Awful Announcing Podcast

Host Brandon Contes interviews former NFL player and analyst on "The NFL Today +" Kyle Long. Brandon and Kyle discuss a wide range of topics including growing up with Howie Long as a father, getting drafted by the Chicago White Sox but deciding to play football instead, being friends with Travis Kelce, and more.-2:08: Chicago Bears Week 1-15:22: Media career-21:02: Howie Long-23:26: Baseball career-29:53: Broadcasting/YouTube Brazil game/Stephen A. Smith-36:01: Kansas City Chiefs/Patrick Mahomes/Travis Kelce-41:48: Week 1 overreactionsPhoto courtesy of Mary Kouw/CBSDownload 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 host of "The Rich Eisen Show" and NFL Network Rich Eisen. Brandon and Rich discuss a wide range of topics including ESPN buying NFL Media and the NFL owning a piece of ESPN, hosting "SportsCenter" for the first time in over 20 years and paying tribute to Stuart Scott, "The Rich Eisen Show" moving to Disney+ and ESPN, and more.-2:11: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce-6:30: NFL-ESPN deal-22:09: “The Rich Eisen Show” and Pat McAfee-41:10: Hosting “SportsCenter”-52:37: NFL on YouTube, best NFL PBP, Super Bowl on streaming, New York JetsDownload 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 college football staff writer Bill Connelly. Brandon and Bill discuss a wide range of topics including Bill Belichick at North Carolina, NIL and the transfer portal, whether or not promotion/relegation can work in college football, and more.-1:54: Bill’s books, NIL, realignment, and network influence-16:04: Common complaints, running for CFB commissioner, parity -28:25: Pro/rel in college football, Donald Trump, pay-for-play-35:54: Analytics-40:59: Bill Belichick, Nick Saban, Deion Sanders, Arch Manning, conspiracy theoriesDownload 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 Damon Amendolara, host of "The D.A. Show With Babchik." Brandon and Damon discuss a wide range of topics including working for Chris "Mad Dog" Russo and having a show on SiriusXM's Mad Dog Sports Radio channel, Mo Gaba calling into Damon's radio show and Mo's legacy, being fed up with what John Fisher is doing to the A's, and more.Damon's YouTube channel @damonamendo (also Damon's social media handle) has weekly live shows, Q&A's, and monthly member's only chats.-1:45: Mike Francesa-7:27: Going to Syracuse-15:04: Working in Kansas City and Boston-26:30: Mo Gaba-37:33: Leaving CBS Sports Radio for Sirius XM-46:50: Mad Dog radio audience-52:33: Chris “Mad Dog” Russo/Stephen A. Smith and Mad Dog Radio-57:19: Covering John Fisher moving the A’sDownload 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 Ann

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 ri

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 bac

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 c

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: Differen

Host Brandon Contes interviews CBS Sports golf reporter Mark Immelman. Brandon and Mark discuss a wide range of topics including brother Trevor's 2008 Masters win, Tiger Woods' future, the upcoming PGA Championship, and more.-1:17: Which is harder? Playing golf or analyzing golf on TV?-2:14: Pointing out how difficult golf is on TV-3:28: Which is more fun?-4:28: Truist Championship at a different course due to PGA Championship -5:48: PGA Championship being played in May-6:48: Differences in broadcasting a major compared to a regular tournament-9:00: Balancing excitement and adrenaline-10:06: Jim Nantz’s versatility-11:34: Working with Nantz-13:01: Joining CBS-15:21: Did Trevor Immelman envision being a broadcaster?-16:46: Advice for Trevor when replacing Nick Faldo-18:00: Differences between Mark and Trevor-19:20: PGA Championship role-19:58: 2008 Masters-20:58: Seeing Trevor win Masters and hold off Tiger Woods-22:16: Most exciting tournament as a broadcaster?-24:30: Verne Lundquist not at Masters-27:22: Min

Host Brandon Contes interviews ESPN NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller. Brandon and Matt discuss a wide range of topics including Shedeur Sanders' drop in the NFL Draft, the lack of attention paid to Cam Ward and how Ward can use that to his advantage, Mel Kiper Jr.'s advice to Matt, and more.-:37: Post-draft routine-1:49: Green Bay as an NFL Draft host city-3:08: Covering the NFL Draft-3:41: Football background pre-Bleacher Report-5:55: Getting to ESPN-8:07: Pressure going from Bleacher Report to ESPN-9:44: Noticing an increase in attention at ESPN?-10:45: Handing in final mock draft-11:21: Changing up mock draft late in process-13:12: Talking to every team before the NFL Draft-13:55: What’s a good hit rate for a mock draft first round?-15:00: Does player ratings impact mock drafts and vice versa?-15:53: Getting mock drafts wrong-17:13: Ranking Shedeur Sanders-18:19: Estimating Sanders-21:46: Would having an agent have helped Sanders?-23:27: Getting backlash from agents?-24:11: Do coaches and scouts value games e

Host Brandon Contes interviews Fox Sports wagering expert and "Big Noon Kickoff" contributor Chris Fallica. Brandon and Chris discuss a wide range of topics including Lee Corso's retirement announcement, Corso's headgear picks on "College GameDay," "Big Noon Kickoff" challenging "GameDay," and more.-:44: Reaction to Lee Corso retiring-4:11: Working at “College GameDay” in 1996 for the first headgear-5:56: Headgear becoming a staple of “GameDay”-7:22: Should ESPN continue headgear segment-8:33: Traveling with Corso-12:32: Relationship with Corso-16:02: Significant memories with Corso-22:02: Going on-air at "GameDay"-24:05: ESPN being receptive to having Chris on-air-26:51: Comfort level being on-air-29:11: Goal to get on-air?-31:53: Interest in college football-34:40: “Big Noon Kickoff” being a legit competitor to “College GameDay”-38:32: Camaraderie of “Big Noon” compared to “GameDay”-40:42: What happens when both shows are in the same place?-46:12: Working with Pat McAfee-49:19: Any resistance to having McAf

Host Brandon Contes interviews co-founder and host of "Busted Open" on SiriusXM Dave LaGreca. As WrestleMania approaches, Brandon and Dave discuss a wide range of topics including the lack of build for the non-main event WrestleMania matches, Cody Rhodes being the "Face of WWE," John Cena being an effective heel, and more.-:52: Dave’s Las Vegas schedule-1:27: Being inducted to the International Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame-2:25: Envisioning HOF induction when “Busted Open” started?-2:54: Getting into radio-3:59: Dave’s brother Don in radio-4:47: First role at SiriusXM-5:03: Starting “Busted Open”-6:21: Getting bosses to believe in a wrestling show-7:15: Pro wrestling going mainstream-8:02: “Busted Open” being the most popular sports show on SiriusXM-9:32: Realizing when “Busted Open” became a hit?-10:10: Has growth of “Busted Open” changed how Dave talks about pro wrestling?-10:46: Divide between WWE and AEW fans?-12:38: Is pro wrestling audience big enough to be split?-13:41: Does WWE and AEW like the divide?-

Host Brandon Contes interviews longtime "Around the Horn" host Tony Reali. With the end of the series coming in May, Brandon and Tony discuss a wide range of topics including hosting "Around the Horn," sticking around as "Stat Boy" on "Pardon the Interruption, reaching out to Jay Mariotti, and more.-1:05: What will Tony miss most about “Around the Horn?”-4:51: Response from fans on “Around the Horn’s” cancellation-6:59: Was the show nearing an expiration point?-9:17: Tony’s relationship with ESPN-10:27: Tony’s contract status with ESPN-15:38: Meeting Charles Barkley-17:16: ESPN and “Inside the NBA”-19:19: Consuming sports content growing up-20:42: Getting hired for “Pardon the Interruption”-22:38: Being on “PTI”-23:51: Not viewing “PTI” as a stepping stone-25:11: Getting to “Around the Horn”-28:35: Feeling pressure?-30:29: Getting rid of the nerves-32:07: Building the show today-34:08: “Around the Horn” giving a platform to journalists and young journalists-36:37: Being able to remain exclusive to two shows a

Host Brandon Contes interviews Fox Sports MLB field reporter/The Athletic MLB insider Ken Rosenthal. With Opening Day upon us, Brandon and Ken discuss a wide range of topics including not liking the idea of the golden at-bat rule, not being retained at MLB Network and Ken's relationship with Rob Manfred, Shohei Ohtani being a star, and more.-:43: Excitement for Opening Day-1:17: First full-time season-2:11: What Ken likes about covering baseball today-3:17: Favorite rule change while covering baseball-4:01: Golden at-bat rule-6:02: Going from local to national-8:59: Being comfortable on TV?-10:00: Bowtie origins-12:08: Interviewing someone in dugout during game-13:21: Fan feedback from in-game interviews-15:06: Does MLB do a good job promoting their stars?-16:34: Does Shohei Ohtani embrace being the “Face of MLB?”-18:22: Do the Dodgers want Ohtani to be more available to the media?-18:50: Working with Joe Buck-20:52: Importance of an MLB and ESPN relationship-21:48: Working at MLB Network-23:12: Fear that cri