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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:

Vin Scully Passing, Charles Barkley Stays With Turner, LLWS & More | Sports Media Watch Podcast Aug 03, 2022

Show notes

We are back off a brief Summer break with another edition of the show that covers all aspects of the sports media and more. Host T.J. Rives and Jon Lewis of SportsMediaWatch.com are ready to go over the current events and news.
First, the guys talk about the passing of Los Angeles Dodgers broadcasting legend Vin Scully at the age of 94. Scully was synonymous with the Dodgers on radio, especially, for some 7 decades. Jon has thoughts on why he sustained at such an amazing level for so long and whether any broadcasters in the modern day would even come close to putting in 40 or 50 years with the same team?
Then, the guys discuss another icon on the radio, Alabama football broadcaster Eli Gold. Eli, who's broadcasted Crimson Tide games since 1988, won't be in the booth at the beginning of the season due to health reasons and will be replaced by veteran Bama broadcaster Chris Stewart. T.J. has insight on Chris and that challenge and Jon's has his opinions on the situation, too.
And, the guys play some love it or leave it, including Charles Barkley flirting with the LIV Golf Series, whether Jon is that interested in the upcoming Little League World Series coverage and also, some MLB discussion too. Oh, and Jon "flexes his muscle" on knowledge of the 90's comedy show "Mystery Science Theater 3000" as well!
It's all part of the "SportsMediaWatch.com Podcast" and make sure that you are following/subscribing to this feed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!
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Wayne Larrivee Green Bay Packers Play By Play | Tell Me A Story I Don't Know Aug 02, 2022

Show notes

Can you sleep with the enemy? Chicago Bears fans might think so but likely give Wayne Larrivee a pass. After 14 years as their voice, this long time play by play man moved north to become the voice of the long time rival Green Bay Packers and he’s been there for nearly a quarter of a century! Larrivee kicked off his career as the voice of the Kansas City Chiefs and moved to Chicago at the right time. His first season with the Bears was 1985 and they would eventually win their only Super Bowl.
Larrivee also was the TV voice of the Bulls for 17 years including most of their 6 championship seasons and he managed to squeeze in some Cubs telecasts as part of the crew including the iconic Harry Caray.
During part 1 Larrivee delves into both the Packers and Bears shedding light on a lightening rod known as Aaron Rodgers and he also offered his thoughts on Justin Fields, perhaps the quarterback who might finally the Bears salvation.
Tell me a story I don’t know is now partnering with Sports Media Watch ( sportsmediawatch.com) and 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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Wayne Larrivee Green Bay Packers Play By Play Tease | Tell Me A Story I Don't Know Aug 01, 2022

Show notes

Can you sleep with the enemy? Chicago Bears fans might think so but likely give Wayne Larrivee a pass. After 14 years as their radio voice, this long time play by play man moved north to become the voice of the long time rival Green Bay Packers and he’s been there for nearly a quarter of a century! Larrivee kicked off his career as the voice of the Kansas City Chiefs and moved to Chicago at the right time. His first season with the Bears was 1985 and they would eventually win their only Super Bowl.
Hear more of Larrivee's story Tuesday that saw him be the TV voice of the Bulls for 17 years including most of their 6 championship seasons with Michael Jordan.
Tell me a story I don’t know is now partnering with Sports Media Watch ( sportsmediawatch.com) and 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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Michael Wilbon Encore Conversation | Tell Me A Story I Don't Know Jul 29, 2022

Show notes

Our fifth and final podcast during encore week features Michael Wilbon. There was no question who I wanted to feature as the first guest on “Tell me a story I don’t know.” I have known Mike Wilbon for nearly 40 years and I’m not sure I’ve ever met someone I admire, respect and like as much as I do of the co-host of the highly successful “Pardon the Interruption”on ESPN.
Wilbon, who grew up on the south side of Chicago yet was a fan of the north side Cubs, offered many stories of his youth, professional career and his fandom. Yes, he saw the Cubs win the World Series, the Bears win a Super Bowl and Northwestern basketball go to it’s first ever NCAA Tournament. “The best thing about me not coming home to write for the Tribune or Sun Times is I could root for my teams because you can’t do that if you’re covering the team seriously. I can take the hats on and off”. Check out Wilbon’s Twitter account and you can definitely see when he takes the hat off.
“The best thing is I could sit in the stands and watch my teams! If I come back home in 1997 (when Michael Jordan tried to pave his way back from the Washington Post) I couldn’t have done that. That’s the second best thing that could have come out of that. The best thing is I stayed and my life turned out the way it did. I’ve been a fan of those teams since I was 5!”
Wilbon has many fans of his own witness over 5 million on Twitter. His unbridled honesty coupled with a sharp edge has made him a very popular figure including sitting along side the likes of Stephen A. Smith, Jalen Rose and Mike Greenberg during broadcast of the NBA on ESPN.
We hoped you enjoyed encore week with Bob Costas, Sarah Kustok, Mike Greenberg, Eddie Olczyk and Michale Wilbon. And we hope you continue to listen to and follow “Tell me a story I don’t know” which has partnered with Sports Media watch (@paulsen_smw) on this podcast feed. Make sure that you follow/subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!
You can also follow me @georgeofman.
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Eddie Olczyk Encore Conversation | Tell Me A Story I Don't Know Jul 28, 2022

Show notes

Our 4th podcast during encore week features Eddie Olczyk. They say change is good. For Olczyk, maybe, maybe not. Last week his long time association with the Chicago Blackhawks ended when the two sides couldn’t agree on a new contract for him to continue as the team’s TV analyst. He immediately took a similar job with the newly formed Seattle Kraken.
Olczyk wears his heart on his sleeve and by the way, he’s a great story teller. There was the time he was traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Winnipeg Jets and told of the news while his wife was going into labor with their second child! And there was dream that turned into a nightmare that in fact was just a dream about his first game as a player with the Blackhawks in 1984.
But a priceless story about about the price Olczyk was paid for winning making a bet on a horse race, several of them. “Back in 2010 I was betting the late races at Hollywood park. They had a pick six carry over (you have to pick six straight winners to cash in) so I made a $168 dollar investment, a $2 bet with 84 combinations.” If you have an idea where this is going, you’re right.
Olczyk already had picked the first 5 winners. “I had the ten horse. We’re watching as a family. I have a chance to win between $25,000 and $500,000. And sure enough the ten horse wins. Here comes the payout and my $168 investment turns into $500,000!” I asked Olczyk what his first reaction was and he joked, “I got even.” Yes, besides being so authentic, Olczyk can tell some mighty funny stories.
Tomorrow we complete encore week featuring the very first guest on “Tell me a story I don’t know,” ESPN’s Michael Wilbon.
Hear more great, new editions of "Tell Me A Story I Don't Know" by following or subscribing to the SportsMediaWatch.com podcast feed of shows where ever you get podcasts on Apple, Spotify, Google, etc.!!
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Mike Greenberg Encore Conversation | Tell Me A Story I Don't Know Jul 27, 2022

Show notes

Our third podcast during encore week features one of the most celebrated and highest paid sports journalist in the broadcast industry. And to think, the first person ESPN’s Mike Greenberg work with professionally was yours truly. “Greeny” as he’s best known, has carved out a spectacular career from his partnership with Mike Golic on the radio program "Mike and Mike" to his current TV gig entitled “Get Up” to his additional responsibilities as the primary NBA host.
But during his growth period at Chicago all sports radio station WSCR The Score did Greeny get a plum assignment he called one of the best experiences he ever had, covering Michael Jordan in Spring training as a member of the Chicago White Sox. “On the first day there must have been 200 reporters. Ted Koppel hosted Nightline from the ballpark. Within two or three days there was the Chicago SunTimes, Tribune, Daily Herald and me. And that was it.”
Greeny wasn’t done yet. “You might recall Jordan went 0 for his first 18. He was quite upset. So it was a rainy night in some small park and there couldn’t be more than 300 people in the stands. Jordan swings out of his shoes and it winds up being a dribbler up the third baseline and he beats it out for a hit. So the game ends and in this tiny clubhouse they’re dumping beer on him. And as we’re walking out something moved me to turn around and look at him. He’s sitting on a bench with a cigar, drenched in beer and had a smile, a look of satisfaction on his face that rivaled anything I’d ever seen from him."
And there’s plenty more including the many books Greeny has written.
Tomorrow we feature TNT’s NHL analyst Eddie Olczyk whose life took a turn to the left last week.
Hope you are enjoying encore week on "Tell me a Story I don't know" and make sure to follow/subscribe to the SportsMediaWatch.com podcast feed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc. for more great episodes!!
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Sarah Kustok Encore Conversation | Tell Me A Story I Don't Know Jul 26, 2022

Show notes

Our second podcast during encore week features Sarah Kustok who made history by becoming the first woman hired as a full time t.v. analyst for an NBA team, the Brooklyn Nets. Her work has demonstrated just how knowledgeable she is about here craft, that and she is gifted with glittering personality. Remember, Kustok was a suburban Chicago high school basketball star and later a quality player at DePaul. “I had great teammates and we had great fun and of course with Doug Bruno, who is still the head coach, we were top 25 my last 2 seasons.”
Bruno will also be a future guest on this podcast.
Born and raised in Chicago Kustok said one of her great joys in her blossoming career was covering the Blackhawks when they won the first of their three Stanley Cups in six seasons back in 2010. “Prior to game one they put the Jonathan Toews sweater on the statue of Michael Jordan outside the United Center. But I will never forget game 5 at the United Center, low and behold Jordan was introduced and what is he wearing….a Jonathan Toews sweater,” Kustok recalled.
Kustok also discusses the most difficult time in her life when her father was convicted of murdering her mother. She said simply, “You will always be your mother’s greatest legacy.”
Tomorrow we feature one of the most popular sports personalities going today, ESPN’s Mike Greenberg.
If you are enjoying encore week of this show, make sure to find it on Tuesday's with new episodes on this SportsMediaWatch.com podcast feed and you can follow/subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!
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Bob Costas Encore Conversation | Tell Me A Story I Don't Know Jul 25, 2022

Show notes

If you could pick one sports broadcast journalist who was the most iconic of the last 50 years, the choices would be slim but Bob Costas heads my list. Whether he was hosting from the Olympics, calling a baseball game, being an integral part of the NBA or hosting myriad talk shows, Costas stands above the rest. And his stories for “Tell me a story I don’t know” were priceless. For example: The infamous OJ Simpson chase.
It took place during game five of the NBA finals and NBC used a split screen following the game and the chase. What people don’t know is OJ phoned Costas during the chase. “No that didn’t happen” exclaimed the surprised Costas to a reporter from Time magazine. Fast forward to November and OJ is in an L.A county jail awaiting trial for the murder of his wife and another man. OJ phoned Costas wanting to see him. “We’re making small talk and then one of OJ’s friends, AC Cowlings said you know, we tried to call you from the Bronco. And it clicks in my head, the lady from Time Magazine was on to something and Juice jumps in and says, they were dogging me. So what’s going on in my head is wow, if in fact we would have put him on the air it would have been an incredible television moment.”
This is just one of several fascinating stories in this first episode of encore week. There’s also an incredible funny encounter with actress Marilu Henner, s story behind the story of the famous “Sandberg game” and why, during the pandemic, Costas was doing all of his interviews from the kitchen of his California home! Tomorrow we feature Sarah Kustok, the first female hired to be a TV analyst for an NBA team, the Brooklyn Nets.
Hear this encore from Bob Costas and make sure to be with us throughout this week for more great interviews on this SportsMediaWatch.com feed by following/subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!
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John Forslund TNT/Seattle Kraken NHL Play By Play Conversation | Announcer Schedules Podcast Jul 23, 2022

Show notes

NHL play-by-play announcer John Forslund of the Seattle Kraken on Root Sports, TNT, and Sports USA Radio, joined the Announcer Schedules Podcast back in June for an insightful conversation with Mike Gill and Phil de Montmollin.
In addition to his role as the voice of the Seattle Kraken, Forslund calls games for the national NHL on TNT package having previously announced for NBC Sports, NHL on Versus and ESPN National Hockey Night. He also works for Sports USA Radio on the national radio side, most recently announcing the Eastern Conference Finals for the network.
After starting his career in the American Hockey League, Forslund joined the Hartford Whalers organization in 1991 as PR Director and took over play-by-play duties in the 1994-95 season. He continued to work for the franchise following its relocation as the Carolina Hurricanes and through the 2020 season. Forslund called games for NBC Sports in 2020-21 and accepted the position with the Seattle Kraken on January 26, 2021.
Forslund discusses his full career arc as an announcer abc the challenges of calling hockey on both TV and radio. Forslund details his journey from Springfield, Mass. to the Carolina Hurricanes to becoming the first-ever television play-by-play announcer of the Seattle Kraken.
Enjoy this conversation and make sure to to find the "Announcer Schedules Podcast" as part of the SportsMediaWatch.com Podcast feed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!
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NBC Horse Racing Announcer Larry Collmus Converstaion | Announcer Schedules Podcast Jul 21, 2022

Show notes

Larry Collmus, the race caller for the Kentucky Derby, the Triple Crown and the Breeders Cup on NBC, joined the Announcer Schedules Podcast recently, for an fascinating conversation with Mike Gill and Phil de Montmollin.
Collmus joined NBC Sports in 2011 as the race caller for the network’s coverage of the Triple Crown (the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont), and Breeders’ Cup. In 2015, Collmus began as NYRA’s signature race caller. One year later, Collmus called American Pharoah’s Triple Crown win – the first since Affirmed in 1978 – and the first-ever win in horse racing’s “grand slam” when American Pharoah ran for victory in the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Classic. In 2018, Collmus called his second career Triple Crown winner, when Justify achieved the historic feat.
Collmus who called his first race at Bowie Race Track in 1985 at the age of 18, later became the announcer at Churchill Downs, Gulfstream Park and Monmouth Park.
In addition, Collmus has called races at Saratoga Race Course, Belmont Park, Santa Anita Park, and the Meadowlands as well as numerous races on ESPN, FOX and CBS.
Collmus earned national notice when in 2010 when he called a race at Monmouth Park featuring two horses named Mywifenosevrything and Thewifedoesntknow. The two horses made a move on the back stretch and found themselves leading the race, with Collmus playing off the contrasts of the two horses’ names in his stretch call.
Collmus also goes into detail of that famous call featuring Mywifenosevrything and Thewifedoesntknow as well as his spectacular call of the historic upset by Rich Strike at the 2022 Kentucky Derby.
The native of Maryland also discusses the unique skillset required to call horse racing as well as the preparation he puts in before each race. He also describes how he broke into the business at a young age and the moment in which he was named race caller for the "Triple Crown" on NBC.
Make sure to follow/subscribe to the Sports Media Watch podcast feed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc. and you'll get great content like this from the "Announcer Schedules Podcast"
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