Sports Media with Richard Deitsch

Episode 624 of the Sports Media Podcast features Jon Lewis, editor and founder of Sports Media Watch and Sports Business Journal media reporter Austin Karp. In this podcast, we discuss Victor Wembanyama as a longterm television draw; why Wembanyama looks like the league's most attractive media commodity heading forward; Spurs-Thunder Game 1 averaging a combined 9.16 million viewers on NBC across Nielsen and a streaming audience measured by Adobe Analytics, officially marking the largest audience on record for a Game 1 of the West Finals; Fox taking a studio show on the road for the World Cup; the NFL owners voting to drop the policy allowing them to protect their two most lucrative home games from being scheduled overseas; NASCAR no longer report Nielsen “Big Data + Panel” figures for its races, returning to the “panel-only” methodology; the NHL seeing its best conference semifinals on record, as ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, TBS, TNT and truTV averaged 1.9 million viewers for all second-round games, and more.You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 623 of the Sports Media Podcast features Naismith Basketball Hall of Famers Tamika Catchings and Chamique Holdsclaw. The two are working as analysts for the WNBA on USA Network this season, with Tamika as a game analyst and Chamique in the studio. This is USA Sports's inaugural season of covering the WNBA, and they will air more than 50 games this season, including the WNBA Finals. Barring a sweep, the champion will be decided on USA Network in 2026. In this podcast we discuss how they ended up getting their jobs; the discussion around being an advocate for the WNBA versus doing journalism or being critical of the league; which WNBA teams look good early; Holdsclaw publicly discussing her mental health struggles and her being one of first prominent athletes of her era to discuss that prominently; Catchings on UConn star Sarah Strong and what kind of pro she will make; where they see the Tennessee women's basketball program right now, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 622 of the Sports Media Podcast features two guests. First up is Al Michaels, the lead game-caller for Prime Video's football package since 2022 and an iconic figure in sports broadcasting. Michaels has called prime-time NFL football for the past 40 seasons. He is followed by Sports Business Journal media reporter Austin Karp. In this podcast, Michaels discusses Amazon's schedule this season; how he feels about the Lions at Bills opener and the number of times he has been on the call when a new NFL stadium has opened; Prime Video's very strong end of season schedule including Texans vs. Eagles on Christmas Eve in Philadelphia, followed by Ravens vs. Bengals in Cincinnati on New Year’s Eve; what it's like to call games on Black Friday games; the NFL playing games in London, Paris Madrid, Munich, Melbourne, Rio and Mexico City; his fondness for newspapers; watching the Montreal Canadiens in Montreal with Johnny Bench and Pete Rose; how he is approaching his career at this point and why he has happy to be on a year by year deal and more. Karp comes on to discuss the NFL schedule; what each of the networks said about their allotment of games; the NFL's post-schedule conference call with reporters and a shoutout to ESPN PR staffer Mac Nwulu. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 621 of the Sports Media Podcast features play by play broadcaster Ian Eagle, who will call Game Six of Spurs-Timberwolves series for Prime Video this Friday. Eagle is the lead broadcast for Prime's coverage of the NBA as well as the lead broadcaster for CBS/WBD coverage of March Madness. He also calls NFL games for CBS and the Brooklyn Nets for the YES Network. In this podcast, Eagles discusses his fondness for Kevin Harlan; the most impressive thing he's seen in person so far from the NBA postseason games; calling the duration of LeBron James' career; what it means for the league when the Knicks have a chance to go on a deep postseason run; the iconic players he has called in the NBA during his career; the NCAA Tournament extending to 76 teams; how closely he follows the NFL's schedule release; his dream to attend Wimbledon, whether he thinks life exists outside of earth and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 621 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features a roundtable with Jon Lewis, editor and founder of Sports Media Watch; Armand Broady, the co-host of the Sports Media Watch podcast and a contributor to SMW, and Derek Futterman, a multimedia writer and producer for Sports Media Watch. In this podcast, we discuss the announcement that the NCAA women and men's tournament will be expanding to 76 teams; the NCAA receiving an additional $50 million each season from partners CBS and Turner; what it means for viewers; the women's basketball tournament's expansion and how that will play on ESPN properties; the Wall Street Journal piece on Fox Corporation executives including Rupert Murdoch essentially lobbying government on the NFL’s rights deals with streaming companies; the NFL's response and argument; Roger Goodell pushing back against claims that the league’s rights deals with streaming companies are anti-consumer; John Ourand of Puck reporting that YouTube wants no part of splitting the rights to the available games that ESPN once had; the NFL and Netflix are being close to a deal for at least five NFL games next season; Andrew Marchand of The Athletic reporting that Netflix will acquire the Week 1 NFL International Series game from Australia between the 49ers and Rams; the interest in a Thanksgiving Eve game; the NBA seeing the best audience for the first round of the playoffs in 33 years with the addition of an extra broadcast TV partner; the importance of NBA postseason games on broadcast and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 620 of the Sports Media Podcast features two WNBA-specific segments. First up is Sandy Brondello, the first-ever head coach of the Toronto Tempo, which begins play in the WNBA this season. Brondello previously was a head coach in San Antonio, Phoenix and New York and won WNBA titles in 2014 and 2024. She is followed by a roundtable with Annie Costabile, a senior writer for The Athletic, a co-host for the "No Offseason" podcast and a writer for the "No Offseason" newsletter, and Savannah Hamilton, a Toronto-based sportscaster covering the Tempo who previously covered the Toronto Raptors. In this podcast, Brondello discusses what success look like this season for the Tempo; why she took a job with an expansion franchise; how much input she had in the Expansion and WNBA Draft selections; her thoughts on her players; why strong ownership is the key to longterm success; choosing A'Ja Wilson has the hardest player to game-plan against; why she's developed a reputation as a media-friendly coach, and if she's getting recognized on the streets of Toronto and more. Costabile and Hamilton discuss realistic expectations for the Tempo this season; why Vegas is the preseason pick to win a title from most who cover the league nationally; how popular the WNBA will be in Canada; all of the Indiana Fever games being nationalized; advocacy coverage versus journalism and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 619 of the Sports Media Podcast features Donna Brothers, who has served as the riding reporter on NBC Sports’ horse racing coverage since 2000 and will retire after the Preakness on May 16. In this podcast, Brothers talks about her decision to retire from broadcasting after this year's Preakness; what it was like to work her final Kentucky Derby; Golden Tempo winning the Derby, and winning trainer Cherie DeVaux telling Brothers that "it is an honor that you get to do your last walkover with me"; what DeVaux winning will mean for the sport; the best horses Brothers covered during her NBC run; her toughest day on the track; winning 1,130 races during her 11-year riding career and what the feeling of winning a race as a jockey feels like; her plans to travel and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 618 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Jon Lewis, editor and founder of Sports Media Watch; Armand Broady, the co-host of the Sports Media Watch podcast and a contributor to SMW, and Derek Futterman, a multimedia writer and producer for Sports Media Watch, and Chad Finn, media writer and columnist for The Boston Globe. In this podcast we discuss Duke and Amazon's Prime Video announcing a multi-year partnership where the streamer will carry three high profile Duke non-league games against UConn, Michigan and Gonzaga; the CW partnering with ESPN Unlimited to give the broadcast network a streaming home; NBC's massive Saturday with the Kentucky Derby and Boston/Philadelphia Game 7; the NFL Draft viewership numbers; what we think of Russell Wilson's prospects as a broadcaster; why Wilson will have to be candid to convince viewers; where the Vrabel-Russini story goes from here and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 617 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Michael McCann, a legal analyst and senior sports legal reporter at Sportico and a Professor of Law at the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law, where he is Director of the Sports and Entertainment Law Institute. In this podcast McCann discusses how the Vrabel-Russini photographs are problematic, and in ways that pose potential hurdles in workplace investigations; the privacy aspect of the story; if Russini is under any professional obligation to cooperate in The Athletic’s investigation; why the NFL is unlikely to set a precedent on the issues of alleged infidelity or anti-fraternization; whether the Patriots are willing to endure daily scrutiny of Vrabel; the U.S. Department of Justice launching an investigation into whether the NFL has engaged in anticompetitive practices; the sports prediction market and why the prediction market feels like legal mess and a public health risk; why Kalshi is winning in court right now; how U.S. states can argue that prediction markets hurt the public; Donald Trump issuing an executive order that directs federal agencies, including the Justice Department and the Department of Education, to determine if colleges have become “unfit for federal grants and contracts” by engaging in “improper financial activities,” and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 616 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Jon Lewis, editor and founder of Sports Media Watch; Armand Broady, the co-host of the Sports Media Watch podcast and a contributor to SMW, and Derek Futterman, a multimedia writer and producer for Sports Media Watch. In this podcast, we discuss the NBA and NHL viewership numbers for the regular season and playoffs and whether we think the leagues have interest momentum; the WNBA releasing its schedule and what it means to have this many national games; the Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini story and what might be next; whether the public can trust the information insiders provide; Mike Tomlin joining NBC and whether we think he will be good, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 615 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Booger McFarland, a longtime ESPN and ABC NFL and college football analyst who will be part of ESPN NFL Draft coverage as a main set analyst. In this podcast, we discuss the ESPN/ABC Draft coverage; how Booger preps for the Draft; whether the future will consist of NFL Network and ESPN draft talent working together; why Booger would choose Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 1; what Booger sees on film with Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza; what six teams with multiple first-round picks means for the coverage; the depth at wide receiver; the lack of criticism on the coverage and how to look at that and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 614 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features a media roundtable with Jimmy Traina, the host of the SI Media Podcast with Jimmy Traina. In this podcast, we discuss NFL Draft coverage; whether there is truly a difference between the entities that broadcast the Draft; why no one criticizes Draft picks on air; why this is the golden age for play by play announcers; Mariners broadcaster Angie Mentink being insanely criticized for using AI; NBA regular season viewership; Jimmy's interview with Shams Charania; our thoughts on being underwhelmed by this year's WrestleMania lineup and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 613 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features a media roundtable with Sports Business Journal media reporter Austin Karp, Sports Media Watch founder and editor Jon Lewis and Josh Carpenter, golf writer and media reporter for Sports Business Journal. In this podcast, we discuss the upcoming NBA playoffs and the playoffs now airing on Amazon Prime Video, NBC/Peacock and ESPN/ABC; the big questions for the new media partners; our viewership expectations; how ESPN will handle Inside The NBA; CBS’s coverage of Rory McIlroy becoming the first back-to-back Masters champion since Tiger Woods in 2001-02; what McIlroy winning means for golf interest heading forward; a discussion of the Diana Russini-Mike Vrabel story; how that story is being processed by the sports public; where the NHL has viewership teams for the playoffs and more.You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 612 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Joe Buck, the voice of ESPN’s Monday Night Football. On Wednesday night Buck will call the Dodgers-Mets game alongside analysts Ron Darling and Orel Hershiser and reporter Buster Olney as part of ESPN’s exclusive, national presentation on Jackie Robinson Day. In this podcast Buck discusses how the assignment came about and prepping for it; asking to work with Darling and Hershiser; calling baseball again; being part of ESPN’s first Super Bowl at the end of this season; ESPN’s plans for that game; why he wants to work at ESPN for the rest of his career; his love of St. Louis Blues hockey; why we both want to hear Jim Nantz curse; praise for baseball broadcaster Jason Benetti and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 611 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Sports Business Journal NFL writer Ben Fischer. In this podcast, Fischer discusses how far the NFL can push broadcasters on price; the latest on on the four-game mini-package and distributor for the Melbourne game; teams being able to sell local preseason game rights to streamers; game highlights being added on TikTok and Threads; how successful can a professional flag league be and where might it air;ESPN integrating the NFL Network into its business and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 610 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Jon Lewis, editor and founder of Sports Media Watch; Armand Broady, the co-host of the Sports Media Watch podcast and a contributor to SMW, and Derek Futterman, a multimedia writer and producer for Sports Media Watch. In this podcast, we discuss the release Netflix MLB viewership and whether three million viewers was a good number; NCAA viewership expectations for both the men and women's tournament; ESPN expecting to change its No. 2 NFL game-calling team of Chris Fowler, Dan Orlovsky and Louis Riddick; Jason Kelce's increasing profile at ESPN; Fox getting a Christmas game and our long discussion on media coverage of Tiger Woods' arrest on a driving under the influence charge. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 609 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features four-time Gold Glove Award-winning outfielder Kevin Kiermaier who this month was announced by MLB Network as an on-air analyst appearing across its studio programming. In this podcast, Kiermaier discusses how and why he entered sports broadcasting; what he feels his on-air strengths will be; discussing defence on-air; the significant differences in playing in markets such as Tampa Bay, Toronto and L.A.; and Dodgers; his love of bow fishing; which current major leaguer would make for a good broadcaster; the toughest field to play at as a visiting player and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 608 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features a roundtable Sports Media Watch editor and founder Jon Lewis, Sports Business Journal media writer Austin Karp and Boston Globe sports media writer Chad Finn. In this podcast we discuss Netflix's Opening Day broadcast between the Yankees and Giants and the criticism of that broadcast; what we think Netflix will do with MLB heading forward; NBC's MLB debut and how we saw it; SBJ's reporting NFL teams would be permitted to sell preseason game TV rights and original shows to streamers; the right to sell non-game productions, like coaches’ shows, to streamers; the WNBA and CBS Sports signing a new long-term media rights deal, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 607 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Canadian sportscaster Donnovan Bennett. In this podcast, we discuss the upcoming Blue Jays season; what we think of the offseason moves; what has to happen for the Blue Jays to return to the playoffs; the additions and subtractions from last year; the opening three weeks of the schedule, predictions, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 606 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Jessie Katz, the Head of iHeart Women's Sports Division. Katz leads the iHeart Women's Sports slate across iHeartMedia’s broadcast, digital and podcast platforms. In this podcast, Katz discusses where the women's sports audio space is today; why the women's sports audio space has expanded massively in the last two years; her flagship shows including "Good Game with Sarah Spain"; "Flagrant and Funny" with with Jemele Hill and Cari Champion; and "Fudd Around And Find Out" with Azzi Fudd; what women's sports are underserved; how she decides on talent; where the space needs to be in two years; local sports podcasts for women's sports, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices