Awful Announcing Podcast

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

In the latest AA Podcast, our guest is John Ourand of the prestigious Sports Business Journal. John is one of the top sports media and business reporters around and joins us from London where he is covering the Games for SBJ. John tells us about the experience covering his first Olympics from the O2 Arena right after the women's gymnastics team competition (Spoiler Alert) and also gives his perspective on the massive tape delay controversy facing NBC. Also included in this podcast...-Why NBC chooses to air events in tape delay and the network's target audience.-Why airing events live would be a "billion dollar bet" for the network.-The reaction of NBC executives to the social media firestorm.-Is there a television option for showing live Olympic events and keeping the tape delay primetime strategy?-Does NBC make money airing the Olympics with their huge rights fees?-Predictions on the major rights fees coming onto the market.All that and much more on an international AA Podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.

Once again the developing story at Penn State has dominated the sports world this week. With the punishment handed down by the NCAA, the Penn State football program and all of college athletics will never be the same. To talk about the punishment and its lasting effect as well as the call for culture change at Penn State and around college football, we welcome back to the AA Podcast Bruce Feldman of CBS Sports. Bruce is a best selling author and one of the most respected writers in all of sports. Bruce talks with AA about:-The challenges in covering the PSU story for those inside college football-Is the NCAA punishment handed down to Penn State worse than the death penalty?-Will we see culture change happen at major football programs and universities?-The impact of social media on the volatility surrounding the sport.-Going inside the experiences of Penn State players being recruited by other schools and even fans on Twitter.-Mixed feelings regarding the sport of college football and scandals coming to li

Our latest guest aboard the AA Podcast is one of America's top sportswriters, Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports. Dan is one of the most accomplished and respected sportswriters in the country with Death to the BCS and Glory Road amongst his body of work. At Yahoo, he has emerged as a premier sports columnists writing about the Penn State scandal, the BCS, the Olympics, and the major topics of the day. In this podcast, we ask Dan about his in-depth coverage on the Penn State story from the Jerry Sandusky trial to the Freeh Report and beyond as well as the implications of the new college football playoff and the issues facing the NCAA. Included are Dan's thoughts on...-How the Penn State scandal has been different than anything he's ever covered and whether or not it's the biggest story in his career.-The culture of college football and the mythical status of its legendary coaches.-What should and will the NCAA do to punish Penn State?-The internal struggle of the entertainment and corruption of major college foot

The podcast is back! After a brief hiatus we welcome back one of our favorite guests, the author of the #1 Bestseller Those Guys Have All The Fun, Jim Miller. We catch up with Jim about everything that has transpired at ESPN in the last year with a focus on the latest round of free agency that led to high profile moves across the sports world. Jim also chats with AA about...-The question of whether anyone is truly indispensable at ESPN.-Who ranks at the top of the Bristol talent hierarchy?-What happened behind the scenes with Scott Van Pelt, Erin Andrews, & Michelle Beadle.-The reaction inside ESPN to opinions on Chris Berman and Skip Bayless.-What's the most important thing to happen to ESPN so far in 2012?A lot of ground to cover with the man who literally wrote the book on ESPN. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the newest AA Podcast we're joined by Rob Stone all the way from Munich, Germany where he is on site for Fox's coverage of the Champions League Final. Rob joined Fox from ESPN this year to anchor the network's soccer coverage moving forward. Being in Munich, we talk about the atmosphere surrounding Bayern being the first team to host the European Cup Final since 1984 as well as look back to Fox's daring coverage of Survival Sunday in the EPL and some of the criticisms the network faced last year for their coverage of the Champions League Final. In addition to all that, Rob chats with AA about...-His move from ESPN to Fox and how the transition has gone.-The challenges of covering Premier League soccer at 4 AM on the West Coast.-The success of Survival Sunday and pushing the Premier League to allow the breakthrough coverage.-The place of MLS in the growing soccer landscape.-The evolution of Fox's soccer coverage and response to last year's criticism.-The long-term plan for Fox Soccer looking ahead to the

In the latest AA Podcast we chat with the voice of the Boston Celtics, Mike Gorman, about the Celtics/Sixers and the NBA Playoffs. Working for Comcast New England, Mike is one half of the longest running broadcast booth in sports with Celtics Hall of Famer Tom Heinsohn. We talk with Mike about not only this series, but the Celtics season and the future of the Big 3 as well as...-How impressed he's been by Doug Collins and Philly's young roster.-The impact of the shortened season and condensed schedule, especially on the Celtics-The comparison between this year's team and the 2008 championship roster-Is this the last run for the fabled Big 3?-Will Danny Ainge build around Rajon Rondo for the long term future of the franchise?-Avery Bradley being the best on ball defender in the league in a generation.-Thoughts on the Heat/Pacers series and the C's chances to win another title.All that and much more with the voice of the Celtics and one of the best in the business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m

As the podcast turns 20 (who would've thunk it), we welcome in the voice of hockey in America, Doc Emrick. Doc is the lead announcer for the NHL on NBC and has called countless Stanley Cup and Olympic hockey games. This week he'll be calling two Game 7s in two days in Boston and New York. In this wide-ranging podcast, Doc chats with AA about...*How exactly he got the nickname "Doc"*Favorite moments from his career*His thoughts on the difficulty calling hockey compared to other sports and his broadcasting style*The transition to working with an ice level analyst inside the glass and some of the unique challenges that entails*The rise in ratings and the special qualities of playoff hockey*How the NHL is handling discipline and the big hits in this year's playoffsAll that and much more with one of the great play by play men of our generation, Mike Emrick. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest episode of the AA Podcast we welcome Brian Kenny of MLB Network looking ahead to the start of the baseball season. We talk about his transition from ESPN to MLB Network and his role in bringing analytics to the forefront of baseball coverage. Brian also chats with AA about...-His memories of working with Bert Sugar-The evolution of analytics and whether it's becoming mainstream-Possible backlash against Albert Pujols moving from St. Louis to Anaheim and the value of his megadeal-Changing expectations in Cincinnati with Joey Votto's new deal-Can the Marlins be competitors in the NL East?-Did MLB do the right thing with their Wild Card expansion?-Should baseball have one centralized Opening Day?All that and a lot more with one of the smartest personalities anywhere in sports on the AA Podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the newest AA Podcast, we're joined by Ken Fang of the excellent Fang's Bites to talk about CBS and Turner's NCAA Tournament coverage. With March Madness in full swing, the focus hasn't been on just the on-court action, but on the announcers and studio personalities that bring March Madness to life. We delve in-depth into who has shined thus far and a couple other topics with Ken including...-Does the tournament actually miss Gus Johnson?-Should JIm Nantz be announcing more college basketball games?-Has bringing in NBA talent helped the tournament?-Which broadcast team has been the best?-Bob Knight's feud with John Calipari and Kentucky being aired on ESPN-Skip Bayless, Emmy award nominee?-Rapid Fire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's podcast we're joined by Kenny "The Jet" Smith from TNT's Inside the NBA. Along with Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, and now Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny has been part of one of the most successful studio shows in sports. The NBA on TNT crew will also work the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row as well. Kenny chats with AA about covering both events as well as...-What it's been like working with Shaq-How Shaq has fit in with the chemistry on set-The biggest surprise of the NBA season outside Jeremy Lin-Whether or not the dunk contest needs stars to succeed-The All Star experience from the broadcaster's perspective-The transition from covering the NBA to covering the NCAA Tournament Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.