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Last Word On Sports Media Podcast — Sports
Last Word On Sports Media Podcast

The Last Word On Sports Media Podcast is a sports media analysis and commentary show hosted by veteran broadcaster T.J. Rives. It explores the business, television production, legal affairs, personalities, and behind-the-scenes decision-making that shape the American sports media ecosystem.
Broadcasters, public relations executives, and network producers who want to keep up with industry trends, ratings, and network movements along with fans who enjoy analyzing game calls, officiating decisions, camera coverage, broadcast rights, and network programming will enjoy this podcast featuring content beyond just the scores on the field.

Coverage of major TV networks (ESPN, NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC) and streaming platforms (Amazon Prime, Netflix), including broadcast booth reviews, ratings breakdowns, and production quality.

Off-Field & Media Controversies: Discussions on newsroom conflicts of interest, journalist ethics, legal injunctions, and off-field scandals affecting teams and media figures.

Officiating & Rules Analysis: Expert breakdowns of replay decisions, stadium clock discrepancies, and officiating transparency.

League & Business Affairs: Coverage of college football realignment, conference politics, player NIL/roster disputes, and financial crises like team or league bankruptcy filings.

T.J. Rives regularly brings on high-profile guests—such as former team executives, public relations strategists, sports media critics, and veteran broadcasters—who provide firsthand insider perspective. Rather than focusing purely on standard game recaps, the show evaluates how stories are reported, who is telling them, and the media dynamics at play. The podcast quickly reacts to emerging, real-time storylines—ranging from viral officiating audio leaks and network power outages to legal disputes—offering sharp analysis while news is actively unfolding.

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Latest Episodes:

Chicago ABC 7 Sportscaster Ryan Chiaverni | Tell Me A Story I Don't Know May 30, 2023

Show notes

Ryan Chiaverni isn’t your ordinary TV Sportscaster. For ten years he hosted an immensely popular daytime show in Chicago called, “Windy City Live” which was canceled in 2011 after a ten year run. Chiaverni was picked out of 50 finial sets, a list that included, are you ready for this?…the bombastic Stephen A. Smith, now of ESPN a fame. But they’re plenty of sports in Chiaverni’s family. His brother played in the NFL, was an assistant coach at Colorado and now is a head coach at a community college in Calfornia. And a fellow named Tony Chiaverini once fought Sugar Ray Leonard. He was Ryan’s father’s’ cousin.
Chiaverni also had to deal with the suicide of his 20 year old brother, a very traumatic experience in the life of this effervescent personality.
Chiverini is still doing some sportscasts on ABC 7 Chicago but he has a bigger fish to fry. “I recently did a Lifetime movie called “Switched Before Birth” where I played an attorney.” What Chiaverini would really like to do is act in a major motion picture.
For now is more about the Bears, Bulls, Cubs, Sox and Blackhawks for Chiaverini but watch out, He could wind up on a big screen near you.
“Tell me a story I don’t know is partnered with Last Word on Sports Media Podcast and proudly sponsored by Mr. Duct. (mrductcleaning.com)Make sure to stay engaged on www.lastwordonsports.com/podcasts
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Chicago ABC 7 Sportscaster Ryan Chiaverni Tease | Tell Me A Story I Don't Know May 29, 2023

Show notes

Ryan Chiaverni isn’t your ordinary TV Sportscaster. For ten years he hosted an immensely popular daytime show in Chicago called, “Windy City Live” which was canceled in 2011 after a ten year run. Chiaverni was picked out of 50 finial sets, a list that included, are you ready for this?…the bombastic Stephen A. Smith, now of ESPN a fame. But they’re plenty of sports in Chiaverni’s family. His brother played in the NFL, was an assistant coach at Colorado and now is a head coach at a community college in Calfornia. And a fellow named Tony Chiaverini once fought Sugar Ray Leonard. He was Ryan’s father’s’ cousin.
Chiaverni also had to deal with the suicide of his 20 year old brother, a very traumatic experience in the life of this effervescent personality.
Chiaverni recently had a role in a Lifetime TV movie but has aspirations to appear in a major motion picture. For now is more about the Bears, Bulls, Cubs, Sox and Blackhawks for Chiaverini but watch out, He could wind up on a big screen near you.
Hear Ryan's story coming Tuesday!
“Tell me a story I don’t know is partnered with Last Word on Sports Media Podcast and proudly sponsored by Mr. Duct. (mrductcleaning.com)Make sure to stay engaged on www.lastwordonsports.com/podcasts
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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Follow, Like and Comment on the Show:
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Come talk with TJ on X:
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Thursday Night Football Flexing, Stanley Cup And NBA Playoffs Narrow And More! | Last Word On Sports Media May 24, 2023

Show notes

It's a brand new edition of the show as the NBA and Stanley Cup Playoffs are almost down to their championship matchups, the NFL has approved flexing OUT of bad Thursday night games at the very end of the season and we even get some Boxing, Golf and INDY 500 talk, too. It's all part of the newest "Last Word on Sports Media Podcast"Host T.J. Rives is back going over all of those topics and more with guest TC Martin of the five day a week TC Martin show in Vegas. What does TC think about the local story Golden Knights about to be playing for the Stanley Cup for a second time in franchise history? TC also has insight on the world lightweight title fight in his city this past weekend and whether ESPN's Joe Tessitore is TOO over-the-top with all his yelling during boxing play by play assignments?Then, it's some "Love it or Leave it?" on the latest running of the greatest spectacle in racing the INDY 500 and what about the start to the WNBA season with the Las Vegas Aces being the defending champs?!It's all part of the latest "Last Word on Sports Media Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!And make sure to stay engaged with the great content on www.lastwordonsports.com/podcasts
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Seattle Mariners Radio Voice Rick Rizzs | Tell Me A Story I Don't Know May 23, 2023

Show notes

Not many baseball announcers have lasted 48 years but Rick Rizzs has and is still loving every minute of it. Why not? The Mariners have a pretty good team. The. Again, Rizzs has been behind the mike for many Seattle stars from Randy Johnson to Ken Griffey Junior to Ichiro and now Julio Rodriguez.
Rizzs is a baseball junky who, like yours truly, grew up In Chicago and also attended Southern Illinois University where both of us did play by play. But Rizzs pursued his passion. There was 8 years in the minors, 9 years in Seattle, 3 in Detroit and the last 27 in the Emerald city. Rizzs, who loves to use the phrase “Holy Smokes” on big plays said the toughest time in his career was the 3 years he spent calling the Tigers. That’s because he had to replace the legendary and immensely popular Ernie Harwell who was fired. But when Harwell made a triumphant return, Rizzs was lucky to get his old job back in Seattle where he’s been ever since.
Rizzs and I have several things in common. We will turn 70 late in the year, both grew up in Chicago and met at Southern Illinois University in 1974. Rizzs was already the voice of SIU football, basketball and baseball. And in the fall of that year I became student sports director and actually became his boss! We also revered the legendary baseball coach Richard “Itchy” Jones who took the school to three College World.Series. “I loved him the first day I met him.”
Rizzs is not on social media but became a hit there when a video of him calling Cal Raleigh’s dramatic homerun that vaulted the Mariners into the playoffs went viral
Rizzs loves the pitch clock deducing how it’s save players some 23 games a year in playing time. Now there’s a stat for you.
Funny thing. During our interview for “Tell me a story I don’t know” we never discussed his retirement. That’s because I sense Rizzs has some very good years left.
“Tell me a story I don’t know is partnered with Last Word on Sports Media Podcast and proudly sponsored by Mr. Duct. (mrductcleaning.com)Make sure to stay engaged on www.lastwordonsports.com/podcasts
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Seattle Mariners Radio Voice Rick Rizzs Tease | Tell Me A Story I Don't Know May 22, 2023

Show notes

Not many baseball announcers have lasted 48 years but Rick Rizzs has and is still loving every minute of it. Why not? The Mariners have a pretty good team. The. Again, Rizzs has been behind the mike for many Seattle stars from Randy Johnson to Ken Griffey Junior to Ichiro and now Julio Rodriguez.
Rizzs is a baseball junky who, like yours truly, grew up In Chicago and also attended Southern Illinois University where both of us did play by play. But Rizzs pursued his passion. There was 8 years in the minors, 9 years in Seattle, 3 in Detroit and the last 27 in the Emerald city. Rizzs, who loves to use the phrase “Holy Smokes” on big plays said the toughest time in his career was the 3 years he spent calling the Tigers. That’s because he had to replace the legendary and immensely popular Ernie Harwell who was fired. But when Harwell made a triumphant return, Rizzs was lucky to get his old job back in Seattle where he’s been ever since.
Hear the full show coming Tuesday!
"Tell Me A Story I Don't Know" is partnered with Last Word on Sports Media Podcast and proudly sponsored by Mr. Duct. (mrductcleaning.com)And stay engeaged at www.lastwordonsports.com/podcasts
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Follow, Like and Comment on the Show:
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Come talk with TJ on X:
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Kevin Harlan on Eastern Conference Finals, "Jimmy Freakin' Butler", Trio of MLB Walk-Offs + NHL, NFL, PGA Championship, Preakness, WNBA and May 18, 2023

Show notes

This week on Episode 49 of the Announcer Schedules Podcast, Mike Gill and Phil de Montmollin once again cover a ton of ground diving into all the latest happenings across the announcer world. The two hosts discuss TNT returning with Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller and Stan Van Gundy again for the conference finals as well as a look into the other series in both the NBA and NHL. A trio of walk-off calls in Major League Baseball as well as an abundance of programming and announcer assignments ahead with the PGA Championship, The Preakness, the start of the WNBA season, NCAA Softball Regionals and college baseball.Throughout the show, a multitude of announcers from past and present are mentioned with an array of topics discussed including:*** Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Stan Van Gundy and Allie LaForce on Eastern Conference Finals*** "Jimmy Freakin' Butler"*** TNT pbp trio of Harlan, Anderson and Eagle*** ESPN Radio plans for conference finals *** Mike Breen and company on Western Conference Finals*** Keith Jones, now the President of the Flyers, on Stanley Cup Playoffs*** Sports USA Radio coverage of NHL*** TNT with rights for Stanley Cup Finals*** Walk-offs for Mets, Blue Jays and Astros*** the emergence of Todd Kalas in Houston*** NFL Preseason announcer teams continue to roll out*** PGA Championship coverage on ESPN, ABC*** Preakness coverage on NBC*** WNBA Opening Weekend *** NCAA Softball Regionals coverage on ESPN*** College Baseball at Fenway Park*** Exciting times in Auto Racing
Hear it all on the newest "Announcer Schedules Podcast" as part of the Last Word on Sports Media feed. And, make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!
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NFL Playoff Game On Peacock, Dallas Stars In Stanley Cup Final 4 And More With Jay Betsill in DFW | Last Word On Sports Media Podcast May 17, 2023

Show notes

The NFL has sold out, literally, for HUGE dollars to a streaming partner for a January playoff game. The NBA and Stanley Cup Playoffs are down to their final four teams. It's the second golf major championship of the year and more on the newest "Last Word On Sports Media Podcast"Host T.J. Rives returns with Jay Betsill of DFWSportsOnline.com to go over the latest from soaring NBA early round ratings, the Dallas Stars making the Western Conference Finals against the Vegas Golden Knights and what about the NFL going with Peacock TV streaming for an upcoming Wildcard playoff matchup.Jay also has insight on the world of golf having covered last weekend's PGA tour stop in Dallas for the Byron Nelson Championship won by Australian star Jason Day. Now it's the PGA Championship, the second major of the year at Oak Hill Country Club in New York. What kind of controversy with the LIV golfers like Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and others create? The PGA Tour will also come back to Jay's home area of Ft. Worth, TX and he gives great insight into covering that event.T.J. concludes with "Love it or Leave it?" with Stanley Cup Playoff coverage, LIV Golf's ongoing disaster of TV deal with CW Network and finally, the Tampa Bay Rays are getting corresponding love for their MLB leading torrid start by the national coverage.It's all on the "Last Word on Sports Media Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!
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Former MLB Star/White Sox World Series Winning Manager Ozzie Guillen Part II | Tell Me A Story I Don't Know May 16, 2023

Show notes

How can you follow up such an interesting interview with former Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen? With a second part, of course. And in this one Ozzie explains why he ripped into a certain player while jousting with former Chicago Sun-Times Columnist Jay Mariotti whom he called a Fag and was disciplined for it.
Ozzie also takes previous time to discuss how his praise of long time Cuban dictator Fidel Castro got him fired after one year of managing the Florida Marlins.
Guillen speaks his mind, always declaring he’s honest which why he’s so endeared by Sox fans who wanted him to be manager again after Tony LaRussa stepped down following a disappointing 2022 season. He interviewed for the job hoping to get it. “I think they know they had the manager before I walked into the interview. The night before some media member called me and said Pedro Grifol got the job three days ago and I said who the F___ is Pedro Grifol?”
But there’s also a touching moment regarding Guillen becoming a citizen of the United States while also rummaging through his original hiring as manager in 2004 and another interview for the job in 2022 after Tony LaRussa stepped down.
Nothing stops this outspoken character who in recent years has been a TV commentator on the White Sox pre and post game show. It’s a must watch as is part two is a must listen!
Tell me a story I don’t know is partnered with "Last Word on Sports Media Podcast" feed and proudly sponsored by Mr. Duct. Find them at Mr duct cleaning.com. Follow
Make sure to stay engaged with www.lastwordonsports.com/podcasts for more great content like this, as well.
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Former MLB Star/White Sox World Series Winning Manager Ozzie Guillen Part II Tease | Tell Me A Story I Don't Know May 15, 2023

Show notes

How can you follow up such an interesting interview with former Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen? With a second part, of course. And in this one Ozzie explains why he ripped into a certain player while jousting with former Chicago Sun-Times Columnist Jay Mariotti whom he called a Fag and was disciplined for it.
Ozzie also takes previous time to discuss how his praise of long time Cuban dictator Fidel Castro got him fired after one year of managing the Florida Marlins.
But there’s also a touching moment regarding Guillen becoming a citizen of the United States while also rummaging through his original hiring as manager in 2004 and another interview for the job in 2022 after Tony LaRussa stepped down.
Nothing stops this outspoken character who in recent years has been a TV commentator on the White Sox pre and post game show. It’s a must watch as is part two is a must listen!
Tell me a story I don’t know is partnered with Last Word on Sports Media Podcast and proudly sponsored by Mr. Duct. Find them at Mr duct cleaning.com.
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Follow, Like and Comment on the Show:
Apple
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Come talk with TJ on X:
@ItsTJRives

ESPN's Mark Jones Conversation | Announcer Schedules Podcast May 12, 2023

Show notes

This week on Episode 48 of the Announcer Schedules Podcast, Mike Gill and Phil de Montmollin welcome Mark Jones of ESPN to the show and once again dive into all the latest happenings across the announcer world. Jones, a top play-by-play announcer for the NBA and college football on ESPN, discusses his experience announcing last year's NBA Finals, the opportunity to call a game with his daughter, and his roots in the NBA dating back to the the NBA Today studio show in the 1990s, as well as other topics.The two hosts also discuss TNT's options for the conference finals as well as the upcoming announcer pairings in the NBA, NHL and MLB. After the conversation, Mark and Doris Burke of ESPN worked the Celtics win in Game Six of the Eatern Conference playoffs over the Sixers that has force a Game 7.Hear this conversation and all the great content on "Announcer Schedules Podcast" and make sure to follow the Last Word on Sports Media podcast feed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!And find more great content at www.lastwordonsports.com/podcasts
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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Follow, Like and Comment on the Show:
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Come talk with TJ on X:
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