

Awful Announcing Podcast
Awful Announcing
One of the premier sports blogs on the Internet now has its own podcast. Some of the biggest names and newsmakers in sports media will join us regularly on the Awful Announcing Podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 31, 2025 • 1h 18min
Verne Lundquist on 'Happy Gilmore 2,' legendary calls, the Masters, and more
Host Brandon Contes interviews broadcasting legend Verne Lundquist. Brandon and Verne discuss a wide range of topics including Verne's time on the "Happy Gilmore" movies, the behind the scenes details of his iconic calls over his near 60-year career, his various broadcast partners, and more.-2:01: “Happy Gilmore 2”-15:35: Retirement/Iconic Masters calls-35:34: Starting broadcasting career/Being Terry Bradshaw’s NFL broadcast partner-50:55: SEC on CBS/Gary Danielson/Bill Raftery-1:05:36: Current eventsDownload the Awful Announcing Podcast:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedInAwful Announcing on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 24, 2025 • 54min
Dan Orlovsky on re-signing with ESPN, being on TV, wild food takes, and more
Host Brandon Contes interviews ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky. Brandon and Dan discuss a wide range of topics including staying at ESPN and whether or not he considered leaving, praying for Damar Hamlin and having his autistic son on air during World Autism Awareness Day, his various food takes, and more.-1:53: Staying at ESPN-15:51: Being at ESPN/memorable moments-29:41: Youth sports/coaching aspirations-39:07: Working studio, booth, and debate shows-43:58: Food takes-49:03: Lloyd Howell and JC Tretter resigning from NFLPA/Matthew Stafford retirementDownload the Awful Announcing Podcast:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedInAwful Announcing on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 17, 2025 • 49min
Howard Megdal on his Caitlin Clark book, Clark's popularity, WNBA growth, and more
Host Brandon Contes interviews founder of The IX newsletter, The Next, and author of "Becoming Caitlin Clark," Howard Megdal. With the WNBA All-Star Game coming up, Brandon and Howard discuss his new book along with a wide range of topics including Caitlin Clark's talent and her rise in popularity, how the media covers Clark, the WNBA's role and its responsibility in Clark's popularity with the rise of women's basketball, and more.NOTE: We recorded before Clark re-aggravated her groin injury on July 15.-1:51: Focusing on women’s sports coverage-6:10: “Becoming Caitlin Clark” book-12:44: Caitlin Clark talk-26:01: WNBA talk, league growth, and their preparation for Caitlin Clark’s fame-42:35: Christine Brennan’s Caitlin Clark book-45:12: New York Mets seasonDownload the Awful Announcing Podcast:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedInAwful Announcing on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 10, 2025 • 48min
Dave Sims on being voice of the Yankees, torpedo bats, Boomer Esiason, and more
Host Brandon Contes interviews Yankees radio play-by-play broadcaster Dave Sims. Brandon and Dave discuss a wide range of topics including replacing John Sterling as voice of the Yankees, the public overreaction of torpedo bats, responding to Boomer Esiason's criticism of taking a series off in May, and more.-1:49: Yankees talk, TV and radio-8:06: Replacing John Sterling as voice of the Yankees, being a Black baseball broadcaster-17:40: Suzyn Waldman, WFAN, Boomer Esiason, Howard Stern-31:00: Yankees and Mariners fans, torpedo bats, Cal Raleigh-39:37: Ford C. Frick nominee, hosting with Mike Krzyzewski, future broadcasting goalsDownload the Awful Announcing Podcast:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedInAwful Announcing on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 3, 2025 • 56min
Tim Legler on NBA coverage, Damian Lillard, LeBron James, and more
Host Brandon Contes interviews ESPN NBA analyst and host of "The ALL NBA Podcast" Tim Legler. Brandon and Tim discuss a wide range of topics including how things like three point shooting and physicality in the NBA has changed since he played in the 90s, working at ESPN, the opportunity Damian Lillard has after being waived by the Milwaukee Bucks, LeBron James' opt-in to the Los Angeles Lakers, and more.-1:42: Tim’s playing career-20:29: Evolution of NBA from 90s to today-24:00: Getting to ESPN and having a media career-35:10: Changes in how media covers the NBA since the 90s-39:24: Current NBA storylinesDownload the Awful Announcing Podcast:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedInAwful Announcing on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 20, 2025 • 55min
Jay Bilas on Cooper Flagg, NIL, NBA Draft, and more
Host Brandon Contes interviews ESPN college basketball and NBA analyst Jay Bilas. Brandon and Jay discuss a wide range of topics including Cooper Flagg going from Duke to the NBA Draft, the future of NIL amid the House vs. NCAA settlement, practicing law while being a broadcaster, and more.-:45: Cooper Flagg-14:47: Oklahoma City Thunder-16:37: NBA Draft-24:09: Going from law to broadcasting-27:12: House vs. NCAA settlement-37:09: Coaching-39:14: Working NCAA Tournament on CBS-40:51: Working Duke games-45:35: Working NBA games-53:40: Jay Wright not interested in Knicks head coaching jobDownload the Awful Announcing Podcast:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedInAwful Announcing on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 13, 2025 • 59min
Noah Eagle on Ian Eagle, 'NBA on NBC,' Michael Jordan, and more
Host Brandon Contes interviews "NBA on NBC" and "Big Ten Saturday Night" voice Noah Eagle. Brandon and Noah discuss a wide range of topics including how dad Ian Eagle is outside the broadcast booth, how the "NBA on NBC" will combine nostalgia with the current NBA product, being co-workers with Michael Jordan, working the Olympics with Dwyane Wade, and more.-:45: Being young for original “NBA on NBC” run-2:33: Favorite sport growing up-3:39: Was NBA a possibility when Noah signed with NBC?-5:11: First NBA memory-8:56: Still able to be a Nets fan?-10:11: NBC leaning into nostalgia with “NBA on NBC”-13:28: Using AI for nostalgia reasons-16:54: What will Michael Jordan do on NBC?-18:13: NBC NBA announcer teams-19:41: Nets fans feelings about Marv Albert-21:49: Watching games when not broadcasting-23:59: Having a famous last name in broadcasting-27:01: Deciding to be a broadcaster-29:11: Building a big enough resume to overcome nepotism claims-31:09: Reading social media comments-32:51: Getting the Clippers job right out of college-36:09: Ian Eagle’s NBA plans?-36:49: Does Ian come to Noah for advice?-38:34: What is Ian good at other than broadcasting?-40:04: Who has the more refined palette?-41:09: Biggest game Noah called so far?-44:00: Working with Dwyane Wade-47:55: Wade to Prime Video-48:53: Calling an NFL playoff game-50:49: Calling college football-54:27: A call Noah would like to do over-55:53: Favorite callDownload the Awful Announcing Podcast:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedInAwful Announcing on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 30, 2025 • 1h 1min
Mike Greenberg on Michael Jordan, 'Inside the NBA,' Shedeur Sanders, and more
Host Brandon Contes interviews ESPN's "Get Up!" and "Sunday NFL Countdown" host Mike Greenberg. Brandon and Mike discuss a wide range of topics including covering Michael Jordan in the early 90s, how "Inside the NBA" will do on ESPN, ESPN's strategy in covering Shedeur Sanders during the 2025 NFL Draft, and more.-:48: Growing up a Knicks fan-2:10: Greeny still a Knicks fan?-4:33: Becoming Bulls beat writer in the 90s-7:27: Michael Jordan with the local media-10:25: Goals out of college-12:11: Favorite interaction with Jordan-19:03: Why does Greeny think Jordan retired from basketball?-23:19: Jordan to NBC-24:53: “Inside the NBA” to ESPN-26:03: Feelings about “Inside the NBA” coming to ESPN if Greeny was still hosting “NBA Countdown”?-27:33: Trying to get Charles Barkley on “Get Up!”-29:53: Having a role with the NFL on ESPN-32:33: Preparing for the NFL Draft-35:50: Shedeur Sanders talk-39:10: End of “Mike & Mike”-42:02: Relationship with Mike Golic then and now-42:48: Chemistry with Golic if show came back today?-44:45: Chemistry with Jalen Rose and Michelle Beadle in start of “Get Up!”-47:08: Pitch for “Get Up!”-48:16: “Get Up!” evolution-50:18: Pressure to do hot takes?-52:56: Aaron Rodgers on “The Pat McAfee Show”-54:22: McAfee on ESPN-55:51: Missing radio?-57:16: Guest hosting with Kelly Ripa after Regis Philbin’s retirement-59:01: Just For Men commercialsDownload the Awful Announcing Podcast:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedInAwful Announcing on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 23, 2025 • 28min
James Hinchcliffe on Indy 500, Danica Patrick, Roger Penske, and more
Host Brandon Contes interviews Fox IndyCar analyst and 2016 Indy 500 pole sitter James Hinchcliffe. With the 2025 Indy 500 approaching, Brandon and James discuss a wide range of topics including taking risks even after a near-fatal crash, working with Danica Patrick, how the series is going with Roger Penske owning a team as well as IndyCar, and more.NOTE: We recorded with James on Tuesday 5/20, one day before Roger Penske announced he fired team president Tim Cindric, managing director Ron Ruzewski, and general manager Kyle Moyer. Awful Announcing reached out to Fox Sports to see if the news changed James' view and did not receive an update.-:44: More fun preparing to race or commentate the Indy 500?-1:20: Racing in IMSA-2:31: Would James ever return to IndyCar racing?-3:35: Difficulties of racing part-time compared to full-time drivers-4:22: Learning to crash-5:00: 2015 near-fatal crash-7:08: Pushing through boundaries of risk-8:17: Making the decision to retire-9:17: Comfort level with criticizing fellow competitors and friends-10:14: Calling first IndyCar race-10:52: Is broadcasting fulfilling?-11:49: Working with Danica Patrick-12:16: Popularity boost replacing Patrick-13:20: Working with Fox compared to NBC-14:51: Fan response of Fox IndyCar coverage-17:19: Team Penske penalties-22:07: Roger Penske owning Team Penske, IndyCar, and Indianapolis Motor Speedway-23:51: Will Fox discuss Penske penalties during race broadcast?-24:38: Difficulty for Newgarden to win three Indy 500’s in a row-25:17: Hélio Castroneves going for five Indy 500 wins-25:42: Kyle Larson trying to do the Indy-Charlotte double-26:05: Cold forecast at Indy-26:35: Gaps in schedule for IndyCarDownload the Awful Announcing Podcast:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedInAwful Announcing on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 16, 2025 • 41min
Curt Menefee on 'Fox NFL Sunday,' UFL, interviewing Eric Adams, and more
Host Brandon Contes interviews "Fox NFL Sunday" host and Fox UFL play-by-play broadcaster Curt Menefee. Brandon and Curt discuss a wide range of topics including hosting "Fox NFL Sunday" and being a part of Jimmy Johnson's Pro Football Hall of Fame announcement, a look at the strengths and opportunities of the UFL, pressing New York City mayor Eric Adams in a live interview, and more.-:50: Can a network have too many Dallas Cowboys games?-2:02: Paying attention to NFL schedule release?-3:32: Paying attention to TV ratings?-4:27: What made “Fox NFL Sunday” so successful?-6:09: Keeping the same feeling with Jimmy Johnson retiring-7:32: Learning when Johnson was retiring-9:22: Most memorable moment with Johnson-11:35: Balancing keeping show on track while letting hijinks shine-13:06: Terry Bradshaw-13:50: Replacing James Brown-17:47: Splitting hosting role with Joe Buck-19:17: Relationship with Buck at the time?-20:13: More pressure to build a new show or being the new guy on an established show?-21:01: Differences of “Fox NFL Sunday” and “Good Day New York”-23:31: Eric Adams interview-24:51: Commute during NFL season-26:48: Taking “Good Day New York” job-29:01: Daily sports radio in Dallas-30:26: Interacting with Skip Bayless-31:03: UFL play-by-play-32:39: UFL progression-34:10: Is UFL a success story?-35:53: Value of spring football-36:59: The Rock’s involvement-37:47: Seeing star potential with Greg Olsen-39:23: Interest in calling NFL games again?Download the Awful Announcing Podcast:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedInAwful Announcing on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


