Awful Announcing Podcast

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? -21:27: Was Bill seeking to be more entertaining or more insightful on broadcast? -22:43: Inserting non-sports topics in sports -25:23: Will we see another analyst like Bill? -27:31: Best piece of advice from Bill -29:39: Welcome Roxy Bernstein to the Awful Announcing Podcast -29:55: Reaction to the reaction to Bill’s passing -30:52: First broadcast with Bill -33:18: Comfort level working without pregame prep with the analyst -35:02: Challenge of letting Bill go on tangents -36:44: Notable tangents with Bill -37:46: Working relationship becoming a friendship -39:41: Being genuine/playing dumb -41:22: Favorite off-air moment with Bill -43:39: Going to a Grateful Dead concert with Bill -45:31: Closing Pac-12 Network and mentioning Bill -48:05: Welcome Dave Pasch to the Awful Announcing Podcast -48:25: Emotions this week -49:48: Catharsis of everyone sharing stories and showing love for Bill -51:06: Bill’s basketball career being secondary when describing his life -52:41: Bill resonating with so many people -54:29: Bill off-camera -55:59: Bill on college campus -58:41: Was there a pressure to be “on?” -59:39: First broadcast with Bill -1:00:51: Surprised by the amount of tangents -1:01:41: Was it a challenge to work alongside Bill? -1:03:20: Getting caught up in the banter -1:04:25: Will we see another analyst like Bill? -1:05:43: Favorite tangent/memorable on-air moment -1:08:00: Posting texts from Bill online -1:09:57: T-shirt for final broadcast -1:12:16: Favorite off-air moment with Bill Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: Differences in broadcasting compared to Collins -20:38: Preference in doing radio or TV? -22:08: Doing radio at Indy -23:22: TV producers -26:01: Ideas to ABC to improve broadcasts -26:59: Delta Force intros -29:14: Working with Bobby Unser and Sam Posey -30:42: Was Posey and Unser competitive with each other? -31:22: Playing peacemaker -32:18: Three person booth -34:27: Longest being on the air for a race -36:06: Most memorable finish for Paul -38:01: Favorite Indy 500 memory in general -39:28: Broadcasting Indy 500 during COVID -42:06: Calling Alex Zanardi crash in Germany days after 9/11 -48:53: Favorite sport to call -49:25: Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest -51:45: Preparation for offbeat sports -52:18: Calling different forms of motorsports -53:22: 30th anniversary of the first Brickyard 400 -54:56: What makes the Indy 500 special? -58:24: Al Michaels -1:00:45: Favorite part of Indy 500 weekend Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: Marcellus Wiley -26:38: “GOAT Code” -27:35: “The Perfection Point” -28:28: Most room for performance growth among the “big four” American sports -29:42: How much of a great athlete comes down to genetics and hard work/effort/training? -30:57: Any unfulfilled passion projects? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: Working with Pat McAfee -29:52: NHL talk on ESPN shows -31:08: NHL marketing its stars -33:39: Another NHL who can transcend the sport like Wayne Gretzky? -34:45: Working at MSG -36:54: Doing updates at WFAN -38:33: "SportsCenter" -39:41: The “bulging disc” blooper -43:41: Added pressure filling in for Dan or Keith on “The Big Show?” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 talks with WFAN -18:39: Le Batard understanding what WFAN means to Stugotz -19:59: Any talks about doing WFAN and Le Batard? -25:55: Mike Francesa or Chris “Mad Dog” Russo? -29:34: Mad Dog on “First Take” -33:24: Does it feel like it’s been 20 years with Le Batard? -35:31: Francesa doing a podcast -37:34: Le Batard being a perfectionist -39:00: Size of the cast on “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz” -41:17: Convincing Le Batard to be a sports radio host -44:12: Chemistry between Stugotz and Le Batard at first -46:15: Importance of being at ESPN -48:09: Podcast audience growth -51:05: Decision to leave ESPN -52:15: Comfortable with leaving ESPN -53:38: Did Stugotz consider leaving the show due to leaving ESPN? -54:59: Being jealous of Pat McAfee -55:45: Did ESPN give “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz” the freedom they wanted? -57:32: Pat McAfee level of freedom? -1:00:36: Stugotz’s book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 about not being at Alabama’s 2024 Spring Game which honored Nick Saban and the 2023 team. -11:00: Not being welcomed by Alabama fans when Eli joined in 1988 -12:24: Considering leaving Alabama during that time? -14:49: Getting to Alabama -16:12: Goal as aspiring sportscaster in NYC -18:01: Broadcasters Eli looked up to growing up -19:25: Crafting your own style -21:45: Verne Lundquist’s last Masters -22:43: Jacksonville State University -23:32: Nashville Kats -26:30: Preparing for opposing team -27:25: Commute to Nashville -28:01: Were there other job opportunities while Eli was at Alabama? -28:59: Reaction to Nick Saban retiring -30:20: Any solace in that Eli’s Alabama tenure ended when Saban’s did? -31:15: Can Alabama succeed without Saban? -32:21: How will Saban do at ESPN? -33:49: Most memorable and favorite moments/games at Alabama -35:46: Favorite sport to broadcast -37:24: Getting involved in NASCAR -40:51: Working the 1979 Daytona 500 on MRN and importance of that race to NASCAR -42:00: Being too close to Dale Earnhardt’s 1982 Pocono crash -44:45: Being on the call for Earnhardt’s fatal crash in the 2001 Daytona 500 -46:24: Which sport changed the most throughout Eli’s career? NASCAR or college football? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 him to talk about -36:58: How did NFL owners and Roger Goodell react to some of Bob’s essays? -38:04: Watching the NFL -38:26: How will Tom Brady do as a broadcaster? Could Brady do this for a long time? -40:23: Social media/aggregate media causing change in media -48:41: Doing “Later” on NBC -49:59: Can long-form interview format work on TV today? -50:27: Why Bob feels he couldn’t do a show like “Later” anymore -52:19: No studio audience on “Later” -54:27: One thing in sports Bob would like to see happen before retirement Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 job -28:17: Kansas City and Nick Wright -29:39: Jovan Belcher murder-suicide story -32:06: Difficulty reporting a story like that -34:21: Lines between sports journalists and radio hosts being blurred? -35:49: Do aggregators make life difficult in terms of separating media journalism and media entertainment? -37:51: Not sticking to sports -40:20: Jason McIntyre’s comments about Chicago -41:13: Colin Cowherd calling Danny the “most talented sports talk radio host” -43:13: Feelings of ESPN embracing digital for shows compared to his situation -46:41: Landing dream job at a young age -48:12: Working with Dan McNeil -49:28: Having a say in a co-host after Dan was fired? -51:07: Caleb Williams -52:37: Divide over trading the pick or drafting Williams? -53:42: Fans concerned about Williams’ eccentricities? -54:36: Being friends with Nick Wright Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 positives outweigh the negatives on social media? -18:01: Buster being able to separate from work in his personal life -21:06: This offseason compared to past years -23:52: Who is a “middle class” MLB player? -25:36: Players speaking up -26:35: Buster’s take on a salary cap in MLB -27:45: Top paying players involved in salary cap discussions? -28:52: Scott Boras conspiracy theory -31:26: TV concerns -32:52: Increase in opt-out contracts -34:54: Shohei Ohtani -38:23: Ippei Mizuhara gambling scandal -40:42: Personal relationship with an interpreter -42:47: How would this go if it didn’t involve Ohtani? -43:33: Not really unchartered territory -45:20: Shock factor of Ohtani news -46:42: Joey Votto -48:49: Reds not bringing Votto back -49:56: Votto’s potential post-playing future Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 positives outweigh the negatives on social media? -18:01: Buster being able to separate from work in his personal life -21:06: This offseason compared to past years -23:52: Who is a “middle class” MLB player? -25:36: Players speaking up -26:35: Buster’s take on a salary cap in MLB -27:45: Top paying players involved in salary cap discussions? -28:52: Scott Boras conspiracy theory -31:26: TV concerns -32:52: Increase in opt-out contracts -34:54: Shohei Ohtani -38:23: Ippei Mizuhara gambling scandal -40:42: Personal relationship with an interpreter -42:47: How would this go if it didn’t involve Ohtani? -43:33: Not really unchartered territory -45:20: Shock factor of Ohtani news -46:42: Joey Votto -48:49: Reds not bringing Votto back -49:56: Votto’s potential post-playing future

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 events? -34:58: How is Ariel perceived by UFC fans? -37:35: Did ESPN attempt to foster a conversation between Ariel and Dana? -39:45: Dana White, UFC, and the media -41:54: Does Ariel think that White thinks Ariel is good or bad for MMA? -44:19: Sean Strickland’s response to Alexander Lee’s question about Strickland’s previous anti-LGBTQ posts -47:32: White’s “freedom of speech” mandate for the UFC -50:20: ESPN’s lack of response to Strickland compared to network going after other athletes for controversial things they said -55:10: What is Dana White’s best quality? -57:30: Relationship with Joe Rogan -1:00:46: Kids being fans of UFC -1:02:14: Covering boxing in Saudi Arabia -1:06:01: Biggest thing Ariel does to be a great interviewer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 in a take -15:08: Maya Moore “nasty woman’ comment -16:51: Filling out a bracket with Barack Obama -18:00: Going to the White House -19:01: Playing in the 1996 Olympics -20:20: Excitement level of the start of the WNBA at the time -21:23: Envisioning the WNBA 25 years later? -22:10: Equality among women’s and men’s college basketball -24:21: Last year’s championship game on ABC -25:39: Frustrating that women’s college basketball and WNBA constantly need to prove to be on a bigger platform? -26:51: NIL helping grow the WNBA? -28:04: NIL in college sports -29:10: College coaches expressing disdain for NIL -31:13: South Carolina-LSU fight, Kim Mulkey’s comments -33:17: Added excitement calling title games -34:20: Preparing for NCAA Tournament -35:45: Relationship between WNBA and media -38:03: Are there enough beat reporters at games every day in order to build trust with players? -40:04: Does the WNBA get unfairly judged in comparison to the NBA? -41:15: Steph Curry-Sabrina Ionescu competition at the NBA Skills Challenge -42:51: Ryan Ruocco -44:11: Knowing when to lay out for the play-by-play voice -45:42: Ruocco growing with the WNBA -47:36: Doris Burke -50:05: Working NBA games? -53:02: Coaching at the college or pro level? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 late Tuesday night? -22:29: Preparation changes when Shaq is late -24:21: First season working for TNT -29:28: Working in the bubble -31:07: Benefits of having Shaq there for the Tuesday show -33:19: Pressure of being compared to the Thursday “Inside the NBA” show? -35:37: Camaraderie between both shows -37:40: Ernie Johnson as an influence -39:29: Getting to know Charles Barkley -42:54: Will Charles retire? -43:54: What makes the “Inside the NBA” group so special? -46:56: Thinking of the future -48:42: “Monday Night Football” “audition” with Pat McAfee -51:31: Envisioning McAfee’s dominance in sports media -52:33: Reporting the "Doc Rivers to Bucks" news -56:53: Worry about pushback on report -58:01: Hosting "NBA on TNT Tuesday" when LeBron James broke the career scoring record Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Brandon Contes interviews head Apple MLS commentator Taylor Twellman. Brandon and Taylor discuss a wide range of topics including giving Tom Brady broadcasting advice, Lionel Messi in MLS, leaving ESPN for Apple, 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: Excitement for start of MLS season -1:51: Transition from pitch to booth -3:29: Not giving bulletin board material when playing -5:41: Times Taylor gave bulletin board material -6:55: Robert Kraft’s involvement with the New England Revolution -8:27: Tom Brady -9:33: Broadcasting advice for Brady -11:17: Apple’s first season in MLS -12:30: Issues or complaints from fans about MLS on Apple -13:22: MLS embracing streaming -15:41: Lionel Messi effect for MLS -17:01: Can one player make such an impact for MLS? -18:26: MLS talent level compared to England -20:01: Messi with the media -20:53: Different feel when doing Messi’s matches -21:46: Transition from ESPN to Apple -23:41: Enjoying doing other shows like “SportsCenter” and “First Take” -25:33: Complaints from viewers -26:08: ESPN daytime programming not putting enough focus on soccer -27:45: Is talent or management more reluctant to talk soccer? -29:32: Talking soccer with Stephen A. Smith -30:47: Twitter post on leaving ESPN -32:20: “What are we doing?” clip -35:14: Realistic the USMNT should’ve won a World Cup by now? -36:54: What’s held the USMNT back from making the World Cup quarterfinals? -38:41: Working the World Cup as a broadcaster -40:05: United States hosting the World Cup -41:14: Reservations about going to other countries to play -42:47: Soccer industry handling concussions -44:36: Movement to make changes happen during matches? -46:12: Heading in youth sports -47:02: Diagnosed concussions -47:47: Effects from concussions -49:12: Support from others when speaking about concussions -51:08: MLS referee lockout and starting season with temporary refs -51:59: Inter Miami’s 2024 season -53:19: Messi backlash from China after missing Hong Kong friendly -54:07 MLS season starting in February -55:46: MLS players not named Messi that people should know about Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Brandon Contes interviews legendary Fox NASCAR play-by-play commentator Mike Joy. Brandon and Mike discuss a wide range of topics including interviewing being on the call for some of the best, and most tragic, moments in Daytona 500 history, what happens to the Daytona 500 if the Super Bowl is moved to Presidents' Day Weekend, Kevin Harvick joining the Fox booth, and more. Tune in for the 66th running of the Daytona 500 Sunday, February 18 at 2:30 et on Fox. 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: Excitement for Mike’s 45th Daytona 500 compared to his first in 1977 -2:02: Getting into racing -4:01: Getting discovered by Ken Squier -5:39: Importance of 1979 Daytona 500 -8:26: Memories from broadcasting 1979 race on radio -11:36: Calling Dale Earnhardt winning the 1998 Daytona 500 -13:31: Earnhardt’s demeanor at the Daytona 500 before and after winning -15:37: Calling the 2001 Daytona 500 -19:08: Balancing the emotions of the 2001 finish -22:21: Kevin Harvick winning at Atlanta three weeks later -24:03: Harvick in the broadcast booth -26:11: Rotating panel of analysts vs having a permanent broadcast team -27:21: How soon will Mike be able to tell who will be great in the booth or not? -28:12: NFL possibly moving Super Bowl to Presidents' Day weekend -30:31: State of NASCAR on TV -33:43: Should NASCAR shorten races? -36:21: Describing the start of the Daytona 500 -37:31: The unpredictability of the Daytona 500 -39:41: Winner that will bring big storylines -41:06: Picking a winner? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Brandon Contes interviews host of "The Drive" on 610 AM in Kansas City, Carrington Harrison. Brandon and Carrington discuss a wide range of topics including interviewing Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift living in KC, Jason Whitlock in KC, watching The Decision with Nick Wright, 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: AA Podcast connections -1:10: Confidence level in Kansas City entering Super Bowl LVIII -2:18: Chiefs fandom -4:04: Chiefs dynasty -8:17: Broadcasting from Radio Row -14:07: Interviewing Patrick Mahomes -15:19: Mahomes as an interview -16:50: Mahomes Super Bowl interview? -17:27: How do the Chiefs handle the media? -19:27: Travis Kelce -22:53: Taylor Swift living in Kansas City -25:17: Have Chiefs fans accepted Swift as one of their own? -27:21: How will Chiefs fans react if Swift isn’t at the Super Bowl? -28:57: Pat McAfee shoutout -30:39: Being a journalist -33:31: Tyreek Hill audio -39:29: Jason Whitlock in KC -42:20: Interviewing Whitlock -43:51: Nick Wright -46:36: Is the national stage appealing? -49:31: Wright as a mentor -50:21: Wright as the LeBron guy -51:05: Has Wright ever lost a debate? -51:36: Andy Reid’s popularity -53:45: Is Reid retiring? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Brandon Contes interviews NFL Network's Rich Eisen. Brandon and Rich discuss Jim Harbaugh leaving Michigan, Aaron Rodgers playing for the New York Jets and appearing on "The Pat McAfee Show," being Stuart Scott's friend, doing play-by-play for NFL Network, 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. -:34: Winning the “Awfulie” for Best Sports Radio Personality -6:00: Michigan Wolverines and the sign stealing scandal -12:09: Does Rich get bothered when he’s asked about Michigan’s sign stealing? -12:55: Connor Stalions -14:02: Jim Harbaugh leaving Michigan -16:39: New York Jets and Aaron Rodgers -18:42: Where will a Jets Super Bowl rank in Rich’s life? -21:19: Thoughts on Rodgers during the NFL season -23:26: Rodgers on Pat McAfee -26:13: How Rich would interview Rodgers -31:01: Should Jets advise Rodgers to not go on McAfee? -33:05: Does McAfee’s audience match ESPN’s audience? -34:54: Robert Saleh and Joe Beningo -38:32: NFL playoff game on Peacock -42:23: Could Super Bowl be someday behind a paywall? -43:16: NFL equity stake in ESPN -46:35: Competing for eyeballs in conjunction with ESPN -48:03: Feelings it’s been over 20 years since Rich was at ESPN -50:04: Chemistry with Stuart Scott -51:49: Remembering Stuart -54:20: What would Stuart be doing today? -56:17: “The Rich Eisen Show” -1:02:31: Hosting style -1:05:42: Doing play-by-play -1:11:03: Is there any difficulty going back and forth from radio host to play-by-play commentator? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Brandon Contes interviews CBS NFL sideline reporter Evan Washburn. Brandon and Evan discuss working the Super Bowl, interviewing the teams who lose big games, Charissa Thompson's sideline reporting admission, and more. Evan will be on the sideline for the AFC Championship Game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens on Sunday 3:00 PM ET on CBS. Evan will also work Super Bowl LVIII, taking place February 11 on CBS and Nickelodeon. For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing. -:48: Being in hometown Baltimore for AFC Championship Game -1:39: Pre-Ravens fandom -2:37: What is Super Bowl week like? -4:24: Not staying for the Super Bowl when CBS doesn’t have the game -4:55: Working first Super Bowl -6:47: Freezing up/funny moments on a broadcast -7:49: Working with Ian Eagle and Charles Davis -9:02: College basketball work -9:37: Following college basketball during NFL season -10:40: Getting into broadcasting -12:43: Being in college -16:41: Media interests -19:56: More difficult to be accepted by coaches/players or broadcasting peers? -22:15: Working with Jim Nantz and Tony Romo -23:41: Challenges of joining the “A” crew late in the season -25:22: Tony Romo’s preparation -26:57: Wanting the chance to interview Taylor Swift? -28:04: Toughest interview? -32:00: “Competing” against the interview subject to get good answers? -33:15: Charissa Thompson -35:14: Did Thompson’s admission give sideline reporting a bad rap? -36:49: Fighting through crowds for interviews at the Super Bowl -38:56: Halftime interviews at the Super Bowl -39:41: Evan’s wife going into labor while Evan was meeting with Bill Belichick and Tom Brady -45:00: Info from pre-production meetings that Evan actually uses on the broadcast? -48:42: Knowing what info to use in advance -51:28: The art of making the most of your limited time in sideline interviews -53:26: Not wearing a hat on camera Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Brandon Contes interviews "Undisputed" host and host of the "All Facts No Brakes" podcast Keyshawn Johnson. Brandon and Keyshawn discuss Keyshawn's new podcast, working with Skip Bayless, having conversations instead of debates, 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: Being on “Undisputed” -1:06: Interest in sports media while playing -2:14: Listening to sports talk radio while playing in New York -3:11: Keyshawn’s new “All Facts No Brakes” podcast -5:50: Keyshawn’s son taking part in the podcast -6:33: Appeal of podcasting -7:31: Active players in media -8:31: Is an active player in media a distraction? -9:25: Aaron Rodgers on “The Pat McAfee Show” -10:16: Rodgers playing well after healing Achilles -10:40: Working with Skip Bayless -12:06: Rooting against the Cowboys because of Skip? -12:38: Compelled to bring balance when Skip and Michael are big Cowboys fans? -14:31: Having “conversations” with Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith instead of debating -16:12: Does Skip see this as a conversation? -17:37: Respecting Skip’s and Stephen A’s football opinions when they didn’t professionally play football -20:34: Has Skip “won” any conversations against Keyshawn? -21:05: Is Keyshawn in competition with “First Take?” -22:31: Being let go by ESPN -23:42: Doing morning radio -25:57: Working with Max Kellerman -26:52: Replacing Mike Golic and Shannon Sharpe at different times -27:33: Does Jon Gruden deserve another chance at NFL coaching? -29:02: Tom Brady -30:41: Tony Romo -32:14: Mike McCarthy as Cowboys coach in 2024? -32:37: Where will Bill Belichick go in 2024? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Brandon Contes interviews former ESPN host and current writer for The Atlantic, Jemele Hill. Brandon and Jemele have an in-depth discussion about the Pat McAfee/Aaron Rodgers saga. From Rodgers insinuating Jimmy Kimmel was in the Jeffrey Epstein files to McAfee accusing ESPN exec Norby Williamson of trying to sabotage "The Pat McAfee Show." We also talk about "SC6," Stephen A. Smith, Skip Bayless, 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. -:56: Feelings toward ESPN about Pat McAfee/Aaron Rodgers/Norby Williamson/Jimmy Kimmel situation -2:14: Internal conversations at ESPN regarding Rodgers -4:54: Should ESPN talent be treated equally? -6:39: Is McAfee giving other ESPN people the invitation to be controversial on the air? -8:29: How does “The Pat McAfee Show” fit at ESPN? -10:02: Where does McAfee rank in ESPN’s hierarchy? -11:46: McAfee having leverage at ESPN -13:54: Pat McAfee and Norby Williamson -15:25: McAfee’s comments on Williamson -18:25: Value of an exec to potentially not stop the sabotaging of a show on their network -20:40: Calling out an exec on the air -22:03: Should McAfee take on a more journalistic approach? -25:35: What will ESPN do in regard to Aaron Rodgers? -28:06: Would Jemele file a lawsuit if she was Kimmel? -29:04: Who holds more power at Disney? Kimmel or McAfee? -29:57: Has ESPN quietly removed the “stick to sports” mandate? -31:55: Expectation of what the audience should get from an ESPN show -34:18: Is there an interviewer who could challenge Rodgers? -35:45: Aaron Rodgers’ legacy -39:37: Is this controversial attention beneficial for “The Pat McAfee Show?” -40:47: Does ESPN view this as beneficial? -41:48: Did Jemele wish she had this kind of freedom at ESPN? -44:27: Value of traditional journalism at ESPN -46:16: “SC6” as a personality driven show -52:41: Trying to push back on the narratives -56:10: Was “SC6” hurt by the SportsCenter brand or the 6:00 time slot? -57:43: The Donald Trump tweet -1:00:32: Any regrets to posting that? -1:02:21: Potentially being Skip Bayless’ debate partner on “First Take” -1:04:31: Working with Bayless -1:05:25: “First Take” debating style -1:07:36: Stephen A. Smith’s and Skip Bayless’ role and influence in sports and cable news debate Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.