Awful Announcing Podcast

Host Brandon Contes interviews former Warriors beat writer and House of Strauss founder Ethan Strauss. Brandon and Ethan discuss a wide range of topics including this year's NBA All-Star Game, the tanking and load management problem in basketball, Kevin Durant's burner account scandal, and more.-2:05: NBA All-Star Game-11:49: Tanking in the NBA-21:48: Kevin Durant burner story-28:01: NBA reporters-35:37: Starting House of StraussDownload 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.

Host Brandon Contes interviews Fox Sports NASCAR reporter Alex Weaver. Brandon and Alex discuss a wide range of topics including this year's Daytona 500 storylines, the aftermath of the 23XI Racing/Front Row Motorsports lawsuit, the return of The Chase championship format, and more.-2:13: Daytona 500-11:49: Getting into NASCAR/sports media career-18:31: State of NASCAR-24:54: Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray-27:39: Michael Jordan and 23XI Racing post-lawsuit-31:58: Chase format coming back-34:14: Biffle/Hamlin family tragedies-37:38: Interviewing driversDownload 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.

Host Brandon Contes interviews Prime Video and NBC NFL sideline reporter and "Today" correspondent Kaylee Hartung. Kaylee is working the Super Bowl and the Winter Olympics for NBC, so Brandon and Kaylee discuss a wide range of topics including working the Super Bowl as a sideline reporter for the first time, covering the Winter Olympics in Italy, the importance of sideline reporting, and more.-2:18: Working first Super Bowl for NBC-18:37: Working for Prime Video-32:27: Covering Seattle Seahawks/Super Bowl postgame-48:42: Kaylee’s media origin story-57:48: Working Winter OlympicsDownload 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.

Host Brandon Contes interviews Netflix sports anchor and host Elle Duncan. Brandon and Elle discuss a wide range of topics including hosting "Skyscraper Live" and understanding viewer criticism of her commentary, leaving ESPN for Netflix, joining USA Sports WNBA coverage, and more.-2:05: Alex Honnold “Skyscraper Live” climb-28:02: Leaving ESPN-34:02: Working in sports media-42:03: WNBA-57:23: Super Bowl LXDownload 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.

Host Brandon Contes interviews "Wake Up Barstool" co-host T-Bob Hebert Brandon and T-Bob discuss a wide range of topics including Indiana's rise to power winning the National Championship, Lane Kiffin heading to T-Bob's alma mater LSU, working at Barstool Sports, and more.-2:06: CFP National Championship-19:12: Playing at LSU-30:28: Working in media-42:04: Barstool Sports-58:42: Covering college football/Lane KiffinDownload 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.

Host Brandon Contes interviews Craig Carton, host of "The Craig Carton Show" podcast as well as the new WFAN afternoon drive show, "The Carton Show with Chris Carton and Chris McMonigle." Brandon and Craig discuss a wide range of topics including FS1 canceling "Breakfast Ball," if Craig could ever work with Mike Francesa, turning down a coaching opportunity from Bill Belichick, and more.-1:53: “Breakfast Ball” cancellation/Doing TV-11:09: Returning to WFAN-23:13: Radio industry/Calling Yankees games-31:32: Working on “Breakfast Ball”/“The Craig Carton Show” podcast-41:49: Stephen A. Smith/Bill Belichick/Boomer EsiasonDownload 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.

Host Brandon Contes interviews Brandon Tierney, who hosts a new show on his YouTube page called "BT Unleashed." The two Brandon's discuss a wide range of topics including being replaced by Craig Carton at WFAN, working with Stephen A. Smith before "First Take," getting in a shouting match with Mike Francesa in the WFAN offices, and more.-2:32: Looking back at WFAN tenure-18:10: End of “BT and Sal”-30:51: Working with Sal Licata, Spike Eskin, and Stephen A. Smith-53:42: Radio-1:01:22: YouTube-1:15:55: Mike Francesa altercation-1:26:08: Stugotz disagreement, getting thrown out of Little League gameDownload 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.

It's a special episode of the Awful Announcing Podcast. We had some great discussions with many incredible people in sports media over the past year and we put together a collection of clips from 2025. We thank you for listening/viewing the podcast, and have a happy 2026.-:19: Howie Rose on not being comfortable hearing his Pete Alonso home run call on Mets plane (Episode 83)-9:50: Andrew "McLovin" Perloff on why he left "The Dan Patrick Show" (Episode 85)-12:45: Larry McReynolds on Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s fatal crash and praise of Mike Joy leading broadcast (Episode 87)-18:37: Tony Reali on reaching out to Jay Mariotti over the years (Episode 94)-25:02: Mike Greenberg on the success of "Mike and Mike" (Episode 101)-30:34: Dan Orlovsky on praying for Damar Hamlin while on ESPN (Episode 107)-34:51: Verne Lundquist on "Happy Gilmore 2" and meeting Post Malone (Episode 108)-43:09: Jordan Schultz on Pablo Torre's journalism (Episode 119)-49:49: Joe Davis on claims of Dodgers bias on Fox MLB broadcasts (Episode 120)D

Host Brandon Contes interviews Fox NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass. Brandon and Bob discuss a wide range of topics including all the happenings in the 23XI Racing/Front Row Motorsports vs. NASCAR antitrust lawsuit and settlement, getting called out by Michael Jordan, the NASCAR playoff system, and more.-2:25: 23XI/Front Row vs. NASCAR lawsuit/Michael Jordan testifying-16:13: Charter system-26:59: Media reaction to lawsuit/SRX/Michael Jordan’s relationship with NASCAR-40:10: NASCAR ratings/reaching younger viewers-47:56: NASCAR Playoff systemDownload 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.

Host Brandon Contes interviews NFL/MLB on Fox announcer and Chicago Bulls voice Adam Amin. Brandon and Adam discuss a wide range of topics including being Drew Brees' broadcast partner, the Indianapolis Colts signing Philip Rivers, working with Stacey King on Chicago Bulls broadcasts, and more.-2:10: Philip Rivers signing with Colts-6:01: Calling national and local games in NFL, MLB, and NBA-14:42: Inspiring future broadcasters/Being friends with Wayne Randazzo and Joe Davis-27:25: Chicago Bulls-37:21: Interest in NBC-Amazon NBA games/Preparing for calling different sports/Calling Tigers-Mariners 15 inning playoff game-51:31: Fox NFL SundayDownload 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.

Host Brandon Contes interviews ESPN SEC football analyst and co-host of “McElroy & Cubelic in the Morning” Cole Cubelic. Brandon and Cole discuss a wide range of topics including Lane Kiffin going to LSU, SEC football as a whole, Paul Finebaum's consideration and decision not to run for U.S. Senate, and more.-2:10: SEC football-20:22: Lane Kiffin leaving Ole Miss for LSU-28:23: Players feelings when coaches leave-42:42: NIL/Transfer Portal/CFB commissioner-53:15: Paul FinebaumDownload 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.

Host Brandon Contes interviews New York Mets field reporter/play-by-play broadcaster Steve Gelbs. Brandon and Steve discuss a wide range of topics including Aaron Glenn's handling of the media, Steve's initial struggles on the Mets' broadcast and hesitation to move to play-by-play, and more.-2:07: New York Jets QB situation/Aaron Glenn/Aaron Rodgers on Jets-19:35: Being a New York Yankees fan growing up-25:55: New York Mets early broadcasts-43:09: Developing relationships with players-1:02:50: Big calls and free agencyDownload 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.

Host Brandon Contes interviews Fox NFL and MLB broadcaster Joe Davis. Brandon and Joe review one of the best World Series ever, discussing Joe's favorite calls from the World Series and calls he wished he could redo. We also talk about accusations of bias because Joe also calls games for the LA Dodgers, Kevin Burkhardt's overnight trip from hosting the World Series to calling the NFL, how Joe would feel of President Donald Trump was in his broadcast booth for a game, and more.-2:13: 2025 World Series-17:26: Blue Jays broadcast/Dodgers bias-22:14: Shohei Ohtani-24:24: Redoing World Series calls/Joe Buck/Kevin Burkhardt-30:19: Donald TrumpDownload 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.

Host Brandon Contes interviews NFL insider, host of "The Schultz Report," and co-host of "Why Is Draymond Green Talking About Football?", Jordan Schultz. Brandon and Jordan discuss a wide range of topics including the craziness of the NFL trade deadline, Pablo Torre's take on insiders, working with Draymond Green, and being friends with Max Kellerman. Jordan broke news during recording that Asante Samuel Jr. was visiting the Carolina Panthers, as well as the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings. That resulted in some breaks during recording (fast forwarding through the dead air), but it's an interesting look at how an NFL insider gets and reports their info.-2:18: NFL trade deadline/Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams trades-15:58: Breaking Asante Samuel Jr. news-19:41: Missing out on Josh McDaniels story-23:42: Being an insider-29:30: Breaking more Asante Samuel Jr. news/breaking down process-34:12: Dealing with being in the Schultz family-40:52: Pablo Torre’s take on insiders-51:53: Draymond Green-59:12:

Host Brandon Contes interviews Voice of the Minnesota Timberwolves and NBA/WNBA play-by-play for Prime Video and NBC Michael Grady. Brandon and Michael discuss a wide range of topics including Alex Rodriguez owning the Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards and the "Face of the League" talk, being able to call nationally televised games for two companies, and more.-2:05: Staying busy in the NBA-3:57: Minnesota Timberwolves-9:55: Early work-17:14: Brooklyn Nets-28:39: NBA on NBC/NBA on Prime Video-46:46: WNBA on Prime and NBC/Peacock-58:00: Anthony Edwards “Face of the NBA”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.

Host Brandon Contes interviews Voice of the Charlotte Hornets Eric Collins. Brandon and Eric discuss a wide range of topics including his NFL broadcasting debut and his upcoming NBA work with Prime Video, working opposite Vin Scully at the Los Angeles Dodgers, calling Charlotte Hornets games while Michael Jordan was owner, and more.-2:12: Calling first NFL game-5:38: Doing NBA games for Prime Video/Dell Curry-10:22: Broadcasting style-30:18: Los Angeles Dodgers-35:59: Charlotte Hornets/Michael JordanDownload 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.

Host Brandon Contes interviews author Rich Podolsky, whose new book "Madden & Summerall--How They Revolutionized NFL Broadcasting" is out wherever you purchase your books. Brandon and Rich discuss stories from Rich's book, which takes us through the broadcasting careers of John Madden and Pat Summerall when they were at CBS Sports. Rich was a staff writer at CBS and got to know the pair, but he especially became lifelong friends with Madden. Rich gives us a behind the scenes glimpse of the hall of fame coach and one of the defining voices of pro football.-2:11: “Madden & Summerall”-7:42: CBS Sports/Friendship with John Madden-18:07: Madden with Pat Summerall-35:00: Madden's influences-39:21: Madden video gameDownload 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 f

Host Brandon Contes interviews ESPN football analyst and co-host of the "Scoop City" podcast, Chase Daniel. Brandon and Chase discuss a wide range of topics including how Kirk Herbstreit helped him call football games, Arch Manning's struggles, Jaxson Dart being the man on the New York Giants, and more.-1:55: Calling college football games-13:17: Studio work at ESPN-16:34: Working at Fox-25:04: Coaching?-27:26: Arch Manning-32:10: Jaxson Dart-34:30: Playing surfaces/London NFL team-38:26: Quarterback play/Travis KelceDownload 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.

Host Brandon Contes interviews editor-at-large at The Ringer and co-host for "The Press Box" podcast, Bryan Curtis. Brandon and Bryan discuss a wide range of topics including Jimmy Kimmel's suspension and reinstatement, Bill Simmons' influence on sports media, Molly Qerim leaving "First Take," Tom Brady's conflict of interest, and more.-2:13: Jimmy Kimmel/Stephen A. Smith-11:34: Career origins/Skip Bayless-17:40: Bill Simmons/Grantland/The Ringer-25:27: Molly Qerim-28:30: Tom Brady-38:03: Pat McAfee/“Inside the NBA”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.

Host Brandon Contes interviews co-host for ESPN's "Unsportsmanlike" Evan Cohen. Brandon and Evan discuss a wide range of topics including him working on "Morning Men" and "Unsportsmanlike," his reaction to Molly Qerim leaving "First Take" and guest hosting, his interaction with Howard Stern, and more.-2:08: ESPN Radio, hosting “Unsportsmanlike”-12:45: “Morning Men” and SiriusXM-28:29: Sports talk radio simulcast on TV-44:55: Hosting “First Take”/Stephen A. Smith/Molly Qerim-55:03: Miami Heat/Stugotz as a camp counselor/Howard Stern/Good Karma BrandsDownload 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.