Awful Announcing Podcast

It's that time once again for our AA Year in Review Podcast and joining us for the second year running is Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated. Richard is one of the preeminent voices on the media beat and is widely recognized as one of the best sportswriters to follow on Twitter. Yesterday, Richard gave out his 2012 Media Awards at SI.com (a must read) and we talk about some of his award winners and the biggest stories and newsmakers from the last 12 months including...-The Penn State scandal being the biggest story in the sports world for a second year running.-Sports and real life intersecting at Penn State and Newtown and the tragedies from the NFL.-NBC's tape delay Olympic policy.-The positioning of NBC Sports Network and Fox Sports 1 as challengers to ESPN.-Whether or not ESPN's brand took a hit with viewers this year.-Our favorite television show, First Take, and how it's beginning to have a negative effect on those who do great work at ESPN.-Thoughts on Joe Buck, Gus Johnson, Michelle Beadle, Erin Andrews, Darren Rovell and more.-What the major story of 2013 will be. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the newest Awful Announcing Podcast, our guest is Deadspin media writer John Koblin. John's reporting on ESPN in the past year has been some of the finest work in the blogosphere. Last week, he was thrown into the story when an ESPN executive made a false claim about the motivations of his reporting on plagiarism at ESPN.com. We talk to John Koblin about his interaction with ESPN VP John Walsh and so much more including...-His conversation with John Walsh and reaction to being put into the story himself.-Thoughts on why it took that embarrassing episode for ESPN to finally correct the plagiarized stories.-The importance in aggressively covering ESPN and the comparison to other media beats.-The state of the Deadspin-ESPN relationship.-ESPN President John Skipper's comments about the network pulling back on its Tim Tebow coverage.-The appeal of Skip Bayless within Bristol.-Sourcing issues and controversies at ESPN.-Whether or not the journalistic questions raised in the last year will ever effect the average ESPN viewer or ESPN brand.-The modest progress ESPN has made in the last year and where the company goes from here.I know I'm supposed to say these kinds of things, but I can't recommend this podcast highly enough for fans of AA or Deadspin, those interested in the media, or sports fans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the college football season coming to a close and conference realignment heating up again, we welcome ESPN college football reporter Brett McMurphy to the AA Podcast. Brett is the top college football reporter when it comes to realignment and has broken the news on many of college football's biggest stories in recent years working for both CBS and ESPN. In this podcast, Brett chats with AA about...-His career path leading him to ESPN.-How he developed a reputation as the preeminent force reporting on conference realignment.-The separation between ESPN's business and reporting arms.-What one move has surprised him most in the recent round of realignment.-The negative impact of conference realignment and how it's hurt college athletics.-The impact of the Big Ten Network on realignment.-Why we may not see the 4 16 team superconference system develop.-Georgia's chances against Alabama and the SEC title game.-The SEC champ being a presumptive favorite over unbeaten Notre Dame. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we welcome former NASCAR Cup and 3-time Daytona 500 champion Dale Jarrett to the podcast. Dale serves as ESPN's lead NASCAR analyst and has followed his father Ned's footsteps in having both a successful racing and broadcasting career. Interest in NASCAR is certainly at a high this season with the controversy at Phoenix preceding the championship deciding season ending race at Homestead. In this week's podcast, Dale chats with AA about...-Whether he ever envisioned an announcing career after his driving days.-The different perspective gained in the booth and why every active driver should experience it.-How each NASCAR race is like a weekly Super Bowl for the television crews.-The Clint Bowyer-Jeff Gordon feud and where the wild scene Sunday ranks in the sport's annals.-His surprise over Brad Keselowski's post-race rant.-The delicate balance between "boys have at it" and drivers crossing a line. And, does NASCAR need driver feuds to sell the sport?-What Brad Keselowski's rise has meant to the sport.-Whether or not NASCAR has finally settled on the right formula for the Chase.-Does Keselowski do enough to win the championship Sunday? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's guest is Ian Eagle of CBS Sports and YES Network. Ian's reputation as one of the top play by play men in sports has grown in the last several years with his work calling the NBA, NFL, college basketball, and pretty much everything in between. We talk to Ian in Miami before a Nets-Heat game and in the middle of a stretch where he will call four games in five days. Also, Ian chats to AA about the impact of Hurricane Sandy on himself personally and the Nets franchise as they begin in Brooklyn as well as...-How the New York area sports teams have dealt with Sandy and brought the community together.-The effect on the Brooklyn Nets and how the team has coped with the storm as well as the remaining connection with New Jersey.-The prospects of the rebuilt Nets and the importance of the move to Brooklyn.-The ability to work with several different partners across different sports and networks.-His partnership with Dan Fouts and how "The Bird & The Beard" came to be.-Ian's best Bill Raftery story.Great insights from Ian on a number of topics. Hope you'll give it a listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's podcast is all about this year's World Series and our guest is former MLB All-Star, "The Mayor" Sean Casey. Casey played in the 2006 World Series with the Detroit Tigers and spent several years in Cincinnati, becoming one of the most popular players in Reds franchise history. Currently, Casey is an MLB Network analyst and will appear on MLB Tonight throughout the World Series on their pre and postgame shows including on-site in Detroit for the middle three games of the series. Sean chats with AA about...-His reputation as one of the most talkative and nicest guys in baseball and his transition into television.-The best and worst players to talk to at first base.-His experience playing in the World Series for Jim Leyland.-The Giants as this year's team of destiny and winning 6 straight elimination games.-The Tigers flying under the radar after sweeping the Yankees.-The importance of this year's World Series to Justin Verlander's career.-Which players will have the biggest impact on the series, including which player Casey calls the stinkbug.-Who's going to win MVP and take home the title.This is the perfect podcast to get you ready for the World Series as Sean Casey is one of the most entertaining baseball analysts that cover the sport at the moment. Plenty of insights into the pitching and hitting matchups and a few laughs along the way as well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's podcast welcomes Alex Flanagan of NBC Sports and NFL Network. Alex serves double duty as sideline reporter for NBC's coverage of Notre Dame football and NFL Net's Thursday Night Football and she works as a correspondent for Football Night In America. We talk with Alex about her busy schedule and...-The challenge of balancing family life with her work.-Being travel buddies with Mike Mayock.-The different level of access into Notre Dame football with NBC.-The secretive nature of college football coaches and challenges getting information.-Is Notre Dame "BACK!?"-The debate regarding the importance of sideline reporters.-The best and worst sideline interviews.-Her career moving beyond the sidelines and the opportunities for women covering the NFL. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's AA Podcast is all about this weekend's Ryder Cup as we welcome Dan Hicks, who will call the weekend action from Medinah. Dan is the play by play man for NBC's golf coverage and also called swimming at the London Olympics. He chats with AA about calling both events and other topics including...-The adjustments working with Rowdy Gaines and Johnny Miller.-What makes the Ryder Cup unique from other golf tournaments.-Tiger Woods' struggles in past Ryder Cups.-What it would mean to see Tiger vs Rory on Sunday.-The beginning of the Rory McIlroy Era?-Which player is the bellwether for both sides.-The impact of "homefield advantage" and the Chicago crowd this week.-Why Sunday's singles is the most challenging day in sports to broadcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The AA Podcast returns after a bye week to ring in the beginning of a new NFL season with Fox NFL Sunday host Curt Menefee. Curt took over the reigns of America's #1 pregame show full time in 2007 and has been instrumental in the continued success of Fox NFL Sunday. Curt has also been more involved at Fox Sports in hosting the network's UFC and international soccer coverage. AA chats with Curt about numerous topics including...-How important off-air relationships are to on-air chemistry.-The keys to Fox NFL Sunday's continued success and how other pregame shows have duplicated their blueprint.-What a typical 12 hour Sunday is like during the NFL season.-The advice from former Fox Sports chairman David Hill when taking over the pregame job.-His expanding role and Fox Sports into soccer and UFC versus being seen as an "NFL guy."-Fox's longterm vision with global soccer.-What we learned from the Saints, Redskins, Packers, and 49ers in Week 1.-Is the buzz surrounding replacement refs an overreaction?-The one player under the radar right now who may enter the dreaded "elite quarterback discussion" with his play this season. All in all, a great podcast with Curt that touches on a variety of topics on the media side and in the sports world that's definitely worth your time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With most of the sports world's attention on the opening of the college football season, we shift gears and focus on this week's final grand slam tennis tournament of the season on the podcast. We welcome Aussie tennis legend Rennae Stubbs of the Tennis Channel, NBC, and ESPN from New York to talk about this week's tournament and her transition from playing career to media career. Rennae also chats with AA about...-Her decision to forego playing at the London Olympics and work for NBC.-How she works her humor and personality into her media career.-The experience of working for ESPN, NBC, and the Tennis Channel.-Andy Roddick's retirement and his legacy and the retirement of Kim Clijsters this week.-The present state and future of American tennis.-Which favorites have been most impressive in the tournament so far.-Picks for the men's and women's draw. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.