Awful Announcing Podcast

Host Brandon Contes interviews Pablo Torre, host of Meadowlark Media's "Pablo Torre Finds Out" podcast, as well as being on "Around the Horn" and "Pardon the Interruption." Brandon and Pablo discuss a wide range of topics including the Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce relationship and how that's impacting the NFL, confronting Dan Le Batard about having former president Donald Trump on his show many times, Stephen A. Smith blurring the lines of journalism and entertainment, 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.-1:08: Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce-3:14: Swift making NFL secondary to her-5:15: Dan Le Batard/Donald Trump-7:46 Was Pablo aware of how much Le Batard and Trump spoke?-9:23: Trump on the radio-11:18: Chris Christie-11:47: Russell Wilson episode of "Pablo Torre Finds Out"-14:06: Freedom at Meadowlark Media-15:40: Work split between Meadowlark, ESPN, and MSNBC-17:00: Ha

Host Brandon Contes interviews free agent quarterback and NFL Network analyst Chase Daniel. Brandon and Chase discuss a wide range of topics including being a career backup QB, how Hard Knocks isn't a distraction, why Drew Brees did a good job as an 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.-:43: Is Chase retired from playing?-1:28: Staying in game shape-2:25: Finding the right fit to come back to play-4:39: Being a backup quarterback-6:22: Perennial backup QB’s who never got the opportunity to be a starter-8:13: NFL Network-9:54: Being honest at NFL Network while still playing-11:46: Did Chase have a teammate or opponent complain about something he said?-12:36: Similarities in preparation as a quarterback and as an analyst-14:05: Tony Romo predicting plays-15:28: Talking to networks about game analyst work-16:50: Possible pushback from networks given Chase is

Host Brandon Contes interviews Fox Sports broadcaster Chris Myers. Ahead of Fox's 30th season broadcasting the NFL, Brandon and Chris discuss a wide range of topics including calling Bryce Young's first game, freezing up on live TV at the Super Bowl, interviewing O.J. Simpson post-trial, 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.-1:34: Still getting a rush calling football after all these years-2:43: Calling Bryce Young’s first game-4:27: Rookie players Chris called and thinking at the time they were special-5:53: Preparing for the NFL season-7:46: Difficulties of working preseason games-9:51: Working the Super Bowl-14:20: Interviewing Tom Brady after comeback Super Bowl win-17:47: Based on interviews when he was a player, does Chris think Brady will be a great broadcaster?-19:45: Working with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman-20:44: Favorite analysts/analysts Chris wants to wo

Host Brandon Contes interviews Parker Kligerman, NBC NASCAR pit reporter and driver of the #48 Spiked Light Coolers Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Brandon and Parker discuss a wide range of topics including racing and broadcasting on the same weekend, how sim racing taught Parker for the real thing, Parker's pick for NASCAR Cup Series champion, 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.-:39: Getting into racing-2:30: Karting-4:45: Not coming from a racing family-7:39: eNASCAR team ownership-10:29: Accuracy of iRacing compared to the real thing-11:14: Growth of iRacing-13:41: Riverhead Raceway-14:14: Talent pool at local short tracks-16:40: Having the talent and finances to get far in racing-19:18: Is the commitment of being a broadcaster hurting the ability to be a Cup Series driver?-25:46: Would Parker leave NBC for a full-time Cup opportunity?-28:19: Should

Host Brandon Contes interviews Craig Carton, formerly of WFAN and now host of "The Carton Show" on FS1. Brandon and Craig discuss a wide range of topics including his dislike of Mike Francesa, almost replacing Howard Stern, being the face of gambling addiction, 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: Being a “former” WFAN host-1:29: Decision to leave WFAN-2:42: Doing TV and radio on the same day-4:03: “The Carton Show” growth over the past year-4:51: Reception of the show on social media-5:46: Critics and haters-7:05: Being comfortable with clips generating social media engagement-8:43: Craig’s recent Jets soundbite -9:41: Ratings talk-10:37: Cody Decker-11:15: Decker doing a morning TV show and a mid-day afternoon radio show-12:46: Being exclusive to Fox growing “The Carton Show”-13:12: Can you love TV as much as loving radio?-14:06: TV hosting/radio hosting-1

Host Brandon Contes interviews Barstool Sports' Kevin Clancy, a.k.a. KFCBarstool. Brandon and Clancy discuss a wide range of topics including Dave Portnoy buying Barstool back from Penn Entertainment, Erika Ayers Badan’s impact on Barstool, Pat McAfee at Barstool and heading to ESPN, and more.As a bonus, make sure you listen after KFCBarstool's interview as we chat with Awful Announcing's Andrew Bucholtz about his involvement in breaking the bombshell story that Kevin Brown was removed from Baltimore Orioles broadcasts for seemingly innocuous, and true, comments about the team.For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.-:47: Finding out Dave Portnoy was buying Barstool back-2:05: Concerns Barstool was moving on without KFC due to Penn Entertainment relationship-3:49: How was Barstool’s relationship with Penn from KFC’s perspective?-5:06: Could Barstool have existed without Portnoy?-

Host Brandon Contes interviews On3's Andy Staples. Brandon and Andy discuss a wide range of topics including the Pac-12 realignment news, how the Big Ten and Big 12 fare, how it affects the regular season and College Football Playoff, and more.For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.-:41: Pac-12 realignment talk-3:00: Oregon and Washington leaving for the Big Ten-5:46: Networks influencing realignment-6:32: Who was in better shape two years ago when Texas and Oklahoma left the Big 12? Big 12 and Pac-12?-8:49: Person most responsible for Pac-12’s downfall?-10:46: Apple TV-11:28: Was there someone who could’ve kept the Pac-12 intact?-13:00: Realignment recruiting casual fans-16:08: Fewer out-of-conference cupcake games?-18:58: Realignment altering College Football Playoff structure?-19:44: Right number of teams in College Football Playoff?-20:27: Will these big conferences split in

Host Brandon Contes interviews Oakland Athletics broadcaster and Short and to the Point host Jessica Kleinschmidt. Brandon and Jessica discuss a wide range of topics including quitting a government job to pursue a sports broadcasting career, building a social media brand and dealing with the hate, working for the Oakland A's, how A's fans like Moneyball, working for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, and more.For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.-47: Meeting the Oakland Coliseum opossum-1:21: Is the opossum a menace or a nice animal?-2:24: Oakland Coliseum-5:43: Growing up an A’s fan-9:10: Covering the A’s-9:59: Dropping out of college and work before sports-13:08: Moving to the Bay Area without an established job-17:44: Role with the A’s-19:47: A’s Cast-21:25: Taking callers on the radio-23:19: Things the A’s fanbase should be proud of-26:41: Building a social media presence-

Host Brandon Contes interviews Bram Weinstein, former ESPN SportsCenter anchor and current play-by-play radio voice of the Washington Commanders. Brandon and Bram discuss a wide range of topics including Daniel Snyder as former owner of the Washington Commanders, the "Commanders" name, being a SportsCenter anchor, Dan Le Batard's thoughts on Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless, and more.For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.-:45: Reaction to ownership change-2:14: Fan frustration of supporting Commanders but not wanting to support Daniel Snyder-4:08: Recent interactions with Snyder-4:44: Was Snyder aware he was so disliked by the fanbase?-7:15: Was Snyder unfairly blamed at times?-9:41: Topic changing to Snyder when hosting fan events-11:48: Most surprising Snyder move: Changing the name or selling the team?-13:47: Did the rebrand buy Snyder more time?-15:00: Will the Commanders

Host Brandon Contes interviews Heather O'Reilly, 2015 Women's World Cup champ, three-time Olympic gold medalist, and Fox soccer analyst. Brandon and Heather discuss a wide range of topics including the Women's World Cup and the USWNT, Grant Wahl's impact on soccer in the U.S., being on stage with Taylor Swift, Megan Rapinoe's retirement, and more.For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.-:36: Flying to Sydney-1:53: Acclimatizing to the time difference-3:42: Transitioning from playing to broadcasting-5:57: Balance between being a fan and being impartial with the USWNT on broadcasts-8:30: Retiring from play in 2019 and coming back in 2022-11:18: Does broadcasting help fill the void of playing?-13:17: Does playing/coaching help with broadcasting and vice versa?-16:08: Thoughts about making a comeback to the USWNT-18:59: Winning the 2015 Women’s World Cup-22:08: Grant Wahl and his imp

Host Brandon Contes interviews Wayne Randazzo, Los Angeles Angels and Apple TV+ MLB play-by-play person. Brandon and Wayne discuss a wide range of topics including Shohei Ohtani being a "walking legend," Stephen A. Smith's "Angels are irrelevant" comments, Albert Pujols' 700th home run, and more.For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.-:40: All-Star Game talk-1:52: Becoming TV play-by-play for the LA Angels-3:30: After doing radio, was TV the goal for Wayne?-5:18: Does being a TV play-by-play person feel bigger than radio play-by-play?-6:42: Covering Shohei Ohtani-8:37: Interactions with Ohtani-9:24: Ohtani’s competitiveness-10:57: Could the Angels trade Ohtani? Would that be smart?-14:38: Ohtani national media coverage-18:41: Mike Trout being under-the-radar in national media-20:34: Reaction to Stephen A. Smith’s “Angels are irrelevant” comments-22:32: Did Stephen A’s comments r

Host Brandon Contes interviews Anish Shroff, ESPN play-by-play commentator and radio voice of the Carolina Panthers. Brandon and Anish discuss a wide range of topics including calling the Duke's Mayo Bowl, being on "Dream Job," working lacrosse for ESPN, being the voice of the Panthers, and more.For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.-:54: Being the voice of the Duke’s Mayo Bowl-2:15: Anish’s reaction to finding out he was working Duke’s Mayo Bowl-7:13: Having lots of mayo at home-8:21: Anish eating Oreos and macarons dipped in mayo-9:35: Mike Golic Jr. leaving ESPN and Brock Osweiler joining on to eat foods dipped in mayo-10:45: Being on “Dream Job” for ESPN-13:54: Was “Dream Job” an honest judge of talent?-14:56: Was the goal to be an anchor or play-by-play entering “Dream Job?”-15:58: Getting into lacrosse-19:05: Cadence of calling lacrosse compared to other sports-20:16: Continuing to call lac

Host Brandon Contes interviews Adam Schein, host of "Schein on Sports" on SiriusXM, "Time to Schein" on CBS Sports Network, and the "Rise and Schein" podcast that uploads every Monday. Brandon and Adam discuss a wide range of topics including interviewing Aaron Rodgers, that time Snooki and Adam had a beef, Larry King calling in, and more.For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.-:40: “Hot” coffee takes-1:56: Interviewing Aaron Rodgers-6:21: Has Adam’s perception of Rodgers changed?-8:30: Rodgers dealing with the NYC media-11:48: What is a host’s responsibility in interviewing Rodgers?-14:05: The Snooki feud-14:58: Interacting with Pat McAfee when he was on Mad Dog Sports Radio-16:07: Thoughts on McAfee going to ESPN-17:12: Working at Sirius satellite radio pre-Howard Stern-19:16: Was Adam ever close to returning to WFAN?-24:06: Talking to Mike Francesa about someday replacing him-26:42: Interacting

Host Brandon Contes interviews Brian Windhorst, ESPN senior NBA writer and host of "Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective." Brandon and Brian discuss a wide range of topics including NBA Finals coverage, covering The Decision, becoming a meme, and more.For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.-:42: NBA Finals talk-1:19: Covering the Denver Nuggets for ESPN-1:57: Seeing new teams in the NBA Finals-3:58: National media/ESPN criticism for covering LeBron James so much-7:45: Criticism from ESPN people about their lack of Nikola Jokić coverage-10:02: ESPN’s basketball coverage-12:37: Thoughts on aggregate media-17:50: The Rudy Gobert trade and becoming a meme-22:56: The Paris interview with Victor Wembanyama on Draft Lottery night-29:17: Doing TV as a reporter-33:54: Covering LeBron and being linked with him through high school, the Cavs, and the Heat-36:21: Going to Miami and facing animosity-40:13: Clevelan

Host Brandon Contes interviews Mark Schlereth, three-time Super Bowl champion, Fox NFL analyst, and Denver sports talk radio host. Brandon and Mark discuss a wide range of topics including ESPN's treatment of the Denver Nuggets, Tom Brady entering broadcasting, working with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and more.For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.-:48: Fan perception of a former football player talking about other sports-6:06: Daily grind of morning radio-9:35: Studio vs. game analyst and transitioning from the studio to the booth-17:37: Tom Brady entering broadcasting-22:22: Still enjoying doing studio shows-25:52: ESPN and national media treatment of Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokić-29:05: Does the city of Denver hold a grudge to the national media?-31:12: Reaction to Kendrick Perkins’ comments on Jokić and racially biased MVP voting claims-34:33: Coaching aspirations?-36:30: Acting in "Ballers" and "Gui

Host Brandon Contes interviews Leigh Diffey, play-by-play commentator for the NTT IndyCar Series for NBC as well as IMSA, MotoGP, Supercross, and Olympic track and field. In the lead-up to the 107th Indianapolis 500, Brandon and Leigh discuss a wide range of topics including the narrative some people have that race car drivers are not "athletes," the importance of the Indy 500, what casual fans should be looking for at Indy, and more.For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.-:46: Busy week leading up to Indianapolis 500-1:09: Motorsports background growing up in Australia-2:46: Being a PE teacher while getting started in broadcasting-5:09: Adversity in Australia from those in sports media who felt Leigh didn't belong-6:59: Moving to the United Kingdom and then the United States-8:39: Bigger transition going from Australia to UK, or UK to U.S.?-9:32: Culture shock moving from London to Atlanta-10:31: Becoming

Host Brandon Contes interviews Ryan Ruocco, play-by-play commentator for the NBA and WNBA for ESPN as well as the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Nets for YES, in addition to co-hosting the "R2C2 Podcast" with CC Sabathia. Brandon and Ryan discuss a wide range of topics including being the "Voice of the WNBA," working an NBA game for ESPN the night COVID shut everything down, Pat McAfee moving to ESPN, working with Stephen A. Smith, and more.For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.-:50: Growing up wanting to do multiple sports or a single sport-2:26: Being the "Voice of the WNBA"-5:13: WNBA perceptions-7:39: Has NBA comparison narrative started to change?-8:27: Ryan’s voice exercises-8:57: Ryan on Jeff Van Gundy’s reaction to his voice exercises-12:02: NBA coaches could benefit from similar voice exercises to preserve voice-13:52: Having voice issues-17:17: Michael Kay’s influence on Ryan’s career-20:13: Pref

Host Brandon Contes interviews John Ireland, radio voice of the Los Angeles Lakers and co-host of "Mason and Ireland" on ESPN Radio in LA. Brandon and John discuss a wide range of topics including a potential "Last Dance" docuseries with Kobe or LeBron, Kobe and Shaq's divorce and reconciliation, and covering an NBA Finals during a pandemic.For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.-:44: Living out a dream job as radio voice of the Lakers-1:37: Working with Chick Hearn, receiving advice from Chick-2:21: Working with Mychal Thompson, dealing with Lakers-Warriors series with son Klay playing for the opposition-3:12: John on the Lakers’ dramatic turnaround this season-4:24: LeBron James chasing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s career scoring record-5:37: John explaining his call when LeBron set the record-7:10: Was John nervous making a monumental call like that?-8:14: Difference in radio and TV broadcasting during histori

Host Brandon Contes interviews Maggie Gray from "Maggie and Perloff." Brandon and Maggie touch on a wide range of topics including replacing Mike Francesa, her hot take about kids being at postgame press conferences, covering Kyrie Irving in high school, and Aaron Rodgers dealing with the NYC media.For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.-:36: Andrew Perloff eating a jar of peanut butter-2:22: Eating challenges in radio-4:40: Radio providing organic moments-6:31: Maggie on the state of national radio-9:15: Catering to a variety of audiences-11:00: How does Maggie feel about not being on terrestrial radio in NYC?-11:49: Similarities and differences in national and local radio-13:28: Building chemistry with one co-host compared to two co-hosts-15:37: Transitioning from WFAN to CBS Sports Radio-18:56: Maggie on the pressure of replacing Mike Francesa -20:08: Did Maggie feel she had Francesa's support when taki

We're back!After a few years, the Awful Announcing Podcast returns with host Brandon Contes as he interviews Bomani Jones.For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.*Apologies for some audio issues in the final couple minutes.-1:02: Bomani’s path to ESPN and sports media-2:36: Embracing streaming/podcasting before the industry did-5:26: Does Bomani miss doing local radio?-8:03: Bomani on ESPN layoffs-9:42: Bomani on ESPN Radio’s future-12:01: Did Bomani feel ESPN was “all in” on his radio show?-14:56: Transitioning from radio to podcasting-17:33: Content freedom/adjusting to writing team for “Game Theory”-19:56: “High Noon” content freedom/why it ended-24:04: Not hosting “Highly Questionable” full-time after “High Noon” ended-26:57: Does Bomani feel he’s underutilized on ESPN TV?-27:42: Why Bomani isn’t on “First Take?”-28:56: Bomani on Chris “Mad Dog” Russo on “First Take”-30:40: Debating Skip Bayless-32:33: