The Sports Media Podcast

The fast TV ratings start to the NBA playoffs and the NHL’s streaming-focused regular season are two of the topics Andrew Marchand and John Ourand tackle on this week’s episode. The two also dive into how the networks handled the NFL Draft, look into the timetable Fox Sports is on to secure a top NFL game analyst, preview Peacock’s first exclusive MLB game and provide an update on LIV Golf’s new tour. Shoutouts go to Adam Schefter, Chris Ripley, Erik Carlson and Howie Rose. ESPN NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins joins the pod as The Big Get and talks about how he deals with players, including Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, who get upset with his outspoken analysis. He revealed which two teams offered him coaching jobs that he turned down. Perkins talks about growing up in Beaumont, Texas, his friendship with LeBron James, how he started his broadcast career and his career goals. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Andrew Marchand and John Ourand discuss the biggest stories in sports media, including Drew Brees' potential move from NBC to Fox, Kay Adams leaving Good Morning Football and the UFC possibly having some leverage over ESPN with Warner Bros./Discovery's David Zaslav on the scene. They go deep into Netflix's potential to move into sports, and debate Amazon and Apple's strategies.Other bold-faced names mentioned include Kaylee Hartung, Ari Emanuel, Mark Shapiro, Greg Olsen, Kevin Burkhardt, Jeff Bezos, Tim Cook, Gary Cohen, Roger Goodell, Adam Silver, Kyrie Irving, Wallace Matthews, Ian Begley, Mike Mazzeo, Matt Ehalt and Ted Sarandos.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Football carries the week, as Andrew Marchand and John Ourand go deep on NBC’s surprise decision to hire Melissa Stark as its “Sunday Night Football” sideline reporter; give an update on where Fox stands in terms of naming their top NFL talent; and reviews the USFL’s opening weekend. Marchand and Ourand discuss the Big Ten’s next media rights deal, compare Apple and Peacock’s strategies with MLB and check in with ESPN’s K-Rod booth. Podcast shoutouts this week: Melissa Stark, Chris Ripley, Burke Magnus, David Berson, Jon Miller, Kathryn Tappen, Al Michaels, Mike Tirico, Drew Brees, Cris Collinsworth, Greg Olsen, Joe Buck, Kevin Burkhardt, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Tony Romo, John Madden, Troy Aikman, Joe Davis, Mark Sanchez, Jon Vilma, Brad Zager, Eric Shanks, Ted Lasso, Katie Nolan, Alex Sherman, Tripp Mickle, Tim Cook, Steve Jobs, Fred Gaudelli, Kirk Herbstreit, Alex Rodriguez, Michael Kay, Chris Russo, John Sterling, Suzyn Waldman, Matt Vasgergian, Mike Breen, Chris Carrino, Ryan Ruocco, Richard Jefferson, Mike Greenberg, Stephen A. Smith, Scott Lauer, Scott MatthewsSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Andrew Marchand and John Ourand offer their analysis of Apple TV's "Friday Night Baseball" and what was wrong with the concept. They also examine what is next overall for Apple in sports. They go deep into what is next for Tuner Sports after the merger of Discovery and Warner Media. The duo critiques the Kay-Rod broadcast. Finally, they discuss the new USFL on Fox and what F1 might receive in new rights. Plus, The Masters and FS1.There are shoutouts for Eric Shanks and Chris Carrino in the "Who's up" section. Among the other names mentioned are: Melanie Newman, Chris Young, Hannah Keyser, Bill Simmons, Mina Kimes, Stephen Nelson, Hunter Pence, Katie Young, Nick Faldo, Jim Nantz, Lenny Daniels, Michael Kay and Alex Rodriguez. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Marchand & Ourand go inside the negotiations for the new deals Adam Schefter and Adrian Wojnarowski signed with ESPN, looking at everything from ESPN’s strategy to the next steps for the gambling companies that had been angling to sign them. Marchand & Ourand dissect the work of CBS and Turner’s top men’s college basketball booth during the Final Four and Championship game. And they analyze the sports strategy being employed by Amazon and Apple. Other topics include: Fox’s move to have Joe Davis call World Series games; why sponsors are supporting the MLB season so much; the on-going negotiations between Sinclair and Charter; and what to expect during the Masters this week. Podcasts mentions this week include: ESPN’s Jimmy Pitaro, Scott Van Pelt, Apple’s Jim Delorenzo, Jim Nantz, Grant Hill, Bill Raftery, Ian Eagle and others.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Andrew Marchand and John Ourand go into full details about Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit agreeing to big money deals to call Thursday Night Football with Amazon. Marchand says the key to the whole thing will not even be in the booth. Ourand gives the full details on what ESPN traded to Fox Sports for the rights to Joe Buck, ESPN's new Monday Night Football play-by-player. Marchand and Ourand discuss Troy Aikman's recent comments to Sports Illustrated about his departure from Fox to ESPN. Marchand and Ourand pay tribute to John Clayton.The Calls of the Week rank the calls from Reggie Miller, Jim Nantz, Ian Eagle, Andrew Catalon and Spero Dedes. Plus, the regular feature of "Who's up & Who's down." See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this week’s pod, Andrew Marchand and John Ourand go into deep detail on what Joe Buck’s $75 million contract and Troy Aikman’s $90 million deal mean for Monday Night Football, ESPN and Fox. They also go around the NFL, analyzing how Fox plans to replace Buck on the Super Bowl and World Series, as well as its approach with Aikman’s spot. Plus, Al Michaels to Amazon is at the half-yard line with a lot of money on the line. And NBC Sports’ role in all of the movement Plus, Apple and Peacock’s future with their new MLB TV deals.Plus, pod staples, “Who’s up, Who’s down” and the “Call of the Week.” The Big Get” is Bomani Jones, off the debut of his new HBO program, “Game Theory.” See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Andrew Marchand and John Ourand go deep on Apple’s deal to carry an MLB doubleheader every Friday night and talk about what that deal means for other leagues and rival media companies. The NFL’s announcer moves was another big topic this week, as the duo looked into each network’s strategy in terms of signing talent. Marchand and Ourand dive into viewer complaints about ESPN’s performance for Coach K’s last home game at Duke and break down the streaming deal between Sinclair and the NBA. Podcast shoutouts go to Peter King, Jason Gay, Burke Magnus, Noah Garden, Michael Rubin and Jason Bennetti. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Andrew Marchand and John Ourand break down Troy Aikman's move from Fox to ESPN for a record-setting five-year, $90-plus million. They look at Joe Buck, Fox and ESPN's decisons. What the next moves could have Al Michaels and Amazon. Plus, Amazon's interest in Kirk Herbstreit and their willingness to approach $100M for Sean McVay. They also go into MLB's pending deals with Apple and NBC when games resume. Plus, Sunday Ticket, Turner/US Soccer and a proper sendoff for Post MLB columnist Ken Davidoff.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Marchand and Ourand dissect Adam Silver’s comments about limiting locker room access for reporters. They also look into what’s next for the Olympics, which is coming off a disastrous two-year run in Japan and China. Marchand and Ourand discuss NFL media free agents this off-season and talk about NFL schedule changes that are likely to be implemented next season. Other topics include media prospects for the planned Saudi golf league and TV free agents in college football. Special mentions go to Holly Rowe, Phil Mickelson, Mike Tirico, Sean McVay, Ed Orgeron, Dan Mullen, Andrew Catalon, Craig Silver and Suzanne Smith. NASCAR President Steve Phelps joins as “The Big Get” and talks about an exciting Daytona 500, NASCAR’s upcoming media rights negotiations, whether ESPN covers his sport enough and his favorite NASCAR announcer when he was growing up in Vermont. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.