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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

1:08:48

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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59:48

Super Bowl storylines, sportsbooks dialing back...

The Play-By-Play ·

2025/01/29

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:-2:23: Super Bowl storylines you’re going to get tired of hearing-6:09: The Super Bowl storyline draft-32:22: Sports betting companies cutting back on sponsored content-47:59:

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1:07:29

Tom Brady's best broadcast, Bill Simmons and Spotify,...

The Play-By-Play ·

2025/01/22

Tom Brady rose to the occasion during the Commanders-Lions game. Bill Simmons is reportedly likely sticking with Spotify. Amazon hires Kevin Harlan for their NBA coverage. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, including "Bussin' With The Boys" leaving Barstool Sports on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-:36: Ohio State winning national championship-1:51: Commanders-Lions review, Tom Brady’s best(?) game so far-15:51: NFL broadcaster #1

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1:07:35

ESPN CFP takeaways, AA NFL announcer rankings overview

The Play-By-Play ·

2025/01/15

The first 12-team College Football Playoff is almost over. How did ESPN do? NFL head coaches are rarely traded so why does everyone in sports media want the Steelers to trade Mike Tomlin? Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics, and we discuss our NFL announcer rankings with AA's Andrew Bucholtz, on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:54: ESPN College Football Playoff takeaways-22:28: AA’s NFL announcer rankings-43:19: Kyle Hamilton tidbit everyone is

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1:04:51

Fox Sports lawsuit, WWE on Netflix, Jason Kelce's...

The Play-By-Play ·

2025/01/08

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/playbyplay for 10% off your first month and get on your way to being your best self.Fox Sports is rocked with a sexual battery and discrimination lawsuit. "WWE Raw" makes its long-awaited debut on Netflix. Jason Kelce's late night show was a dud. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more with AA's Drew Lerner on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:02: Jerry

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1:19:07

Looking ahead at 2025 in sports media with AA head...

The Play-By-Play ·

2024/12/30

As we enter 2025, we take a look at some sports media storylines in the next year. Awful Announcing publisher Ben Koo discusses those topics with Play-By-Play hosts Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen.Time Stamps:-1:29: College football changes-14:19: Social media and sports-29:25: NBA and their new media partners-39:31: UFC media rights-50:08: Launch of ESPN Flagship-1:01:22: Where does Bill Simmons go?-1:02:54: Where does Colin Cowherd go?-1:07:35: Stephen A. Smith’s new ESPN contract-1:12:03: How long

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48:58

Looking back at 2024 in sports media, Awfulies...

The Play-By-Play ·

2024/12/23

As 2024 closes, we take a look back at the year in sports media with our year-end awards, The Awfulies. Awful Announcing's Sean Keeley, who compiled this year's results, talks about some of the winners with Play-By-Play hosts Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen.Time Stamps:-:54: Remembering 2024 in sports media-7:33 Sports Media Person of the Year - Tom Brady-12:28: Best Moment of 2024 - Pat McAfee calling Norby Williamson a “rat”/Jeff Darlington covering Scottie Scheffler’s arrest-17:50: Best

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1:02:37

NBA negativity, Caitlin Clark's TIME interview, Bill...

The Play-By-Play ·

2024/12/18

Sports media is overwhelmingly negative about the NBA. Conservatives take issue on Caitlin Clark's TIME Athlete of the Year interview. Bill Belichick is going to coach for the Tar Heels. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:00: Negativity from sports media world on NBA-27:17: Bill Belichick going to UNC-36:06: Mike Florio suggesting Bears trade for Kyle Shanahan-41:18: College football calendar

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1:00:05

Stephen A. Smith getting PAID, ESPN's CFP selection...

The Play-By-Play ·

2024/12/11

Stephen A. Smith reportedly signs a five-year, $100 million extension with ESPN. Kirk Herbstreit appeared miserable on ESPN's College Football Playoff selection show. Netflix announces their NFL studio and booth lineup. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-:54: Stephen A. Smith’s new contract with ESPN-19:20: ESPN’s College Football Playoff selection show-35:40: Netflix NFL crews announced-48:58: Juan

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1:08:23

A mega Tom Brady NFL announcing check in with Awful...

The Play-By-Play ·

2024/12/04

Tom Brady is 13 weeks in his NFL broadcasting career, and did his first Thanksgiving game. How is Brady doing? Has he improved? How long will he continue broadcasting? Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod, Brendon Kleen, and Sean Keeley discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:18: Tom Brady on Thanksgiving Fox broadcast-30:28: Azeez Al-Shaair’s hit on Trevor Lawrence-40:03: Ryan Day and Ohio State-50:44: Matt Eberflus and the Chicago Bears-57:23: Stugotz’s new

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1:05:55

ESPN cancels 'Around the Horn,' Jake Fischer joins us

The Play-By-Play ·

2024/11/27

ESPN is pulling the plug on "Around the Horn" after nearly a quarter century on the air. Tom Brady continues his first year as a broadcaster. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, with guest Jake Fischer from The Stein Line, on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:25: ESPN canceling “Around the Horn” in 2025-15:26: Jake Fischer comes on The Play-By-Play-48:38: Views From the Subreddit-59:28: Tom Brady on Fox-1:03:24: John Fanta on X

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1:07:38

Paul-Tyson Netflix fight issues, 'Inside the NBA' to...

The Play-By-Play ·

2024/11/20

Netflix's tech issues made it difficult to watch the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight. "Inside the NBA" finds a new home. More people are heading to Bluesky. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:23: Netflix’s tech issues during Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight-18:22: NFL Christmas games being “make or break” for Netflix-22:10: “Inside the NBA” heads to ESPN-35:43: Winners and losers to the ESPN/“Inside the NBA”

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1:10:40

Drew Brees on ESPN, Dave Portnoy feuds with Zach...

The Play-By-Play ·

2024/11/13

Drew Brees makes a surprise appearance on "Monday Night Countdown." Dave Portnoy drops multiple diss tracks on Country music star Zach Bryan. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, as The Athletic's Chris Vannini joins us on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-:54: Drew Brees shows up on “Monday Night Countdown”-20:31: Chris Vannini comes on The Play-By-Play-58:46: Dave Portnoy vs. Zach Bryan-1:04:26: Sports podcast monologuesYou can subscribe

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1:05:02

Sports media election talk, Joel Embiid shoves...

The Play-By-Play ·

2024/11/06

Election Day was yesterday. Sports media talking heads were all over that. Joel Embiid is suspended three games for shoving Marcus Hayes. Bob Costas is retiring from play-by-play. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, including why Election Night cable TV news sucked on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-2:22: Election talk in sports media-15:27: Current sports figure who could enter politics?-17:38: Current sports media figure who could

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58:43

Red Sox comeback doc, Jason Kelce late night show,...

The Play-By-Play ·

2024/10/30

Election Day is coming and sports is an important part to both campaigns. The 2004 Boston Red Sox have a new docuseries on Netflix but who is it for? Jason Kelce getting a weekly late night show on ESPN? Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, including discussing the passing of Cleveland Browns radio voice Jim Donovan, on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:27: Chris Canty-6:26: Kendrick Perkins-7:49: ESPN breakthrough draft-25:31: “The

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1:01:34

LeBron James undercovered, The Ringer hires four,...

The Play-By-Play ·

2024/10/23

The NBA season starts on Tuesday and the media side of the sport is headed for massive change. Is LeBron James "undercovered" by sports media? The Ringer hires four including Todd McShay. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, including the reaction to Deshaun Watson's Achilles tear on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:35: ESPN still looking for third person in top NBA broadcast team-9:36: TNT’s final year with the NBA-17:51: LeBron James

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55:04

Kendrick Perkins and NIL, ESPN NBA broadcasters,...

The Play-By-Play ·

2024/10/16

Kendrick Perkins' NIL company taking advantage of high school athletes? ESPN announces their NBA broadcasters but don't announce specific teams. Fox expected to get some competition for World Cup rights. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Drew Lerner discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:05: ESPN 2024-25 NBA broadcaster announcement-21:31: Dan Murphy’s article on Kendrick Perkins’ NIL company-33:40: Feedback from last week’s NFL broadcasters

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1:01:39

Shams Charania joins ESPN, MLB's future on ESPN, NFL...

The Play-By-Play ·

2024/10/09

Shams Charania is heading to ESPN to replace Adrian Wojnarowski. AEW renews their media rights deal with Warner Bros. Discovery. MLB and ESPN are reportedly negotiating a change in their rights deal. Awful Announcing's Brendon Kleen and Ben Axelrod discuss these topics and more as Drew Lerner stops by to participate in an NFL broadcaster fantasy draft on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:21: Shams Charania joins ESPN-13:31: NFL broadcaster fantasy draft with Drew Lerner-49:46:

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51:57

‘Mr. McMahon’ doc, Zach Lowe out at ESPN, Kamala...

The Play-By-Play ·

2024/10/02

After years since the announcement, "Mr. McMahon" debuted on Netflix. ESPN surprisingly lets go of Zach Lowe. Kamala Harris does a podcast and it's "All the Smoke?" Awful Announcing's Brendon Kleen and Ben Axelrod discuss these topics plus have some praise for "Scoop City" and Diana Taurasi's impact on the WNBA on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-:57: “Mr. McMahon” Netflix docuseries thoughts-26:24: Zach Lowe out at ESPN-40:21: Kamala Harris on “All The Smoke”-44:45: “Scoop City”

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1:07:37

Cris Collinsworth's extension, Aaron Hernandez show,...

The Play-By-Play ·

2024/09/25

What does Cris Collinsworth's new contract mean for the future of NFL broadcasting? Why is there a scripted TV show about Aaron Hernandez? And what are our sports media takeaways from Caitlin Clark's rookie season? Awful Announcing's Brendon Kleen and Ben Axelrod discuss these topics and more as Lyndsey D'Arcangelo stops by on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:09: Cris Collinsworth re-signing with NBC-10:14: Domino effect of Collinsworth’s renewal-18:15: Domonique Foxworth on

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