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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:

College Football Kickoff, MLB, Amazon Prime NFL, LLWS and More | Announcer Schedules Podcast Sep 01, 2022

Show notes

This week on Episode 13 of the Announcer Schedules Podcast, Mike Gill and Phil de Montmollin help kick off the 2022 football season with a deep dive into the start of the college football season. On the NFL side, the debut of Amazon Prime’s Thursday Night package is analyzed from an announcer standpoint.
Throughout the show, a podcast-record 104 different announcers from past and present are mentioned with an array of topics discussed including:
Amazon Prime Debut with Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit and Kaylee Hartung
College Football Week 0 Review
College Football Week 1 Preview
ESPN coverage of Little League World Series
ESPN Sunday Night Baseball
MLB on FOX
Chris Fowler on US Open & College Football
NASCAR at Daytona
Classic NASCAR coverage
Tony Stewart joins booth for NHRA on FOX
Answering listener questions
Latest from Philadelphia & Miami
Another Classic from Vin Scully
Episode 13 announcer mentions: Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit, Kaylee Hartung, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Charissa Thompson, Tony Gonzalez, Richard Sherman, Jay Bilas, Cris Collinsworth, Chick Hernandez, Randy Cross, Jason Benetti, Brock Huard, Matt Barrie, Tim Hasselbeck, Rich Waltz, Louis Riddick, Harry Lyles Jr., Roxy Bernstein, Lincoln Kennedy, Eric Collins, Devin Gardner, Wes Durham, Roddy Jones, Taylor Davis, Tim Brando, Spencer Tillman, Mark Jones, Robert Griffin III, Quint Kessenich, Brock Osweiler, Anish Shroff, Lauren Sisler, Noah Eagle, Sean McDonough, Todd Blackledge, Molly McGrath, Bob Wischusen, Dan Orlovsky, Kris Budden, Chris Fowler, Holly Rowe, Joe Tessitore, Greg McElroy, Katie George, Rece Davis, JP Shadrick, Ryan Harris, Marc Kestecher, Sloane Martin, Mike Golic Jr., Ryan Radtke, Gregg Daniels, Brian Baldinger, Karl Ravech, Boog Sciambi, Eduardo Perez, David Cone, Buster Olney, Doug Glanville, Aaron Goldsmith, Joe Davis, John Smoltz, Kevin Kugler, A.J. Pierzynski, Mike Monaco, Sebastian Salazar, Rick Allen, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Burton, Steve LeTarte, Tony Stewart, Joe Zagacki, Marc Vandermeer, Jimmy Cefalo, Terry Gannon, Ray Bentley, Bob Uecker, Kevin Harlan, Mike Tirico, Dan Baker, Jorge Sedano, Forrest Conoly, Marilyn Payne, Ron Jaworski, Ray Didinger, Seth Joyner, Barrett Brooks, Michael Barkann, Mike Missanelli, Derrick Gunn, Marc Zumoff, Kate Scott, John Kruk, Tom McCarthy, Steve Goldstein, Jason Taylor, Vin Scully, Steve Lenox, Tom Hart, Marly Rivera, Tim Kurkjian, T.J. Rives, George Ofman.
Hear it all on the "Announcer Schedules Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe to the Sports Media Watch podcast feed for more great episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!
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Amazon NFL Debuts, College Football Begins, Serena Williams + Guest Bret Beherns WCIA TV | Sports Media Watch Podcast Aug 31, 2022

Show notes

It's our final show for the month of August and we are definitely "ready for some football" coming shortly. There's NFL and college games upcoming and we're ready to discuss the TV/media parts of it and more on the latest "SportsMediaWatch.com Podcast"
Host T.J. Rives returns with Jon Lewis, aka "Paulsen" of the site to give their insight, opinions and predictions on what's upcoming ratings, as well.
The guys discuss the debut, albeit in the preseason, for Amazon Prime's NFL coverage with Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit and what the future holds for them, the outlet and viewership of Thursday Night Football?
Also, there's conversation about the college football "Week Zero" games including the upset by Northwestern over Nebraska in Dublin, Ireland that debuted the season for Fox Sports with a solid opening Saturday afternoon audience.
Then, T.J. and Jon talk Serena Williams playing her final U.S. Open in New York, the Monday night tribute to her hall of fame career and more. Plus, the debate on whether she's the greatest of all time or is it the 80s/90s dominant star Martina Navaratilova??
Next, the guys are joined by special guest Bret Behrens, who is the sports director of WCIA (CBS) channel 3 in Champaign, IL. Bret has an amazing story of a near death experience as a teenager that changed his life forever. He's overcome it and is now a highly successful smaller market TV personality. Bret shares all about both in a great conversation.
T.J. and Jon finish with another fun edition of "Love it or Leave it?" to conclude the show on topics like the Little League World Series, the WNBA Playoffs and more.
Hear it all on the "SportsMediaWatch.com Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!
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Northwestern Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald Part II | Tell Me A Story I Don't Know Aug 30, 2022

Show notes

What a way to start a season! Pat Fitzgerald’s Northwestern Wildcats upset Nebraska in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday. Now it’s back to the home turf in Evanston, Illinois where the long time head coach continues his 17th season but how he got here is just a glimpse of this intriguing part two episode. The death of former head coach Randy Walker vaulted Fitzgerald the top job at the tender age of 31 and he had to learn on the fly.
Fitzgerald also remembers, as the defensive player of the year, the pain of missing Northwestern’s memorable trip to the Rose Bowl in 1996 due to injury. Plus, he talks turning down offers from NFL teams and his desire to coach all three of his sons of Northwestern too!
Tell me a story I don’t know is now partnering with Sports Media Watch ( sportsmediawatch.com) so please follow on Twitter @paulsen_smw. Tell me a story I don't know is proudly sponsored by Vienna Beef, makers of Chicago’s hotdog since 1893! (viennabeef.com). And by Dynamic manufacturing, honor the legacy, pioneer the future (dynamicmanufacutinginc.com). Hear full episodes and make sure to follow us and subscribe at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google and wherever you get your podcasts.
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Northwestern Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald Part II Tease | Tell Me A Story I Don't Know Aug 29, 2022

Show notes

What a way to start a season! Pat Fitzgerald’s Northwestern Wildcats upset Nebraska in Dublin, Ireland. Now it’s back to the home turf in Evanston, Illinois where the long time head coach continues his 17th season but how he got here is just a glimpse of this intriguing part two episode. The death of Randy Walker vaulted Fitzgerald to head coach at the tender age of 31 and he had to learn on the job.
Hear more of Pat's long term love affair with the "Cats in purple coming on Tuesday.
Tell me a story I don’t know is now partnering with Sports Media Watch ( sportsmediawatch.com) so please follow on Twitter @paulsen_smw. Tell me a story I don't know is proudly sponsored by Vienna Beef, makers of Chicago’s hotdog since 1893! (viennabeef.com). And by Dynamic manufacturing, honor the legacy, pioneer the future (dynamicmanufacutinginc.com). Hear full episodes and make sure to follow us and subscribe at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google and wherever you get your 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:
@ItsTJRives

Sean Grande Boston Celtics Radio Broadcaster Conversation | Sports Media Watch Podcast Aug 26, 2022

Show notes

It's a special conversation edition of the show, as host T.J. Rives and Jon Lewis of SportsMediaWatch.com are joined by the radio play by play voice of the Boston Celtics, Sean Grande.
Hear Sean's story of ascending through the Boston radio ranks to do play by play, but eventually ending up being a TV announcer of the Minnesota Timberwolves before returning to Beantown.
What's his preparation like? How has he lasted nearly 2,000 games with radio partner Cedric "Cornbread" Maxwell? What was it like to call the NBA Finals for a third time this past June, as Boston played the Golden State Warriors? And, what about Sean's abilities to call other sports and the opportunities he's gotten from those?
Hear Jon, T.J. and Sean discuss it all in this wide-ranging interview for SportsMediaWatch.com. And, make sure that you are subscribing to our podcast feed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!
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Len Dawson, Tom Weiskopf Tributes + NFL, CFB, MLB & NBA Talk | Announcer Schedules Podcast Aug 25, 2022

Show notes

This week on Episode 12 of the Announcer Schedules Podcast, Mike Gill and Phil de Montmollin pay tribute to Hall of Fame player and broadcaster Len Dawson as well as Golf’s Tom Weiskopf.
Throughout the show, a total of 70 different announcers from past and present are mentioned with an array of topics discussed including:
- Len Dawson’s start as a broadcaster
- The success and longevity of HBO’s Inside the NFL
- Tom Weiskopf and the 1986 Masters
- Amazon Prime’s NFL debut
- Week One NFL regular season around the corner
- College Football announcing teams at FOX and CBS Sports Net
- College Football Week Zero
- MLB Little League Classic
- New Voice of Minnesota Timberwolves
- Answers to listener questions
- Jim Kaat retires
- Joe Starkey at Cal retirement
- Vin Scully reading a grocery list
Announcer mentions (episode 12): Len Dawson, Hank Stram, Nick Buoniconti, Harry Kalas, Cris Collinsworth, Jimmy Johnson, Jerry Glanville, Frank Gifford, Dan Dierdorf, Mitch Holtus, Charlie Jones, Vin Scully, Tom Weiskopf, Jim Nantz, Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit, Kaylee Hartlung, Aqib Talib, Mike Tirico, Melissa Stark, Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Steve Levy, Dan Orlovsky, Louis Riddick, Laura Rutledge, Tony Caridi, Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt, Jenny Taft, Jason Benetti, Brock Huard, Allison Williams, Tim Brando, Spencer Tillman, Noah Eagle, Alex Faust, Mark Helfrich, Petros Papadakis, Rich Waltz, Gregg Daniels, Tony Hill, Brandon Gaudin, Sam Niedermann, Derek Rackley, Chick Hernandez, Chris Hassel, Aaron Taylor, Sherree Burruss, Karl Ravech, Eduardo Perez, David Cone, Pat McCarthy, Tom McCarthy, Michael Grady, Tom McGinnis, Mike Inglis, Chris Wheeler, Dan Dierdorf, Howard Cosell, Dan Baker, Joe Davis, Jim Kaat, Bob Costas, T.J. Rives, George Ofman, Joe Starkey, Roxy Bernstein, Larry Collmus
Hear it all as part of the latest "Announcer Schedules Podcast" and make sure that you are following/subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!
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Big Ten TV Deal, College Football Resumes, Amazon NFL Debut + NBA Schedule Out | Sports Media Watch Podcast Aug 24, 2022

Show notes

On the latest edition of the show, we're ready to cover everything from the Big Ten's massive television deals adding CBS and NBC to their already existing Fox coverage to Fox bringing back a familiar, if unpopular, figure to their Saturday pregame. And, there's Amazon Prime debuting their NFL broadcast team with a preseason game this week and more on the "SportsMediaWatch.com Podcast"
Host T.J. Rives returns with Jon Lewis who runs and writes the very informative SMW site. And, the guys have their opinions on the football and it's coverage.
Next, they also discuss the NBA schedule in full and why Kevin Durant appearing to be staying in Brooklyn may not actually be happening. Rather, he could still be shipped out to another squad soon before the year starts up. Jon also has thoughts on the women's side of college hoops and the ABC announcement that the national title game in April will be on network TV for the first time ever.
Finally, some "Love it or Leave it?" continues with the guys with MLB teams the Red Sox and Orioles playing a game at Williamsport, PA to commemorate the Little League World Series coming to a conclusion soon. Also, what about the WNBA playoffs and the great, 41 years young Sue Bird still playing at a fast, high level with her mainly 20-something teammates and opponents? Her Seattle team battles Las Vegas in the women's semis.
Plus, Jon concludes on when does "hot water" not really mean "hot water," while attempting to wash your clothes?
Hear it all on the "SporstMediaWatch.com Podcast" and make sure that you're following/subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!
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Northwestern Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald Part I | Tell Me A Story I Don't Know Aug 23, 2022

Show notes

Season six of “Tell me a story I don’t know” commences with these two words, ”Go cats!” That’s Pat Fitzgerald’s signature phrase after every interview and pretty much, any conversation. And the Northwestern Wildcats have pretty much gone in the right direction since “Fitz” took over has head coach in 2006. He was the youngest head coach in division one at the time (31) having been named after the untimely death of then current coach Randy Walker.
Fitzgerald is a native of the Chicago area and attended Northwestern where he was an all American linebacker and defensive player of the year under Gary Barnett. In part one of this very entertaining episode, the outgoing and energetic Fitzgerald discusses some of his idylls, why he’s a rabid Chicago sports fan and how trying to be Superman at a very young age taught him a very valuable, if not certainly painful lesson
Tell me a story I don’t know is now partnering with Sports Media Watch ( sportsmediawatch.com) so please follow on Twitter @paulsen_smw. Tell me a story I don't know is proudly sponsored by Vienna Beef, makers of Chicago’s hotdog since 1893! (viennabeef.com). And by Dynamic manufacturing, honor the legacy, pioneer the future (dynamicmanufacutinginc.com). Hear full episodes and make sure to follow us and subscribe at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google and wherever you get your podcasts.
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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Come talk with TJ on X:
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Northwestern Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald Part I Tease | Tell Me A Story I Don't Know Aug 22, 2022

Show notes

Season six of “Tell me a story I don’t know” commences with these two words, ”Go cats!” That’s Pat Fitzgerald’s signature phrase after every interview and pretty much, any conversation. And the Northwestern Wildcats have pretty much gone in the right direction since “Fitz” took over has head coach in 2006. He was the youngest head coach in division one at the time (31) having been named after the untimely death of then current coach Randy Walker.
Fitzgerald is a native of the Chicago area and attended Northwestern where he was an all American linebacker and defensive player of the year under Gary Barnett.
Hear more on his story coming Tuesday!
Tell me a story I don’t know is now partnering with Sports Media Watch ( sportsmediawatch.com) so please follow on Twitter @paulsen_smw. Tell me a story I don't know is proudly sponsored by Vienna Beef, makers of Chicago’s hotdog since 1893! (viennabeef.com). And by Dynamic manufacturing, honor the legacy, pioneer the future (dynamicmanufacutinginc.com). Hear full episodes and make sure to follow us and subscribe at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google and wherever you get your 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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Usyk Retains Over Joshua & Navarrete Gets His KO | Fight Freaks Unite Recap Aug 22, 2022

Show notes

Off a huge weekend of fights, including the unified heavyweight title bout in Saudi Arabia, it's time to go over it all on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap" podcast!
Host T.J. Rives returns with Dan Rafael insider of BigFightWeekend.com with more on Oleksandr Usyk's impressive win in his rematch over Anthony Joshua. How did Usyk use his skill, jab, and hard left hand to keep keep Joshua at bay long enough for a split decision win? What about Joshua's odd behavior on the PA system after the bout? And what about a pending Usyk-Tyson Fury Undisputed bout?
Dan also has thoughts on the rest of the Matchoom/Saudi Arabia card including the wins by heavyweight Filip Hrgovic and now, light heavyweight Callum Smith.
Then, the guys discuss the KO win by Emanuel Navarrete in his WBO featherweight title defense in San Diego. Navarrete was clearly having struggles in the first five rounds of the fight before the one punch KO. Also, what's his future at 126 lb. vs. moving up, again, to a higher weight?
Dan also recaps the rest of the Top Rank Boxing/ESPN show, too.
Then, they close the show talking Sergey Lipinets win over Omar Figueroa by TKO in the PBC/Showtime main event. Lipinets scored at will on Figueroa for the victory and likely retired him in Hollywood, Florida. Dan has thoughts on that and recaps the rest of the card, too.
Hear it all on the latest "Fight Freaks Unite Recap" and make sure you are following/subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotfy, Google, etc. !!
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