Episode 559 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features a conversation with the Athletic's sports media reporter, Richard Deitsch, about all latest sports media news.. Topics discussed during podcast include how Stephen A. Smith became an ongoing story during the NBA Finals; the ratings for the Pacers-Thunder series; whether all the off-court storylines regarding Caitlin Clark help or hurt the WNBA; a couple of recent live broadcasting moments that made headlines; Amazon vs. NBA for next year's NBA...
Jun 26, 2025•1 hr 28 min
Episode 558 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features a conversation with sports journalist, Joon Lee. Earlier this week, Lee wrote a story titled, '$4,785. That’s How Much It Costs to Be a Sports Fan Now," for the "New York Times." The piece detailed what it costs someone to be a sports fan in 2025, from the abundance of streaming services sports fans need to subscribe to the massive increase in cost of attending live events. Lee explains how costs have skyrocketed in such a short time, how the ...
Jun 19, 2025•1 hr 21 min
Episode 557 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" is an all-Mailbag edition followed by the weekly "Traina Thoughts" segment. Jimmy tackles listener-submitted questions regarding the NBA Finals ratings, the presentation of the NBA Finals by ESPN, the way the NBA drags out the NBA Finals schedule, NFL Network's lack of respect for "Good Morning Football," All-Star Games, Brian Windhorst's status with ESPN, Greg Olsen's future, where the former ESPN MLB package of games will end up, John Cena's heel tur...
Jun 12, 2025•1 hr 7 min
Episode 556 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features a conversation with ESPN lead NBA analyst Richard Jefferson. Jefferson talks about calling his first NBA Finals, how he's changed his style since becoming a lead analyst for NBC/ABC, whether the Pacers have a chance against the heavily favored Thunder, his vices, the LeBron James-Stephen A. Smith dust-up, the NBA's replay system, mixing it up on social media with Bill Simmons, why he likes calling blowouts, whether the NBA is rigged, ESPN maki...
Jun 05, 2025•1 hr 29 min
Episode 555 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features a conversation with The Athletic's Andrew Marchand about all the latest sports media news. Topics include: What does ESPN's direct-to-consumer product mean for ESPN+?; Who has done the better job hiring NBA talent for next season: NBC or Amazon?; Reggie Miller's work calling Knicks-Pacers; How will "Inside the NBA" look on ESPN?; How will Caitlin Clark's two-week absence due to injury affect Fever ratings?; NFL schedule release; Pablo Torre's ...
May 29, 2025•1 hr 27 min
Episode 554 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features a conversation with ESPN's Tony Reali. Reali talks about the end of "Around the Horn" after hosting the show for 23 years, the vagueness from ESPN about the show's cancellation despite strong ratings, his contract status with ESPN, whether he's had talks with ESPN about staying with the network and what his future looks like. In addition, Reali reveals one regret he had while hosting the show, whether he thinks his reluctance to do interviews ...
May 22, 2025•1 hr 24 min
Episode 553 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features a conversation with ESPN legend Chris Berman. Berman talks about signing a contract extension with ESPN that will keep him with the network until 2029–his 50th year at ESPN, working the Super Bowl on Valentine's Day in 2027 and the "Fastest 3 Minutes In Sports." Berman also discusses turning 70, the simplicity of "NFL PrimeTime," whether he's still mad that NBC and the NFL killed "PrimeTime," Brent Musburger finally winning the "Pete Rozelle T...
May 15, 2025•1 hr 37 min
Episode 552 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features a conversation with the composer of NBC's NBA theme song, "Roundball Rock," John Tesh. Tesh talks about the recent announcement from NBC that "Roundball Rock" will return as the the network's theme song for the NBA for the next 11 years, what the negotiations were like with NBC, the popularity of the song, how the song got created and landed on NBC, getting spoofed on "Saturday Night Live" and why people weren't satisfied with Fox using the so...
May 08, 2025•1 hr 22 min
Episode 551 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features a conversation with Ringer Editor-At-Large, Bryan Curtis. Topics covered with Curtis, who also hosts the "The Press Box," podcast, include the reaction to Mel Kiper's performance regarding Shedeur Sanders during the NFL draft, ESPN's overall draft coverage and decisions on which talent to use and not use on air. Also discussed with Curtis is Bill Belichick's disastrous "CBS Sunday Morning" interview, Belichick's book tour and which interviewer...
May 01, 2025•1 hr 23 min
Episode 550 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features an interview with author and journalist, Jim Miller. Miller, who wrote the book on ESPN, shared his insight into numerous topics regarding the Worldwide Leader. How will ESPN's expected deal to acquire NFL Media, which includes the NFL Network and the Red Zone channel, play out? What will ESPN's direct-to-consumer product look like and what will the monthly cost be? After opting out of its deal with Major League Baseball, could ESPN end up sig...
Apr 24, 2025•1 hr 3 min
Episode 549 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features an interview with the WWE's Paul Heyman. The man known as Roman Reigns's "Wiseman" discusses the WrestleMania main event between Reigns, CM Punk and Seth Rollins, his recent run of having to dole out favors and what it's like to have WrestleMania in Las Vegas. Heyman also discusses John Cena's heel turn, the wild European crowds that the WWE recently performed in front of and the fantasy booking of possibly managing a heel Cody Rhodes. Heyman ...
Apr 17, 2025•53 min
Episode 548 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features an interview with TNT's Charles Barkley. Barkley reveals whether he's happy or unhappy with TNT's decision to continue "Inside the NBA" but air it on ESPN, explains why he's still upset with how TNT has handled things and lays down the law about how much he's going to work going forward and why he has no interest in fulfilling the final seven years of his contract. Barkley also expresses regret over recently saying, "Y'all got some big b----es...
Apr 15, 2025•1 hr 15 min
Episode 547 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features an interview with longtime ESPN NFL Draft guru, Mel Kiper. Kiper talks about what the NFL Draft was like when he started with ESPN in 1984, when he knew the Draft was going to become a big deal as a television product and when he realized he had become the name most associated with the NFL Draft. In addition, Kiper reveals his best analysis of all time, the pick he'd most want to have back and the most shocking Draft moment. Kiper also discuss...
Apr 10, 2025•1 hr 22 min
Episode 546 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features an interview with CBS' Ian Eagle and Bill Raftery. The duo discuss their longtime partnership, going back to work New Jersey Nets game together in the early '90s, Eagle shares his impression of Raftery and the pair reminisce about funny stories over the years. Raftery also shares a shocking admission about his famous catchphrases, talks about viral line from this year's Tournament and discusses whether he's ever thought about retirement. Eagle...
Apr 03, 2025•1 hr 24 min
Episode 545 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features a conversation with The Athletic's Richard Deitsch about all the latest sports media news. Among some of the topics covered: Pat McAfee getting LeBron James in-studio for over an hour; Impressive ratings for the Men's and Women's NCAA Tournament; J.J. Watt becoming CBS' No. 2 NFL analyst; Stephen A. Smith and RGIII playing the media game; the one problem with Cailtin Clark's national TV appearances; UConn's Communications Director threatening ...
Mar 27, 2025•1 hr 29 min
Episode 544 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" is an All-Mailbag edition in which Jimmy answers listener-submitted questions. Among some of the topics covered: Would Fox move Tom Brady from games to its studio show? Why has ESPN changed "Monday Night Football" directors for the third time in four years? Would you rather Kevin Harlan or Ian Eagle calling the final two minutes of a tie game? Why is ESPN totally dropping the ball with "Around the Horn's" final episode? Following the Mailbag, Sal Licat...
Mar 20, 2025•47 min
Episode 543 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features a conversation with CBS college football and college basketball studio host, Adam Zucker. Zucker talks about what it's like for him to replace Greg Gumbel as NCAA Tournament Selection Show host and what Gumbel meant to Zucker as a mentor. In addition, Zucker goes in-depth on what it's like to host the Selection Show, handle studio duties for the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament and to work with Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith for the Tourn...
Mar 13, 2025•1 hr 18 min
Episode 542 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features a conversation with The Ringer's Editor-At-Large, Bryan Curtis, about all the latest sports media news. Topics covered with Curtis include ESPN cancelling "Around the Horn" after 23 years and the status of the show's host, Tony Reali; Jimmy Johnson retiring from "Fox NFL Sunday" and what Fox may do for a replacement; "Hard Knocks" deal with the University of North Carolina and Bill Belichick falling apart; what the MLB-ESPN divorce means for e...
Mar 06, 2025•1 hr 32 min
Episode 541 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features an interview with AEW wrestler, Maxwell Jacob Friedman, aka, MJF. MJF talks about re-signing with AEW in 2024 and shares some details about his new contract. He also discusses what his goals are for his AEW career, being a mentor for fellow AEW wrestlers at just 28 years old, his "hard out" for leaving wrestling and his recent run of acting, which includes having a sizable role in the upcoming, "Happy Gilmore 2." In addition, MJF answers the m...
Mar 04, 2025•55 min
Episode 540 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features an interview with ESPN college basketball analyst, Jay Bilas. Bilas talks about the popularity of the NCAA Tournament, whether the NCAA Tournament should expand the amount of teams that make the tourney and why he stopped doing NCAA Tournament games for CBS/Turner. In addition, Bilas discusses why college basketball's replay rule needs to change, why he wants the sport to get rid of halves and go to quarters and the quality of play in college ...
Feb 27, 2025•1 hr 29 min
Episode 539 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features an interview with The Athletic's sports media reporter, Andrew Marchand, about the latest sports media news. Topics covered include Fox shielding Tom Brady from interviews all season long, Joe Buck's return to baseball to call Opening Day on ESPN, the battle brewing between MLB and ESPN, MLB's streaming problem, the possibility of Netflix getting a Sunday afternoon NFL package, the constant talk about Stephen A. Smith possibly running for Pres...
Feb 20, 2025•1 hr 16 min
Episode 538 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina features an interview with golf insider from Skratch, Dan Rapaport. Rapaport talks about his new weekly show, "Dan on Golf," how golf media has changed over the years, the explosion in golf's popularity on YouTube and gambling's role in the increased interest in golf. Rapaport also discusses what the TGL needs to fix, the relationship between LIV and the PGA Tour and the contract issues LIV will soon face. Rapaport also drops a very early Masters predic...
Feb 13, 2025•1 hr 8 min
Episode 537 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" is a review of Fox's broadcast of Super Bowl LIX with Puck's John Ourand. How did Tom Brady do in his first Super Bowl in the booth? What were Brady's best and worst moments? Can Brady be judged fairly as an analyst? Other topics discussed include the bizarre Jimmy Johnson tribute segment during the pregame show, the commercials, whether the rating for the game will be hurt by the game being a blowout, a weird moment between Brady and rules analyst Mik...
Feb 10, 2025•44 min
Episode 536 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" is an All-Traina Thoughts edition with WFAN and SNY's Sal Licata. Topics covered during the show include Super Bowl LIX between the Eagles and Chiefs. Has this matchup fallen flat with sports fans? Has Chiefs fatigue hurt excitement for the game? How different would the buzz be if the Lions and/or Bills were in the game? In addition, Jimmy and Sal talk about prop bets, which team they like to win the game and why the Super Bowl doesn't feel like a real...
Feb 06, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Episode 535 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features an interview with Troy Aikman and a conversation with WWE Superstar, Seth Rollins. Aikman discusses his strong comments from the Texans-Chiefs Divisional Round playoff game about the referees and the NFL rules regarding roughing the passer. Aikman explains how he realized his commentary drew a lot of attention and reveals whether he heard from the NFL after his comments. Aikman also shares his thoughts on what the NFL should do about roughing ...
Jan 30, 2025•1 hr 26 min
Episode 534 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features a conversation with Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio. Topics covered include the significant ratings drop for the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs, the latest regarding the league going to an 18-game schedule, Netflix's involvement in the NFL, the narrative that the league and the refs want the Chiefs to win, the practice of having coaches interview for jobs with other teams while they are in the playoffs, what happened to Deion Sanders pos...
Jan 23, 2025•1 hr 17 min
Episode 533 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features a conversation with The Athletic's media reporter, Richard Deitsch, about all the latest sports media news. Topics covered include why NFL playoff ratings have been down, NFL broadcasters, what Deion Sanders coaching the Cowboys would mean for networks, Tom Brady's alleged "conflict of interest" as a partial Raiders owner calling a Lions game while trying to hire Detroit offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson, a disappointing college football play...
Jan 16, 2025•1 hr 42 min
Episode 532 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features a conversation with versatile CBS play-by-play man, Ian Eagle. Eagle talks about calling the Chargers-Texans wild-card game, which he dubbed, "The Houston Invitational." Eagle also shares his thoughts on what it was like to call the Chiefs-Steelers Christmas Day game for Netflix, working with J.J. Watt and Pittsburgh getting snubbed at halftime. Eagle also revealed the advice he gave us son, Noah, on calling a blowout in the other Christmas Da...
Jan 09, 2025•1 hr 23 min
Episode 531 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features an interview with WWE Chief Content Officer, Paul Levesque, aka Triple H. Levesque talks about all the aspects of the WWE's partnership with Netflix ahead of "Monday Night Raw" debuting on the streaming service. Levesque explains why the show won't be a specific length each week, how fans can watch "Raw" if they miss the live episode and why he expects "Raw" to have a bigger audience on Netflix. Levesque also discusses what Pat McAfee, who wil...
Jan 04, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Episode 530 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" is all-Traina Thoughts edition with Sal Licata from WFAN radio and SNY TV in New York. This edition of the podcast opens with Jimmy explaining why his Christmas was completely ruined. Jimmy and Sal discuss Netflix's NFL debut and ratings, Beyonce's Christmas Day halftime show, the NFL playoff picture, Super Bowl odds, the Aaron Rodgers Netflix documentary, the passing of broadcaster Greg Gumbel and more. Jimmy and Sal also read and react to Apple revie...
Jan 02, 2025•52 min
