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PODCAST

The Play-By-Play

Awful Announcing

The Play-By-Play is a sports media news talk show brought to you by Awful Announcing. Join AA writers Brendon Kleen and Ben Axelrod each week as they bring you the latest news and insight from the ever-changing sports media world, including all of the happenings at ESPN, Fox, NBC, CBS, Turner, Amazon and beyond. Subscribe to The Play By Play on Apple, Spotify, and wherever podcasts are found. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

sports sports news

All Episodes

1:06:52

LeBron James stays in LA, Bill Simmons vs. Kendrick...

The Play-By-Play ·

2025/07/02

LeBron James exercised his option to stay with the Lakers but is there more than meets the eye in LA? Bill Simmons and Kendrick Perkins got into it on social media. How did this fare on our beef meter? Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, including Malik Beasley's gambling investigation, on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-3:30: ESPN NBA broadcast booth staying the same?-11:03: Stephen A. Smith being totally gone from NBA postseason

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50:24

Buy or Sell: NBA Finals edition

The Play-By-Play ·

2025/06/25

After a one week break, we are back to talk NBA. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen cover the top sports media storylines from the NBA Finals in a special Buy or Sell segment on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-3:30: ESPN NBA broadcast booth staying the same?-11:03: Stephen A. Smith being totally gone from NBA postseason coverage?-16:20: “Inside the NBA” will salvage ESPN’s NBA coverage?-20:37: ESPN bringing back Finals features satisfying NBA fans?-26:21: The NBA is

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1:06:23

Doris Burke criticism and praise, low NBA Finals...

The Play-By-Play ·

2025/06/11

Doris Burke is getting lots of criticism and praise for her NBA broadcasts. Are low ratings for this year's NBA Finals due to two small market teams competing? Warner Bros. Discovery splits into two separate companies. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod, Brendon Kleen, and Drew Lerner discuss these topics and more, including who may host "Pardon the Interruption" after Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon, on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-:49: Doris Burke in the news-20:08: Small

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1:06:15

'Inside the NBA' ends, Pablo Torre/Bill Simmons beef

The Play-By-Play ·

2025/06/04

After 36 years, "Inside the NBA" ends on TNT as it heads to ESPN. Many complain about Yankees/Dodgers on Apple TV+. Bill Simmons goes off on Pablo Torre for his Jordon Hudson/Bill Belichick reporting. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, including a discussion about Dan Le Batard's subreddit on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-:59: End of “Inside the NBA”-17:59: Book tour minus the book featuring Brian Windhorst-22:11: MLB scheduling

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1:07:15

ESPN NBA crew issues, under-45 announcer draft, Dan...

The Play-By-Play ·

2025/05/28

ESPN's NBA broadcasting trio of Mike Breen, Doris Burke, and Richard Jefferson is rough. Dan Le Batard and Meadowlark Media stick with DraftKings. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, including our under-45 announcer draft on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-:40: ESPN NBA broadcast crew not working out-18:14: “Kyle Hamilton of the Week”-20:25: Under 45 sports announcer draft-41:44: Meadowlark Media renews with DraftKings-57:08: Bill

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1:05:55

NFL schedule release, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese,...

The Play-By-Play ·

2025/05/21

The NFL released their 2025 and they are looking to set viewership records. Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese playing each other bringing out discourse among the public. "Around the Horn" ends this Friday. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, including the NBA playoffs on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-2:00: NFL schedule release-17:10: Beef Meter: Kevin Durant vs. Emmanuel Acho and Robert Griffin III vs. Ryan Clark-23:41: WNBA season

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1:14:47

Michael Jordan to NBC, Rich Eisen to ESPN, future of...

The Play-By-Play ·

2025/05/14

Michael Jordan shockingly heads to "NBA on NBC." After over 20 years, Rich Eisen is heading back to ESPN. The U.S. Senate discuss the future of sports streaming. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod, Brendon Kleen, and Drew Lerner, who was at the sports streaming hearing, discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-:56: Michael Jordan announced for “NBA on NBC”-13:54: Rich Eisen moving show to ESPN, Pat McAfee responds-23:48: State of sports streaming in

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1:07:19

Caitlin Clark back, Meadowlark changes, Amazon NBA hires

The Play-By-Play ·

2025/05/07

Caitlin Clark returns to Iowa for preseason basketball. John Skipper leaves Meadowlark Media as Dan Le Batard's company has an uncertain future. Amazon continues their NBA hiring. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, including the NBA playoffs on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-:46: Caitlin Clark preseason return-21:40: John Skipper leaves Meadowlark Media-42:33: Amazon hires Dwyane Wade, Steve Nash, Candace Parker, and Udonis

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1:10:51

Shedeur Sanders’ NFL Draft, Shannon Sharpe/ESPN, Bill...

The Play-By-Play ·

2025/04/30

Shedeur Sanders dropping in the NFL Draft had everyone talking. Shannon Sharpe is on a leave of absence at ESPN. Jordon Hudson had a massive problem with CBS' softball interview with boyfriend Bill Belichick. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod, Brendon Kleen, and Sam Neumann discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:03: Shedeur Sanders becomes the talk of the NFL Draft-29:31: Shannon Sharpe not on ESPN-48:42: Robert Griffin III takes over for Brock Huard on

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1:03:07

WrestleMania fallout, Lee Corso retiring, Nico...

The Play-By-Play ·

2025/04/23

WrestleMania 41 was lackluster. Lee Corso announces his retirement. And everyone had takes about Nico Iamaleava. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, including Mel Kiper Jr. and Brian Windhorst, on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:25: WrestleMania 41-19:40: Lee Corso retiring Week 1 of 2025 College Football season-33:09: Stock Watch, Stock Watch: Sports media reactions to Nico Iamaleava-46:29: Mel Kiper Jr./Pro Football Hall of Fame/NFL

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1:14:23

CBS delivers on Masters, UFC and ESPN

The Play-By-Play ·

2025/04/16

CBS had a perfect situation with the Masters. The UFC-ESPN negotiating window ends without a deal. Is streaming finally going to take over cable? Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod, Brendon Kleen, and Drew Lerner discuss these topics and more, including how the Trump administration is handling RSN's, on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-:45: A perfect Masters-23:57: ESPN’s exclusive negotiating window with UFC ends with no deal-45:46: It’s the end of TV as we know it?-(1:00:30) Hot

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1:09:46

Stephen A. vs. LeBron, CBS makes big changes, Peter...

The Play-By-Play ·

2025/04/02

Stephen A. Smith and LeBron James going at it. Gary Danielson announces his retirement, resulting in CBS to make moves in their college football and NFL broadcasts. Peter Schrager leaves NFL Network for ESPN. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen, along with AA head Ben Koo, discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-:47: Stephen A. Smith vs. LeBron James-21:54: Gary Danielson retiring, Charles Davis replacing Danielson, JJ Watt replacing Davis at

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1:03:48

Loving Dan Hurley, Shohei Ohtani 'Face of MLB,' Gen Z...

The Play-By-Play ·

2025/03/26

Dan Hurley rubs many the wrong way, so is that why he's great for college basketball? Is Shohei Ohtani the face of Major League Baseball. Are the lack of Cinderellas really what's destroying college basketball. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, including an in-depth discussion with Morning Consult's Ellyn Briggs on how Gen Z consumes sports, on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:04: No Cinderellas in March Madness-21:11: Ellyn Briggs

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1:08:32

Bill Belichick/Jordon Hudson discussion, sports media...

The Play-By-Play ·

2025/03/19

How does the media talk about Bill Belichick's and Jordon Hudson's relationship? People taking NFL insiders to task on how they report free agency news. Who are some of the top stars of online sports media? Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-:41: NFL insiders criticized for how they report free agent news-18:12: Kyle Hamilton of the Week-20:52: Breakout Stars of Online Sports Media Draft-43:07: How to

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1:04:22

Stephen A. Smith’s new ESPN contract, TGL talk, what...

The Play-By-Play ·

2025/03/12

Stephen A. Smith and ESPN finally have a deal and the TGL is entering the playoffs in their first season. Awful Announcing's Brandon Contes and Drew Lerner join Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen to discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:01: Stephen A. Smith’s new ESPN contract with Brandon Contes-32:23 TGL entering playoffs with Drew Lerner-50:33: What should replace “Around the Horn?”-58:33 Giving up X posting for Lent updateYou can subscribe to The

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1:04:49

NBA ‘Face of the League’ talk, Trump controlling...

The Play-By-Play ·

2025/03/05

A discussion about who's the face of the NBA devolved into the usual NBA discourse. President Donald Trump is anywhere and everywhere in the sports world. John Cena shocked everyone by becoming a bad guy in WWE. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-:37: NBA “Face of the League” talk fueling negative discourse-25:01: Donald Trump controlling the sports world-42:16: John Cena turns heel-54:27: NBA Centel

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1:11:53

ESPN and MLB split, Jay Caspian Kang joins for...

The Play-By-Play ·

2025/02/27

What is Stephen A. Smith's political endgame? The New Yorker's Jay Caspian King joins Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen to discuss. Ben and Brendon will also talk about ESPN opting out of their MLB contract after 2025, as well as various NBA topics including Richard Jefferson and Brian Windhorst on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-2:04: ESPN opts out of MLB rights after 2025-20:36: View From the Subreddit: ESPN Edition-26:14: “Court of Gold”-39:02: The New Yorker’s

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1:03:23

NBA All-Star Game panned, NHL 4 Nations Face-Off praised

The Play-By-Play ·

2025/02/19

The NBA and NHL made changes to their All-Star Game format. One worked, one didn't. More podcasts are becoming TV programming. Will the trend continue? Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod, Brendon Kleen, and Drew Lerner discuss these topics and more, including Caitlin Clark's agent speaking out on the WNBA on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:30: Are All-Star Games fixable? -13:35: NHL 4 Nations Face-Off-21:30: Podcasts as TV programming-36:52: RSN’s-52:09: MLS/Apple restricts Fox to

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1:05:54

Tom Brady's Super Bowl work, NFL MVP/All-Pro voting,...

The Play-By-Play ·

2025/02/12

How did Tom Brady do in his first Super Bowl as a broadcaster? Why did people vote Lamar Jackson for first team All-Pro but vote Josh Allen for MVP? Dan Orlovsky may leave ESPN? Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, including Adam Silver's reaction to NBA criticism on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-:44: Fox’s Super Bowl broadcast/Tom Brady’s Super Bowl performance-21:40 NFL MVP/All-Pro voting-27:01: Dan Orlovsky weighing his

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1:08:48

Luka to the Lakers, Nick Wright's Chiefs defense,...

The Play-By-Play ·

2025/02/05

Two weeks of Super Bowl coverage is going to bring repeated talking points. Sports betting companies are cutting funding for sponsored content. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, including Deion Sanders and the Dallas Cowboys on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-:27: Podcast speed-3:19: Luka Dončić trade to Lakers-24:55: Nick Wright vs. Adam Schefter-31:23: Colin Cowherd extending with FS1-42:48: Cam Newton-56:16: Streamers-1:03:47:

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