Awful Announcing
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Charles Barkley takes shot at Aaron Rodgers: ‘I’m not gonna burn every bridge’
On the Adam Schein Mad Dog Sports Radio show, Charles Barkley declares the 2026‑27 NBA season his “final” run and fires a jab at NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ “retirement tour.” Barkley says he won’t “burn every bridge” like Rodgers, who recently disparaged ex‑girlfriends Shailene Woodley and Danica Patrick and former Packers teammates. While Barkley vows to keep his exit drama‑free, he’s still quick to criticize network executives, hinting at possible tension with TNT or ESPN. The contrast between Rodgers’ likely retirement and Barkley’s ever‑lasting TV comeback fuels the debate.
How the NBA is turning the corner with new media deals
The NBA uses its 2025 Finals flop—small‑market showdown between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers and a weak ESPN broadcast—as a catalyst to revamp coverage under new 11‑year media deals with ESPN, NBC and Amazon. Executives say the league’s "celebration and education" strategy will spotlight deeper player narratives, more Xs and Os analysis, and nostalgic elements like NBC’s Roundball Rock alongside Amazon’s tech‑heavy LED court. The goal is to connect fans with today’s stars and elevate the game’s storytelling for the next era.
Charles Barkley roasts Shaq over Kash Patel connection
During the season‑opening Inside the NBA taping, Charles Barkley ribs Shaquille O’Neal for his recent honorary FBI tie‑in with Director Kash Patel. Barkley jokes that standing near Shaq is "dangerous" because Shaq was named an honorary FBI Special Agent in September, a fact Shaq humorously referenced by saying he’d arrest Barkley. The banter, captured on the ESPN pre‑game show, sparked laughter from Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Shaq himself, highlighting the playful crossover between NBA personalities and a high‑profile law‑enforcement honor.
Ken Carman rips Cavs over TV deal: ‘It’s bad for the fanbase’
After the RSN collapse, the Cleveland Cavaliers sign a costly exclusive streaming deal with DAZN for the 2026‑27 season, making their games the least accessible in the NBA. Host Ken Carman on 92.3 The Fan laments that fans may abandon the Cavs rather than pay a season pass that exceeds the full League Pass price, calling the move “bad for the fanbase.” He notes lingering disappointment from last year’s playoff exit and LeBron’s load‑management plans, urging the team to improve accessibility. The NBA hopes a centralized local‑broadcast hub could arrive next season.
Tributes pour in for ESPN Radio legend Dan ‘The Duke’ Davis
ESPN Radio legend Dan “The Duke” Davis dies at 84, prompting an outpouring of tributes. A founding ESPN Radio member since its 1992 launch and longtime SportsCenter update reporter, Davis first won fame calling Doug Flutie’s iconic 1984 Hail‑Mary pass for Boston College on WRKO/ABC Radio. Colleagues like Mike Golic Sr., Scott Van Pelt, Mike Tirico and Tim Brando praised his unparalleled voice, memorable calls, and even his hip‑hop rap bits on the SVP & Russillo show. The community remembers Davis as the best update man in sports radio history.
CFP expansion capped at 24 teams through 2031 as part of new ESPN deal
The College Football Playoff will stay at 24 teams through the 2031‑32 season, per a new ESPN deal. ESPN and the CFP agreed not to add more slots until the current contract expires, guaranteeing five seasons of consistency after the expansion takes effect next year. ESPN will contribute an extra $345 million atop its $1.3 billion annual rights fee, covering most revenue lost from cutting conference championship games; the 24‑team format is projected to earn only $155 million extra. Additionally, ESPN may sublicense up to half of the 12 new early‑round games, extending its existing agreement with TNT Sports through 2028.
Pat McAfee Field Pass lags behind ManningCast, Next Gen altcasts in viewers
The latest Monday Night Football alt‑cast showdown shows Pat McAfee’s Field Pass trailing both the long‑running ManningCast and NFL Network’s Next Gen Stats broadcast. While the ManningCast opened the season with just over 700,000 viewers—down from its 2021 peak of 1.96 million—McAfee’s debut on ESPN2 drew only 351,000, roughly half the Manning audience. NFL Network’s Next Gen alt‑cast outperformed McAfee, pulling in 469,000 viewers. Main‑team numbers remain strong, with ESPN’s primary telecast at 6.688 million and ABC’s simulcast at 10.312 million. The figures suggest ESPN may need to rethink its alt‑cast strategy, even as it heavily backs McAfee.
Joel Klatt says Big Ten-SEC football challenge is imminent
Lead analyst Joel Klatt says a Big Ten‑SEC scheduling agreement will arrive quickly once the 24‑team College Football Playoff launches, promising “top‑end, mid‑tier and low‑end” non‑conference matchups. Klatt argues the new deal could revive the regular season’s importance and spark a high‑profile challenge series that rivals the SEC’s recent dominance. The expanded playoff, still debated, may risk making the regular season feel optional, but the proposed inter‑conference games could boost fan interest and generate fresh revenue through neutral‑site contests. Klatt’s comments suggest the long‑awaited Big Ten‑SEC showdown is imminent.
Tyrese Haliburton chokes up in postgame interview after Pacers return
Tyrese Haliburton makes his first NBA appearance since tearing his Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 Finals, returning to the Indiana Pacers on Oct. 22, 2026. He fuels a 123-120 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, posting 23 points and 12 assists. In a tearful post‑game interview with Jeremiah Johnson, Haliburton reflects on the emotional significance of being back after missing the entire 2025‑26 season—a campaign that saw the Pacers win just 19 games. With his health restored and a new trade for Ivica Zubac, Indiana eyes a surprise run in a deep Eastern Conference.
Charles Barkley ‘very disappointed’ in Troy Aikman: ‘It’s not Joe Buck’s job to get him a deal’
Charles Barkley says he’s “very disappointed” in former NFL star‑turned‑broadcaster Troy Aikman, criticizing Aikman for blaming play‑by‑play partner Joe Buck over his pending ESPN contract. Barkley points out Buck isn’t responsible for Aikman’s deal, noting Buck received his extension while Aikman's expires after this season. The dispute follows reports of tension on Oct. 12 MNF broadcast and Aikman's own hints that ESPN may be moving in a different direction before the Super Bowl on Feb. 14. New details from a Dylan Byers report claim Aikman feels Buck and ESPN’s Jimmy Pitaro betrayed him by not informing him of Buck’s new contract. The saga raises questions about Aikman's future on the network.
Michael Wilbon unleashes incredible rant at the New York Times: ‘gutless motherf*ckers’
Michael Wilbon, former Washington Post reporter and longtime ESPN analyst, delivers a blistering tirade against The New York Times for outsourcing its sports section to The Athletic in 2023. In a candid interview with Dan Le Batard, Wilbon condemns the paper as “gutless motherf*ckers,” argues the Times abandoned sports journalism, and claims the Post’s former sports desk was far superior, naming legends like Tom Boswell, Sally Jenkins and J.A. Adande. He also critiques broader cuts to newspaper sportsrooms, framing the Times’ move as a betrayal of the profession.
Paul Finebaum says ESPN ‘of course’ sidelined him after he floated Senate run
Paul Finebaum tells the Awful Announcing podcast that ESPN quietly sidelined him after he hinted at a 2026 Senate run in Alabama during a September 2025 interview with Clay Travis. Finebaum says the Disney‑owned network dropped his regular appearances on flagship shows like Get Up and SportsCenter, though he still showed up on the SEC Network and a Matt Barrie podcast. ESPN’s communications VP Bill Hofheimer denied any ban, calling the claim “totally false.” The dispute centers on whether Finebaum’s political ambitions, including his support for Donald Trump, prompted the network’s reduced airtime.
CBS signs J.J. Watt to new multi-year lead analyst deal
CBS Sports has signed former Houston Texans star J.J. Watt to a multi‑year contract as its lead NFL analyst, cementing his role alongside veteran Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson. Watt moved up from number‑two analyst after Tony Romo’s departure and has impressed the network in his first two months. The deal comes as CBS, now under the Paramount‑Warner Bros. Discovery‑Skydance umbrella, opts to retain Watt instead of pursuing other free‑agent analysts like Greg Olsen or Troy Aikman. Watt expressed gratitude, highlighting his chemistry with the broadcast team.
David Samson on the World Series, working with Pablo Torre, and honoring his daughter’s memory
David Samson, former Marlins president and current media regular, discusses the upcoming World Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays. He praises both clubs as exemplars of small‑market success, highlighting the Brewers’ disciplined roster moves—trading Josh Hader, parting with Devin Williams and not re‑signing Willy Adames—and the Rays’ complete roster rebuild since their 2020 run. Samson predicts a six‑game series win for Milwaukee, citing a dominant bullpen and strong starters like Drew Rasmussen and Freddy Peralta. He also notes the series won’t sway the looming labor talks, as owners view negotiations in broader, multi‑year terms.
TV and streaming viewing picks for October 22, 2026: How to watch Pats-Bears on TNF
The Awful Announcing guide details every TV and streaming option for October 22, 2026, with a spotlight on Thursday Night Football’s New England Patriots‑Chicago Bears clash at Soldier Field. The game streams live on Prime Video (English team Al Michaels/Kirk Herbstreit, Spanish team Miguel Gurwitz/Rolando Cantú) and locally on WCVB, WMUR and WFLD, kicking off at 8:15 p.m. ET, followed by a Prime Video post‑game show at 11:15 p.m. The article also lists a full day of sports programming—from AFL women’s Round 11 and College Football Week 8 to NBA matchups, UFC events, golf tournaments, and MLB shows—complete with channel line‑ups and announcer rosters, helping fans map out the entire sports lineup for the day.
AA: Podcast Paul Finebaum on Arch Manning, Bill Belichick, Tim Tebow, ESPN, radio callers, and more
In the latest Awful Announcing Podcast, host Brandon Contes talks with ESPN’s Paul Finebaum about a range of hot topics. Finebaum predicts where Arch Manning might play next season, weighs his NFL prospects, and compares him to Tim Tebow. He also opens up about his relationship with Tebow, the intense fan backlash—including death threats—he’s faced, and the role of radio callers in his show. The conversation turns to his turbulent ties with ESPN, including a rumored sidelining after a potential Senate run, his expiring contract, and future plans, before touching on Bill Belichick and the College Football Playoff.
ESPN announcers incredulous over LaMelo Ball non-travel
During the NBA’s opening night on Oct. 22, 2026, LaMelo Ball scored 16 first‑half points for the Minnesota Timberwolves, but a replay showed him taking at least four steps before a three‑point shot—what ESPN’s Mike Breen, Tim Legler and Richard Jefferson called “the most obvious travel in NBA history.” The announcers repeatedly demanded a call, highlighting ongoing concerns about lenient officiating. The incident sparked debate over Ball’s footwork and its impact on future scoring records.
WNBA Finals reaches early record viewership marks
Game 1 of the 2026 WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries draws a record 2.1 million viewers on NBC and Peacock, an 11% increase over last year and the most‑watched opening game in league history. The matchup, featuring Angel Reese and two teams chasing their first championship, underscores the league’s broader growth—2021’s Game 1 pulled just 469,000 viewers. While most of the series shifts to USA Network (Game 2 logged 1.33 million viewers, a 9% rise), the early ratings surge proves the WNBA can thrive beyond star Caitlin Clark.
Adam Amin pays emotional tribute to Stacey King at Bulls opener
At the Chicago Bulls’ season opener against the Toronto Raptors, play‑by‑play announcer Adam Amin delivered a heartfelt tribute to the late Stacey King, who died in June at 59. King, a three‑time champion and beloved broadcaster, was honored with a video montage and an empty chair on the broadcast desk, complete with a crown and playing card. Amin spoke about King’s impact before Robbie Hummel joined as analyst, noting the team will rotate analysts throughout the year. The moving ceremony highlighted King’s lasting legacy as a player and commentator.
Details emerge of Troy Aikman and Joe Buck blowup, deteriorating relationship
After 25 years together, ESPN’s lead NFL duo Joe Buck and Troy Aikman appear to be headed for a split. Reports from Touch Weekly and Puck’s Dylan Byers reveal a heated argument before the Rams‑Bills Monday Night Football game, with Aikman feeling “betrayed” after Buck secured a contract renewal while Aikman was left out. Sources say Buck may move to a new partner, possibly Greg Olsen, and the tension could culminate at Super Bowl LXI, likely their final broadcast together.
NFL reportedly keeps Eagles-Commanders on ‘Sunday Night Football’
The NFL decides to keep the Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders matchup on NBC’s Sunday Night Football for Week 8, despite earlier talks of flexing in a Browns‑Steelers game. Both teams, now 1‑4‑1, could battle for the NFC East lead, giving the game primetime relevance. Scheduling rules limit other options, and the league has already spotlighted Philadelphia with four additional primetime slots, a Thanksgiving game, and a Christmas Eve contest. The stakes rise further as the Eagles will play without quarterback Jalen Hurts, who is out for the season after blood clots were discovered, prompting medical controversy and an NFLPA investigation.
Jerry Jones vouches for Troy Aikman amid ESPN contract rumors
Jerry Jones publicly backs former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman as rumors swirl about Aikman's ESPN contract. Front Office Sports reported tension between Aikman and co‑host Kirk Buck, noting Buck just secured a six‑year extension while ESPN has not committed to Aikman beyond this season. Jones praised Aikman's talent and future potential during an NFL owners meeting in New York, saying he closely follows the former star’s career. The article also mentions Aikman's uncertain consultant role with the Miami Dolphins and notes that Jones’ support won’t affect CBS’s decision on Tony Romo.
Ryan Fitzpatrick walks back ‘disrespectful’ line about Bo Nix but stands by his criticism
Former quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick reiterates his criticism of Broncos rookie Bo Nix after Denver’s 17-14 overtime win over Seattle, admitting he regrets calling Nix’s play “almost disrespectful to the quarterback position.” Fitzpatrick defended the substance of his comments, noting Nix’s 17‑of‑27, 107‑yard performance and lack of competitiveness, while also acknowledging his own career’s modest résumé in a light‑hearted Twitter exchange with former Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib. The former analyst contrasted Nix’s effort with the aggressive fourth‑quarter play of quarterbacks like CJ Stroud, Trevor Lawrence and Aaron Rodgers, saying Nix must step up to earn respect.
Robert Saleh delivers delicate statement on Jordan Elliott gun incident: ‘Cry for help’
Titans head coach Robert Saleh addresses the release of defensive lineman Jordan Elliott after Elliott retrieved a gun at the team's facility. Saleh emphasizes the NFL's strict firearm policy, frames Elliott's actions as a possible cry for help, and highlights broader mental‑health concerns after recent player suicides. He praises the league's response, stresses getting Elliott professional help, and even offers his services to other teams interested in Elliott's talent despite the incident.
NFL has ‘no concern’ about Joe Buck, Troy Aikman tension
NFL media chief Hans Schroeder says the league has “no concern” about the reported tension between Monday Night Football’s Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, pointing to their “incredible” coverage of the 49ers’ win over the Commanders. The dispute stems from contract talks: Buck secured a six‑year, $108 million extension in September, while Aikman, earning $18 million a year, remains in the final year of his deal with no formal offer. Aikman hinted ESPN may be moving in a different direction before the Super Bowl on Feb. 14, 2031. With speculation about Greg Olsen as a possible replacement, the NFL and ESPN appear confident the broadcast will stay strong through the season.
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