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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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Copyright: © All rights reserved.

Latest Episodes:

Full Ep: Wayne Messmer Longtime Chicago Anthem Singer 6 6 22 | Tell Me A Story I Don't Know Jun 07, 2022

Show notes

His voice will always be synonymous with one of the most stirring renditions of the national anthem ever sung. It was before the 1991 NHL all star game in Chicago and during the gulf war. This is when Messmer gained national fame but his voice had been belting out the anthem and show tunes before that.
An accomplished musician gifted with a booming yet melodic voice, Messmer gained local prominence singing the anthem before just about every Chicago sports franchises’ games but most notably the Blackhawks, Cubs and Wolves. And it was Messmer who helped put the Wolves (Chicago’s franchise, now in the American Hockey League) on the map. The Wolves are currently competing in the League’s Calder Cup Western Conference Finals.
Back in 1994 Messmer was shot in the throat by a robber but survived and miraculously resumed his singing career 6 months later.
Messmer recounts a hilarious afternoon in the late 1980s at Wrigley Field prior to a Cubs game, where an insect became his nemesis to booming the anthem,
"I didn't want to look like Groucho (Marx, the comedian of the 1930s/40s) lookin' around watching this fly, cause your never sure if the camera is on you or not? Next thing I know, I took a gasp for the next phrase...and I swallowed the fly. What do you do in a moment like that? Well, a little protein in the afternoon, I guess."
And Messmer tells George how a college professor impressed upon him how to harness/enhance his gifted voice into a musical career and it changed his career trajectory forever.
"Not until college did I start studying voice....It was down at Illinois-Wesleyan in Bloomington, where a professor kinda grabbed me with the 'Mr. Spock Vulcan death grip' on the shoulder, as we were walking on the campus. He said, you're fooling a lot of people, but you're not fooling me.
"He said, 'you wanna really do something with that voice? Because, you have a natural gift. I said, 'well, thank you." He said, 'technically, you gotta figure out how to do this right....come to my studio tomorrow morning at 8 'clock. And, in the meantime forget everything you think you know about singing.
So, i did. And we worked at it. He changed my life. A guy named, Dr. David Knot. And I always attribute whatever I know about singing to him."
Messmer also hosts a weekly jazz show and is a businessman operating a financial service firm specializing in personal family retirement advisement.
Tell me a story I don’t know is now partnering with Sports Media Watch ( www.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). By Dynamic manufacturing, honor the legacy, pioneer the future (dynamicmanufacutinginc.com) and by Bet US , a pioneer in the sports book industry for nearly 3 decades (betus.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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Clip: Wayne Messmer Longtime Chicago Anthem Singer Tease 6 5 22 | Tell Me A Story I Don't Know Jun 06, 2022

Show notes

His voice will always be synonymous with one of the most stirring renditions of the national anthem ever sung. It was before the 1991 NHL all star game in Chicago and during the gulf war. This is when Wayne Messmer gained national fame but his voice had been belting out the anthem and show tunes before that.
An accomplished musician gifted with a booming yet melodic voice, Messmer gained local prominence singing the anthem before just about every Chicago sports franchises’ games but most notably the Blackhawks, Cubs and Wolves.
"I understand and certainly appreciate being given the gift of a voice that sounds pretty good speaking and singing," Messmer tells us. "So, you wanna be careful about protecting 'the golden goose.' However, you referred to an incident that not only nearly took my voice, but my life (being shot during a robbery) back in 1994.
"And the work that was done? I equate it to a pitcher who has had 'Tommy John Surgery' and comes back really, mechanically, better than before."
Hear more Tuesday on the remarkable throat surgery that has one of the top anthem singers before sporting events in all of the country still going strong nearly 30 years later.
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). By Dynamic manufacturing, honor the legacy, pioneer the future (dynamicmanufacutinginc.com) and by Bet US , a pioneer in the sports book industry for nearly 3 decades (betus.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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Fox Promotes Greg Olsen, NBA Finals, Stanley Cup Playoffs & more! | Announcer Schedules Podcast Jun 02, 2022

Show notes

On the latest edition of the show, Phil and Mike are back with lots of movement and news in the sports announcing world. They discuss:
Greg Olsen is officially No. 1 analyst for Fox's NFL coverage
NBA had a different voice for Game 7 of the East Finals.
NHL lineups for conference finals on both TV and Radio
A familiar voice returns for national MLB broadcast
Big motor sports weekend concludes.
A New soccer voice. Our favorite calls for the weekend and more !
Hear it all on the "Announcer Schedules Podcast" as part of the Sports Media Watch feed. And, make sure you are following/subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!
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Golden State/Boston NBA Finals, Stanley Cup Playoffs & more! | Sports Media Watch Podcast Jun 01, 2022

Show notes

On the latest edition of the "SportsMediaWatch.com Podcast" host T.J. Rives and Jon Lewis (aka "Paulsen" from the site) are back in a brand new month of June.
The guys have lots on the NBA, including the ratings for game 7 of the Eastern Finals with Boston winning in Miami. Jon has insight on what the ratings mean and why the lack of superstar in "Bean-town" likely means this year's Finals with Golden State will suffer.
The guys also discuss the Stanley Cup Finals progressing in hockey. We're down to Edmonton playing the Colorado Avalanche and the two-time champion Tampa Bay Lightning battling the New York Rangers. Will these series benefit audience-sise from a Canadian team in one and the prominent New York love/hate team in another? T.J. and Jon also discuss the TNT crew of Kenny Albert and Eddie Olczyk as the lead broadcast and how far back their relationship as teenagers goes, too.
Then, it's some "Love it or Leave it?" subjects, including the Indy 500 ratings and the smashing movie sequel "Top Gun Maverick" out this past weekend, too!
It's all on "The Sports Media Watch .com Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!
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Full Ep: Fox Sports/Turner Broadcaster Kenny Albert 5 30 22 May 31, 2022

Show notes

Only a handful of play by play voices have broadcast four different Chicago franchises and one of them is not local. Come to think of it Kenny Albert might be the only one who has actually been behind the microphone for all 5 ( Cubs, White Sox, Bears, Blackhawks and the Bulls whom he broadcast while working with the New York Knicks)!
But the versatile Albert is best know for his national work and is the only current announcer working four major sports (NFL, NHL, NBA and MLB). Following the retirement of Doc Emrick, Albert became the lead voice for the NHL, first on NBC and now with Turner Broadcasting.
His lineage is legendary. The son of the great Marv Albert, who appeared on this podcast on June 12, 2021, Kenny honed his craft early claiming the most important thing he learned from his famous father was preparation.
During this entertaining episode Albert discusses his many stops including working a cadre of Olympic games and a terrific story about his hockey partner and analyst, Eddie Olczyk who appeared in this podcast on February 1, 2021.
Tell me a story I don’t know is now partnering with Sports Media Watch ( sportsmedia watch.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). By Dynamic manufacturing, honor the legacy, pioneer the future (dynamicmanufacutinginc.com) by Bet US , a pioneer in the sports book industry for nearly 3 decades (betus.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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Clip: Fox Sports/Turner Broadcaster Kenny Albert Tease 5 29 22 May 30, 2022

Show notes

Only a handful of play by play voices have broadcast four different Chicago franchises and one of them is not local. Come to think of it Kenny Albert might be the only one who has actually been behind the microphone for all 5 ( Cubs, White Sox, Bears, Blackhawks and the Bulls whom he broadcast while working with the New York Knicks)!
But the versatile Albert is best know for his national work and is the only current announcer working four major sports (NFL, NHL, NBA and MLB). Following the retirement of Doc Emrick, Albert became the lead voice for the NHL, first on NBC and now with Turner Broadcasting.
Hear more of Albert's story coming Tuesday.
Tell me a story I don’t know is now partnering with Sports Media Watch ( sportsmedia watch.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). By Dynamic manufacturing, honor the legacy, pioneer the future (dynamicmanufacutinginc.com) by Bet US , a pioneer in the sports book industry for nearly 3 decades (betus.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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Welcome Phil and Mike with Announcer Schedules Podcast Debut! | Announcer Schedules The Podcast May 26, 2022

Show notes

The Announcer Schedules Podcast, a weekly, in-depth discussion on sports broadcasting and the announcing profession, has debuted in partnership with the Sports Media Watch Podcast
The Announcer Schedules Podcast features Phil de Montmollin, the founder of the @announcerskedsTwitter account and is hosted by veteran sports radio personality Mike Gill @mikegillshow.
The podcast will provide listeners with a recap and preview of the latest announcer pairings, while also detailing the process behind-the-scenes for the announcing profession. The show will feature interviews with sports play-by-play announcers, analysts and sideline reporters, along with a review of each week’s top sports announcing calls.
The inaugural episode dives into the NFL announcer “silly season”, the NBA and NHL Playoff announcers, the PGA Championship and the Indy 500, along with the origin story of the @announcerskeds twitter feed and podcast.
The Announcer Schedules Twitter feed was created by de Montmollin in 2018 as a way to share daily sports television and radio announcer pairings with sports fans. It has since grown to approximately 20,000 followers and become an industry go-to source for information.
De Montmollin is a 25-year veteran of sports public relations and media. After starting his career in the Sports Information Department at the University of Miami, he has since worked as Public Relations Director at Homestead-Miami Speedway, as SID and Adjunct Professor for Sports Media/Broadcasting at St. Thomas University (Fla.) and currently as the Asst. AD for Communications at Brevard College (N.C.). In addition to his work in sports public relations, de Montmollin has worked countless events as a statistician for outlets such as ESPN, FOX Sports, SNY, Westwood One Radio, the Miami Heat, and Major League Baseball Advanced Media.
Since 2005, Gill has been the host of The Sports Bash with Mike Gill on 97.3 FM ESPN, the number one afternoon sports talk radio show in South Jersey. Named the 2009 New Jersey Sportscaster of the Year, Gill has worked as a play-by-play announcer for Cage Fury Fighting Championships on UFC Fight Pass with analyst CMP Punk and a variety of college and high school events around the South Jersey market. He is a West Virginia University graduate and was the radio voice for Mountaineer baseball and women's basketball for two seasons. Throughout his 20-plus year career in sports broadcasting, Gill has covered many of the nation’s largest sporting events, including the World Series, Super Bowl, NBA Playoffs and Stanley Cup Finals.
Listen to every episode of the Announcer Schedules Podcast by subscribing to the Sports Media Watch podcast feed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Spreaker.
The Sports Media Watch Podcast is the audio home of the SportsMediaWatch.com website. On each episode, host T.J. Rives and Jon Lewis (aka Paulsen) tackles the most interesting topics in sports media including television ratings. Additionally, subscribers of the podcast feed will receive "the Announcers Schedules Podcast" and "Tell Me a Story I Don’t Know" with George Ofman podcast, a long-form interview show featuring many of the biggest names in sports media.
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Full Ep: NBA/NHL Wind Down, NFL Announcers, Indy 500 etc.! | Sports Media Watch May 25, 2022

Show notes

It's a brand new edition of the show, as host T.J. Rives is back with Jon Lewis of SportsMediaWatch.com to go over the latest with ratings, news and takes.
The guys discuss the NBA headed towards the Finals, where it looks like Golden State will represent the West again? Jon has insight on what it might or might not mean for numbers of viewers? Also, how much have one-sided finishes hurt their audience/product?
Next, discussion on the Stanley Cup playoffs also narrowing down? How will the joint broadcasts of ESPN and TNT benefit from the NBA being out of the way on certain nights coming up? There's also discussion of the team of Kenny Albert and Eddie Olczyk on the Turner coverage.
Then, T.J. and Jon talk golf's PGA Championship, including ESPN Sportscenter anchor Sage Steele being injured by an errant shot Friday and what about those who continue to champion anonymously online the misery of others?
The wrap up has more on Memorial Day Weekend, the Indy 500 and yes, even, whether Ketchup belongs on a hot dog???
Hear it all on "Sports Media Watch.com Podcast" and make s
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Full Ep: Former Fox Sports Broadcaster Thom Brennaman Part II | Tell Me A Story I Don't Know May 24, 2022

Show notes

It was August of 2020 when during a commercial break, Thom Brennaman uttered an anti-gay slur. Little did he realize the microphone was hot and it went over the air. From that moment, his life changed and not in a good way. Brennaman lost his gig with the Cincinnati Reds and Fox Sports and remains on the outside looking in.
In part two of this riveting episode, Brennaman continues to wonder why he hasn’t been able to find work? He also remembers the good times, like his first big break in the business working with legends Harry Caray and Ron Santo broadcasting the Chicago Cubs. Brenneman also discusses his relationship with his father Marty, another towering figure in baseball broadcasting lore.
Tell me a story I don’t know is now partnering with Sports Media Watch ( sportsmedia watch.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). By Dynamic manufacturing, honor the legacy, pioneer the future (dynamicmanufacutinginc.com) by Bet US , a pioneer in the sports book industry for nearly 3 decades (betus.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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Clip: Former Fox Sports Broadcaster Thom Brennaman Part II Tease | Tell Me A Story I Don't Know May 23, 2022

Show notes

In part two of this riveting episode, Thom Brennaman continues to wonder why he hasn’t been able to find work. He also remembers the good times, like his first big break in the business working with legends Harry Caray and Ron Santo broadcasting the Chicago Cubs. Brenneman also discusses his relationship with his father Marty, another towering figure in baseball broadcasting lore.
Hear the second part of George's conversation Tuesday.
Tell me a story I don’t know is now partnering with Sports Media Watch ( sportsmedia watch.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). By Dynamic manufacturing, honor the legacy, pioneer the future (dynamicmanufacutinginc.com) by Bet US , a pioneer in the sports book industry for nearly 3 decades (betus.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:
Apple
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Come talk with TJ on X:
@ItsTJRives

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