Awful Announcing Podcast

On a special edition of the AA Podcast we break the news of ESPN's newest additions to the basketball version of College GameDay - former Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg and former Duke star Jay Williams. The ACC pair will join Rece Davis and Jay Bilas on the 2014-15 version of ESPN's flagship college sports show. On the podcast, Seth and Jay take us through their ESPN careers and getting the call to join GameDay and the different paths they took. Also, there's plenty of lively banter between the two on topics ranging from their history with one another to the current state of college basketball and paying players. Other topics include...-Their unique paths to ESPN and how the veteran and rookie roles might be reversed for the two from the normal player-coach dynamic.-Taking GameDay on the road and performing in front of a live crowd. -Seth and Jay's relationship and how it evolved after a rocky start after Williams criticized Va Tech on the air before Greenberg came to ESPN.-Flex scheduling for GameDay and the importance of going to the best game every week.-The criticism of Coach K's recruiting advantages with college basketball and the race to get ahead.-Is Kevin Ollie one of the game's elite coaches?-Parity and the importance of the regular season.-The state of college basketball and where we're at in the discussion of paying players.-Just how did Jay Williams get so many Twitter followers? Must be that Bieber kid.All that and a lot more on a very fun, unique, AA Podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the second time, we've collected our editorial staff for a roundtable discussion on the eventful month that's been in the NFL. We're joined by Steve Lepore, Ken Fang, and Joe Lucia to wade through arguably the worst month of off-field news in NFL history, the league's response (or lack thereof), and how the media has covered it all. In addition, we tackle some other sports media topics of the day. Our conversation covers...-Major takeaways from the NFL scandals.-Where is Roger Goodell?-How NFL insiders reported the story and the trust gap that may have developed.-TMZ as the sports media person of the year? It doesn't sound too crazy.-Mike Francesa's simulcast woes on FS1.-Gus Johnson stepping down from Fox soccer and who should replace him.-How will the MLB postseason do in the ratings without the Yanks and Sawx?A lively discussion on a number of topics, hope you join us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's podcast features a lenghty, in-depth interview with Josh Elliott of NBC Sports. Elliott recently moved to the peacock after a succesful run at Good Morning America saw that show vault over Today to become the number one morning show in the land. Now Elliott serves as a features reporter across a variety of NBC sports and news platforms. We spent a lot of time talking about the Ray Rice story and the credibility crisis facing the NFL as well as his time in morning show television and his future at NBC. Topics include...- Why this story (Ray Rice-NFL-domestic violence) has resonated with so many in becoming a mainstream sports and news story.- Being in San Francisco for Sunday Night Football, what the reaction is to the ongoing Ray McDonald and Greg Hardy cases in relation to Ray Rice.- The pressure mounting on Roger Goodell and whether or not he should lose his job.- Whether or not this credibility crisis will affect the league's popularity in any way.- The larger cultural issues in sports that need changed when it comes to equality.- Josh's move from GMA to NBC and the defining factor that led him to a new opportunity.- His desire to be a great teammate at NBC Sports and what may be in his future at the network. I tried really hard to get Josh to say whether he would rather have Bob Costas' primetime Olympic job or Matt Lauer's Today hosting gig, but he deftly handled my line of questioning.- The ability to tell stories in sports and news and the crossover between working in both.- The feature story he would most like to do (on Lionel Messi) and his proudest story to date (Steve Gleason).All that and so much more on this edition of the AA Podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The AA Podcast is back! After a summer hiatus we're back for a new fall season of the Awful Announcing Podcast. And what better guest to invite on the program than one of the most respected journalists and hosts in the history of sports media - ESPN's Bob Ley. The OTL host has been there since the beginning and we were fortunate enough to spend an hour chatting with him talking about a number of topics including...- Saying goodbye to ESPN's World Cup coverage.- Making the case that Germany 7, Brazil 1 being the most shocking result in the history of sports.- ESPN's next steps in soccer and increased competition in the sports rights derby.- ESPN's growth into a multi-billion dollar corporation and whether some of the soul of the network's beginnings is still in tact.- How ESPN has adjusted to being watched by sports media observers and reporters.- What advice he would give to someone starting out at ESPN and how the network can continue to push forward. - The recent Redskins OTL special and the nickname debate as well as his personal commentary that drew attention from both sides.- His feelings on using the nickname: “I’ve chosen to not use the words Redskins as best as I can for about the last year, but I haven’t made a big deal about it. It’s just a personal choice.”- The media and NFL reactions to the Redskins nickname debate and what it says regarding the larger culture of both.- The OTL timeshift and how the show hopes to power through being pushed to a worse timeslot for football season.- Why a trip to Wembley is what's left on Bob Ley's bucket list. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This weekend represents the biggest day in motorsports across the world and the marquis event is the Indy 500. On today's podcast we're joined by the host of the race for ABC, SportsCenter anchor Lindsay Czarniak. This will be Lindsay's first assignment since having her first child in March. On today's show we talk about the race, her time away, and working on the 6 PM SportsCenter. Topics include...- Coming back to broadcasting this weekend for the Indy 500.- Her personal reaction to the backlash to Daniel Murphy's paternity leave and her Today Show segment with husband Craig Melvin about their own experience.- The journey to ESPN and why her time working with the legendary George Michael was the pivotal step in her career.- What might surprise viewers about working the daily 6 PM SportsCenter.- Her relationship with co-anchor John Anderson and the chemistry they've developed.- Her affinity with motorsports and excitement in hosting the Indy 500 and being the first woman to do so.- Storylines to watch this weekend at the 500.- What's on Lindsay's bucket list. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this week's podcast, we have a special treat. ESPN coordinating producer Amy Rosenfeld granted us some time for an interview in the midst of preparations for the 2014 World Cup. Amy has played a major role in ESPN's critically acclaimed coverage of international soccer and the 2010 World Cup in particular. She's been one of the driving forces in transforming ESPN's coverage of the sport from a foreign novelty to the revered, mature product it is today. In this podcast, listeners are granted insights into that transformation and a look ahead to the 2014 World Cup broadcast. Topics include...-Amy's journey to being at the controls for ESPN's World Cup coverage and how far the network has come since the 1999 Women's World Cup.-Her personal philosophy in broadcasting sports and why staying out of the way is so important as well as how her life as a fan helps in production.-The transformation made at ESPN from the 2006 to 2010 World Cup and why the network no longer felt like it had to explain the offside rule.-Getting some of the best broadcasters around the world to come to ESPN and the meteoric rise of Ian Darke.-The importance of continuing to improve and evolve the telecasts of soccer.-The unique challenges represented by going to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup and how the network might cover social unrest during the tournament.-Who might be the breakout star in this year's cast of on-air personalities.-The years of preparation that goes into broadcasting the world's biggest sporting event.-Looking at the soccer landscape and all the major networks being invested in the sport.-ESPN's post-World Cup soccer coverage and the new MLS TV deal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's show we're joined by one of the best basketball players of the last generation, former All-Star and current NBA on TNT analyst Chris Webber. C-Web has seen his broadcast career take off since joining Turner and he's currently working alongside Ian Eagle calling the Pacers-Wizards Eastern Conference semifinal. In this podcast, we chat with Chris about his broadcast career, his desire to get into coaching, and how the playoffs have shaken out so far. Topics include...-How being close to the game as a broadcaster helps to prepare for an eventual coaching career and his desire to follow the paths of Mark Jackson and Steve Kerr.-What it's like to work with EJ, Kenny, and Charles at Inside the NBA and why it's even funnier behind the scenes.-Why this year's first round was the best ever.-The struggle in Indiana and what's really going on with the Pacers. It's not all Roy Hibbert's fault that the Pacers are reeling.-Walking the line in being able to be critical of players having been there before and having conversations with current players about some of his analysis.-Why the Wizards have a core group that could eventually be Finals contenders.-How many teams left have a legit shot at a championship.-HIs reaction to the Donald Sterling controversy and why he hopes it motivates the NFL to change the Washington Redskins nickname. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's podcast we talk about the Donald Sterling controversy with Bomani Jones of ESPN. Bomani's work has drawn plenty of attention this week due to a column he wrote in 2006 documenting Donald Sterling's racism and asking why it wasn't news. Although Bomani has been credited with showing "foresight" the truth is he was one of the few calling attention to the real issue at hand that was ignored for years. In this podcast, we cut straight to the heart of the matter to talk about sports, race, the media, and society as a whole. Topics include...-Why his 2006 column is receiving more attention now than it did then.-Whether or not a threatened player boycott forced the hand of Adam Silver to deliver a maximum punishment.-Why we are easily drawn to the sexiness of the TMZ audio versus housing discrimination.-The validity of Mark Cuban's "slippery slope" comments.-The legacy of David Stern. -Who takes the brunt of the blame for enabling Donald Sterling for years and not speaking out.-Whether or not the NBA and professional sports have been changed forever.-Why it's so difficult to address serious issues dealing with discrimination in sports and society.-Why Bomani thinks this week showed no progress in how we talk about and approach race in sports.-His journey from freelancing for ESPN.com to being a stalwart in ESPN's daily lineup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's podcast we shift our attention to the NHL postseason and chat with NBC sports host Liam McHugh. Liam is the lead studio anchor for NBC's coverage of the NHL as well as Notre Dame football, the Tour de France, and other sports. In many ways, he is one of the faces of the young NBCSN. Today we talk with Liam about the Stanley Cup and his career at NBC. Topics include...-His journey to NBCSN including looking back at his time with Versus and The Daily Line and what that experience meant for his career.-How he became a "hockey guy" with his NHL assignments.-Whether he's ever had to break up a fight between Mike Milbury and Jeremy Roenick. Sadly, answer is no, but the behind the scenes dynamics are great.-Why Pens-Blue Jackets is the most exciting first round series.-How the physicality of the Blackhawks has been one of the most impressive things from the playoffs thus far.-What it maeans to have an 18 year old, Nathan MacKinnon, as the top points scorer of the postseason.-What's left on Liam's broadcasting bucket list? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's podcast we welcome the co-host of Fox Sports 1's newest show, America's Pregame, Molly McGrath. Molly has been with FS1 since the network launch in mid-August. After serving mainly at the newsdesk providing updates, she then got the call to co-host Fox's new daily show alongside Mike HIll (who she incredibly used to print scripts for as a production assistant at ESPN). Molly also chats with AA about...-Her sportscasting journey including how she created a sports reporting role as a Boston College cheerleader.-Her time with the Boston Celtics and whether she has any good Tommy Heinsohn stories.-Moving to Fox Sports 1 and the difference in sports on the west coast and east coast.-Fighting the stigma against blonde women working at Fox News and Fox Sports 1.-Is Fox Sports 1 really "the one for fun" behind the scenes?"-The vision for America's Pregame and how it can grow into being an alternative to SportsCenter.-Why taking viewer suggestions for improving the show is so important.-Which would she rather watch - NBA or NHL Playoffs?-Her advice to young, aspiring sportscasters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.