Awful Announcing Podcast

Host Brandon Contes interviews New York Jets radio voice and ESPN NHL, college football, and college basketball broadcaster, Bob Wischusen. Brandon and Bob discuss a bunch of Jets topics, among other things, including what changes for the Jets after Robert Saleh's firing, Aaron Rodgers' future as Jets QB, Rex Ryan wanting to come back as head coach, and more.NOTE: We recorded with Bob the day before Joe Douglas was fired as Jets GM. So you will not hear Bob's thoughts on Douglas' firing.-:54: When did Bob realize the Jets would do poorly this season?-3:52: Aaron Rodgers’ thought process this season-5:26: Robert Saleh fired-9:37: Harder to watch this season’s Jets or last season’s Jets?-13:40: Rodgers’ influence in upcoming offseason-18:04: Is Jets situation appealing to a head coach?-21:09: Should Jets run it back with Rodgers next season?-24:11: Surprised by Sam Darnold’s success?-26:53: Woody Johnson and Donald Trump-28:20: How Christopher Johnson differs from Woody?-32:00: Biggest issue with the Jets?-34:0

Host Brandon Contes interviews legendary NFL reporter and columnist Peter King. Brandon and Peter discuss a wide range of topics including enjoying football and America during retirement, Tom Brady trying to be an NFL team owner and a broadcaster, being on the same podcast as Bill Belichick despite not being on speaking terms, and more.-:42: Enjoying NFL season and driving across America in retirement-4:17: Not missing “Monday Morning Quarterback/Monday Morning in America” column-7:30: How did column start?-9:58: Writing process-12:41: Ready to retire-16:08: Raising money to save school sports in hometown-19:08: Watching football differently in retirement-22:37: Can someone come into sports media and write a weekly longform column these days?-24:06: “Let’s Go!” podcast-27:57: Does Jerry Jones belong in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?-29:41: Relationship with Tom Brady-34:03: Should Brady be an owner and an analyst?-37:14: Not working with Bill Belichick on “Let’s Go!”-38:36: Relationship with Belichick pre-Spy

Host Brandon Contes interviews motorsports staff writer for The Athletic, Jeff Gluck. Brandon and Jeff discuss a wide range of topics including the fallout from Martinsville as well as the 23XI Racing-Front Row Motorsports lawsuit against NASCAR, making a living in the early days of Patreon, Michael Jordan possibly becoming a NASCAR champion team owner while suing NASCAR, and more.-:46: Being childhood friends with Awful Announcing’s Ben Koo-1:45: Growing up in Northern California-3:12: Going to college/covering the Super Bowl-4:53: What lured Jeff to NASCAR?-6:49: Learning about NASCAR while covering the sport-9:36: Leaving USA Today in 2017-13:45: Being on Patreon-18:58: NASCAR media access-20:40: Covering NASCAR while not in Charlotte-23:29: Kyle Busch/Joey Logano fight video-29:50: Joining The Athletic-32:16: Going back to working for a company-36:09: Having content separate from The Athletic-38:51: Working for The Athletic pre-New York Times purchase and during-42:28: How did Patreon subscribers react to

Host Brandon Contes interviews former host of Red Zone Channel and current radio voice of the Cleveland Browns, Andrew Siciliano. Brandon and Andrew discuss a wide range of topics including working Red Zone and working with Scott Hanson, Jameis Winston taking charge of the Cleveland Browns, the emotion in the booth after the loss of Jim Donovan, and more.-:38: Emotions in Browns broadcast booth after Jim Donovan’s passing-3:03: What did Donovan mean to the Browns?-6:33: Replacing Donovan on Browns radio broadcasts-8:16: Talking with Donovan about the job-9:02: How Andrew became a Browns fan-10:32: Feeling of the Browns moving near Andrew’s family and becoming the Ravens-13:50: Jameis Winston-15:45: Should Browns have switched to Winston earlier in the season?-17:33: Were the Browns trending in the direction to make the switch if Watson didn’t get injured?-18:57: In-stadium reaction to Deshaun Watson’s injury-21:30: Rush of being in stadium on radio broadcast-23:53: Was Browns job still attainable when Andrew

Host Brandon Contes interviews former NFL quarterback and co-host of "Outta Pocket With RG3," Robert Griffin III. Brandon and Robert discuss a wide range of topics including his reaction to being laid off by ESPN, getting practically dragged into doing sports media, being the mentor for Lamar Jackson, and more.-:40: Croissant pic-2:16: Olympics aspirations-3:29: Considering training for Olympics again?-4:30: Feeling of being blackballed by NFL-5:49: Flag football at Olympics-9:23: Adjusting to football season without ESPN-13:23: Seeking media opportunities as a player?-16:56: Kevin Burkhardt-18:00: Choosing ESPN over Fox-19:10: Prefers calling games or doing studio?-21:52: Best NFL analyst right now-24:30: Goal in calling games-26:13: Release from ESPN-28:29: Would Robert return to ESPN-29:13: Doing “First Take” with Stephen A. Smith-31:42: Did Robert’s opinion of Smith change from when he was a player to being in the media-38:23: Getting on NFL for media layoffs-43:47: Is Robert a starting quarterback today?

Host Brandon Contes interviews ESPN NBA Front Office Insider and former assistant GM of the Brooklyn Nets, Bobby Marks. Brandon and Bobby discuss a wide range of topics including working with Adrian Wojnarowski and Bobby's reaction to Woj's retirement, working with John Calipari at the Nets, how JJ Redick will handle the media with the Lakers, 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: How’s Bobby doing with Hurricane Milton?-1:58: Reaction to Adrian Wojnarowski’s retirement-4:04: When Bobby found out-4:40: How was Woj to work with?-6:34: How was Woj like at the Bergen Record?-8:06: Jeff Passan potentially switching from MLB to NBA-9:58: Shams Charania now at ESPN-11:36: Leaving the Nets to work with Woj-13:52: Woj bringing Bobby to ESPN-14:38: When sports media could be a career-16:34: Working in an NBA front office-18:14: What did Bobby want to do in college?-19

Host Brandon Contes interviews Fox NFL insider Jordan Schultz. Brandon and Jordan discuss a wide range of topics including his football podcast with Draymond Green, being on "The Herd," Pat McAfee messing with him, Robert Saleh's firing at the New York Jets, 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: “Why is Draymond Green talking about football?”-3:06: Length of episodes-4:18: How is Green on the show?-7:43: Green’s reaction to the pitch-11:29: Podcast being unaffiliated with The Volume-12:47: Being a regular on “The Herd”-18:21: Being persistent-19:50: Cowherd being interested in Jordan’s backstory-26:02: Having the drive to be an insider-32:05: Adrian Wojnarowski’s retirement-34:00: Could Jeff Passan have switched to NBA?/Could Adam Schefter have done both NFL and NBA?-37:16: Trying to do NBA and NFL-39:35: Reporting the Baxter Holmes ESPN story on Robert Sarve

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 k

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 ta

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 wa

FOR FUTURE EPISODES, SUBSCRIBE TO THE PLAY-BY-PLAY: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-play-by-play/id1763654809Spotify: 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 concussionYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcast

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

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 offYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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-

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 ye

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

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 FestYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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:

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 TN

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 McNu