Awful Announcing
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Charles Barkley delivers emotional Ernie Johnson tribute on ‘Inside the NBA’
On October 28, 2026 Charles Barkley breaks down in tears during an emotional tribute to Ernie Johnson on ESPN’s Inside the NBA, following Johnson’s announcement that his 37‑year hosting tenure ends after the 2026‑27 season. Barkley reflects on 26‑27 years with the show, thanks Johnson as a mentor, and shares heartfelt anecdotes, while Kenny Smith leads a standing ovation. The moment marks the final season for both NBA legends on the iconic broadcast.
Dick Vitale is ‘full speed ahead’ to call games this college basketball season
Dick Vitale, the iconic ESPN college basketball voice, says he’s “full speed ahead” for the upcoming season despite battling melanoma in his fifth cancer treatment. After a limited return last year—calling a First Four game with Charles Barkley—Vitale will kick off the season at the Dick Vitale Invitational on November 27, when North Carolina faces West Virginia in Charlotte. He vows to only take assignments he can complete with his trademark energy, and his ESPN contract runs through 2027‑28, marking 48 years with the network.
Paul Finebaum unsure about future at ESPN with expiring contract
Paul Finebaum, the veteran college‑football analyst and radio host, reveals on the Awful Announcing podcast that his ESPN contract, which runs through the 2026 season, will expire next July and his future with the network is uncertain. After being temporarily pulled from ESPN programming in 2025 over a Senate‑run comment, Finebaum says he felt deliberately sidelined but later returned to his shows. He admits he’ll be weighing options in January and isn’t sure what form a new deal would take, though he remains positive about his relationship with ESPN. The discussion highlights his decade‑plus impact on SEC Nation, Get Up, First Take and the SEC Network simulcast radio show.
Stephen A. Smith: Kevin O’Connell is lucky to have a job amid 6-0 start
On Oct. 28, 2026 Stephen A. Smith blasted Vikings head coach/offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell, calling him "lucky to have a job" after the team’s 6‑0 start is hampered by an anemic offense. Smith warned that if the Colts make RB Jonathan Taylor available before the Nov. 10 trade deadline, Minnesota should act to relieve quarterback woes. He blamed O’Connell and the front office for mismanaging QBs—from Sam Darnold to J.J. McCarthy to Kyler Murray—while the defense remains league‑best. The coach’s job security now hangs in the balance as the Vikings face a tougher schedule.
Taylor Walls takes issue with ‘disrespectful’ Ken Rosenthal question
After a dramatic 4-3, 12‑inning walk‑off win forced a Game 5 in the World Series, Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Taylor Walls slammed reporter Ken Rosenthal’s question about whether a single victory “validated” the team. Walls called the premise “disrespectful,” insisting the Rays can win the series outright and aren’t satisfied with just one win. He praised the team’s confidence to win four straight, even after falling behind 0‑3. The clash highlights the Rays’ belief they belong in the championship, not as a Cinderella act.
Formula 1 boss wants Apple TV partnership to extend ‘hopefully beyond’ 2030 expiration
Liberty Media CEO Derek Chang says F1’s new Apple TV+ rights deal, worth about $140 million a year—up from ESPN’s $90 million—has been successful enough that he hopes it will run past its 2030 expiration. While third‑party data suggests year‑one viewership on Apple TV is lower than the final ESPN season, Chang stresses the sport now tracks “engagement” instead of traditional TV ratings, noting 60% of its hundreds of millions of fans interact daily via highlights, previews and lifestyle content. He dismissed questions about an early exit clause as moot and called Apple a “great partner,” indicating both sides are pleased with the partnership so far.
World Wide Wob explains walking away at the height of his account’s popularity
After the Knicks clinched their first title in 53 years, NBA X/Twitter star World Wide Wob (real name Rob Perez) quits his million‑follower account. In a Front Office Sports interview, Perez cites the Knicks’ win, X’s shift to a For‑You feed, turnover in X’s sports team, and low creator payouts as reasons for his burnout after 15 years of nonstop content. At 39, he feels financially secure and plans to post NBA bits on Threads, cover LA police chases on Twitch, and run merch sales. He also weighed in on the Lakers’ fire sale and the Clippers’ cap‑circumvention penalties, noting the impact on owners like Jeanie Buss and Steve Ballmer.
Blake Griffin is becoming the most interesting man in sports media
Blake Griffin’s new talk show, The Stepback, proves he’s becoming the most intriguing voice in sports media. In its second episode, “Analytics is Winning. But is the Game?” Griffin blends comedy with sharp critique of how analytics have turned innovation into uniformity across NBA, NFL and baseball. He recalls his own evolution from NBA star to media host, jokes about mid‑range shots, and warns that data should complement—not replace—human wisdom. The episode also revisits Moneyball’s legacy and argues that the joy of sport lies in the unpredictable, not the optimized. Griffin’s humor and insights make the show a must‑watch for fans of both sports and media commentary.
Your 2026 NFL Week 8 announcing schedule
Awful Announcing releases the full Week 8 NFL broadcast roster. Highlights include the Ravens‑Bills AFC showdown on CBS (Ian Eagle, Ross Tucker) with Lamar Jackson returning, and the Vikings‑Lions NFC North clash on Fox featuring Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady. CBS’s marquee game pits the Chiefs against the Broncos with Jim Nantz and J.J. Watt, while ESPN’s Monday Night Football showcases the Bears at Seahawks with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman. Additional matchups and announcer lineups are detailed for Thursday’s Prime Video game and all Sunday games across CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN.
Stephen A. Smith hearing Knicks feuding with James Dolan over visiting Trump’s White House
Stephen A. Smith claims tension is brewing between the New York Knicks and owner James Dolby over a White House visit with President Donald Trump. After the Knicks won their first championship in 53 years, Dolby eagerly accepted a White House invitation, but Smith says players—including Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and others—may resist. With the team sitting 1‑3 in the title defense and rumors of Dolby’s “petulant” attitude, the potential political clash could affect locker‑room chemistry. The Knicks would be the first NBA champion to visit Trump’s residence if the trip proceeds.
Ernie Johnson announces this will be his final season hosting ‘Inside the NBA’
Ernie Johnson reveals that the 2026-27 season will be his 37th and final year hosting "Inside the NBA," announcing the decision in a brief video after turning 70 and coping with heart issues, including bypass surgery last year. He cites the increasing preparation workload and a desire to spend more time with his wife Cheryl Anne and five grandchildren. Johnson isn’t fully retiring—he’ll keep hosting March Madness, work on TNT/CBS projects, and launch his new production company, 32 Bow Ties. The news also aligns with Charles Barkley’s hinted exit, though his plans remain uncertain.
Dave Portnoy weighs in on Pat McAfee, Utah saga
Dave Portnoy weighs in on Pat McAfee’s feud with the University of Utah after McAfee slammed a student‑made video posted by the school’s Instagram ahead of a College GameDay appearance. McAfee, who had picked Houston to beat Utah (a prediction that proved wrong), called the university’s handling “uncomfortable” and hinted at past campus violence. Portnoy, recalling his own positive experience at Utah’s Rice‑Eccles Stadium, defended the campus and labeled the controversy “a little surprising,” likening the backlash to a wrestling heel act. ESPN and Utah issued statements emphasizing safety and apologizing for any perceived slight, suggesting the saga may continue as part of a larger GameDay narrative.
Ed Werder skeptical of Troy Aikman working for Jerry Jones: ‘I just don’t see it’
Longtime Cowboys reporter Ed Werder doubts Troy Aikman will join Jerry Jones’ front office despite recent talks. Werder notes Aikman’s strained ESPN partnership—his contract expires after this season and talks with Joe Buck have soured—plus philosophical clashes with Jones, who already backs other former players. While Jones says he’s open to Aikman’s involvement, Werder argues their histories and loyalties don’t align, and Aikman’s focus remains on broadcasting rather than team management. The article also details the fallout between Aikman, Buck, and ESPN, highlighting contract uncertainties as the Cowboys head into a Super Bowl year.
Ron Darling clarifies comments about uncertain future as Mets broadcaster
After a 9-3 loss to the Dodgers, Mets broadcasters Keith Hernandez, Ron Darling and Gary Cohen faced speculation when Darling hinted he might reassess his SNY contract year‑by‑year. Despite a two‑year deal, Darling later told SNY’s The Mets Pod that he’s “lucky” to be on the booth and will stay as long as the trio and the network want him, emphasizing his desire to see a championship. He also expressed envy of TBS partner Brian Anderson’s World Series viewing. With Hernandez on a three‑year contract, Cohen unsettled, and MLB’s CBA still pending, the trio appears set to remain together for at least the next two seasons.
Netflix’s video podcast push is far from over
Netflix’s ambitious video‑podcast launch has stalled. After debuting high‑profile shows from The Ringer, Barstool Sports and others in 2025, viewership remains weak—no titles have cracked Nielsen’s weekly top‑10 and engagement numbers are low. A June Edison Podcast Metrics report shows only 14% of weekly podcast listeners use Netflix, and the platform’s broader challenges, including a failed $82.7 billion WBD acquisition, flat U.S. growth, and a 6% staff layoff, have prompted a leadership overhaul. New chief content officer Peter Rice is refocusing on movies and TV, leaving the future of Netflix’s video podcasts uncertain.
Kirk Herbstreit headlined GOP fundraiser weeks after claiming he doesn’t ‘get into politics’
College GameDay host Kirk Herbstreit claims he stays out of politics, yet the Awful Announcing report reveals he headlined a GOP fundraiser on Oct. 21 that raised $155,000 for Senator Tommy Tuberville’s gubernatorial campaign. The fundraiser, part of Alabama’s Progress PAC, attracted $50,000‑plus sponsorships and positioned Herbstreit alongside top donors. Critics note his earlier social‑media disparagement of Sen. Ted Cruz and his follow‑list of right‑leaning commentators, contradicting his “independent” stance. The piece also details ESPN’s controversial role in promoting Cruz’s Protect College Sports Act on Sept. 12, sparking accusations of bias. Herbstreit’s political involvement appears more substantive than he acknowledges.
Valkyries-Dream Game 4 sets another WNBA Finals viewership record
Game 4 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream sets a new record, drawing an average 1.9 million viewers across NBC and Peacock. The broadcast, shifted to a 1 p.m. ET slot to accommodate State Farm Arena, beat the previous Game 4 high of 1.67 million (Liberty‑Lynx, 2024). NBC contributed 1.66 million viewers, with 232 k from Peacock, while USA Network’s games average 1.52 million. The Valkyries’ win marks a 32% increase over last year’s Game 4 and ranks as the eighth‑most watched Finals game, with three matchups now in the top‑10. A later schedule change may affect Game 6’s audience, but the Finals continue the league’s post‑2024 surge in seven‑figure viewership.
The Omaha Touch: Why ESPN’s biggest stars are flocking to Omaha Productions for podcasts
Since Kevin Clark left The Ringer in 2023 to start This Is Football with Omaha Productions and ESPN, the startup has become a magnet for the network’s top voices. Greg McElroy, Scott Van Pelt, Peter Schrager, Brian Windhorst, Chiney Ogwumike, Jeff Passan and Daniel Jeremiah have all migrated to Omaha’s rapidly growing audio slate. Omaha’s secret, according to Richelle Markazene, is a talent‑first model: hosts drive content decisions, receive minimal editorial pressure, and get shows built around their personality and existing contracts. This approach lets ESPN talent keep their signature style while exploring deeper, more ambitious topics, making Omaha’s podcast division a standout in the sports‑media landscape.
D.C. sports startup The District Standard launches following elimination of Washington Post sports desk
The District Standard launches as a subscription‑based D.C. sports outlet filling the gap left by the Washington Post’s sports desk shutdown. Founded by veteran marketer Marc Bluestein and Commanders announcer Bram Weinstein, the site debuts with 15 staffers, including JP Finlay, David Harrison, Grant Mitchell, Sammi Silber, Bijan Todd, Andrew Lang and Alexander Dacy, covering the Commanders, Capitals, Wizards, Nationals and Maryland Terrapins. Subscriptions cost $7.99 monthly or $79 annually, supplemented by ads and an events division. The launch follows other attempts, like the Baltimore Banner’s D.C. expansion and the Washington Sun’s increased coverage.
The 2026 Awful Announcing sports podcast power list
Awful Announcing’s third annual Sports Podcast Power List maps a maturing 2026 podcast market where mega‑deals have slowed but consolidation around hits like Pablo Torre’s Pulitzer‑winning "Pablo Torre Finds Out" and ESPN’s "The Pivot" (now on Netflix) intensifies. The piece notes streaming wars, gambling cuts, and new AI funding reshaping revenue, while highlighting rising formats from Playmaker, Wave and IRL live events. Hosts such as Torre, Ryan Clark, Ilona Maher and Hannah Kyle Crichton illustrate how investigative reporting, multi‑platform licensing and reality‑style shows drive the next wave of sports audio.
Joe Davis evokes Bob Uecker, Jack Buck in pair of pivotal Game 4 calls
During Game 4 of the 2026 World Series, Fox’s lead MLB announcer Joe Davis paid tribute to broadcasting legends as he called two decisive moments. In the top of the 12th, he echoed Bob Uecker’s iconic style while narrating Cooper Pratt’s go‑ahead home run that put the Milwaukee Brewers within three outs of their first title. In the bottom half, Davis switched to a Jack Buck‑inspired line—“We’ll see you later tonight”—as Ben Williamson’s walk‑off single forced a Game 5, sparking a dramatic series comeback for the Tampa Bay Rays. The article highlights Davis’s knack for historic callbacks.
The NBA’s DAZN experiment offers warning for the future of streaming RSNs
Five NBA teams launched exclusive DAZN streaming deals for local games, but fan backlash forced them to add DirecTV distribution within a week. The experiment shows that exclusivity, while driving higher rights fees, creates a costly, fragmented viewing experience: fans must juggle DAZN, Peacock, Prime Video, cable, and ESPN to see all games. The article warns that a league‑wide streaming RSN could face the same hurdles, especially if it relies on exclusive, high‑priced subscriptions. Comparisons to the NHL’s Prime Video deal and MLS’s Apple TV move suggest brand familiarity and simpler pricing can lessen resistance, but the NBA and MLB’s heavy reliance on local TV revenue makes a pure streaming model risky. The piece urges leagues to rethink the balance of accessibility and revenue before committing to an exclusive streaming RSN.
Scott Van Pelt: Number of flags and penalties in NFL this season is ‘bullsh*t’
ESPN host Scott Van Pelt blasts the surge in NFL penalties on his SVPod show, calling the season’s flag count “bullsh*t.” He notes record‑high weekly penalties, a rise in average calls per game, and especially the flood of defensive pass‑interference and illegal‑contact fouls that ruin big third‑ and fourth‑down plays. Van Pelt urges the league to adopt more technology to create consistency, echoing criticism from analysts like Tom Brady and Jon Gruden. Commissioner Roger Goodell has already been forced to address the officiating controversy as fan frustration grows.
Netflix reportedly had first-negotiation rights for UFC as part of WWE deal
Court filings reveal Netflix held a first‑negotiation right to UFC domestic media rights under its WWE deal, but the $1 billion‑plus seven‑year package ultimately went to Paramount‑Skydance. TKO president Mark Shapiro says Netflix was close but only wanted the marquee numbered cards, leaving Fight Night and Contender Series for other buyers, while the promoter preferred a one‑stop shop. The disclosure comes as Netflix, after cutting sports chief Bela Bajaria, explores new live‑sports strategies, including a potential Fox partnership or a bid for NBCUniversal.
Madeline Hill and Charlotte Wilder lament ‘deeply embarrassing’ WNBA Finals scheduling mess
Madeline Hill and Charlotte Wilder on The Sports Gossip Show denounce the "deeply embarrassing" scheduling fiasco that forced Game 6 of the WNBA Finals onto Thursday at 12:30 p.m. ET in Atlanta, overlapping with an NBA Hawks regular‑season game. They argue the mishap—stemming from Atlanta Dream management’s failure to anticipate a Finals run—exposes how women’s sports are treated as an afterthought, lacking the resources and contingency planning given to men’s leagues. While the NBA and WNBA have scrapped a solution and the Dream will move to a larger arena next season, the hosts hope the controversy becomes a turning point for better fan access and equity in the league.
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