today we talk about a number of topics touching on Seth's TV career and the current season including...
-How working in television is refreshing compared to the daily grind of coaching.
-How much of his coaching personality comes through in front of the cameras?
-Whether or not he would consider a return to coaching and what friends in the profession tell him about his second career.
-Wichita State's unbeaten season and the pressure now facing the Shockers.
-Syracuse's precipitous fall and why teams have figured out the Orange.
-Why the Big 12 is the best conference in college basketball and the Big 10 has the most teams who can win the national championship.
-Explaining Ohio State's struggles this season.
-Why conference realignment has hurt the game.
-The pressure of being on the bubble being the toughest experience he had in coaching.
-Some super sleeper NCAA Tournament picks that could help your bracket pool.
All that and so much more with Seth Greenberg on today's podcast.
Coming out of the Sochi Winter Olympics we welcome back NHL on NBC lead analyst Eddie Olczyk to the program to talk all things hockey. Eddie will be a part of the first network television broadcast of an NHL game since 1974 when the Penguins play the Blackhawks in Soldier Field on Saturday night. With such a momentous occasion upon us, what better time to get caught up with Edzo. On today's podcast we discuss...
-His recent comments about aspiring for a return to coaching, his desire to teach, and what kind of opportunity it would take to leave NBC.
-Where the USA-Russia game and T.J. Oshie shootout heroics rank in his most memorable moments in the booth.
-How the NHL can use the Olympics as a springboard the rest of the season.
-Whether or not the NHL would be crazy to abandon the Winter Olympics and what other opportunities might exist for international hockey.
-The significance of the Stadium Series for hockey and Saturday's matchup.
-The Blackhawks serving as a blueprint for the rest of the league to build a perennial contender.
-And we try to get Eddie to give us some way-too-early prognostications for this year's Kentucky Derby.
In this week's edition of the Awful Announcing Podcast, we're trying something new. For the first time, we have multiple guests and they are all from our awesome staff. Ken Fang, Steve Lepore, and Joe Lucia all hop aboard a roundtable broadcast breaking down NBC's coverage of the 2014 Winter Olympics from Sochi and the highlights and lowlights of these games for the network. We also share some of our favorite moments from the Olympics so far and why everything can be explained by a classic Simpsons reference. Topics include...
-Best & Worst Moments from NBC's coverage thus far.
-Bob Costas' pink eye and how the network handled an unexpected "crisis"
-The live versus tape delay debate and why NBC's effort towards sports fans is better in 2014, but still a long ways from perfect.
-Record ratings for NBCSN and whether or not the Olympics actually pulls them ahead of Fox Sports 1 in the race for #2 behind ESPN.
-Why did the Bode Miller interview receive such an immense backlash?
-Tara Lipinski & Johnny Weir being the stars of Sochi and how NBC can use them going forward.
-Favorite moments from the Olympic competition - hockey and curling feature prominently here.
-An overall grade for NBC's coverage.