Awful Announcing Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Buster Olney on MLB offseason, Scott Boras, Shohei Ohtani, and more Mar 29, 2024

Show notes

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

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Ariel Helwani on UFC, Dana White, Joe Rogan, and more Mar 22, 2024

Show notes

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

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Rebecca Lobo on Caitlin Clark, Kim Mulkey, Doris Burke, and more Mar 15, 2024

Show notes

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?

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Adam Lefkoe on "Inside the NBA," Doc Rivers, LeBron James, and more Mar 01, 2024

Show notes

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

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Taylor Twellman on Lionel Messi, MLS, Apple, Tom Brady, and more Feb 23, 2024

Show notes

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

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Mike Joy on the Daytona 500, Dale Earnhardt, Kevin Harvick, and more Feb 16, 2024

Show notes

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?

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Carrington Harrison on Kansas City Chiefs, Travis Kelce/Taylor Swift, Nick Wright, and more Feb 09, 2024

Show notes

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?

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Rich Eisen on Jim Harbaugh, Aaron Rodgers, Stuart Scott, and more Feb 02, 2024

Show notes

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?

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Evan Washburn on Charissa Thompson, working Super Bowl, interviewing losing teams, and more Jan 26, 2024

Show notes

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

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Keyshawn Johnson on Skip Bayless, "All Facts No Brakes" podcast, Dallas Cowboys, and more Jan 19, 2024

Show notes

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?

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