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...
Jul 17, 2025•49 min
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...
Jul 10, 2025•48 min
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 ES...
Jul 03, 2025•56 min
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: Work...
Jun 20, 2025•55 min
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:...
Jun 13, 2025•59 min
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:...
May 30, 2025•1 hr 1 min
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 Ruz...
May 23, 2025•28 min
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: ...
May 16, 2025•41 min
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...
May 09, 2025•48 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...
May 02, 2025•47 min
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:...
Apr 25, 2025•1 hr 9 min
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: Getti...
Apr 18, 2025•41 min
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...
Apr 11, 2025•1 hr 13 min
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 coverin...
Mar 28, 2025•35 min
Host Brandon Contes interviews NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport. Brandon and Ian discuss a wide range of topics including Aaron Rodgers seeking a new team, Mike Mularkey's admission of feeding Ian false information, Jordan Schultz confronting Ian at Starbucks, and more. -:42: Knowing where Aaron Rodgers will go? -1:53: Who’s holding it up? -2:45: The fun of chasing a story like Rodgers’ free agency -4:20: Reaching out to Rodgers directly? -6:29: Is Rodgers’ inner circle tighter lipped than other...
Mar 21, 2025•36 min
Host Brandon Contes interviews CBS Sports college basketball analyst and Hoops HQ co-founder Seth Davis. As March Madness approaches, Brandon and Seth discuss a wide range of topics including how expanding the tournament is a good thing, Charles Barkley's generosity, Caitlin Clark's TIME Magazine interview, and more. -:50: What would today’s NCAA Tournament be like without X? -2:09: Hoops HQ -4:10: Motive behind launching Hoops HQ -5:09: Welcoming added coverage in March -6:38: Is NIL good for c...
Mar 14, 2025•43 min
Host Brandon Contes interviews CBS Sports college basketball insider Jon Rothstein. As March Madness approaches, Brandon and Jon discuss a wide range of topics including how the First Four could be tweaked, Doug Gottlieb being a good friend, Cooper Flagg living up to the hype, and more. -:46: Getting through March without coffee -3:18: Best Italian restaurants in every college basketball town? -4:28: Catchphrases -12:00: Improving work-life balance -14:35: Growing up a college basketball fan -15...
Mar 07, 2025•54 min
Host Brandon Contes interviews co-host of the "Throwbacks" podcast and the man who played Turtle in "Entourage," Jerry Ferrara. Brandon and Jerry discuss a wide range of topics including how the New York Knicks might fare this season, how Jerry and Matt Leinart got to hosting a podcast, Jerry's willingness to reboot "Entourage," and more. -:43: What makes Jerry more nervous? Opening night of a movie premiere or Knicks-Pacers Game 7? -1:52: First Knicks memory -3:27: Expectations for this Knicks ...
Feb 28, 2025•58 min
Host Brandon Contes interviews host of "The Sports Reporters," "Outside the Lines," and "E:60," Jeremy Schaap. Brandon and Jeremy discuss a wide range of topics including the evolution of "The Sports Reporters," Pat McAfee's interview approach when it comes to Aaron Rodgers, an in-depth discussion on Jeremy's 2000 live interview with Bob Knight, and more. -:44: Stephen A. Smith’s presidential talk -1:57: Sports media personality who would make a good president? -5:17: Presidents Jeremy has inter...
Feb 21, 2025•1 hr 19 min
Host Brandon Contes interviews two-time Daytona 500 winning crew chief and NASCAR on Fox analyst, Larry McReynolds. In the lead up to the Daytona 500 (Sunday, February 16 at 1:30 PM ET on Fox), Brandon and Larry discuss a wide range of topics including how Larry became a crew chief, winning the Daytona 500 with Dale Earnhardt, remembering Earnhardt's death and the way Mike Joy led the broadcast, and more. -:49: Jalen Hurts winning Super Bowl -1:32: Chiefs fatigue -1:57: Kendrick Lamar Halftime S...
Feb 14, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Host Brandon Contes interviews Super Bowl XXI MVP and analyst on eight Super Bowl broadcasts, Phil Simms. Brandon and Phil discuss a wide range of topics including Phil's advice for Tom Brady in his first Super Bowl as a broadcaster, Greg Olsen being vocal about being demoted at Fox, remembering Greg Gumbel, and more. -:40: Being Super Bowl XXI MVP -1:28: Super Bowl completion record -2:00: Calling eight Super Bowls -2:40: Calling a Super Bowl vs. regular season game -3:22: Nerves starting out a...
Feb 07, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Host Brandon Contes interviews former "Dan Patrick Show" Danette and current co-host of "Maggie and Perloff," Andrew Perloff. Brandon and Andrew discuss a wide range of topics including working for Dan Patrick, his Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl, NFL fans being fatigued by the Chiefs talk, and more. -:43: Feeling of seeing Eagles going to a Super Bowl after winning one -1:40: When Andrew believed this Eagles team could go to the Super Bowl -2:32: Eagles fans feelings on Jalen Hurts and Ni...
Jan 31, 2025•55 min
Host Brandon Contes interviews 2016 NFL MVP and CBS NFL analyst Matt Ryan. Brandon and Matt discuss a wide range of topics including Dan Quinn coaching the Washington Commanders to the NFC Championship Game, losing to the Patriots in Super Bowl LI, the chemistry of "The NFL Today," and more. -:43: Feelings of watching playoffs after recently retiring -1:29: Fielding NFL offers while in the broadcasting booth? -2:31: Surprise going from the Colts to CBS? -3:46: Interest level in doing media after...
Jan 24, 2025•32 min
Guest host Jessica Kleinschmidt interviews radio voice of the New York Mets Howie Rose. Jess and Howie discuss a wide range of topics including Howie's childhood love of the Mets, how baseball was "in trouble" before the pitch clock, his call of Pete Alonso's home run in the Wild Card Series, and more. -2:00: Love for Mets origin story -4:28: Fan interactions -5:44: Being more of a recognizable personality -9:30: 50 years in sports media industry -10:56: Being introspective -12:39: Baseball on r...
Jan 17, 2025•46 min
Host Brandon Contes interviews two-time Super Bowl champion and CBS Sports college football analyst Logan Ryan. Brandon and Logan discuss a wide range of topics including Logan's reaction to the Patriots firing Jerod Mayo, winning Super Bowls XLIX and LI, Tom Brady as a teammate, and more. -:38: First season in retirement -1:47: Transitioning from player to broadcaster -2:57: Making a comeback to playing? -3:57: Getting into media -6:50: Being more honest and current on football issues in retire...
Jan 10, 2025•52 min
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 2024. We thank you for listening/viewing the podcast, and have a happy 2025. -:19: Jemele Hill on Pat McAfee accusing Norby Williamson of sabotaging his show (Episode 33) -3:20: Keyshawn Johnson on working with Max Kellerman (Episode 34) -4:14: Rich Eisen on the Kansas City Chiefs being a dynasty (Episo...
Jan 03, 2025•1 hr 10 min
Host Brandon Contes interviews "Get Up" contributor, host of "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg," and Knicks MSG broadcaster Alan Hahn. Brandon and Alan discuss a wide range of topics including replacing Michael Kay and working with Don La Greca and Peter Rosenberg, working with Mike Breen, Alan's thoughts on falling NBA ratings, and more. -46: Afternoon drive in NYC -1:52: How did soft opening feel? -3:17: Working with Don La Greca and Peter Rosenberg -4:45: Is it positive or negative to go in while La...
Dec 27, 2024•1 hr 10 min
Host Brandon Contes interviews former Sportsnet NHL host and current host of "The Sheet with Jeff Marek," Jeff Marek. Brandon and Jeff discuss a wide range of topics including his dismissal from Sportsnet, which cities are prime for an NHL expansion team, his thoughts on J.T. Miller's reported mental health break from hockey, and more. -37: “The Sheet with Jeff Marek” -1:41: Missing the grind -3:21: Feeling of not covering hockey at first -4:47: Having a deal with The Nation Network -5:12: Being...
Dec 20, 2024•1 hr
Host Brandon Contes interviews Sports Illustrated senior writer Chris Mannix. Brandon and Chris discuss a wide range of topics including Chris' profile on Adrian Wojnarowski for Sports Illustrated, how SI is doing with Minute Media in charge, if Jake Paul is good or bad for boxing, and more. -42: Response to Chris’ profile on Adrian Wojnarowski -2:11: Woj’s apartment -4:04: Learning about Woj -6:48: Woj’s willingness to do profile -8:49: Surprise of Woj’s retirement at the time -10:07: How did W...
Dec 13, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Host Brandon Contes interviews Craig Carton, Danny Parkins, and Mark Schlereth from FS1's "Breakfast Ball." Brandon and the guys discuss a wide range of topics including the start of "Breakfast Ball," developing chemistry among the three of them, a hilarious story involving Danny and Bob Costas, and more. -46: How does “Breakfast Ball” compare to “The Carton Show?” -3:14: What does “Breakfast Ball” strive to be? -4:41: What was the pitch to Danny? -6:29: Mark being a full-time member of the show...
Dec 06, 2024•55 min
