Awful Announcing
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La Liga’s U.S. viewership soars as El Clásico sets all-time record on ESPN
La Liga’s U.S. audience spikes 50% YoY, highlighted by a record‑breaking El Clásico on Oct. 27 that averaged 2.4 million viewers on ABC and ESPN Deportes—more than double last season’s figure. Combined English and Spanish viewership now averages 142,000, with kids up 84%, adults 18‑34 up 69%, and women up 56%. ESPN also logged top‑rated La Liga matches this season, including Elche‑Barcelona (1.0 M) and the Madrid Derby (574 K). The surge sets the stage for continued growth ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Greg Olsen reportedly seen as favorite to replace Troy Aikman at ESPN despite brief history with network brass
Fox analyst Greg Olsen emerges as the leading candidate to replace Troy Aikman on ESPN’s Monday Night Football. After two seasons as Fox’s lead analyst, including calling Super Bowl LVII and earning a Sports Emmy, Olsen’s contract allows him to leave for a top‑slot job. ESPN insiders say his brief meetings with chairman Jimmy Pitaro and content president Burke Magnus, plus a recent visit to the network’s suite, have put him on the radar. With Aikman's future uncertain and ESPN needing a new analyst, Olsen could become Joe Buck’s next partner.
Golf Channel to debut new interview show starring Eamon Lynch
Golf Channel launches its first long‑form interview series, Eamon Lynch Has Questions, on Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. ET. Veteran host and Golfweek columnist Eamon Lynch will sit down with top golf figures, starting with outgoing PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan. The show aims to offer inside perspectives on the sport’s most influential personalities as the network, now under Versant’s ownership, expands its slate with more LPGA coverage and a DP World Tour deal through 2030. New programming is part of Golf Channel’s strategy to boost fan engagement and support its broader golf ecosystem.
ESPN’s Jay Bilas on title-contender Duke, a must-see Week 1 game, and NCAA advice
ESPN analyst Jay Bilas previews the 2026‑27 college basketball season, praising Duke as the nation’s most talented squad and noting their depth, size and versatile guards after impressive exhibition wins over Kansas and Tennessee. He ranks Florida No. 1 in the preseason AP and Coaches polls, highlighting their elite frontcourt and veteran core, and points to the Miami‑Florida opener as a key Week 1 matchup. Bilas also stresses the importance of a strong start for Kentucky, lauds freshmen like Caleb Holt (Arizona) and Tyran Stokes (Kansas), and offers insights on Arizona’s roster outlook. The interview, edited for clarity, airs as Bilas calls Duke’s season on Monday against Army.
Ernie Johnson addresses Charles Barkley’s future on ‘Inside the NBA’
Ernie Johnson announces on Thursday’s Dan Patrick Show that the 2026‑27 NBA season will be his farewell year on ESPN’s Inside the NBA, giving the crew time to plan his exit. He revealed his decision early to avoid a surprise at season’s end, while longtime co‑host Charles Barkley hinted his own retirement may follow, saying next season could be his last. Johnson described the emotional studio moment when Barkley struggled to speak, and noted the flood of tributes flooding social media after his 37‑year run. He clarified he isn’t retiring from broadcasting, just stepping away from the iconic show.
Report details what Joe Buck, Troy Aikman said during their SoFi Stadium blowup
A heated exchange between Joe Buck and Troy Aikman at SoFi Stadium before the Oct. 12 Bills‑Rams Monday Night Football game exposed a four‑year rift. Prior to the on‑air blowup, Aikman met ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro to discuss the partnership’s future, after learning about Buck’s contract extension and possible new partner. Sources say Buck opened with a profane question, prompting Aikman to accuse him of undermining his contract and staff turnover. Crew members allege Aikman's absenteeism and micromanagement caused frequent producer/director changes, while Buck is portrayed as the sympathetic figure. The feud reflects deeper production tensions that have plagued MNF since 2023.
Skydance rolls out new sports leadership team amid CBS Sports-TNT Sports reorganization
Skydine Global Sports Group president David Berson announced a new leadership roster for the merged CBS Sports‑TNT Sports unit on Thursday. Veteran TNT executive Craig Barry joins as chief content officer, taking charge of editorial direction, while longtime CBS staff retain key roles: Dan Weinberg stays as programming head, Jeff Gerttula becomes EVP & Managing Director of digital, international and strategy, and CFO Chris Carter remains in place. Several TNT leaders—including Nate Smeltz, Sophia Constantinides, Patrick Crumb, Donald Knight and Raphael Poplock—are exiting following former TNT CEO Luis Silberwasser’s earlier departure. Additional hires cover operations, HR, insights, legal and business affairs, solidifying Skydance’s revamped sports hierarchy.
LaPhonso Ellis, Steve Lavin, Stacey Dales return to ESPN college basketball coverage
ESPN reveals its college basketball broadcast lineup for the 2026-27 season, bringing back former analysts LaPhonso Ellis and Steve Lavin. Ellis, who was laid off in 2023, returns after three years with the Big Ten Network, while Lavin rejoins after stints at Fox Sports and TNT following his dismissal from San Diego. New faces include former Virginia star Malcolm Brogdon as a studio analyst and Jason Capel as a game analyst. On the women’s side, ex‑Oklahoma All‑American Stacey Dales will serve as an analyst. Core personalities like Dan Shulman, Jay Bilas, Ryan Ruocco and Rebecca Lobo remain unchanged.
Netflix will not stream Jake Paul’s return to boxing, per report
Netflix will skip streaming Jake Paul’s comeback fight slated for December 24 in Dubai, according to the New York Post. Instead, the bout is likely to air live on DAZN as a pay‑per‑view event. Paul, who has been out for a year after a jaw injury in his December 2025 loss to Anthony Joshua, has not yet confirmed an opponent—candidates include former UFC star Darren Till, Chris Eubank, Edgar Berlanga, or YouTuber KSI. Netflix previously drew 108 million views for Paul vs. Mike Tyson and 33 million for the Joshua fight, but may pass on this less‑profiled matchup.
Barstool’s Big Cat joins effort to get ‘f*cking cheap’ Michael Bidwill to sell Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals fans intensify the #BidwillOut campaign, urging owner Michael Bidwill to sell the franchise. On Pardon My Take, Barstool’s Dan “Big Cat” Katz slams Bidwill as “f*cking cheap,” citing cuts like moving training camp, withholding 2008 Super Bowl coach bonuses, and docking a player’s FedEx fees. The team sits 2‑5 after trading former top picks Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr., missing the playoffs since 2021, and faces lawsuits over discrimination. Fans argue Bidwill lacks the resources or willingness to invest, fueling calls for a sale.
Michael Kay defends Pat McAfee: ‘People don’t know what this business is like’
Michael Kay steps to Pat McAfee’s defense after the former NFL star and ESPN personality aired fears about a Utah‑University social‑media video that referenced a recent murder. McAfee said the FBI contacted him over safety concerns, and critics called him thin‑skinned. Kay argued that no one understands the pressure of daily live performance, praised McAfee’s lucrative, multi‑platform career—including Monday Night Football, College GameDay, and his own show—and dismissed the backlash as uninformed. The exchange highlights the tension between high‑profile sports media figures and their critics.
Jalen Brunson pays tribute to Bulls analyst Stacey King: ‘We miss him’
After the Knicks’ 38-point, 7‑assist win over the Bulls (2‑3 season start) at the United Center, Jalen Brunson honored late Bulls analyst and former champion Stacey King, who died in June at 59. Brunson, a Stevenson High alumnus, recalled King’s support for the local program and expressed his thoughts and prayers for King’s family. The piece also recaps King’s three‑title Bulls career, his 20‑year broadcast legacy, and the rotating analyst lineup filling his booth.
Bomani Jones: ‘I thought I was going to end up’ at Meadowlark Media when I left ESPN
Bomani Jones reveals on The Awful Announcing Podcast that he was close to joining Dan Le Batard’s Meadowlark Media after leaving ESPN in 2022, but his commitment to ESPN’s “Game Theory” kept him there. He explains that the HBO show and the stability of Game Theory outweighed the appeal of Meadowlark, which has struggled to retain high‑profile hires like Kate Fagan and Tom Haberstroh. Jones praises Le Batard’s collaborative style and notes that after Game Theory’s two‑season run, he’s focused on expanding his podcast, signing with Playmaker, and returning to a studio. The interview sheds light on Meadowlark’s early recruitment challenges and Jones’s career choices.
Aaron Rodgers’ idea to play every NFL international game in one week deemed ‘nonsensical concept’
After the Steelers’ 16-10 win over the Saints in Paris, quarterback Aaron Rodgers suggested the NFL bundle all 16 international games into a single “international week,” adding an extra bye to keep a 17‑game schedule. He claimed owners rejected the idea over safety and revenue concerns, but league sources say the concept never even reached the negotiating table and label it “nonsensical.” Current CBA rules prohibit a full week of overseas games, and the league is only poised to expand to ten international matchups, not sixteen.
Brewers-Rays Game 5 clincher ends World Series on viewership high note
The Milwaukee Brewers clinched their first franchise World Series title by beating the Tampa Bay Rays 5‑2 in Game 5, drawing an average 14.22 million viewers on Fox and Fox Deportes. The five-game series averaged 11.83 million viewers, matching the 2022 and 2021 series despite Nielsen’s new measurement methods that tend to inflate numbers. While lower than the 2024 Dodgers‑Yankees (15.10 M) and 2025 Dodgers‑Blue Jays (15.49 M), the viewership still far exceeds the 2023 record low. The strong audience shows that two smaller‑market teams can still generate major interest.
Michelle Beadle says women in sports media can’t act like Pat McAfee: ‘I could never be that soft’
Michelle Beadle tells The Dan Le Batard Show that women in sports media can’t afford the softness Pat McAfee shows after his Utah GameDay controversy. McAfee, upset by a student‑made parody video, claimed his safety was threatened and even received FBI advice to wear a bullet‑proof vest following the 2025 Charlie Kirk shooting. Beadle counters, citing years of death and rape threats she’s endured and argues that female journalists must stay tougher than the “corny” taunts McAfee reacts to. The discussion highlights gender‑based double standards in sports broadcasting.
Peacock announces NBA whiparound show hosted by Noah Eagle, with Doc Rivers as analyst
Peacock will debut an NBA whiparound show on Nov. 2, replacing the second half of its usual doubleheader. After the Oklahoma City Thunder‑Cleveland Cavaliers game, the broadcast will jump between all night’s late‑time games, offering quick highlights. Noah Eagle hosts, with former coach Doc Rivers and former NBA player Brian Scalabrine as analysts; both also appear on the pre‑game studio panel. The format mirrors NBC’s successful Gold Zone and Sunday Stretch shows and aims to improve on earlier NBA whiparound attempts like NBA Crunchtime. This marks the first confirmed use of NBC’s NBA rights for a whiparound program.
Troy Aikman feels he backed Jerry Jones into ‘unfair’ corner
Troy Aikman says he may have put Cowboys owner Jerry Jones in an "unfair" spot after commenting on a possible reunion during Monday Night Football. With his future at ESPN uncertain—despite Joe Buck’s long‑term extension—Aikman, a Hall of Famer, is exploring other roles, even running an NFL franchise. He clarified on Dallas radio that his brief on‑field chat with Jones wasn’t about a real job offer, and he doesn’t want Jones forced to answer speculative questions. Both agree a reunion is merely theoretical for now.
Texas Tech paid Skydance Sports $999K to make Paramount+ docuseries about football program
Texas Tech paid Skydance Sports $999,999 to produce "The Program: Texas Tech," a four‑part Paramount+ docuseries debuting in September. Unlike typical deals where studios pay schools for access, the university covered the studio fee in three installments and retained limited editorial control. The sub‑$1 million figure skirts Texas’ “major contract” threshold, avoiding extra oversight. Comparable agreements have seen LSU, Michigan and North Carolina receive payouts for similar series. The deal gives Skydance full access to players, coaches, facilities and NIL negotiations, while Texas Tech can request social‑media clips six months after release.
ESPN taps CBS Sports executive to lead news division
Adi Joseph leaves CBS Sports after nine years to become ESPN’s vice president of news, taking over from retiring veteran David Kraft on Monday. At CBS, Joseph oversaw digital growth, CBS Sports HQ, and served as VP of editorial for CBSSports.com, 247Sports and SportsLine. His NBA beat experience includes stints at USA Today Sports and Sporting News. Kraft, who built ESPN’s Universal News Group since 1996, steps down after a three‑decade tenure. Joseph’s move comes amid CBS’s recent Skydance takeover.
Shaquille O’Neal roasts Charles Barkley for awkward exchange with Kyrie Irving
During an Inside the NBA segment after the Mavericks’ blowout win over the Thunder, Kyrie Irving and Charles Barkley discuss mentorship, and Barkley claims he’s “won a world championship.” Shaquille O’Neal immediately interrupts, mock‑questioning the claim and prompting laughter. The banter highlights Barkley’s lack of an NBA title, while Irving’s actual championship is referenced. Shaq continues to rib Barkley, who later seems confused by the joke, and notes his upcoming retirement with Ernie Johnson after this season.
David Samson believes ‘we don’t need baseball on radio anymore’
Former MLB exec David Samson sparked controversy on his October 29, 2026 Awful Announcing interview, claiming baseball no longer needs radio because “there’s no money in radio” and that fans will shift to streaming, podcasts, and YouTube. He recounted the Expos’ past disputes over English‑language radio fees and urged AM stations to simulcast on digital platforms, likening radio’s decline to Kodak and Blockbuster. Fans and journalists quickly rebuked him, highlighting radio’s low production costs, car‑listenership, and enduring appeal, noting that audio broadcasts now thrive on the internet, satellite radio, and apps. The debate underscores the evolving landscape of MLB media rights.
NBA ratings still rising to start new season
The NBA’s new broadcast deals are paying off, with primetime ratings up 19% as the season kicks off. Average viewership hits 3.33 million across the first eight primetime games, while 24 teams each earn at least five national appearances—a record. NBC logged a historic 7.7 million viewers for the Knicks‑Sixers tip‑off, ESPN posted its best opening‑week average since 2014 (2.3 million), and Amazon more than doubled its season‑opening doubleheader to 2.14 million. The league expands primetime slots to 90 games, building on a 16% regular‑season viewership rise and strong playoff numbers.
Dan Patrick backs Adam Lefkoe as potential Ernie Johnson successor on ‘Inside the NBA’
Dan Patrick says Adam Lefkoe should succeed Ernie Johnson on Inside the NBA, calling him a "natural transition" who could maintain the show's chemistry. Johnson confirmed this will be his final season, though he'll keep calling March Madness and has launched a production company. Lefkoe, a 39‑year‑old Turner veteran who’s filled in for Johnson and co‑hosts Shaquille O’Neal’s podcast, tops Matt Yoder’s short list, which also includes Nate Burleson, Malika Andrews, Mike Greenberg and Scott Van Pelt. The discussion intensifies as Charles Barkley hints at retirement, potentially reshaping the program’s future.
‘MNF Playbook’ altcast ratings drawing closer to slumping ManningCast
Ratings for NFL Network’s “MNF Playbook” alt‑cast are closing in on the dwindling viewership of ESPN2’s ManningCast. This week’s Dallas Cowboys–Philadelphia Eagles game drew 517,000 viewers for the Mannings, while the Next Gen Stats‑driven Playbook with Mike Monaco, Louis Riddick, Brian Hoyer and Brian Burke attracted 499,000. Combined, the two alt‑casts contributed to an 18.8 million‑viewer audience across all networks. Playbook also beat Pat McAfee’s Field Pass in the 49ers‑Commanders matchup, signaling a shift toward more analytical, data‑heavy broadcasts as the Mannings’ format loses steam ahead of the 2027 season.
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