Awful Announcing
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SEC could’ve influenced CFP decision to not test open market, re-sign with ESPN
The College Football Playoff’s new 24‑team deal with ESPN raises only about $155 million total—roughly $2‑3 million per SEC school—despite a 12% bump over the current $1.3 billion yearly fee. Analysts suspect the SEC’s “look‑in” provision, allowing it to renegotiate its own ESPN rights around 2030, kept CFP leadership from opening the rights to bidders. Keeping ESPN happy protects the SEC’s future media payout, and other Power Five and Group 6 conferences share similar ESPN ties. While the modest revenue gain seems negligible, the move secures non‑monetary benefits like broader playoff access and more marquee matchups.
Analyst predicts Netflix will buy NBCUniversal post-spinoff
Wolfe Research analyst Peter Supino argues that Netflix could solve its slowing growth and engagement gaps by buying NBCUniversal after its upcoming spin‑off from Comcast. Supino says NBCUniversal’s massive live‑sports portfolio—second‑largest globally—and news assets would complement Netflix’s strong scripted‑entertainment library, giving the streamer a year‑round sports anchor. He cites the recent Netflix‑Fox One talks as a precursor and predicts a deal could happen soon, positioning Netflix as a full‑fledged sports destination and reshaping its strategy after the failed Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition.
Blake Griffin cleverly criticizes state of sports journalism in stellar ‘The Stepback’ premiere
Former NBA star Blake Griffin launches his new late‑night show, The Stepback, on Prime Video and YouTube, opening with a sharp critique of modern sports journalism. In the 30‑minute premiere, Griffin dissects the rise of click‑bait talking heads, the decline of beat reporters, and the unchecked influence of insiders like Shams Charania, while lampooning Stephen A. Smith’s controversial takes. Featuring clips of Skip Bayless, Tyrese Haliburton, and historic moments, Griffin positions the series as a sports‑focused counterpart to John Oliver, promising deeper analysis beyond headline‑driven hype.
Troy Aikman made his disdain of analytics known on ‘Monday Night Football’
During Monday Night Football’s October 20 game, Troy Aikman blasted analytics, saying it’s "a good way to lose your job as a head coach" while discussing a 49ers fourth‑and‑3 that the data recommended to go for. His comments sparked a flurry of Twitter reactions and highlighted his growing friction with ESPN, where his future is uncertain after contract talks stalled. Meanwhile, Joe Buck secured a long‑term deal, and reports suggest former NFL player Greg Olsen could replace Aikman next season.
Bears fan calls into The Score radio show from prison
A Chicago Bears fan named Derek called The Score’s daily show from a Wisconsin prison, demanding analysis of the Bears’ 31-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 19. The game saw Caleb Williams return from a hamstring injury, throwing for 305 yards and a touchdown as Chicago built a 31-7 lead before a late Falcons rally. Derek explained he’s incarcerated on marijuana and gun charges but still follows the team, prompting hosts David Haugh and Jarrett Payton to riff on his “locked‑in” fandom. The odd call highlights how sports connect fans—even behind bars.
TV and streaming viewing picks for October 21, 2026: How to watch WNBA Finals Game 3
Awful Announcing’s Oct. 21 guide lists every live sports broadcast, highlighting where to watch WNBA Finals Game 3. The game streams on ESPN+, ESPN2 and the NBA TV app starting at 8 p.m. ET, with alternate TV coverage on ESPN. The schedule also includes college basketball, football, golf, MLS, NBA opening week, NHL, UFC and more, each with its channel and streaming platform. Readers can quickly see the exact networks and streaming services for the WNBA finale and the day’s full sports lineup.
Mike Tirico narrates Knicks fans heckling LeBron James over controversial helicopter
During the Knicks’ season‑opening game against the 76ers on Oct. 21, 2026, NBC’s Mike Tirico called attention to heated fan heckling of LeBron James over his new helicopter commute. After a 106‑100 Philly win, courtside fans taunted James about “flying in from New York,” prompting him to shout a profanity‑filled retort that was captured on air. Tirico and Reggie Miller noted Spike Lee’s attempt to defuse the tension, while NBA commissioner Adam Silver defended the Fanatics‑sponsored helicopter deal. James capped his NBA‑record 24th season debut with a grin, brushing off the controversy.
Your 2026 Week 8 college football announcing schedule
Week 8 of the 2026 college football season promises marquee matchups and a packed announcing lineup. The highlight is No. 6 Indiana vs. No. 3 Michigan at the Big House, called by Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt on Fox’s Big Noon Saturday. Also featured are No. 18 LSU at No. 13 Auburn (Sean McDonough/Greg McElroy, ABC) and No. 7 Ole Miss vs. No. 19 Texas (Chris Fowler/Kirk Herbstreit, ABC). The night concludes with a Big 12 showdown between No. 14 Houston and No. 10 Utah on ESPN. The article lists every Week 8 game, network, and announcer from Oct. 20‑24, including early‑season contests on CBS Sports Network, ESPNU, and streaming platforms.
Colin Cowherd denounces Junior Caminero’s home run trot: ‘That was obnoxious’
Junior Caminero’s seventh‑inning solo homer off Guardians closer Cade Smith lifted the Tampa Bay Rays to a 5‑1 lead and helped them clinch a 7‑3 Game 6 victory, sending Tampa to the World Series. The 38‑second, chest‑pounding trot sparked criticism from broadcaster Colin Cowherd, who called the celebration “obnoxious” despite admitting he supports some flexing. Awful Announcing highlights the clash between modern, expressive celebrations and traditionalist views as the Rays celebrate their third franchise World Series appearance.
Polymarket’s athlete endorsers face scrutiny after market offered on Cornell 7
Polymarket stirred controversy by listing a market on whether any of seven Cornell students accused of rape will face felony charges, drawing $451,633 in volume before being pulled. The bet, offered only outside the U.S., prompted scrutiny of the platform’s high‑profile athlete ambassadors—including LeBron James, Derek Jeter, Eli Manning, Sue Bird, Reggie Bush and Richard Sherman. Critics highlight the platform’s history of ethically questionable markets, from Gaza population forecasts to wildfires, while Polymarket defends its purpose as providing data‑driven insight. The piece examines the growing ties between sports figures and the prediction‑market industry amid rising public backlash.
NFL considering maximum allowable number of international games next season, exec says
NFL executive vice president Peter O’Reilly announces the league is weighing a schedule of 10 international games for the 2027 season—the ceiling allowed by the current CBA. This would edge up from nine games slated this year and continues the rapid rise from five annual internationals (2022‑24) to seven in 2025. The push aims to build a full‑season overseas slate to package for broadcasters before the CBA expires in 2031, potentially alongside an 18‑game season. While expanding abroad, the NFL notes declining viewership for domestic pre‑game shows as European kickoffs pull audiences away from Fox and CBS.
CMU’s Matt Drinkall goes scorched earth on college football’s leaders: ‘Prostitute the sport for financial gain’
Central Michigan head coach Matt Drinkall slams the proposed 24‑team College Football Playoff expansion, calling it a cash‑first move that hurts programs like CMU. Speaking to reporters on Oct. 20, 2026, he warned the changes since COVID—realignment, eligibility tweaks, player pay, and transfer rules—are reactionary and prioritize profit over the sport’s culture and student‑athletes. Drinkall likened the trend to a “prostitution of the sport for financial gain,” predicting it could push a larger slice of college football toward a professional model. The critique highlights concerns that the expansion benefits power‑house schools while marginalizing mid‑major teams.
Urban Meyer only has one concern about a 24-team College Football Playoff
Former champion coach Urban Meyer says the upcoming 24‑team College Football Playoff will boost parity but worries it could marginalize conference championship games—the contests he deems the sport's most exciting. While NIL deals and the transfer portal have leveled the playing field enough for programs like Indiana to rise, Meyer notes that removing conference titles to fit the expanded bracket would erase a key achievement for teams and coaches.
Tracy McGrady strikes two-year partnership with NBC Sports
Tracy McGrady inks a two‑year strategic deal with NBC Sports, extending his role beyond the NBA studio. The partnership streams his Ones Basketball League games on Peacock, features live tapings of his Cousins podcast, and adds content for the ABCD Basketball Camp. NBC first added McGrady to NBA Showtime in July 2025 alongside Jeff Carter and Anthony Carter, and his outspoken on‑air style has drawn both praise and calls for a format overhaul. The new agreement solidifies his presence as a media figure while boosting NBC’s basketball programming.
Some NBC viewers had trouble finding the Pistons-Celtics opening day afternoon tip-off game
NBC’s new NBA opening‑day afternoon slot, featuring the Detroit Pistons vs. Boston Celtics on Oct. 20, 2026, sparked confusion as many local NBC affiliates pre‑empted the game for other programming. Viewers in markets like Nashville, Omaha, and Memphis reported missing the 3 p.m. ET tip‑off, forcing them to switch to subchannels, Peacock, or digital streams. NBC Sports executive Justin Byczek touts the midday game as a future tradition, but affiliate hesitance highlights challenges in reaching a national audience. The league says 99% of U.S. households could still watch via NBC, alternate stations, or Peacock.
Atlanta Hawks strike in-market streaming deal with Prime Video
The Atlanta Hawks have partnered with Amazon Prime Video to stream all local games for free to fans in Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina and Mississippi who already have a Prime subscription. The six‑month season costs $54 for a standalone Prime subscription, far cheaper than the $100‑$200 fees many NBA teams charge. The deal follows the collapse of FanDuel’s regional sports networks and complements the Hawks’ new TV agreement with Gray Media. While the financial terms are undisclosed, the move aims to boost advertising, merchandise and arena attendance, and may be a short‑term arrangement before the NBA’s league‑wide streaming hub launches in 2027‑28.
Netflix reportedly eyeing deal with Fox One to bring NFL games to streamer
Netflix is courting a partnership with Fox One to stream Sunday NFL games, mirroring its TF1 deal in France. The move follows a massive executive shake‑up and 6% staff cut as Netflix seeks to boost engagement beyond its five‑game NFL package, which costs up to $500 million. A Fox One deal could give subscribers free access to Fox’s linear channels, FS1, Fox News and live sports, potentially keeping users on the platform longer. With the next NFL matchup set for Thanksgiving Eve and the upcoming exclusive FIFA Women’s World Cup broadcast, Netflix hopes live sports will drive higher viewer retention.
Adam Schefter on Eagles handling of Jalen Hurts: ‘What did they mishandle?’
On Oct. 20, 2026, ESPN’s Adam Schefter probes the Philadelphia Eagles’ handling of quarterback Jalen Hurts’ blood‑clot crisis. After the team first listed Hurts with a “calf injury” before a London game, he was later sidelined indefinitely for superficial calf clots, then announced out for the season when clots were found in his lungs. Schefter and Philadelphia radio hosts wonder whether the Eagles violated NFL injury‑report rules or jeopardized Hurts’ safety by clearing him to play and fly home. The NFL reportedly may not punish the team if they adhered to the letter of the law, but questions about mis‑management remain.
Ernie Johnson addresses Charles Barkley-induced retirement rumors: ‘I can see the finish line’
Ernie Johnson quells Charles Barkley’s tongue‑in‑cheek claim that he’s retiring from Inside the NBA, saying he “can see the finish line” but won’t set a date. On his debut radio interview with Dom DiTommaso on Pittsburgh’s 93.7 The Fan, Johnson reflected on his career, including calling Pirates playoff games for TBS, and acknowledged ongoing speculation without confirming a retirement timeline. While Barkley repeatedly hints this could be his last season, Front Office Sports’ Ryan Glasspiegel reports Johnson has not made a final decision.
The 2026-27 NBA local broadcast accessibility rankings
Awful Announcing ranks NBA teams by how easy it is for fans to watch local games in 2026‑27. The analysis weighs direct‑to‑consumer costs, cable/satellite carriage, over‑the‑air simulcasts, national exclusives, and streaming‑only deals. At the bottom, the Cleveland Cavaliers are the least accessible, with 59 games on DAZN ($120) and no cable carriage, while the Knicks and Lakers remain cable‑exclusive and lack OTA games despite pricey DTC streams. Mid‑tier teams like the Timberwolves, Spurs and Grizzlies benefit from more national OTA games that offset their DAZN deals. The ranking highlights which fan bases will face the highest costs and the most fragmented viewing options this season.
Jeff Saturday blasts Eagles for sending Nick Sirianni to discuss Jalen Hurts’ health: ‘Shame on you’
Jeff Saturday harshly criticizes the Philadelphia Eagles for sending head coach Nick Sirianni to address quarterback Jalen Hurts’ blood‑clot health issues after the London trip. Saturday argues that medical staff, not the coach, should answer such questions and calls the organization’s handling a “shameful” scapegoating. He notes Hurts suffered deep‑vein thrombosis and lung clots, is out indefinitely, and questions the decision to let him fly and play on Oct. 11. The debate over the Eagles’ medical protocols continues.
Jim Nantz lists himself as ‘questionable’ after Peanut Punch wrist injury, expects to be ‘a go’ for Bengals-Ravens
CBS veteran play‑by‑play voice Jim Nantz suffered a wrist injury after attempting J.J. Watt’s “Peanut Punch” demo on the October 18 Bills‑Raiders broadcast. Nantz told Jimmy Traina he’ll be listed as questionable on Wednesday’s report but expects to be cleared for the Bengals‑Ravens game Sunday in Baltimore. The 67‑year‑old cracked the football, twisted his hand and was seen nursing an ice pack on‑air, yet remains optimistic about returning to the booth.
Brewers voice Jeff Levering on his pennant-clinching call and why he honored Bob Uecker
In an Awful Announcing interview, longtime Brewers voice Jeff Levering reflects on his electrifying final‑out call that clinched the NL pennant against the Dodgers in Game 4 of the 2026 NLCS. Levering describes the post‑game party, the fans’ two‑mile line at the airport, and the intensity of calling the eighth‑inning stretch. He explains that his spontaneous “Brewers win the pennant” line was meant to honor Wisconsin’s first World Series appearance since 1982 and to pay tribute to legendary broadcaster Bob Uecker. The piece offers behind‑the‑scenes insight into the broadcast and the city’s celebration as Milwaukee heads to the World Series.
Pat McAfee couldn’t stop making fun of Dan Orlovsky kneeling
During the October 20 Monday Night Football alt‑cast, Pat McAfee ribbed fellow ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky for the odd way he knelt under the 49ers‑Commanders goalposts, joking that kneeling on both knees looks uncomfortable and “unique.” The banter, captured in a tweet from McAfee, was light‑hearted and didn’t spark any on‑air tension, contrasting with the drama in the main ESPN booth. The segment marks the first of several McAfee‑led alt‑casts ahead of Super Bowl LXI, where the Mannings and McAfee will each host separate broadcasts.
Stephen A. Smith hopes ESPN brings Troy Aikman back: ‘They are the A-team’
Stephen A. Smith urges ESPN to keep former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman on its Monday Night Football booth, praising the three‑time Super Bowl champion as an “elite football mind.” With Joe Buck’s contract extension confirmed and Aikman's future uncertain as his free‑agency window nears, Smith aired his support on Mad Dog Sports Radio, also lamenting recent departures of Sharpe, Qerim and Clark from First Take.
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