The Play-By-Play

Skip Bayless is reuniting with Stephen A. Smith on First Take this week. We break down what it means for the show and the precedent it could set at ESPN. First, a closer look at Peter Schrager's new 2pm show at the Worldwide Leader. Awful Announcing on X: https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing Awful Announcing on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awfulannouncing Awful Announcing on Instagram: https:...

Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby is on leave to get treatment for gambling addiction. How should sports media talk about gambling as the issues around it worsen? Plus, after ESPN touted NFL Draft viewership across several social media platforms, we ask... is this the end of sports TV ratings? Awful Announcing on X: https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing Awful Announcing on Facebook: https://www.facebook....

The NFL Draft was full of head coach subplots this year with Mike Vrabel (sort of) atoning for his relationship with Dianna Russini while Sean McVay danced around questions about the Rams drafting Ty Simpson. Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-play-by-play/id1763654809 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4HaEA8ssc7LpPoJ8pKT1hk Awful Announcing on X: https://twi...

Roger Goodell has cut the length of the first round of the NFL Draft in half since taking over as commissioner. Plus, the WNBA is airing every single Indiana Fever game nationally as it pushes Caitlin Clark and Co. as America's team. Jacob Feldman of Sportico joins to discuss the latest in sports media. Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-play-by-play/id1763654809 Listen on...

Pat McAfee was the surprise star of WrestleMania this weekend. What does his return to WWE mean for his career? Plus, our Review of the Week looks at the playoff debut of the revamped "NBA on NBC." Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-play-by-play/id1763654809 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4HaEA8ssc7LpPoJ8pKT1hk Awful Announcing on X: https://twitter.com/aw...

Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers are teammates again with the Dallas Wings, and WNBA media is up in arms over whether and how to cover their relationship, which went public last year. Ashtyn Butuso of OffBall joins the show to discuss. Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-play-by-play/id1763654809 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4HaEA8ssc7LpPoJ8pKT1hk Awful Annou...

The New York Times is investigating Dianna Russini over photos showing her spending private time with Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, while Vrabel is skipping a pre-draft press conference. Plus, NFL media appears to have missed a severe car accident in which projected top-10 pick Reuben Bain was the driver. Download The Play-By-Play: Listen on Apple Listen on Spotify Awful Announcing on X Awful Announ...

ESPN has again been at the center of multiple NFL offseason controversies, ranging from Jalen Hurts to Ty Simpson. And now, The Athletic's senior NFL insider is fighting off allegations of an improper relationship with a Super Bowl head coach. Brandon Perna aka @ThatsGoodSports joins the show to break down how the media has been at the center of the NFL offseason. 1:15 Orlovsky-Simpson story 16:18...

Awful Announcing readers voted that the College Football Playoff, FIFA men's World Cup and NBA Finals need new broadcast homes. We discuss what readers got right and wrong, plus all the news around the Dianna Russini-Mike Vrabel bombshell from the New York Post. 00:54 Russini and Vrabel 19:42 AA Reader Poll Download The Play-By-Play: Listen on Apple Listen on Spotify Awful Announcing on X Awful An...

Geno Auriemma came out as the loser of his scuffle with Dawn Staley at the Final Four, while Jay Bilas continued his crusade against the NCAA. Plus, is Jason Kelce going to call NFL games for ESPN next season? :52 Geno and Staley 19:03 Bilas vs. Calipari 34:00 ESPN/NFL Network Download The Play-By-Play: Listen on Apple Listen on Spotify Awful Announcing on X Awful Announcing on Facebook Awful Anno...

Jaden Ivey was cut by the Chicago Bulls after multiple religiously loaded rants on Instagram Live and reported issues behind the scenes dating back to Purdue. But he is not a symbol of free speech or religious freedom, despite what some of the media has argued. Plus, are we headed toward drama at ESPN between Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter? Download The Play-By-Play: Listen on Apple Listen on Spot...

Tiger Woods is taking a step back for treatment after being arrested for a DUI in Florida over the weekend, but golf media is still hesitant to treat the story seriously or address Woods' mistakes head-on. Plus, Netflix appears ready to dive into a new NFL package. Download The Play-By-Play: Listen on Apple Listen on Spotify Awful Announcing on X Awful Announcing on Facebook Awful Announcing on In...

MLB had a strong opening week on the field and on TV with big debuts on Netflix and NBC as well as the introduction of the ABS challenge system. We discuss every angle of Opening Day in our Review of the Week. -1:00: MLB on Netflix review -20:44: NBC review -38:35: Sam’s hot mic -42:15: Brendon’s hot mic Download The Play-By-Play: Listen on Apple Listen on Spotify Awful Announcing on X Awful Annou...

The WNBA and its players agreed on a landmark six-year Collective Bargaining Agreement last week after months of difficult talks. Annie Costabile of Front Office Sports broke the news of a verbal agreement while reporting from the Langham hotel in NYC. She joins The Play-By-Play to walk through the reporting process, some new wrinkles in the CBA, what it's like being a WNBA insider, and much more!...

Nate Burleson, Bruce Pearl and Renee Montgomery made big first impressions on CBS and TNT March Madness coverage, while new gimmicks featuring Oz the Mentalist, "Old Ball" and more left NCAA tournament viewers baffled. We break down all changes, as well as news surrounding the future of the NFL on ESPN. Download The Play-By-Play: Listen on Apple Listen on Spotify Awful Announcing on X Awful Announ...

Old sports radio hosts at WFAN, WIP and beyond are on a crusade to prove the medium is dying. Are they right? Brandon Contes at Awful Announcing joins to discuss whether radio has been replaced, and what the future might hold. 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 Awf...

Bruce Pearl has made a very loud debut on CBS coverage of the NCAA tournament before the games have even begun. Is Pearl a bad fit, or exactly what the network wanted as a replacement for Jay Wright? Plus, a closer look at the strange feud between Big Cat and Ken Rosenthal. Download The Play-By-Play: Listen on Apple Listen on Spotify Awful Announcing on X Awful Announcing on Facebook Awful Announc...

The World Baseball Classic has taken over the sports world in March, from the Mark DeRosa controversy to several massive highlight moments featuring MLB's biggest stars. We discuss why it has cut through and Fox's top-notch coverage, plus the latest details on a potential new deal between the NFL and Paramount. Download The Play-By-Play: Listen on Apple Listen on Spotify Awful Announcing on X Awfu...

NBA media loses its mind about Bam Adebayo, everyone forgot about the Kevin Durant burner story from All-Star, the World Baseball Classic is on fire, and independent sports reporter Joon Lee is here to talk about it all! Plus, what does Joon want to see the government do to bring costs down for fans to watch sports? Download The Play-By-Play: Listen on Apple Listen on Spotify Awful Announcing on X...

From Jay Williams to Barstool, sports media always tries to hype CBB over the NBA. On TV, fans can watch more college games than ever, and the NCAA tournament is still one of the biggest events in all of sports. But new comments from Ian Eagle show that the feeling may be different among top announcers. So which side is right? Download The Play-By-Play: Listen on Apple Listen on Spotify Awful Anno...

Stephen A. Smith is the most highly paid star at ESPN, making $20 million per year to host "First Take." But as he teases political aspirations and continually creates distractions for ESPN away from his show, we question whether the partnership is worth it for the Worldwide Leader. Download The Play-By-Play: Listen on Apple Listen on Spotify Awful Announcing on X Awful Announcing on Facebook Awfu...

YouTubers and streamers like Jesser, iShowSpeed, Druski and Kai Cenat are suddenly everywhere for sports fans. Emmanuel Morgan of the New York Times joins to discuss whether these personalities can take over sports media and become the future of how fans watch sports. Download The Play-By-Play: Listen on Apple Listen on Spotify Awful Announcing on X Awful Announcing on Facebook Awful Announcing on...

The NFL wants to redo its TV deals with Fox and CBS early. If the traditional networks can't afford to re-up, streamers like Netflix, Amazon and YouTube could come in to replace them, flipping football media on its head. 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 Ann...

The NFL Scouting Combine is a better TV product these days than it is an intel opportunity for teams. Is the end in sight? Plus: Our Review of the Week looking at the new top "NBA on ESPN" crew. 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 A...

Prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket have changed how tons of fans consume sports, and how sports are covered by the media. 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy f...