Awful Announcing Podcast

In today's podcast we welcome one of the brightest minds covering sports and a lead college basketball analyst for ESPN, Jay Bilas. The former Duke player not only works in the College GameDay studio and calls games for ESPN, but also serves as an NBA Draft analyst. And he has one of the must-follow Twitter accounts in sports featuring his calls for NCAA reforms and Young Jeezy tweets. In this in-depth podcast, we chat with Jay about...-The Bill Raftery-sized hole in his life and his best Raft story.-Balancing his work in the booth, studio, and the draft.-Whether or not he's working on new vocabulary for the Jay Bilas drinking game.-Which issue is most affecting the institutional structure of the NCAA.-How the free market might be the best solution for fixing what's wrong with amateurism.-Whether he's ever been told by the NCAA or ESPN to tone down his criticism.-Comparing the sensational freshman trio - Julius Randle (UK), Jabari Parker (Duke), and Andrew Wiggins (Kansas)-The value of a strong early season schedule and how the college basketball regular season compares to college football.-Rules changes in college basketball to make it a more appealing product. We discuss a 24 second shot clock in the men's game that could greatly improve the pace of play.-A bit on Ohio State, VCU and mid-majors. Also, whic coach is the next Brad Stevens. Is there one?-Under what scenario would he finally follow someone on Twitter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ahead of this week's United States Grand Prix it's an absolute pleasure to welcome aboard one of the most venerable voices in sports broadcasting, NBC Formula One analyst David Hobbs. David has announced motorsports on American television for over 35 years and moved to NBC this year with the network's Formula One coverage. In this podcast, we chat with David about this year's season, his history in television, and much more including...-The history making 1979 Daytona 500 as the first live 500 mile NASCAR race to be televised.-Motorsports on television throughout the years.-This year's Formula One season and the dominance of 4 time champ Sebastian Vettel.-Whether we've seen anything like Vettel in the history of motorsports.-This weekend's US Grand Prix in Austin and the success of the event.-Formula One in the states.-How an American driver might be able to break into the series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's AA Podcast features a conversation with the top NFL reporter in America, ESPN's Adam Schefter. His reporting has been at the center of the unfolding bullying controversy in Miami involving Richie Incognito and jonathan Martin. Since joining ESPN in August 2009, Schefter has quickly become one of the top reporters in all of sports. In this interview, we not only chat with Schefter about his reporting about the Dolphins, but how NFL reporting has evolved and the amount of interest in the league's news cycle. Topics include... -The timeline of his reporting and how it came together for him and Chris Mortensen, including his knowledge of the explosive voicemail.-The current power of reporting in the NFL and how this story has moved so quickly.-How NFL reporting is like trying to stop the waves in the ocean.-Juggling several stories at once including what's happening in Miami, Aaron Rodgers' injury, and health scares with head coaches.-Why the hazing and bullying aspect of the Dolphins story resonates with the greater public.-Whether or not there is a ceiling for the thirst of NFL news.-What advice Adam has for younger journalists looking to pursue a career in sports reporting.-The social media policies at ESPN evolving as Twitter has grown in importance and how he uses Twitter statistics to help his reporting.-Why he is very careful with his words and how he frames reports and the highwire act between being first and being correct. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's podcast, we invite one of the sports blogosphere's favs, Jimmy Traina, who is on the move from Sports Illustrated to Fox Sports. In the last several years, Jimmy has taken Hot Clicks at SI to one of the most popular features not just at the magazine, but across the web in sports. In this podcast, AA chats with Jimmy about the move, the evolution of Hot Clicks, and the media, and an assortment of topics including...-What it's like to now be co-workers with Erin Andrews.-Why make the move now to Fox and how what he does there will differ from Hot Clicks. Hint: more regular content instead of merely posting twice a day.-The evolution of the sports media and how Twitter changed the game.-How he'll fit into the changing nature of FoxSports.com with their added emphasis on pop culture.-The fate of his beloved miniature SI television.-The explosion of national coverage for Mike Francesa in the last year and how the show has been "joyless" since the departure of Chris Russo.-His top MLB and NFL announcers.-What's on his bucket list at Fox.-Whether or not he has any trash talk for the likes of Richard Deitsch and Andy Gray. Sadly, Jimmy does not. *kicks dirt* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We finally catch up with one of our favorites on this week's podcast, lead ESPN soccer analyst Taylor Twellman. The former MLS MVP has quickly become ESPN's top game analyst for the US Men's National Team and Major League Soccer broadcast. In this podcast we not only chat with Taylor about the USMNT clinching a World Cup berth (and keeping Mexico alive) but a number of other interesting topics as well, including...-Whether the US team thought about tanking against Panama.-How Mexico fell so far so fast and whether or not New Zealand may actually beat them in the playoffs.-How Jurgen Klinsmann turned around US Soccer after doubts about his tenure.-The US players who helped themselves the most this summer.-Surprises and disappointments from around the globe in World Cup qualifying.-The concussion issue in sports, League of Denial, and his Think Taylor organization.-The next steps forward in dealing with concussions.-MLS TV rights and ratings for the league being down.-Possible solutions for MLS in helping to grow the league on television. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the pleasant surprises of the MLB Postseason has been the entertaining crew TBS has assembled for their studio shows. One of their studio analysts is former Major League pitcher and best-selling author Dirk Hayhurst. After just 25 MLB appearances, Hayhurst has written extensively about his journeyman career and has embraced his travels to being a successful author and broadcaster. Today, Dirk chats with AA about the challenges he faces as a baseball analyst, this year's postseason, Garfooses, and much more. Topics include...-How it feels as a Kent State guy to be called a nerd by Vandy's David Price.-The burden he carries on TV being a rare analyst that wasn't a superstar and the acceptance of his personhood outside baseball.-Opening doors to other talented broadcasters who may not have had great big league success.-How his struggles in minor and major league baseball have helped him as an announcer.-The Cardinals and how they, like cockroaches, refuse to die.-Pirates-Cardinals and A's-Tigers Game 5 mini-previews.-Why Pirates-A's is the best World Series matchup.-The origins of his Twitter handle, The Garfoose.This is by far one of the most fun podcasts we've ever had, so make sure to check it out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's podcast we welcome the newest member of one of the most elite fraternities in broadcasting. 39 year old Kevin Burkhardt is the only rookie play by play man calling NFL games for one of the major networks and he joins us to talk about his remarkable career path and his first few weeks on the job for Fox. Kevin chats with AA about...-His experience through the first three weeks of the season and if he's had a "welcome to the big leagues" moment working for the NFL on Fox.-The most unique elements of calling national NFL games.-His career path that has taken him from local radio through working at a car dealership to calling NFL games.-What one thing he learned from selling cars has helped him most in broadcasting. Seriously!-Balancing his SNY duties with the Mets with NFL duties for Fox.-The challenges in covering a team that's far out of the playoff race late in the season.-Working a broadcast with Jerry Seinfeld and being one of the few people the comedian follows on Twitter.-Looking ahead to this week's Chiefs-Giants game.A lot of fascinating insights from Kevin, especially for any young prospective broadcasters out there. It's definitely worth your time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's podcast we welcome back CBS Sports college football insider for his annual visit to talk about the world of college football. Bruce published a fascinating all access piece inside Texas A&M football this week that's the focus of our early conversation before turning to the major college football media story of the past month, the Sports Illustrated investigation into Oklahoma. It's a very interesting conversation about the current state of reporting into college athletics, the media, and the state of the NCAA. Other topics include...-How he got Texas A&M to agree to an all access piece.-His approach to behind the scenes journalism and reporting the story.-The A&M/Bama game itself and the major takeaway from it.-How A&M responds to the loss and their national title hopes still being in tact.-The SI-Oklahoma State story and the reaction to it.-Is investigative reporting into players receiving benefits and college programs even worth it?-Bo Pelini's responsibility in the audio of him bashing Nebraska fans reaching the public.-The slate of uninspiring games this weekend and why there's so many glorified exhibitions.-A QB controversy looming at Ohio State?-Who's the most interesting team to watch over the next month of the season.If you're interested in college football or journalism this is a must listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's AA Podcast welcomes the host of NASCAR Now, ESPN's Shannon Spake. Shannon came from Speed Channel to ESPN and now not only serves as a NASCAR host and reporter but as a college football and basketball reporter for the upcoming season. Additionally, she just signed a new contract extension with Bristol. We go inside that process as well as...-What led her to re-sign with ESPN and whether or not she had any thoughts about leaving ESPN for another opportunity.-The demise of her former employer Speed and the future of NASCAR on TV.-The differences between NASCAR reporting and football/basketball.-The best and most difficult interviews in NASCAR.-What it was like to report the Clowney hit at the Outback Bowl earlier this year.-This weekend's upcoming race at Bristol and who needs a win most.-Her championship pick - Jimmie Johnson or the field. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we welcome ESPN college sports sideline reporter Samantha Ponder. Sam has become one of the most popular and recognizable personalities at ESPN almost overnight with her debut on College GameDay last year and subsequent marriage to Vikings QB Christian Ponder. I talked with Sam about her new life in the fishbowl, her rise at ESPN, and the upcoming college football season. Topics include...-Her meteoric rise through the industry and why the Spelling Bee is her favorite gig.-The one lesson she learned in her first year at ESPN.-How she approaches sideline reporting and providing something different for viewers.-Why criticism of her husband is more difficult to deal with than herself.-The perils of social media and why she took Twitter off her phone.-Working the ESPYs red carpet with her husband.-Which college football personalities are the best and most difficult to interview.-The situation at Texas A&M and the saga of Johnny Manziel.-Should college athletes be treated as kids or adults?-The importance of her charity work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.