Awful Announcing Podcast

Host Brandon Contes interviews Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Jonathan Tannenwald. Brandon and Jonathan discuss a wide range of topics including Gregg Berhalter's sacking from the U.S. Men's National Team, the logistics mess by CONMEBOL at the Copa América, Emma Hayes with the U.S. Women's National Team, Lionel Messi in MLS, 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.-:51: When will U.S. Soccer hire a new head coach?-1:33: Timing of Gregg Berhalter’s sacking-3:22: Not giving a national coach two four-year terms-4:20: How far would the USMNT have had to go in Copa América to save Berhalter’s job?-6:50: Who deserves the blame for the USMNT’s performance?-11:20: What else needs to be fixed at U.S. Soccer?-13:15: Who will replace Berhalter and who should replace him?-15:27: Tim Howard’s pitch to go after Jurgen Klopp-16:20: Was Howard sincere?-16:51: Alexi Lalas saying he w

Host Brandon Contes interviews MLB Network host and emcee of the National Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Brian Kenny. Brandon and Brian discuss a wide range of topics including Brian defending the concept of having special uniforms for the All-Star Game, the responsibility of being emcee for induction weekend, what Max Kellerman has been doing and when he may emerge, 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.-:50: Brian’s sports media origin story-3:36: Getting to ESPN-4:04: Going from ESPN to MLB Network-5:28: MLB All-Star Game uniforms-7:57: More important for MLB ASG to win the game or get everyone involved?-11:15: Working with Chris Russo-12:49: “Mad Dog” and Sabermetrics-14:00: Being an early convert of Sabermetrics-15:13: Turning point with Sabermetrics discussion-17:45: Being on MLB Network in terms of editorial freedom-19:05: Ken Rosenthal not being

Host Brandon Contes interviews NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport. Brandon and Ian discuss a wide range of topics including Ian's relationship with ESPN's Adam Schefter, "The Insiders" on NFL Network, various stories about reporting, 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.-1:02: How busy is early July for an NFL insider?-2:04: Busiest week of the NFL season for an insider-3:23: NFL Draft and opinion on tipping picks-5:29: Being first to a story in free agency-6:58: Competition among insiders inside NFL Network?-8:30: Relationship with Adam Schefter-10:00: Sources-11:42: Local reporters-13:02: Giving gifts to sources?-14:23: Has Ian ever felt he was being used?-15:54: Can Ian be an NBA insider?-17:14: Multiple phones?-18:29: Story Ian missed breaking because he didn’t have his phone-20:40: Most “out of nowhere” scoop-22:18: Biggest “swing and a miss” report-26:01: Rumo

Host Brandon Contes interviews sports journalism legend Andrea Kremer. Brandon and Andrea discuss a wide range of topics including the state of sports journalism especially after the cancellation of "Real Sports," the #MeToo movement in sports media, being part of the first all-woman NFL booth, 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.-1:26: National Sports Media Association HOF induction-5:12: Going into labor days before working Super Bowl-6:55: Going on air right after giving birth-9:47: Balancing career and being a mom-14:27: Pro Football HOF induction-17:43: Media industry progression for women-23:54: Goal to be in sports media or to be a journalist?-27:49: #MeToo and women in sports-30:30: More difficult to earn the respect of male athletes or male peers in sports media?-34:42: Covering the Chicago Bulls dynasty-41:36: Reaction to “Real Sports'” cancellation-46:

Host Brandon Contes interviews SNY's New York Jets reporter Connor Hughes. Brandon and Connor discuss a wide range of topics including Aaron Rodgers being Aaron Rodgers, Robert Saleh's handling of Rodgers missing mandatory minicamp, reporting or not reporting what sources tell you, 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: First season covering the Jets-1:07: Covering the Jets today compared to when Connor started-2:26: Aaron Rodgers skipping mandatory minicamp-3:44: Where was/is Rodgers?-5:54: Did Rodgers missing minicamp become a distraction?-8:07: Rodgers’ infamous “winning” quote-10:44: How did the Jets and Robert Saleh handle Rodgers’ absence?-13:43: Does Rodgers trust Saleh?-16:11: Joe Douglas as general manager-19:05: Rodgers’ relationship with Woody Johnson-20:15: Nathaniel Hackett-23:31: Concern within the Jets that Rodgers would actually run for VP?-25:

Host Brandon Contes interviews former "Mike and the Mad Dog" producer and current co-host of "Carlin vs. Joe," Chris Carlin. Brandon and Chris discuss a wide range of topics including trying to navigate Mike Francesa and Chris Russo during their blowup, the "challenge" of working with Don Imus, entering broadcasting due to somebody getting pantsed in a bar, 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.-:33: “Carlin vs. Joe”-2:04: Meeting Joe Fortenbaugh-2:46: National radio compared to local radio-4:44: Is one form of radio more creative than the other?-6:02: Is there a specific market to focus on when doing national?-7:10: Cowboys talk-7:49: Is there more an effort to have evergreen topics?-9:08: Is ESPN Radio still prestigious?-12:14: Connection with national audience-13:33: Engaging with callers-16:05: Going to school to be a lawyer-17:08: Switching to sports-21:06: Pr

Host Brandon Contes interviews former "Around the Horn" panelist and current co-host of "Brother From Another" Michael Holley. Brandon and Michael discuss a wide range of topics including the Boston media's feelings about Joe Mazzulla, Kyrie Irving's tenure in Boston, being on "Around the Horn," working with Max Kellerman, 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: Pressure on the Celtics in NBA Finals-2:47: Confidence from fanbase/media-5:37: Stephen A. Smith’s report on Jaylen Brown’s attitude-7:54: Power struggle between Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum-9:44: Joe Mazzulla and the Boston media-13:36: Biggest criticism of Mazzulla-15:26: Mike Felger and JJ Redick-17:28: Northeast sports talk radio-18:27: Kyrie Irving in Boston-22:28: Irving with media in Boston-24:25: Barstool influencing Boston sports media-27:33: When was Michael aware of Barstool-28:32: Who is mo

Host Brandon Contes interviews "First Things First" co-host Nick Wright. Brandon and Nick discuss a wide range of topics including going to FS1 instead of ESPN, Chennedy Carter's foul on Caitlin Clark and the overall WNBA discussion, doing sports talk radio in Kansas City, 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: Who is the “face” of FS1?-2:07: Striving to be a valuable personality-5:07: Talking about the WNBA-13:36: Who benefits more? WNBA or sports media?-15:32: Racial aspect of Chennedy Carter’s foul on Caitlin Clark?-19:56: Making it about race-22:23: Being genuine in takes-24:10: Ability to be definitive-27:31: Would staying in KC be satisfying enough?-32:23: Houston-32:46: FS1-35:59: ESPN offer-40:18: Original Fox deal-42:40: Cris Carter-44:47: Kevin Wildes-51:16: Chris Broussard-52:45: Any talks on replacing Shannon Sharpe on “Undisputed?”-59:41: Jason Wh

Bill Walton died on May 27, 2024 at the age of 71. Bill meant a lot to us at Awful Announcing, so we wanted to do something special. We invited a few of Bill's many friends and broadcast partners to tell stories and memories of the Basketball Hall of Famer and legendary broadcaster. Sit back with host Brandon Contes and guests Jason Benetti, Roxy Bernstein, and Dave Pasch as we celebrate the life of Bill Walton.For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.-:20: Welcome Jason Benetti to the Awful Announcing Podcast-:50: Bill making the most out of his life-2:57: Emotions this week-5:50: Creative freedom of working with Bill-7:37: Knowing Jason would like working with Bill at first-11:10: First broadcast with Bill-14:02: First conversation with Bill-14:15: Building chemistry with Bill-17:55: Shift in Bill’s broadcasting style from NBA to college-19:07: Pressure to need to entertain?

Host Brandon Contes interviews legendary Indianapolis 500 broadcaster Paul Page. Brandon and Paul discuss a wide range of topics including working the Indy 500 on radio and TV, being mentored by Sid Collins, working with Bobby Unser, 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.-:43: Working this year’s Indianapolis 500-1:29: Best place to watch the Indy 500-2:27: Getting into broadcasting-4:15: Growing up a racing fan-5:58: Broadcasting while in the Army-6:25: Surviving a helicopter crash-8:10: Memories of the crash-8:55: First ride back in a helicopter-9:18: Reporting from helicopter during crash-10:22: Friendship and mentorship with Sid Collins-12:13: Collins’ death and succeeding Collins to be “Voice of the 500” in 1977-14:25: Emotions of the 1977 broadcast as chief announcer-15:57: Difficulties of the 1977 broadcast-16:44: Feeling after the 1977 race-18:45: Differenc

Host Brandon Contes interviews executive producer and host of "SportScience," John Brenkus. Brandon and John discuss a wide range of topics including creating and hosting "SportScience," how the science community reacted to the show, creating and running Brinx. TV, 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.-:43: Legacy of “SportScience”-2:36: TV aspirations?-4:00: Start of “SportScience”-4:58: Building set and producing “SportScience”-6:50: Desire to find this info out-8:38: Did “SportScience” influence how teams measure players?-10:21: Reaction from Science community-11:45: Episode that stands out?-13:03: Experiments that went wrong?-14:13: Why pro athletes weren’t paid to participate?-15:40: Coming up with ideas-16:25: Format of the show-18:07: Not hosting “SportScience” segments-18:50: Brinx. TV-21:46: Content with Brinx Bux-24:08: Measuring viewership-26:00: Marcel

Host Brandon Contes interviews ESPN's Steve Levy. Brandon and Steve discuss a wide range of topics including being a Rangers fan and working with Mark Messier, working "Monday Night Football," his infamous "bulging disc" blooper, why Pat McAfee is a "genius," 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.-1:00: Watching NHL games from the studio-2:01: Becoming a Rangers fan-3:00: ESPN’s near-“Heidi Bowl” moment Tuesday night-4:08: NHL on ESPN-5:30: Atmosphere at ESPN when the NHL left network in 2004?-7:39: Calling an NHL game in 2021 compared to 2003-8:49: Barry Melrose-10:31: Working with Mark Messier and P.K. Subban-13:06: Doing NHL in studio, “MNF,” and NHL games-14:29: Being versatile-17:37: Being the voice of “Monday Night Football”-19:19: Three person booths-20:43: “MNF” job being temporary?-24:49: Being replaced by Chris Fowler on the second “MNF” crew-27:20: Worki

Host Brandon Contes interviews co-host of "The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz," Jon "Stugotz" Weiner. Brandon and Stugotz discuss a wide range of topics including being interested in being program director at WFAN, working with Dan Le Batard for nearly 20 years, the importance of being on ESPN and being jealous of Pat McAfee, 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: How close was Stugotz to being program director at WFAN?-2:50: Process of program director discussion-4:08: Being a full-time host while being program director?-6:14: Sal Licata-8:19: Ryan Hurley-10:06: Mark Chernoff/Spike Eskin handling WFAN program director role-12:48: Talking to Spike Eskin about the program director job-14:24: Talking to Chris Oliviero about before the program director job opened up?-16:04: Wanting a full-time WFAN show before retirement?-17:31: Letting Dan Le Batard know about

Host Brandon Contes interviews broadcasting legend Eli Gold. Brandon and Bob discuss a wide range of topics including being the voice of the Alabama Crimson Tide, Alabama not retaining him for 2024, telling a white lie to start broadcasting in NASCAR, Nick Saban retiring from coaching, and more.NOTE: We apologize for some audio and visual issues during the episode.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: Eli’s health-1:11: Returning to broadcast booth post-cancer-1:57: Were there retirement thoughts when Eli sat out?-2:54: Being out of work for two hours-4:02: Calling home games only at Alabama-4:56: Was the cutback a warning sign that Alabama wasn’t going to retain Eli?-6:00: Alabama’s reason for not retaining Eli-7:47: Response from Alabama fans-8:46: Being the voice of the Nick Saban era [NOTE] Eli’s audio cuts out from 9:10 to 9:15. For full context, Eli is talking a

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