Share

cover art for FS1 implodes daytime lineup, undercovered sports media stories of 2025

The Play-By-Play

FS1 implodes daytime lineup, undercovered sports media stories of 2025

Fox Sports cancels "Speak," "Breakfast Ball," and "The Facility," leaving a lot of open slots on FS1's schedule. Pat McAfee's polarizing appearance at the Home Run Derby brought a lot of reactions. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen take a look at the most undercovered sports media stories from the first half of the year. That, plus Shane Gillis hosting the ESPY's are on tap for this week's episode of The Play-By-Play.


Time Stamps:

:51: FS1 cancels three shows and Joy Taylor’s contract not renewed

-20:59: Views From the Subreddit: r/ESPN on Pat McAfee at the Home Run Derby

-28:39: Mike Monaco at Wimbledon

-31:54: Undercovered sports media stories of 2025

-1:08:18: Hot mics including ESPN summer vacation and Shane Gillis hosting ESPY’s


You can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!


Download The Play-By-Play:

Listen on Apple

Listen on Spotify


Awful Announcing on X

Awful Announcing on Facebook

Awful Announcing on Instagram

Awful Announcing on Threads

Awful Announcing on BlueSky

Awful Announcing on LinkedIn

More episodes

View all episodes

  • Is it time to retire NFL rules analysts?

    17:06|
    Is it time to retire NFL rules analysts? Ben Axelrod and Drew Lerner discuss on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn
  • Rich Paul podcast CONTROVERSY and ESPN going ALL IN on college football

    37:34|
    On a live episode of The Play-By-Play, Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss the LeBron James controversy surrounding Rich Paul's podcast, as well as the news that ESPN is looking to expand Josh Pate's role and what that means for the network's college football coverage.Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn
  • College football fans TIRED of Pat McAfee, is Mike Tomlin LEAVING for TV?

    29:01|
    College football fans told The Athletic they are tiring of Pat McAfee on "College GameDay." Meanwhile, all of NFL media is abuzz that Mike Tomlin is leaving the Steelers for a TV job.Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn
  • Liam Coen's BIZARRE press conference + Tony Romo's future

    25:33|
    Was the journalist complimenting Liam Coen at his press conference justified? What does Tony Romo's future look like at CBS? We discuss!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn
  • Which NFL playoff teams are the most attractive to the media?

    32:15|
    Which NFL playoff teams are the most attractive to the media? Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Drew Lerner discuss on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn
  • NFL broadcasters are working for TEAMS now?

    27:46|
    Three high-profile NFL broadcasters are positioned to take jobs directly with teams. We discuss what is quickly becoming a new normal in the NFL.Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn
  • Joel Klatt RIPS ESPN control over College Football Playoff

    31:06|
    Fox announcer Joel Klatt ripped ESPN for being the only broadcaster for the College Football Playoff. Does Klatt have a point that it is bad for the sport?Brendon Kleen and Ben Axelrod debate.Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn
  • 2026 Sports Media Predictions

    46:58|
    The Play-By-Play crew makes their predictions for the 2026 year in sports media.Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn
  • Pat McAfee HINTS at END of GameDay kick contest; media OUT on JJ Redick!?

    33:52|
    Pat McAfee is fuming after he got criticized over the potential end of his College GameDay kicking contest. Plus, Los Angeles Lakers fans and NBA media are once again wearing thin with JJ Redick.Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn