Awful Announcing Podcast

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 hi

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 jo

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 p

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 event

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 i

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

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 m

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 200

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: B

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?

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:

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?-14:3

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: P

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 defendin

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 S

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:

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 conn

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:

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

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.