Awful Announcing Podcast

Host Brandon Contes interviews co-founder and host of "Busted Open" on SiriusXM Dave LaGreca. As WrestleMania approaches, Brandon and Dave discuss a wide range of topics including the lack of build for the non-main event WrestleMania matches, Cody Rhodes being the "Face of WWE," John Cena being an effective heel, and more.-:52: Dave’s Las Vegas schedule-1:27: Being inducted to the International Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame-2:25: Envisioning HOF induction when “Busted Open” started?-2:54: Getting into radio-3:59: Dave’s brother Don in radio-4:47: First role at SiriusXM-5:03: Starting “Busted Open”-6:21: Getting bosses to believe in a wrestling show-7:15: Pro wrestling going mainstream-8:02: “Busted Open” being the most popular sports show on SiriusXM-9:32: Realizing when “Busted Open” became a hit?-10:10: Has growth of “Busted Open” changed how Dave talks about pro wrestling?-10:46: Divide between WWE and AEW fans?-12:38: Is pro wrestling audience big enough to be split?-13:41: Does WWE and AEW like the divide?-

Host Brandon Contes interviews longtime "Around the Horn" host Tony Reali. With the end of the series coming in May, Brandon and Tony discuss a wide range of topics including hosting "Around the Horn," sticking around as "Stat Boy" on "Pardon the Interruption, reaching out to Jay Mariotti, and more.-1:05: What will Tony miss most about “Around the Horn?”-4:51: Response from fans on “Around the Horn’s” cancellation-6:59: Was the show nearing an expiration point?-9:17: Tony’s relationship with ESPN-10:27: Tony’s contract status with ESPN-15:38: Meeting Charles Barkley-17:16: ESPN and “Inside the NBA”-19:19: Consuming sports content growing up-20:42: Getting hired for “Pardon the Interruption”-22:38: Being on “PTI”-23:51: Not viewing “PTI” as a stepping stone-25:11: Getting to “Around the Horn”-28:35: Feeling pressure?-30:29: Getting rid of the nerves-32:07: Building the show today-34:08: “Around the Horn” giving a platform to journalists and young journalists-36:37: Being able to remain exclusive to two shows a

Host Brandon Contes interviews Fox Sports MLB field reporter/The Athletic MLB insider Ken Rosenthal. With Opening Day upon us, Brandon and Ken discuss a wide range of topics including not liking the idea of the golden at-bat rule, not being retained at MLB Network and Ken's relationship with Rob Manfred, Shohei Ohtani being a star, and more.-:43: Excitement for Opening Day-1:17: First full-time season-2:11: What Ken likes about covering baseball today-3:17: Favorite rule change while covering baseball-4:01: Golden at-bat rule-6:02: Going from local to national-8:59: Being comfortable on TV?-10:00: Bowtie origins-12:08: Interviewing someone in dugout during game-13:21: Fan feedback from in-game interviews-15:06: Does MLB do a good job promoting their stars?-16:34: Does Shohei Ohtani embrace being the “Face of MLB?”-18:22: Do the Dodgers want Ohtani to be more available to the media?-18:50: Working with Joe Buck-20:52: Importance of an MLB and ESPN relationship-21:48: Working at MLB Network-23:12: Fear that cri

Host Brandon Contes interviews NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport. Brandon and Ian discuss a wide range of topics including Aaron Rodgers seeking a new team, Mike Mularkey's admission of feeding Ian false information, Jordan Schultz confronting Ian at Starbucks, and more.-:42: Knowing where Aaron Rodgers will go?-1:53: Who’s holding it up?-2:45: The fun of chasing a story like Rodgers’ free agency-4:20: Reaching out to Rodgers directly?-6:29: Is Rodgers’ inner circle tighter lipped than others?-7:56: Tips coming from unexpected sources-9:25: Hearing from Mike Mularkey?-10:59: Navigating first day of free agency without X-14:30: Relationship with Pat McAfee-15:52: Adam Schefter and McAfee-16:28: Paying attention to the reports of ESPN maybe buying NFL Network-17:38: Could Ian do his job better as an independent than working for a large media company?-19:23: Starbucks confrontation with Jordan Schultz-23:03: Being “part of the story”-26:07: Is the insider profession tough to break in?-27:20: Is there frustration

Host Brandon Contes interviews CBS Sports college basketball analyst and Hoops HQ co-founder Seth Davis. As March Madness approaches, Brandon and Seth discuss a wide range of topics including how expanding the tournament is a good thing, Charles Barkley's generosity, Caitlin Clark's TIME Magazine interview, and more.-:50: What would today’s NCAA Tournament be like without X?-2:09: Hoops HQ-4:10: Motive behind launching Hoops HQ-5:09: Welcoming added coverage in March-6:38: Is NIL good for college basketball?-8:30: Asking Charles Barkley if he would pay Auburn players pre-NIL-11:13: Working with Barkley-12:23: What does Barkley bring to the NCAA Tournament?-14:16: Excitement level for the First Round-16:44: Going from writing to TV-20:04: Preferring TV or writing-21:47: Most fulfilling book to write-23:49: Working on any books now?-24:19: Would Seth ever consider a career in politics?-26:46: Following politics-27:17: Caitlin Clark discourse-30:05: College basketball continuing to benefit from Caitlin Clark-31:

Host Brandon Contes interviews CBS Sports college basketball insider Jon Rothstein. As March Madness approaches, Brandon and Jon discuss a wide range of topics including how the First Four could be tweaked, Doug Gottlieb being a good friend, Cooper Flagg living up to the hype, and more.-:46: Getting through March without coffee-3:18: Best Italian restaurants in every college basketball town?-4:28: Catchphrases-12:00: Improving work-life balance-14:35: Growing up a college basketball fan-15:55: Breaking into radio-20:59: Eventual career goal?-24:13: Gaining respect of college basketball coaches-25:42: Interviewing coaches-27:52: Role Jon enjoys most?-30:00: Growing confidence in giving opinions-31:06: Breaking news story Jon had that most helped his career-32:55: Getting scooped-33:56: Strangest place Jon broke a story?-36:08: Attending a wedding in March?-37:40: Posting college basketball news during big political events-38:53: What does Jon do in May?-40:11: Finding out when NCAA Tournament was canceled due

Host Brandon Contes interviews co-host of the "Throwbacks" podcast and the man who played Turtle in "Entourage," Jerry Ferrara. Brandon and Jerry discuss a wide range of topics including how the New York Knicks might fare this season, how Jerry and Matt Leinart got to hosting a podcast, Jerry's willingness to reboot "Entourage," and more.-:43: What makes Jerry more nervous? Opening night of a movie premiere or Knicks-Pacers Game 7?-1:52: First Knicks memory-3:27: Expectations for this Knicks team-10:51: What should the Giants do at quarterback?-12:18: What should the Jets do at quarterback?-14:24: Working with Matt Leinart-17:07: Is chemistry instant or can it develop?-18:16: Evolution of podcasting-21:09: Format of “Throwbacks”-22:10: WFAN-23:25: Working with Evan Roberts-24:40: How close did Jerry get to working at WFAN full-time?-25:57: Was Jerry serious about taking the job?-28:06: Giving up acting for WFAN?-30:05: Chris Russo on “First Take”-30:35: Jerry on “First Take”-32:40: Sitting next to Aaron Rodge

Host Brandon Contes interviews host of "The Sports Reporters," "Outside the Lines," and "E:60," Jeremy Schaap. Brandon and Jeremy discuss a wide range of topics including the evolution of "The Sports Reporters," Pat McAfee's interview approach when it comes to Aaron Rodgers, an in-depth discussion on Jeremy's 2000 live interview with Bob Knight, and more.-:44: Stephen A. Smith’s presidential talk-1:57: Sports media personality who would make a good president?-5:17: Presidents Jeremy has interviewed-7:42: Sports story that hasn’t been investigated enough?-9:30: Time spent on an average “E:60” story-13:38: Evolution of “E:60”-15:54: “The Sports Reporters” revival-18:58: Virtual dynamic-21:36: Being on the old version of “The Sports Reporters”-24:12: Did ESPN ever tell Jeremy not to cover a certain story due to the subject?-28:51: Does sports media prioritize journalism enough?-30:58: What sports content does Jeremy consume?-33:03: How Pat McAfee/Aaron Rodgers discussions fit ESPN-40:06: Stories Jeremy would hav

Host Brandon Contes interviews two-time Daytona 500 winning crew chief and NASCAR on Fox analyst, Larry McReynolds. In the lead up to the Daytona 500 (Sunday, February 16 at 1:30 PM ET on Fox), Brandon and Larry discuss a wide range of topics including how Larry became a crew chief, winning the Daytona 500 with Dale Earnhardt, remembering Earnhardt's death and the way Mike Joy led the broadcast, and more.-:49: Jalen Hurts winning Super Bowl-1:32: Chiefs fatigue-1:57: Kendrick Lamar Halftime Show reaction-4:17: Super Bowl and Daytona 500-6:25: 25 years at NASCAR on Fox-7:09: Larry’s current position on broadcast-8:41: Studio role compared to booth role-10:51: Instant chemistry with Mike Joy and Darrell Waltrip-12:15: Media aspirations?-14:55: Workload between being a crew chief and being a broadcaster-16:20: Comfort of speaking to camera-17:50: Being “America’s Crew Chief”-18:35: Larry’s racing origin story-25:12: Becoming a crew chief-30:53: Was Larry’s career trending to be a crew chief?-31:29: Qualities nee

Host Brandon Contes interviews Super Bowl XXI MVP and analyst on eight Super Bowl broadcasts, Phil Simms. Brandon and Phil discuss a wide range of topics including Phil's advice for Tom Brady in his first Super Bowl as a broadcaster, Greg Olsen being vocal about being demoted at Fox, remembering Greg Gumbel, and more.-:40: Being Super Bowl XXI MVP-1:28: Super Bowl completion record-2:00: Calling eight Super Bowls-2:40: Calling a Super Bowl vs. regular season game-3:22: Nerves starting out as a broadcaster-4:32: Importance of having Paul Maguire in the booth starting out-4:56: Advice for Tom Brady for his first Super Bowl as broadcaster-7:19: Brady on commentary-8:40: Preparation for calling a game as a broadcaster vs. as a quarterback-9:29: Importance of production meetings-11:11: Doing media as a player-12:56: Teams as willing to talk to broadcasters during Super Bowl week?-13:51: Brady doing broadcasting and ownership/conflict of interest-15:00: Best Super Bowl Phil called-16:07: Making mistakes while on co

Host Brandon Contes interviews former "Dan Patrick Show" Danette and current co-host of "Maggie and Perloff," Andrew Perloff. Brandon and Andrew discuss a wide range of topics including working for Dan Patrick, his Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl, NFL fans being fatigued by the Chiefs talk, and more.-:43: Feeling of seeing Eagles going to a Super Bowl after winning one-1:40: When Andrew believed this Eagles team could go to the Super Bowl-2:32: Eagles fans feelings on Jalen Hurts and Nick Sirianni-3:38: Is Hurts underrated or overrated?-5:04: Eagles fans feelings about Andy Reid-6:00: Are people “Chiefed out?”-8:07: Chiefs conspiracy theories-9:15: Reaction to Colin Cowherd’s take as an Eagles fan and as a radio host-10:41: Crafting a good take-12:29: Most important part of a take-14:33: Take Andrew is most proud of-15:25: Being a “Bizarro World Stugotz”-16:18: Spike Eskin-17:15: Leaving “The Dan Patrick Show”-20:11: Getting on the air at “The Dan Patrick Show”-21:11: Developing "The Danettes"-23:42: Ho

Host Brandon Contes interviews 2016 NFL MVP and CBS NFL analyst Matt Ryan. Brandon and Matt discuss a wide range of topics including Dan Quinn coaching the Washington Commanders to the NFC Championship Game, losing to the Patriots in Super Bowl LI, the chemistry of "The NFL Today," and more.-:43: Feelings of watching playoffs after recently retiring-1:29: Fielding NFL offers while in the broadcasting booth?-2:31: Surprise going from the Colts to CBS?-3:46: Interest level in doing media after playing-5:07: Transition from playing to broadcasting-6:08: Preference between studio and the booth?-8:01: Advice Matt received, broadcasters Matt went to for advice-9:41: Three-person booth-11:35: Game preparation for the booth-14:13: Returning to the booth?-14:55: Chemistry on “The NFL Today” set-16:12: Snow games-18:34: Growing up a Philadelphia fan/Philly sports talk radio-19:02: Sports talk debate on quarterbacks-21:37: How does Matt view his 2017 playoff run?-23:12: Mood in Falcons locker room, up 21-3, in halftime

Guest host Jessica Kleinschmidt interviews radio voice of the New York Mets Howie Rose. Jess and Howie discuss a wide range of topics including Howie's childhood love of the Mets, how baseball was "in trouble" before the pitch clock, his call of Pete Alonso's home run in the Wild Card Series, and more.-2:00: Love for Mets origin story-4:28: Fan interactions-5:44: Being more of a recognizable personality-9:30: 50 years in sports media industry-10:56: Being introspective-12:39: Baseball on radio-15:37: Romanticism of baseball on the radio-18:18: Adjusting to pitch clock in doing radio-20:33: Baseball being “in trouble” pre-pitch clock-21:39: Were people surprised by Howie’s pitch clock take?-22:36: Asking questions on “Mets Extra” like a beat reporter-27:19: Athlete/manager relationship with media in 80s-31:05: Pete Alonso’s home run call during Wild Card Series-38:27: Feedback from peers about the call-40:35: Fraternity of radio broadcasters-42:04: Doing bridal party or gender reveal announcementsDownload the

Host Brandon Contes interviews two-time Super Bowl champion and CBS Sports college football analyst Logan Ryan. Brandon and Logan discuss a wide range of topics including Logan's reaction to the Patriots firing Jerod Mayo, winning Super Bowls XLIX and LI, Tom Brady as a teammate, and more.-:38: First season in retirement-1:47: Transitioning from player to broadcaster-2:57: Making a comeback to playing?-3:57: Getting into media-6:50: Being more honest and current on football issues in retirement-8:17: Preference in doing studio or booth?-9:20: Being at CBS Sports-11:20: NFL Broadcast Boot Camp-12:51: Improving at calling games-13:49: Former players turned analysts who have become mentors-14:55: Analyst that Logan might inspire to be?-16:55: Talking to Tom Brady about broadcasting-18:49: How was Brady as a teammate?-21:57: Super Bowl XLIX-25:11: Super Bowl LI-29:43: Playing for Bill Belichick-31:37: Belichick going to North Carolina-33:04: Belichick’s girlfriend-33:52: Belichick’s politics-37:10: Could players

It's a special episode of the Awful Announcing Podcast. We had some great discussions with many incredible people in sports media over the past year and we put together a collection of clips from 2024. We thank you for listening/viewing the podcast, and have a happy 2025.-:19: Jemele Hill on Pat McAfee accusing Norby Williamson of sabotaging his show (Episode 33)-3:20: Keyshawn Johnson on working with Max Kellerman (Episode 34)-4:14: Rich Eisen on the Kansas City Chiefs being a dynasty (Episode 36)-6:23: Mike Joy on calling Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s fatal crash at end of Daytona 500 (Episode 38)-13:06: Rebecca Lobo on Caitlin Clark's impact on women's basketball (Episode 41)-14:52: Bob Costas on meeting Donald Trump before he became president (Episode 45)-19:28: Stugotz on Dan Le Batard and crew leaving ESPN (Episode 47)-22:01: Nick Wright on how close he came to joining ESPN over FS1 (Episode 52)-29:32: Andrea Kremer on her surprise of being inducted into the Pro Football HOF (Episode 56)-32:48: Dianna Russini on

Host Brandon Contes interviews "Get Up" contributor, host of "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg," and Knicks MSG broadcaster Alan Hahn. Brandon and Alan discuss a wide range of topics including replacing Michael Kay and working with Don La Greca and Peter Rosenberg, working with Mike Breen, Alan's thoughts on falling NBA ratings, and more.-46: Afternoon drive in NYC-1:52: How did soft opening feel?-3:17: Working with Don La Greca and Peter Rosenberg-4:45: Is it positive or negative to go in while La Greca and Rosenberg have been working together for so long?-7:18: La Greca’s and Rosenberg’s approach to the show?-10:31: “Don, Hahn & Rosenberg”-12:05: Getting the job-13:51: Relationship with Michael Kay-14:51: Kay rooting for the show to succeed?-17:11: Co-hosting with Rick DiPetro-25:00: Working with Chris Canty-27:47: Leaving “Hahn, Humpty & Canty”-33:09: Working with Bart Scott-35:58: Talking to Scott about the challenges of replacing a legend-37:52: Is there competition between WFAN and ESPN New York?-41:18

Host Brandon Contes interviews former Sportsnet NHL host and current host of "The Sheet with Jeff Marek," Jeff Marek. Brandon and Jeff discuss a wide range of topics including his dismissal from Sportsnet, which cities are prime for an NHL expansion team, his thoughts on J.T. Miller's reported mental health break from hockey, and more.-37: “The Sheet with Jeff Marek”-1:41: Missing the grind-3:21: Feeling of not covering hockey at first-4:47: Having a deal with The Nation Network-5:12: Being a “podcaster” in the 90s-7:00: Familiarity with the Internet in the 90s-12:22: Wanting to do radio?-13:30: Going from promotions department to on-air-18:21: Going to Sportsnet-20:36: Looking back at Sportsnet tenure-21:34: Emotions of parting ways with Sportsnet-25:09: Jeff thinking about his future at Sportsnet?-26:01: Desire to talk about what happened?-26:38: Relationship with NHL-27:00: Relationship with Sportsnet-28:34: Response from fans about “The Sheet”-30:41: What should fans expect from “The Sheet”-32:07: Interes

Host Brandon Contes interviews Sports Illustrated senior writer Chris Mannix. Brandon and Chris discuss a wide range of topics including Chris' profile on Adrian Wojnarowski for Sports Illustrated, how SI is doing with Minute Media in charge, if Jake Paul is good or bad for boxing, and more.-42: Response to Chris’ profile on Adrian Wojnarowski-2:11: Woj’s apartment-4:04: Learning about Woj-6:48: Woj’s willingness to do profile-8:49: Surprise of Woj’s retirement at the time-10:07: How did Woj revolutionize what it meant to be a reporter?-11:29: Woj and social media-12:54: Origin of Chris and Woj’s friendship-14:23: Leaving Sports Illustrated to work with Woj at Yahoo-15:32: Working with Woj-18:17: Did Chris ever want to become an insider?-20:07: Did Woj try to recruit Chris to ESPN?-21:06: Working with Shams Charania-22:09: Will Shams be comfortable at ESPN?-23:56: Would Woj come back to media?-25:54: Working at Sports Illustrated under Minute Media’s control-27:44: Beginning of Minute Media running Sports Ill

Host Brandon Contes interviews Craig Carton, Danny Parkins, and Mark Schlereth from FS1's "Breakfast Ball." Brandon and the guys discuss a wide range of topics including the start of "Breakfast Ball," developing chemistry among the three of them, a hilarious story involving Danny and Bob Costas, and more.-46: How does “Breakfast Ball” compare to “The Carton Show?”-3:14: What does “Breakfast Ball” strive to be?-4:41: What was the pitch to Danny?-6:29: Mark being a full-time member of the show-9:04: Mark’s comfort level when told he was leading the show-12:50: Craig’s thoughts on having Mark host-15:00: First week without having a dress rehearsal-19:13: Harder to fill in on a show where you’re the sole host or a show with co-hosts?-21:25: Doing “The Herd”-22:29: Extra pressure due to FS1 making them the succession plan post-Skip Bayless-25:25: Having a bigger staff for “Breakfast Ball”-27:12: Was it difficult for Danny to make decision to leave dream job in Chicago?-30:47: Does Danny miss radio?-31:42: Mark’s r

Host Brandon Contes interviews NFL reporter and "First Take"/"Get Up" contributor, Kimberley A. Martin. Brandon and Kimberley discuss a wide range of topics including the happenings with the New York Jets, having Stephen A. Smith as a mentor, the time Jim Irsay went after Kimberley on social media, and more.-:40: Missing the New York Jets beat?-1:30: Being on the Jets beat-2:09: Mike Tannenbaum-2:45: Working with Tannenbaum and Rex Ryan-3:35: Jets using Tannenbaum and The 33rd Team to find a HC and GM-4:36: Ryan campaigning for the Jets head coach job-5:38: Does Ryan have an “in” with Tannenbaum?-6:54: Eric Mangini-8:00: Jets’ wild bye week-9:43: Did it bother Kimberley when she was a local beat reporter and national writers got scoops?-10:31: Getting info from various teams-12:50: Is Woody Johnson caring about what others think good for running an NFL team?-14:08: Were the Jets any different when Christopher Johnson was running the team?-16:18: Reporting things players/coaches/GM’s deny-20:57: Career before