Awful Announcing Podcast

In this week's AA Podcast we welcome one of the pioneers of people with sports blogs taping podcasts - Dan Levy! Dan is the current National Lead Writer at Bleacher Report and had one of the blogosphere's most successful podcasts at On the DL. He was on our panel for the People's Sports Emmys so we chat with Dan about fake awards and actual real sports topics including...-The disconnect between the Sports Emmys and sports fandom.-ESPN being dissed by the Sports Emmys and the network's depth chart.-Which personalities deserve more recognition at ESPN.-NBA and NHL Playoff coverage, especially Derrick Rose's injury drama and how the media has handled the story.-Ian Darke's impact on soccer in the states.-Why Dan thinks Gus Johnson is "ruining soccer coverage in America"-Is Fox Sports One the "next" or "best" challenger to ESPN to emerge.-The continued evolution of Bleacher Report Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With one of the wildest days we can ever recall in sports media, we invite back to the show Deadspin's John Koblin to break it all down. John's reporting into ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and more in the sports media is one of the pillars of the top sports blog in the land. Today, we chat with John about Jason Collins coming out, the fallout of Chris Broussard's comments on Outside the Lines, and where we go from here, as well as...-The significance of Jason Collins coming out in a first person narrative.-The importance for SI as a magazine and their future health.-The reaction to Collins' announcement from the sports and media worlds.-Did ESPN set up Chris Broussard to debate homosexuality?-Why ESPN was late to the Collins story and how yesterday was a backwards step after a positive year for Bristol.-What other networks and outlets may learn moving forward.A great discussion with John on the major stories of the day and their evolving nature. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's podcast we're joined by one of the preeminent basketball analysts in the land, Steve Kerr of Turner Sports. The five time NBA champion has been busy the last month calling not just the NBA Playoffs, but the Final Four as well as leading one of the most experimental broadcasts in sports in an all-analyst booth. Steve chats with AA about that experience as well as...-What his trademark play by play call would be.-The biggest challenge in covering the NCAA Tournament and how he was welcomed by Jim Nantz and Clark Kellogg.-How the style of play in college basketball can be improved.-The predictability of the NBA Playoffs' first round.-How he would react to Derrick Rose's injury as a teammate.-Why the Knicks may be the only Eastern Conference threat to Miami.-The Spurs being the best in the west, even before Russell Westbrook's injury.-How his time in Phoenix helped his broadcast career and the itch to get into coaching.Those topics and more with one of the best sports analysts on television in th

For this week's podcast we welcome back veteran sports media and golf writer Ed Sherman of The Sherman Report. Ed joins the show to chat about CBS Sports' massive week with the NCAA Tournament Final Four and The Masters and his Q&A with CBS Sports ubervoice Jim Nantz. We break down the coverage of both events including...-Jim Nantz's position as CBS Sports' #1 announcer and his identity with the Masters.-Why sports fans don't have passionate feelings regarding Nantz.-The major headline of CBS and Turner's NCAA Tournament coverage.-Should Charles Barkley return to next year's tournament?-Which announcers were most outstanding this year?-The reverence CBS pays Augusta National and whether it's over the top.-CBS vs NBC's golf teams.-Can too much of a good thing really be a good thing with Tiger Woods?All that and more on this week's AA Podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the start of the MLB season, we welcome MLB Network analyst Al Leiter to the AA Podcast. Al is a former MLB All Star and World Series winner whose work in the booth started before his playing days were done calling LCS games for Fox. Now at MLB Net, Leiter has continued to do standout work as one of the best analysts in the field. Al Leiter talks to AA about that broadcast career and the early MLB season including...-How he uses sabermetrics in his analysis and providing balance to fans.-Yu Darvish coming so close to a perfect game and his experience pitching a no-hitter.-Whether or not the broadcasters' jinx is fact or fiction.-Why the Washington Nationals are the team to beat this season.-The San Francisco Giants flying under the radar once again.-Increased parity being good for the long term health of the game.-Early season MLB storylines.Those topics and much more as we cover the opening week of the 2013 MLB season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The AA Podcast is back after a not-so-brief hiatus and to bring us out of hibernation we welcome The Gaffer, Christopher Harris, of EPL Talk. EPL Talk is one of the top independent soccer blogs on the web and The Gaffer is one of the most respected and influential voices when it comes to the soccer media and announcers. With Gus Johnson's installation as Fox's top soccer announcer looking ahead to the 2018 World Cup, we ask Chris what he makes of the decision and whether or not the experiment can work. We dive into Johnson's first month announcing as well as...-The motivation for Fox to reach a new demographic through Johnson.-Is there a need for an American soccer voice? Were there others passed over for Johnson?-The strengths and weaknesses of Gus' soccer play by play.-Why The Gaffer feels scocer fans are "being used as guinea pigs for this experiment."-The EPL's move to NBC and the end of an era for Fox Soccer.-Is Manchester United's title lead over Manchester City insurmountable?-What MLS needs to do

What better way to welcome back the AA Podcast with our first episode of 2013 than by talking to one of our most popular guests, Michelle Beadle of NBC. Michelle's new show The Crossover launches Monday January 28th from New Orleans during Super Bowl week. We chat with Beadle about The Crossover, Access Hollywood, and more including...-Her input into the format of The Crossover and the pop culture/sports mix.-Her new co-host Dave Briggs and how the two will develop on-air chemistry.-Carrot Top being the most normal person on set for promos starring Jose Canseco and Gary Busey.-Balancing her work on Access Hollywood with a full-time return to sports.-The weirdest celebrity she's interviewed for Access Hollywood.-Her impressions of the Lance Armstrong/Oprah interview.-The bizarre Manti Te'o/Lennay Kekua hoax.-The "inspirational" Ray Lewis and Super Bowl storylines.-How the Lakers are turning into the New York Jets Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's that time once again for our AA Year in Review Podcast and joining us for the second year running is Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated. Richard is one of the preeminent voices on the media beat and is widely recognized as one of the best sportswriters to follow on Twitter. Yesterday, Richard gave out his 2012 Media Awards at SI.com (a must read) and we talk about some of his award winners and the biggest stories and newsmakers from the last 12 months including...-The Penn State scandal being the biggest story in the sports world for a second year running.-Sports and real life intersecting at Penn State and Newtown and the tragedies from the NFL.-NBC's tape delay Olympic policy.-The positioning of NBC Sports Network and Fox Sports 1 as challengers to ESPN.-Whether or not ESPN's brand took a hit with viewers this year.-Our favorite television show, First Take, and how it's beginning to have a negative effect on those who do great work at ESPN.-Thoughts on Joe Buck, Gus Johnson, Michelle Beadle, Erin

In the newest Awful Announcing Podcast, our guest is Deadspin media writer John Koblin. John's reporting on ESPN in the past year has been some of the finest work in the blogosphere. Last week, he was thrown into the story when an ESPN executive made a false claim about the motivations of his reporting on plagiarism at ESPN.com. We talk to John Koblin about his interaction with ESPN VP John Walsh and so much more including...-His conversation with John Walsh and reaction to being put into the story himself.-Thoughts on why it took that embarrassing episode for ESPN to finally correct the plagiarized stories.-The importance in aggressively covering ESPN and the comparison to other media beats.-The state of the Deadspin-ESPN relationship.-ESPN President John Skipper's comments about the network pulling back on its Tim Tebow coverage.-The appeal of Skip Bayless within Bristol.-Sourcing issues and controversies at ESPN.-Whether or not the journalistic questions raised in the last year will ever effect the aver

With the college football season coming to a close and conference realignment heating up again, we welcome ESPN college football reporter Brett McMurphy to the AA Podcast. Brett is the top college football reporter when it comes to realignment and has broken the news on many of college football's biggest stories in recent years working for both CBS and ESPN. In this podcast, Brett chats with AA about...-His career path leading him to ESPN.-How he developed a reputation as the preeminent force reporting on conference realignment.-The separation between ESPN's business and reporting arms.-What one move has surprised him most in the recent round of realignment.-The negative impact of conference realignment and how it's hurt college athletics.-The impact of the Big Ten Network on realignment.-Why we may not see the 4 16 team superconference system develop.-Georgia's chances against Alabama and the SEC title game.-The SEC champ being a presumptive favorite over unbeaten Notre Dame. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com

This week we welcome former NASCAR Cup and 3-time Daytona 500 champion Dale Jarrett to the podcast. Dale serves as ESPN's lead NASCAR analyst and has followed his father Ned's footsteps in having both a successful racing and broadcasting career. Interest in NASCAR is certainly at a high this season with the controversy at Phoenix preceding the championship deciding season ending race at Homestead. In this week's podcast, Dale chats with AA about...-Whether he ever envisioned an announcing career after his driving days.-The different perspective gained in the booth and why every active driver should experience it.-How each NASCAR race is like a weekly Super Bowl for the television crews.-The Clint Bowyer-Jeff Gordon feud and where the wild scene Sunday ranks in the sport's annals.-His surprise over Brad Keselowski's post-race rant.-The delicate balance between "boys have at it" and drivers crossing a line. And, does NASCAR need driver feuds to sell the sport?-What Brad Keselowski's rise has meant to the sp

This week's guest is Ian Eagle of CBS Sports and YES Network. Ian's reputation as one of the top play by play men in sports has grown in the last several years with his work calling the NBA, NFL, college basketball, and pretty much everything in between. We talk to Ian in Miami before a Nets-Heat game and in the middle of a stretch where he will call four games in five days. Also, Ian chats to AA about the impact of Hurricane Sandy on himself personally and the Nets franchise as they begin in Brooklyn as well as...-How the New York area sports teams have dealt with Sandy and brought the community together.-The effect on the Brooklyn Nets and how the team has coped with the storm as well as the remaining connection with New Jersey.-The prospects of the rebuilt Nets and the importance of the move to Brooklyn.-The ability to work with several different partners across different sports and networks.-His partnership with Dan Fouts and how "The Bird & The Beard" came to be.-Ian's best Bill Raftery story.Grea

This week's podcast is all about this year's World Series and our guest is former MLB All-Star, "The Mayor" Sean Casey. Casey played in the 2006 World Series with the Detroit Tigers and spent several years in Cincinnati, becoming one of the most popular players in Reds franchise history. Currently, Casey is an MLB Network analyst and will appear on MLB Tonight throughout the World Series on their pre and postgame shows including on-site in Detroit for the middle three games of the series. Sean chats with AA about...-His reputation as one of the most talkative and nicest guys in baseball and his transition into television.-The best and worst players to talk to at first base.-His experience playing in the World Series for Jim Leyland.-The Giants as this year's team of destiny and winning 6 straight elimination games.-The Tigers flying under the radar after sweeping the Yankees.-The importance of this year's World Series to Justin Verlander's career.-Which players will have the biggest impact on the series, i

This week's podcast welcomes Alex Flanagan of NBC Sports and NFL Network. Alex serves double duty as sideline reporter for NBC's coverage of Notre Dame football and NFL Net's Thursday Night Football and she works as a correspondent for Football Night In America. We talk with Alex about her busy schedule and...-The challenge of balancing family life with her work.-Being travel buddies with Mike Mayock.-The different level of access into Notre Dame football with NBC.-The secretive nature of college football coaches and challenges getting information.-Is Notre Dame "BACK!?"-The debate regarding the importance of sideline reporters.-The best and worst sideline interviews.-Her career moving beyond the sidelines and the opportunities for women covering the NFL. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's AA Podcast is all about this weekend's Ryder Cup as we welcome Dan Hicks, who will call the weekend action from Medinah. Dan is the play by play man for NBC's golf coverage and also called swimming at the London Olympics. He chats with AA about calling both events and other topics including...-The adjustments working with Rowdy Gaines and Johnny Miller.-What makes the Ryder Cup unique from other golf tournaments.-Tiger Woods' struggles in past Ryder Cups.-What it would mean to see Tiger vs Rory on Sunday.-The beginning of the Rory McIlroy Era?-Which player is the bellwether for both sides.-The impact of "homefield advantage" and the Chicago crowd this week.-Why Sunday's singles is the most challenging day in sports to broadcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The AA Podcast returns after a bye week to ring in the beginning of a new NFL season with Fox NFL Sunday host Curt Menefee. Curt took over the reigns of America's #1 pregame show full time in 2007 and has been instrumental in the continued success of Fox NFL Sunday. Curt has also been more involved at Fox Sports in hosting the network's UFC and international soccer coverage. AA chats with Curt about numerous topics including...-How important off-air relationships are to on-air chemistry.-The keys to Fox NFL Sunday's continued success and how other pregame shows have duplicated their blueprint.-What a typical 12 hour Sunday is like during the NFL season.-The advice from former Fox Sports chairman David Hill when taking over the pregame job.-His expanding role and Fox Sports into soccer and UFC versus being seen as an "NFL guy."-Fox's longterm vision with global soccer.-What we learned from the Saints, Redskins, Packers, and 49ers in Week 1.-Is the buzz surrounding replacement refs an overreaction?-The one p

With most of the sports world's attention on the opening of the college football season, we shift gears and focus on this week's final grand slam tennis tournament of the season on the podcast. We welcome Aussie tennis legend Rennae Stubbs of the Tennis Channel, NBC, and ESPN from New York to talk about this week's tournament and her transition from playing career to media career. Rennae also chats with AA about...-Her decision to forego playing at the London Olympics and work for NBC.-How she works her humor and personality into her media career.-The experience of working for ESPN, NBC, and the Tennis Channel.-Andy Roddick's retirement and his legacy and the retirement of Kim Clijsters this week.-The present state and future of American tennis.-Which favorites have been most impressive in the tournament so far.-Picks for the men's and women's draw. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's podcast welcomes veteran media reporter Ed Sherman, formerly of the Chicago Tribune and now operating his own website, the Sherman Report. Ed has spent a number of years on the sports media beat and offers insights into the transition from writing a print column to writing online and the future of the sportswriting industry. We also talk about the sports media stories of the day including...-What has happened to the middle class of sportswriters.-How covering sports media has changed.-Hawk Harrelson's local reputation in Chicago and his unique brand of announcing.-Chris Berman's Monday Night Football debut-Ed's time working with Skip Bayless and what he's like off camera.-Next month's Ryder Cup and a looming Tiger Woods-Rory McIlroy rivalry.All that and many more topics on a great podcast for anyone interested in sports media and the evolution in how its covered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's AA Podcast guest is Michelle Beadle from NBC and Access Hollywood. Michelle's move from ESPN to NBC was the most talked about move in the sports media in 2012 and she just finished covering the Olympics for NBC in London. We talk about the transition to working sports and entertainment,-The plans for her new NBC show and how it could resemble Chelsea Lately.-What NBC could offer her that ESPN didn't.-The one thing she misses about ESPN.-Why ESPN is so obsessed with Tim Tebow.-Her experience covering the Olympics in London and why she didn't make it to a venue.-Which NBC anchor turned out to be her hallway buddy.-That interview with Kellie Wells and Dawn Harper and the Lolo Jones controversy.-Living under the microscope as a popular woman in a male dominated world.-The challenges facing those labeled as "the next Michelle Beadle."-The pressure on her shoulders to succeed at NBC.-A mini SummerSlam preview, seriously.Michelle has always spoke openly about any topic thrown her way and this podcast i

We welcome Darren Rovell back to the AA Podcast for the first time in over a year. In that time, Rovell has become one of the most talked about figures in the sports media from his reporting to his Tweeting to his move back to ESPN from CNBC. We talk with Darren about why he returned to Bristol as well as what impact it'll have on his social media game and a few thoughts on the Olympics as well. In addition, we ask Darren about...-What has changed at ESPN since his first and second stint and the public perception of the company.-What were the deciding factors in making the switch from NBC to ESPN.-What it's been like to be at the center of several media storms in the last year.-Do he and Richard Deitsch get along in real life?-ESPN's Twitter policy and if it'll change how or what he tweets.-NBC's tape delaying of the Olympics in primetime and the possibility of future changes.-Which athletes have helped and hurt their marketability in London.All that and more with the top sports business reporter in the in