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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:

Clip: Tom Thayer Former Bears great/radio analyst tease 7 26 21 Jul 26, 2021

Show notes

On this week's show, he jokingly claimed to be the best surfer among the ‘85 Super Bowl Chicago Bears. Tom Thayer might be the only one who took up that sport while also being the teams radio analyst the last 25 years.
Get ready for the colorful former Bears offensive lineman on the latest "Tell Me A Story I Don't Know" coming Tuesday.
Tell me a story I don’t know is sponsored by The Paulina Market (@paulinamarket.com) and by Vienna Beef (@viennabeef).
And, make sure to follow/review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!
Follow, Like and Comment on the Show:
Apple
Spotify
Amazon Music
Come talk with TJ on X:
@ItsTJRives

Full Ep: Dan Plesac MLB Network analyst 7 20 21 Jul 20, 2021

Show notes

Dan Plesac never spent a single day on the injured list and never started a game during his 18 year big league career. He was also an all star. Not exactly shabby credentials but since joining MLB Tonight, Plesac has blossomed into one of the network’s most colorful and charismatic characters.
He can analyze with the best of them while causing you to laugh out loud. “I didn’t want to come off as a goof ball. When something was funny, have a great time with it.” And Plesac is.
Plesac began his second career with the Cubs before graduating to "MLB Tonight." That’s where his personality came out of the ‘bullpen.' But Plesac is more than just a baseball analyst. He’s an avid horse racing fan having owned several Standardbreds.
Tell me a story I don’t know is sponsored by The Vienna beef company (@viennabeef) and the Paulina Market (@paulinamarket).
Hear the full episodes and make sure to follow/review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!
Follow, Like and Comment on the Show:
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Come talk with TJ on X:
@ItsTJRives

Clip: Dan Plesac MLB Network Analyst Tease 7 19 21 Jul 19, 2021

Show notes

Coming up this week, Dan Plesac never spent a single day on the injured list and never started a game during his 18 year big league career. He was also an All Star. Not exactly shabby credentials, but since joining MLB Tonight, Plesac has blossomed into one of the network’s most colorful and charismatic characters.
Hear his story and stories on this week's "Tell Me A Story I Don't Know" out on Tuesday!
And make sure to follow/review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!
"Tell me a story I don’t know" is sponsored by The Vienna beef company (@viennabeef) and the Paulina Market (@paulinamarket).
Follow, Like and Comment on the Show:
Apple
Spotify
Amazon Music
Come talk with TJ on X:
@ItsTJRives

Full Ep: Dan Bellino, MLB Umpire 7 13 21 Jul 13, 2021

Show notes

On this week's show, he studied at Oxford, passed the Illinois bar and runs a real estate law group. Oh, and did I mention he’s also a major league umpire?
Dan Bellino has his hands full calling balls and strikes and plays on the bases while also managing his other life and a family of four! "I’m someone who doesn’t like to sit still. It’s not in my nature” said the veteran arbiter who began his big league career in June of 2008. And of course, it was at Wrigley field where he was pressed into service as a replacement.
He got the call at 5pm, raced to the ball park from his suburban home and even had a police escort part of the way. He made it in time and has been part of the rotation since.
Bellino says the easiest part of his job is being on the field. The toughest is leaving his family. He has three boys but exclaimed he’s not sure he would want any of them umpiring.
But the way things are going, technology might wind up replacing some umpires. As for the future of robot umps Bellino is biased in one regard. “I can’t envision robots behind the plate.” Bellino has plenty more to say about the current state of umpiring and how he juggles his other life in this refreshing and revealing interview.
“Tell me a story I don’t know is sponsored by the Vienna beef company (@viennabeef.com) and by The Paulina Market (@paulina.com).
Make sure to follow/review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!
Follow, Like and Comment on the Show:
Apple
Spotify
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Come talk with TJ on X:
@ItsTJRives

Clip: Dan Bellino, MLB Umpire 7 12 21 Jul 12, 2021

Show notes

On this week's show: he studied at Oxford, passed the Illinois bar and runs a real estate law group. Oh, and did I mention he’s also a major league umpire? Dan Bellino has his hands full calling balls and strikes and plays on the bases while also managing his other life and a family of four!
And, did we mention his first MLB assignment was at Wrigley Field?
Hear the full episode on "Tell me a story I don't konw" and make sure to follow/review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!
Follow, Like and Comment on the Show:
Apple
Spotify
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Come talk with TJ on X:
@ItsTJRives

Full Ep: Ron Kittle, Former White Sox star 7 6 21 Jul 06, 2021

Show notes

He made allot more money as an iron worker than as a major league rookie. “I took a pay cut” said the always quotable Ron Kittle. And all he did in the 1983 season for the Chicago White Sox was hit 35 homers, a rookie record that stood for 36 years.
He was also named American League rookie of the year, played in the All-star game, which celebrated its 50th anniversary at the then Comiskey Park on Chicago’s south side and competed in the playoffs only to have his knee cap broken on a pitch by Baltimore’s Mike Flanagan in the 3rd game of the series.
Injuries would hamper “Kitty” as he is affectionately known. He managed to play 9 seasons for 4 teams amassing 176 homers. But Kitty was and still is immensely popular because of his quirky and often humorous quotes. “Fans appreciate home runs. I mean, they don’t stand for singles!” Kittle said of his biggest thrill in the majors, “My first paycheck!” And on his bobblehead night a few years ago Kittle stood outside a downtown street in his 1983 jersey donning a sandwich board depicting his special night.
Amidst all the humor, kittle has raised millions of dollars for charities all the white crafting the art of furniture making.
He has a boat load of wonderful stories to tell in this episode of “Tell me a story I don’t know" sponsored by the Vienna Beef Company (@viennabeef.com) and by the Paulina Mark.
And make sure to follow/review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!
Follow, Like and Comment on the Show:
Apple
Spotify
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Come talk with TJ on X:
@ItsTJRives

Clip: Ron Kittle, former White Sox star 7 5 21 Jul 05, 2021

Show notes

Coming on this week's show, he made a lot more money as an iron worker than as a major league rookie. “I took a pay cut” said the always quotable Ron Kittle.
And all he did in the 1983 season for the Chicago White Sox was hit 35 homers, a rookie record that stood for 36 years. He was also named American League rookie of the year, played in the all star game which celebrated its 50th anniversary at the then Comiskey Park on Chicago’s south side.
Get ready for the humor and stories from a lovable White Sox hero of the early 80s, as Ron Kittle joins us Tuesday on "Tell Me A Story. I Don't Know."
And make sure to follow/review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!
Follow, Like and Comment on the Show:
Apple
Spotify
Amazon Music
Come talk with TJ on X:
@ItsTJRives

Full Ep: Charley Steiner, Former ESPN Sportscenter anchor, Dodgers Broadcaster 6 29 21 Jun 29, 2021

Show notes

His career has myriad highlights. Charley Steiner has managed to carve a hall of fame career traversing the country with his bold sound and colorful descriptions He may be a New Yorker but Steiner’s broadcast roots began At Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois where he decided the path he would take in life.
After stints in Peoria, Iowa and Connecticut, Steiner landed in New York where his career would blossom. He was the voice of the New York Jets before joining ESPN's immense stable of talent and became a fixture. His signature broadcasts involved breaking up in laughter on the air to such stories as the now ‘infamous’ version of the national anthem song by Carl Lewis. He was also the network’s lead talent on boxing.
Steiner was also the lead voice of ESPN radio’s coverage of Major League Baseball before joining the New York Yankees. Now in his 17th season as the voice of the Dodgers, the 71 year old Steiner isn’t quite done yet though he did accomplish quite a feat in his career in 2020: "As a child I would turn the sound soon on the TV in our living room and announce Brooklyn Dodger games. Fast forward 65 years later, I’m broadcasting the World Series from my own living room!” Steiner was relegated to this unique concept because of Covid-19.
In 2013, Steiner was inducted in the radio hall of fame in Chicago and two years later, Bradley named its school of sports communication after him.
You will delight at the many stories Steiner tells about his youth and those whacky days at ESPN.
“Tell me a story I don’t know" is sponsored by Vienna beef. (@viennabeef.com) and the Paulina Market. (@paulinamarket.com).
And follow us/review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!
Follow, Like and Comment on the Show:
Apple
Spotify
Amazon Music
Come talk with TJ on X:
@ItsTJRives

Clip: Charlie Steiner, Former ESPN anchor, Dodgers announcer tease 6 28 21 Jun 28, 2021

Show notes

On this week's show, his career has myriad highlights. Charley Steiner has managed to carve a hall of fame career traversing the country with his bold sound and colorful descriptions. He may be a New Yorker but Steiner’s broadcast roots began At Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois where he decided the path he would take in life.
Steiner became one of the recognizable ESPN SportsCenter anchors of the 90s and was also the lead voice of ESPN radio’s coverage of Major League Baseball before joining the New York Yankees. Now in his 17th season as the voice of the Dodgers, Steiner has so many stories to tell.
And, he's the guest this week on "Tell me a story I don't know." Hear the Full Show coming Tuesday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!
Follow, Like and Comment on the Show:
Apple
Spotify
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Come talk with TJ on X:
@ItsTJRives

Full Ep: Ron Coomer, Cubs radio analyst 6 22 21 Jun 22, 2021

Show notes

Something about Chicago Cubs analysts named Ron. First it was Santo and since 2014, Coomer. Both played (and for the Cubs), both worked along side long time play by play voice Pat Hughes and…both love to laugh! Coomer has settled in nicely while living out a fantasy: not only to play for the team he grew up cheering for but now broadcasting them, as well. “Still to this day it amazes me when I walk up and see the field (Wrigley Field) just thinking about playing there, being a little kid, sitting somewhere in the stands with my dad” said an ebullient Coomer.
Coomer languished in the minors for 8 years before making a major league roster at age 28 and few years later, was an Allstar! His broadcast career began with the Minnesota Twins but when an opening became available in the Cubs broadcast booth, Coomer didn’t hesitate and he’s been there since 2014.
Coomer also shares his thoughts on the state of the game. For example:”the three batter rule for pitchers has been a total slop. You’re taking the strategy out of the manager’s hand.” And there’s plenty more.
Tell me a story I don’t know is sponsored by Vienna Beef (@viennabeef.com) and by the Paulina Market (@paulinamarket.com).
And, make sure to follow/review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!
Follow, Like and Comment on the Show:
Apple
Spotify
Amazon Music
Come talk with TJ on X:
@ItsTJRives

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