Sports With Friends

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447. WDAE (Tampa) Host Ronnie Lane Mar 20, 2024

Show notes

Ronnie Lane is a longtime talk show host in many markets over his long and illustrious career. For the last decade, he has been a host on “Ronnie and TKras” on WDAE sports radio in Tampa, Florida. Recently, Ronnie announced he was leaving the long-running talk show to take a hosting role in Tampa Bay Rays and Tampa Bay Buccaneers coverage for the station. In this episode, Ronnie explains what led to this decision, and how the role has evolved over the years. He also talked about the ability to discuss the state of the Rays franchise and their stadium woes as well as on-field daily stories. He also explained how in the post-Tom Brady era, Bucs football is at an all-time fever pitch in the city. He also laments that the Tampa Bay Lightning have created an event around their games, and the fan base has taken off just as the population in Tampa/St. Petersburg has grown.

446. Seattle Kraken Radio Play-by-Play Announcer Everett Fitzhugh Mar 13, 2024

Show notes

Everett Fitzhugh has been the radio voice of the NHL's Seattle Kraken since the team's inception in 2021. Fitzhugh has the distinction of being the first and only African American play-by-play announcer in the NHL or any other level in hockey. His career began in various minor leagues including stops in Cincinnati and Youngstown. He called a pre-season game between the Washington Capitals and Boston Bruins in 2018. In this episode, Fitzhugh speaks about the significance of being the first black NHL announcer. He tells the story about how he got connected to the Kraken and his upbringing in Detroit. His fandom for the Red Wings in the mid-90s sparked his passion for hockey. Fitzhugh also has the distinction of being the first “Everett” interviewed on Sports with Friends.

445. Locked on Lions Host Matt Dery Mar 06, 2024

Show notes

Longtime sportscaster Matt Dery joined the show. Dery is a Syracuse alum, and he and Seth went to school together. Recently, another member of their Syracuse brethren passed away unexpectedly. Mike Cranston was a sportscaster and reporter in multiple cities and is the former play-by-play voice of Winthrop University. MD joined the show to reminisce about their fallen friend and tell some Syracuse stories. He also discussed the Lions' resurgence in the NFL and the recently released Barry Sanders documentary. MD also compares his adopted city of Detroit to his childhood hometown near Cleveland, Ohio. Check out Matt Dery's Locked on Lions show here: https://apple.co/4c5G73Z.

444. 2024 NHL Stadium Series Recap w/Flyers' Host Jason Myrtetus Feb 28, 2024

Show notes

On February 17th and 18th, 2024, the NHL held two regular-season outdoor games at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The first game featured the New Jersey Devils hosting the Philadelphia Flyers, while the second game was between the New York Rangers and New York Islanders. The Devils played their first game at the Meadowlands since 2007. They spent the first 25 years in New Jersey playing at the Meadowlands Arena, which is across the parking lot. Flyers Pre/Post-Game Host Jason Myrtetus joined the podcast to review the Stadium Series and compare this outdoor to the five others that the Flyers have participated in. In this episode, they discuss the improvements made to the outdoor game since its beginning in 2008. Myrtetus also spoke about new Team President Keith Jones. The episode also addresses the 2018 Canada Junior Hockey scandal that has led to the arrest of Flyers goalie Carter Hart Devils forward Mike McLeod and defenseman Cal Foote. They also address the legacy of former #1 pick Nolan Patrick.

443. USMNT/AFC Bournemouth Midfielder Tyler Adams Feb 21, 2024

Show notes

NY-Area-born Tyler Adams is a soccer star in the English Premier League for AFC Bournemouth. He is also a key component of the US Men's National Soccer Team. Adams began his career with the New York Red Bulls and then moved to England to play with the sport's elite. He first joined Leeds United, and then was recently transferred to Bournemouth. He is recovering from injury at the time of this recording. Bournemouth is competing in the 5th round of the FA Cup, England's oldest trophy. The competition includes clubs from all levels of English football. Fifth Round matches feature 16 remaining Clubs, including Tyler's Bournemouth who take on Leicester City on February 27th. The iconic Emirates FA Cup Trophy heading to the United States for a historic first visit. Intentionally, New York was chosen as the first American destination, a traditional first point of US entry for visitors from other countries and home to some of the nation's most active and diverse soccer fans. The Emirates FA Cup 'New York Takeover' is a weeklong celebration of the competition, kicking off on Thursday, February 22nd. The Emirates FA Cup ‘New York Takeover' will include multiple stops where fans may take a photo with the iconic trophy plus two watch parties on Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 27th-28th where fans can come join in SoHo to watch a selection of 5th Round matches, meet FA Cup and USMNT legend Tim Howard, experience the magic of the FA Cup through amazing, augmented reality and win amazing FA Cup prizes.

442. The State of Sports Media 2024 – Streaming vs. Linear Feb 14, 2024

Show notes

During Super Bowl week, it was revealed that FOX, ESPN (Disney), and Warner Bros. Discovery were creating a new streaming app that would incorporate live sports content from all three companies. Super Bowl 58 averaged 123.4 million average viewers, making it the most-watched television program ever. Regional sports networks are on the brink of elimination, and yet sports rights have never been in higher demand. The College Football Playoff just signed with ESPN and the NBA national rights are currently being negotiated. Demetri Ravanos, writer for Barrett Sports Media, joined the show to discuss this and many sports media topics. Ravanos is also the host of College Football Bubble Bath, found on YouTube and other social media. His recent story on the new streaming service can be found here: https://barrettsportsmedia.com/2024/02/13/disney-spiderweb-for-espns-future/.

441. From Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas Aaron Taylor Feb 07, 2024

Show notes

This episode previews the Super Bowl 58 matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. Aaron Taylor played six seasons in the NFL, playing in two Super Bowls, and winning one. Taylor is a 2021 College Football Hall of Fame inductee, having played his collegiate career at Notre Dame. In this episode, Taylor sets the scene in Las Vegas, which is hosting its first Super Bowl. He talks about the impact of Taylor Swift's attendance at Chiefs games, and how that may impact viewership of the Super Bowl. Taylor does take issue with Seth Everett's coverage of Super Bowl 32, where his Packers lost to the Denver Broncos, a team and game that Seth covered. Aaron Taylor is involved in Future Fans, a game designed to help kids understand that the game is the hardest part. For more information, visit futurefans.com.

440. Gary Myers on Super Bowl 58, New NY Giants Book Jan 31, 2024

Show notes

Longtime NFL reporter turned author Gary Myers makes his third appearance on the show. (Episodes 49 and 117) Myers has been covering the NFL since 1978. He wrote for the New York Daily News starting in 1989. He's been an insider/analyst for HBO's Inside the NFL and the YES Network's This Week in Football. His new book, Once a Giant: A Story of Victory, Tragedy, and Life After Football, chronicled the New York Giants 1986 championship and focuses on the years after football. In this episode, Myers previews the Super Bowl 58 matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. They discuss the impact Taylor Swift has had on the league, including the vitriol. Get Once a Giant here: https://a.co/d/aO3xNJl

439. The Roller Coaster of Sports: Highs and Lows in Seattle Jan 24, 2024

Show notes

On January 8th, 2024, the University of Washington was playing in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game against the University of Michigan. The Huskies hadn't won a national title since 1991. After the build-up of unprecedented proportions, the Huskies lost to the Wolverines 34-13. Four days later, Washington's head coach Kalen DeBoer was named the new head coach of the University of Alabama, replacing the legend, Nick Saban. Soon after, several players, including starters entered the transfer portal. Between that and graduation, suddenly the Washington roster was dissolving. Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks missed the playoffs finishing 9-8. After 14 seasons, including two Super Bowl appearances and one championship, the Seahawks fired head coach Pete Carroll, the most successful coach in franchise history. This roller coaster of emotions brought back Dave “Softy” Mahler from 950 KJR in Seattle. The long-time radio host makes his second appearance on the podcast, his first being Episode 190.

438. Sam Adams, Denver Sports Reporter Turned Stand-Up Comedian Jan 17, 2024

Show notes

Longtime sports reporter/broadcaster Sam Adams recently announced that he was retiring from covering sports after three decades to pursue stand-up comedy full-time. Adams is best known for being a reporter for the Rocky Mountain News until the paper's demise in 2009. Since then, he has done various radio and TV shows, while honing his craft as a stand-up. In this episode, Adams talks about his extensive experience in the Denver sports media scene, highlighting the 1996 Colorado Avalanche Stanley Cup Championship and the 1998 Super Bowl Championship for the Denver Broncos. One career highlight that Adams considers is the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. He also tells the origin story of his stand-up comedy career. During the podcast, he pays homage to legendary Denver radio host the late Thierry Smith, who has a unique connection to this podcast. Follow Sam's stand-up career at samadamsdoescomedy.com.

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