Sports Media with Richard Deitsch

Episode 586 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Sports Business Journal media writer Austin Karp and CBC Sports host Donnovan Bennett. In this podcast we discuss the reporting that the Washington Post may cut its sports section amid massive layoffs; the disbanding of The Washington Post; how there are no safe harbour jobs in sports journalism in 2026; the Super Bowl matchup and how it plays as a viewership game; Austin’s prediction that the Seahawks-Patriots will set a new viewership record; Caitlin Clark being hired by NBC’s NBA coverage; SBJ’s story on the NFL Monday Wild Card window and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 585 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Neil Best, who worked for Newsday for many decades covering sports media, the NFL and  other topics. He retired from journalism in December. In this podcast, Best discusses what covering sports media was like for him over the last two decades; how he approached the job as a writer whose market was the No. 1 media market in the U.S.; the endless power of the NFL; why sports-talk radio was such an important topic for him; his time covering the Giants for time; working for the Anchorage (Alaska) Times; whether the streamers will ultimately get all the NFL content; why Newsday was one of the only places that staffed a full-time sports media columnist at a major newspaper; the future of this subject matter as far as a beat, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 584 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Sports Media Watch editor and founder Jon Lewis and Boston Globe sports media writer Chad Finn. In this podcast we assess the NFL Championship Games from a media perspective; why the Broncos and Patriots might struggle with viewership; Tom. Brady's improvement as a broadcaster; how NBC would look at potential Super Bowl matchups; what NFL package the steamers might want; Bill Belichick as a full-time media person; why some broadcasters and reporters address NFL owners as Mr. and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 583 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Richie Zyontz, the lead producer for FOX's top NFL team featuring Kevin Burkhardt, Tom Brady, Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi, and Rich Russo, the lead director for that team. FOX will air the Rams at Seahawks at 6:30 PM ET on Sunday from Seattle. In this podcast, Zyontz and Russo discuss their schedule this week; why Lumum Field is so good for NFL production teams; how the FOX team sees Sean McVay and Mike Macdonald in production meetings; why Mike Tomlin is a good television prospect; how specifically Brady has improved as a broadcaster; their favourite moment of the year with Brady; if the broadcast has had to work around restrictions on Brady; whether Brady will stay for the duration of his broadcast contract; how the public does not see what Andrews and Rinaldi do behind the scenes and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Here’s a first look from our upcoming podcast with Richie Zyontz, the lead producer for Fox's top NFL team featuring Kevin Burkhardt, Tom Brady, Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi, and Rich Russo, the lead director for that team. The full podcast will be out on Jan. 23  In this preview clip, Zyontz and Russo discuss from their perspective why Brady has improved as a broadcaster in Year 2. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Olson, a prominent sports media agent at CAA, represents stars like Laura Rutledge and Pablo Torre. He shares insights on navigating client relationships amid intense competition and the evolving landscape of sports media. Olson highlights the rising importance of live sports and the strategic shifts toward digital platforms. He discusses the diverse salary ranges and the unique opportunities for talent in streaming. Additionally, he explains the career trajectories of clients like Elle Duncan at Netflix and Tim Legler at ESPN, emphasizing adaptability in an ever-changing industry.

Episode 581 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Terry Gannon, NBC's lead Olympic figure skating and gymnastics caller as well as a play-by-play announcer and host for the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour. Since October 2025, Gannon has also served as a play-by-play voice for the NBA on NBC and Peacock. In this podcast Gannon discusses how the Opening Ceremony assignment for Milan Cortina came about; calling Olympic figure skating with Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir since the 2014 Olympics and why its worked; why this might be the greatest U.S. figure skating team ever; what a play by play broadcaster should possess when calling figure skating; why Snoop Dogg has popped at the Olympics; working an NBA broadcasting schedule; playing against Michael Jordan in college; winning a basketball championship at N.C. State under Jim Valvano, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 580 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Sports Media Watch editor and founder Jon Lewis and CBC Sports host Donnovan Bennett. In this podcast we go over all of the NFL Divisional games from a media perspective; whether the Bills-Broncos can overcome Saturday being a less-watched day than Sunday; the criticisms of Tony Romo; Tom Brady's improvement; if we think the college football national championship is a good viewership game; Al Michaels returning for another year; the press conference comments from Lynn Jones to Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen during a press conference; why that became a cause célèbre for some sports writers, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jon Lewis, founder of Sports Media Watch, and Austin Karp, lead media reporter for Sports Business Journal, dive into the NFL Wild Card games from a media perspective. They discuss Prime Video's success with the Packers-Bears matchup, predicting viewership dynamics for various games. The trio explores the influence of prominent figures like Tom Brady and Troy Aikman taking on team roles while advising in media. They also analyze the ratings potential of college football playoff games, shedding light on emerging storylines and their impact on audience engagement.

Courtney Thompson, a two-time U.S. Olympic volleyball player and analyst for USA Network's League One Volleyball, shares her insights on the booming popularity of women's volleyball. She discusses how the league's market choices foster community engagement and why high-profile investors lend credibility. Thompson emphasizes volleyball's growth potential, college fan loyalty, and the upcoming 2028 Olympics in L.A. as pivotal for expansion. Plus, she highlights the increasing youth participation and the evolving landscape of broadcasting in the sport.