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Dave LaGreca on WrestleMania, Cody Rhodes, John Cena, and more
40:52|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?-14:21: Dave not considering himself as a journalist-15:38: Interviewing a pro wrestler as the person or as the character-16:59: Pro wrestling media scrums-19:13: Dave Meltzer’s value to pro wrestling-20:29: WrestleMania in terms of being the biggest event on the pro wrestling calendar-21:40: Dave’s favorite WrestleMania-22:35: What is this year’s WrestleMania build missing?-23:43: Being surprised by John Cena’s heel turn-24:25: How effective has Cena’s heel turn been?-24:50: Importance of having Cody Rhodes as the good guy in making Cena an compelling heel-25:38: What makes Rhodes compelling?-26:33: WWE flourishing without Vince McMahon-28:02: Any chance McMahon tries to come back to WWE?-29:04: How should wrestling fans view McMahon?-30:26: Would McMahon remain in pro wrestling in some form?-31:08: A wrestler that Dave was most surprised to see their character get over?-31:48: A wrestler that Dave thought would get over but didn’t?-32:59: Pat McAfee and pro wrestling-34:30: Joe Tessitore and WWE-35:07: Nick Khan’s influence in WWE-35:56: WWE getting away from PG-36:40: How does this current era compare to the Attitude Era?-39:10: Dave’s favorite era of wrestling?-39:50: Who wins at WrestleMania? Cody Rhodes or John Cena?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
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Tony Reali on hosting 'Around the Horn,' replacing Max Kellerman, end of show, and more
01:13:13|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 at ESPN-39:21: Being able to host “Around the Horn” without being bigger than the show-41:23: Any regrets of not being bigger than “Around the Horn?”-43:50: Why does “Around the Horn” have a communal feeling?-47:01: Addressing serious topics and discussing personal life-49:53: Most memorable days/moments on show?-51:13: Staying at “PTI”-55:22: Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon’s longevity-58:31: Hearing from Max Kellerman and Jay Mariotti?-1:01:18: Jay Mariotti-1:04:55: What will final show look like?-1:10:33: Will Tony take a break after “Around the Horn?”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
Ken Rosenthal on MLB Opening Day, Rob Manfred, Shohei Ohtani, and more
34:34|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 criticism about MLB or Rob Manfred would cost Ken his MLB Network job?-24:13: Relationship with Rob Manfred-24:52: Work on Astros cheating scandal-26:06: Not realizing how big story would be at first-27:01: Anyone tried to get story quashed?-27:47: Story that had biggest impact to Ken’s career?-28:46: Odds there will be a lockout in 2026?-30:15: Is MLB headed for realignment?-31:34: Potential 2025 MLB storyline that Ken is most excited forDownload 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
Ian Rapoport on Aaron Rodgers' free agency status, Jordan Schultz altercation, and more
36:22|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 others?-7:56: Tips coming from unexpected sources-9:25: Hearing from Mike Mularkey?-10:59: Navigating first day of free agency without X-14:30: Relationship with Pat McAfee-15:52: Adam Schefter and McAfee-16:28: Paying attention to the reports of ESPN maybe buying NFL Network-17:38: Could Ian do his job better as an independent than working for a large media company?-19:23: Starbucks confrontation with Jordan Schultz-23:03: Being “part of the story”-26:07: Is the insider profession tough to break in?-27:20: Is there frustration seeing outsiders occasionally breaking stories?-29:21: Importance of giving appropriate credit-32:57: Is there an expiration date as an insider?-34:39: Juan Soto to the MetsDownload 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
Seth Davis on March Madness, Charles Barkley, Caitlin Clark, and more
43:28|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 college basketball?-8:30: Asking Charles Barkley if he would pay Auburn players pre-NIL-11:13: Working with Barkley-12:23: What does Barkley bring to the NCAA Tournament?-14:16: Excitement level for the First Round-16:44: Going from writing to TV-20:04: Preferring TV or writing-21:47: Most fulfilling book to write-23:49: Working on any books now?-24:19: Would Seth ever consider a career in politics?-26:46: Following politics-27:17: Caitlin Clark discourse-30:05: College basketball continuing to benefit from Caitlin Clark-31:23: Will a woman get a DI men’s basketball head coaching opportunity?-33:57: Doug Gottlieb becoming a college basketball coach-36:21: Rick Pitino at St. John’s-37:45: Has Cooper Flagg lived up to the hype?-38:52: Will and should the NCAA Tournament expand?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
Jon Rothstein on March Madness, Doug Gottlieb, Cooper Flagg, and more
54:01|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-15:55: Breaking into radio-20:59: Eventual career goal?-24:13: Gaining respect of college basketball coaches-25:42: Interviewing coaches-27:52: Role Jon enjoys most?-30:00: Growing confidence in giving opinions-31:06: Breaking news story Jon had that most helped his career-32:55: Getting scooped-33:56: Strangest place Jon broke a story?-36:08: Attending a wedding in March?-37:40: Posting college basketball news during big political events-38:53: What does Jon do in May?-40:11: Finding out when NCAA Tournament was canceled due to COVID-41:31: Doug Gottlieb being a head coach-41:59: Will Gottlieb get a second season at Green Bay?-45:00: Has John Calipari been hurt by NIL?-46:54: NIL not ruining college basketball-48:02: Cooper Flagg living up to the hype-48:43: How far can St. John’s go?-50:22: Will Rick Pitino retire at St. John’s?-51:04: What’s a better Final Four? All No. 1 seeds or all low seeds?-51:58: Right number of teams in the NCAA Tournament?-52:58: What determines the quality of an Italian restaurant?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
Jerry Ferrara on 'Entourage,' NY Knicks, hosting 'Throwbacks' podcast with Matt Leinart, and more
58:27|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 team-10:51: What should the Giants do at quarterback?-12:18: What should the Jets do at quarterback?-14:24: Working with Matt Leinart-17:07: Is chemistry instant or can it develop?-18:16: Evolution of podcasting-21:09: Format of “Throwbacks”-22:10: WFAN-23:25: Working with Evan Roberts-24:40: How close did Jerry get to working at WFAN full-time?-25:57: Was Jerry serious about taking the job?-28:06: Giving up acting for WFAN?-30:05: Chris Russo on “First Take”-30:35: Jerry on “First Take”-32:40: Sitting next to Aaron Rodgers in Celebrity Row at Knicks game-33:50: How does Celebrity Row work?-35:45: Being bumped off of Celebrity Row?-36:36: Filming “Entourage” courtside-38:22: Why did “Entourage” resonate with athletes?-39:49: Getting into acting-41:30: How Turtle developed on “Entourage”-42:52: Weight loss-47:02: Having a say in the Turtle character?-47:56: “Entourage” cast remaining close-48:50: “Entourage” reboot?-51:11: Which actor or athlete cameo was most fun to work with?-52:49: Star that was disappointing to work with?-54:02: What’s most important when it comes to selecting an acting role?-56:36: Role Jerry would most want to play?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