The Play-By-Play

Netflix will reportedly pursue the World Cup and other sports rights more aggressively as it struggles with lagging engagement compared with YouTube and other free services. Plus, MLB is in experimentation mode with July 4, the Home Run Derby and Field of Dreams games this summer. Is it working? Awful Announcing on X: https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing Awful Announcing on Facebook: https://www.fa...

The USMNT and star Christian Pulisic are getting crushed by former U.S. stars and across American sports media after an ugly loss to Belgium in the World Cup. We break down reactions from Alexi Lalas, Carli Lloyd, Taylor Twellman and more in "Stock Watch Stock Watch." Then, a look at the future of World Cup broadcasting, with Fox set to lose rights after its third tournament. Awful Announcing on X...

Dave Portnoy has a new book on the history of Barstool Sports, charting all the innovation, controversy and inflection points that led it to become one of the most important companies in the history of media. We break down the lessons from the book, Portnoy's press tour, and what the future of Barstool might look like. Awful Announcing on X: https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing Awful Announcing on...

FIFA is experimenting with YouTube and TikTok livestreams of games at the World Cup, a growing trend of leagues going around traditional TV to reach fans online. Lillian Rizzo of CNBC joins to break down how it's working for FIFA and the NBA, plus what to expect from Fox after it acquires Roku, and how the looming NBC Universal spinoff could affect NBC as a live sports destination going forward. A...

ESPN NFL analyst Matt Miller is alleged to have misled followers over charitable giving, scouting lessons and fantasy competitions over a period of at least a decade. We provide an inside look at our reporting on Miller and how the story has changed since a near-fatal car accident last month. Awful Announcing on X: https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing Awful Announcing on Facebook: https://www.faceb...

Jaylen Brown created a new uproar over NBA analytics after a strange report from ESPN's Bobby Marks. Why are we stuck in the mud with this conversation? Plus, the latest Caitlin Clark scuffle has the national media turning on commissioner Cathy Engelbert and the league's disorganization. Awful Announcing on X: https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing Awful Announcing on Facebook: https://www.facebook.c...

Alexi Lalas is getting hit from every angle during the World Cup, but he's not the only unpopular sports commentator on TV. We look at Kirk Herbstreit, Terry Bradshaw and a slew of others to build our Mt. Rushmore of polarizing sports broadcasters. First, a look at ESPN and ABC's coverage of the NBA Draft, and why it may have been overhauled once again this year. Awful Announcing on X: https://twi...

Netflix is using podcasts from Barstool, The Ringer, and iHeartMedia to chisel away at YouTube's dominance for online video consumption. Early returns are modest for the streamer, but the strategy still makes sense. We break down Netflix's thinking, what the data says, and how the strategy could evolve. Awful Announcing on X: https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing Awful Announcing on Facebook: https:...

The FIFA World Cup coverage is in full swing and Americans once again are split on the commentators and coverage from Fox Sports, which begs the question: What should coverage of the tournament look like in the U.S.? Bay Area broadcaster and YouTube creator Brodie Brazil joins to answer that question and many more on the Fox/Roku deal, Pat McAfee's next ESPN contract, and Brodie's successful YouTu...

UFC Freedom 250 saw great fights amid a flood of propaganda and a circus of conspiracy and controversy. Did it work? But first, our latest edition of Stock Watch Stock Watch: Sports media is trying its best to make Victor Wembanyama into the NBA's next villain as the superstar center navigates normal early-career struggles. Awful Announcing on X: https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing Awful Announcin...

NBA Finals viewership is surging and the league has momentum once again, could a new generation of fans come out of this year's series? Plus, the FIFA World Cup is underway. What could the North America-hosted tournament do for MLS and American soccer fandom? The Ringer's Anthony Dabbundo joins to discuss. Awful Announcing on X: https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing Awful Announcing on Facebook: htt...

The FIFA World Cup kicks off Thursday and the USMNT follows on Friday, so it's time to hand out awards and preview the tournament. We predict the Breakout Star Commentator (Zlatan?), Biggest Non-Soccer Story (Trump?), and much more as we get ready for the summer of soccer. Awful Announcing on X: https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing Awful Announcing on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awfulannounc...

ESPN's NBA Finals coverage is miles better than last year, but having Wemby and the Knicks certainly doesn't hurt. We break down the series so far from a broadcast perspective, then discuss Clay Travis leaving Outkick with plans to launch a new company. Awful Announcing on X: https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing Awful Announcing on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awfulannouncing Awful Announcing...

Do Democrats need to give hot takes or go on sports talk radio to relate to the average voter? A new column in The Atlantic says yes. We break down why James Talarico ripping Arch Manning or AOC showing her chops talking Yankees wouldn't actually get to the heart of the Dems' communication or political issues. Plus, a closer look at Bryce Harper's warning to MLB over how fans could move on to new...

Pat McAfee is reportedly in talks to extend his original deal at ESPN for multiple years, a sign that one of the most game-changing contracts in the history of media is going well for both sides after a somewhat rocky start. We break down the news and what McAfee's future at the Worldwide Leader might look like. Awful Announcing on X: https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing Awful Announcing on Faceboo...

Dan Le Batard and Jon "Stugotz" Weiner appear to be on the last gasp of their attempt to rekindle a relationship that dates back more than 20 years. We discuss whether this is the end for the beloved Meadowlark Media duo. Awful Announcing on X: https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing Awful Announcing on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awfulannouncing Awful Announcing on Instagram: https://www.insta...

Anyone talking about the WNBA has a hard time keeping track of where conspiracies start and reality ends, whether with Caitlin Clark or anyone else. Seerat Sohi of The Ringer joins the show to discuss "The Caitlin Clark Machine," how to talk about the WNBA in a healthier way, and how coverage of the league can mature. Awful Announcing on X: https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing Awful Announcing on F...

Nick Wright landed a resounding blow on Stephen A. Smith over Smith's handling of the Jaylen Brown saga, comparing Smith to a "mob boss" and saying he makes the rest of sports media look bad. Will Wright's comments make a dent in Smith's reputation? Plus, a look at Bill Belichick's subtle comeback tour, which started on "Pardon My Take." Awful Announcing on X: https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing A...

Charlotte Wilder and Madeline Hill of The Sports Gossip Show join to discuss the rise of sports gossip content and their show, plus they dish on Aaron Rodgers, Taylor Swift, Caitlin Clark, Jordon Hudson and more! Wilder and Hill are two of Awful Announcing's 2026 Sports Media Rising Stars: https://awfulannouncing.com/orig/sports-media-rising-stars-2026.html Awful Announcing on X: https://twitter.c...

Pablo Torre posted an exposé on Oz the Mentalist, breaking down the pre-show meetings and technological tricks he uses to fool his subjects and the audience. Meanwhile, we discuss whether Victor Wembanyama has answered questions about the next face of the NBA. Awful Announcing on X: https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing Awful Announcing on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awfulannouncing Awful Ann...

The NFL keeps creating new national windows to make more money, shrinking the beloved Sunday slate little by little each year. We break down the data. Another big change this season will see the Chiefs-Bills rivalry move from CBS to NBC for the first time in a half-decade. Awful Announcing on X: https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing Awful Announcing on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awfulannounc...

The NCAA basketball tournament and College Football Playoff are both set to expand significantly in 2027, even though nobody seems to want it. As media and fans collectively push back, what's behind the moves? Plus, a look at Charles Barkley's latest social commentary on ESPN. Awful Announcing on X: https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing Awful Announcing on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awfulann...

The NFL schedule is almost here, and media companies like Fox, YouTube, Netflix and more are battling behind the scenes to get the best slate and stay cozy with the league. Plus, Rupert Murdoch is lobbying Donald Trump, and the NFL might be lying about its claim that 87% of games are on free TV. Awful Announcing on X: https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing Awful Announcing on Facebook: https://www.fa...

From Kirk Herbstreit to Charles Barkley to Al Michaels and beyond, many of the great sports broadcasters are nearing the end of the road as the media transitions into a digital-first era. We give our best guesses for who (and what) takes over for these legends in the next decade or so. It's The Play-By-Play LIVE! Awful Announcing on X: https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing Awful Announcing on Facebo...

Draymond Green locked horns with Charles Barkley and Austin Rivers this week, reminding NBA fans of why he isn't the surefire media star he was once advertised as. Andy Liu of the Light Years podcast join to discuss Green's bad week and more from around NBA media. Awful Announcing on X: https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing Awful Announcing on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awfulannouncing Awful...