The Wormcast: How Sports Media Happens

This week on #TheWormcast, FOX Sports studio host Rob Stone who's covered MLS since day one in 1996, joins me to discuss MLS' landmark signing of Lionel Messi for Inter Miami. How Messi is the catalyst for MLS 3.0 and how the league needs to capitalize on the world's most popular athlete to propel its status around the globe. Enjoy! This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week on #TheWormcast the intersection of AI into sports writing and content production has been transformative and disruptive. How did we get here and what is the future. To help unwind some these questions is my guest, Steve Wasick, the founder of infoSetience. His company uses AI to provide millions of automated articles for CBS Sports and other clients. This is a fascinating topic on so many levels and you'll appreciate Steve's knowledge of Generative AI. Enjoy! This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week MLB Network reporter Jon Paul Morosi joins me for episode 73 of The Wormcast. Jon Paul has great passion for baseball and we discuss positive effects of the new rules on the game and suprise teams. Jon Paul also refects on how his time at Harvard provided the tools to be a better sports reporter. Plus he shares his travel stories to Europe and his passion for Italian soccer. Enjoy! Topics discussed: 2:30 The positive effects of baseball rules changes: pitch clock, bigger bases, elimination of the shift. 16:00 Pirates and Orioles surprising starts. 21:00 Why the Tampa Bay Rays are successful 26:40 The A's are a mess 35:00 The Harvard experience and how that helped Jon Paul develop into a good reporter. 51:20 Changes in reporting landscape 55:00 Sorare ambassador 58:00 Attending a Chelsea match at Stamford Bridge and how newspaper sports coverage in Europe is different than U.S. 1:05:00 Italian soccer - it's always interesting 1:15:00 German soccer game experience This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, I'm back with #TheWormcast with Joey Zanaboni, radio play-by-play voice for MLS expansion franchise St. Louis City. The St. Louis native is one of the up and coming voices with a unique story and style of broadcasting which combines his love of literature and pop culture. Joey not only calls games he's a middle school literature teacher as well and we discuss how his passion for reading has made him a better broadcaster. You'll enjoy this conversation. Topics discussed: 1:30 StL City's brilliant start 12:45 Joey's journey from JUCO and minor league baseball 17:45 Joey's unique style calling baseball 23:30 Joey's broadcasting influences 32:05 How literature andteaching it helps his broadcasting 36:00 adjusting from calling baseball to soccer 41:00 Getting the job with STL City 52:00 Future goals This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week on the Wormcast we get you ready for the 'Great American Race' the 63rd running of the Daytona 500 with FOX Sports NASCAR pit reporter Jamie Little. Jamie has spend over 20 years with distinction covering motorsports on national televison. She is the first female pit reporter to cover both the Indianpolis 500 and Daytona 500. Jamie is the first female to be the play-by-play host of a nationally televised motor sports series calling the ARCA Menards Series and will be rotating in the same role for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series this season. Jamie and I discuss her career path, the chaos of reporting on 12-15 cars each NASCAR race pit and top storylines heading into the 75th anniversary NASCAR season. Enjoy episode 71! Topics discussed: 2:00 Career path 7:30 Building trust and credentials with Indy Car and NASCAR drivers, crew chiefs and owners 14:40 How do you keep up covering 12 to 15 cars in a NASCAR race? 17:45 The incredible access the media receives in NASCAR 21:25 Kevin Harvick moving to the television booth and a legendary fight from 2014 24:50 Favorites for the Daytona 500 25:50 Bubba Wallace/Michael Jordan influence in the sport 28:05 NASCAR at 75 30:15 "Drive to Survive's" affect on NASCAR 32:05 Jamie from pit reporter to play-by-play announcer 35:30 tips for young professionals This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

The Wormcast is back with sports media conusltant Pat Crakes. We discuss the business behind the media deals we'll see in 2023. First a review of Amazon's first season as the broadcaster for Thursday Night Football. Why Google spent $2 billion on NFL Sunday Ticket? Major League Baseball's strategy around the Bally's Sports regional networks. Also LIV makes a deal with The CW, NBA, NASCAR, the College Football Playoff and more. Pat brings clarity to the economics in the space, you'll be more knowledgable after this show. Enjoy! This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week on The Wormcast we remember soccer journalist and my former colleague Grant Wahl who passed away on Dec 9th while covering the Argentina v Netherlands World Cup match in Qatar. This is a rebroadcast of my podcast with Grant from Thanksgiving week 2020, as he was debuting his new podcast series titled American Prodigy: The Freddy Adu Story. In 2003 Adu was a 13-year-old soccer prodigy and was considered America's best hope for their first global superstar, but it didn't work out that way. We also discussed Grant's work on another prodigy at the time LeBron James, and a long look at his career in sports journalism. I hope you'll enjoy listening to Grant's passion for his craft. RIP to a very talented journalist and one of the nicest people you'll run into whether it's the first time or 100th. Topics discussed: The Freddy Adu Story Covering two prodigies Adu and LeBron James The 1991 US Women's National Team, the first Women's World Cup Winner The freedom of the podcast episodic format. Grant's process on writing and voicing podcasts. Grant's unique journalism beginnings at Princeton covering Bob Bradley and Pete Carill. Internship at the Miami Herald, a newspaper with a legendary sports staff. The greatest piece of advice given to Grant Grant's early days at Sports Illustrated Grant's most memorable stories at Sports Illustrated MLS questions coming out of COVID The exciting young US men's soccer players emerging on the international stage What's going on with 2022 World Cup Qualifying? The most talented member of his household, his wife, Dr. Celine Gounder part of the President-elect Biden's COVID-19 Advisory Board. This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, it's episode 68 of The Wormcast. I'm joined by FOX Sports' lead play-by-play voice John Strong and lead studio analyst Alexi Lalas as we discuss the epic MLS Cup match last Saturday and preview the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Their preparation, what we should expect from the coverage and a deep dive into the selection of the US roster. Enjoy! Topics discussed: 3:00 MLS Cup and the future of MLS coverage on television now the broadcast deal is over. 15:00 Preparation for covering 32 teams and some of the new voices we'll see in the FOX Studio 24:30 US team selections and what is a successful World Cup for the team 40:45 Brazil, Ronaldo and Messi's last World Cup and predictions This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, on The Wormcast, it's episode 67. Kenny Albert is my guest, the only current national brodcaster who calls games all four major professional sports leagues. Kenny is the lead play-by-play voice for Turner's NHL coverage and we dicuss a host of NHL topics including fun Stanley Cup stories as the season opens this week. What's a NFL television production meeting like with Bill Belichick? Calling Knicks games with Walt "Clyde" Frazier along and Kenny let's us in on a new venture. Enjoy! Topics discussed: 2:00 NHL schedule finally back to normal 5:30 Stanley Cup hijinks with the winning players and coaches 12:10 Turner's first season of NHL coverage 19:30 Future of the NHL players in the Olympics and World Cup of Hockey 20:30 Can the Avalanche repeat? 23:00 Panthers/Flames huge trade 25:00 Will the Maple Leafs finally win a playoff series? 27:30 Connor McDavid 29:15 Brian Daboll football coach, hockey fan 31:00 Matt Rhule fired as Panthers coach 33:40 Kenny's 29th season calling the NFL on FOX 36:20 Television production meeting with Bill Belichick? Bill likes to tell stories. 45:10 Calling MLB and working Knicks games with Walt "Clyde" Frazier 48:10 The differences calling four different sports. 49:30 Kenny has an announcment on a new venture This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week on episode 66 of The Wormcast we're talking football - oblong and round with NBC Sports host and the voice of Notre Dame football, Paul Burmeister. Topics discussed: 3:00 Calling USFL games this past spring 6:15 Notre Dame preview and a look ahead at the Ohio State game 16:00 New head coaches in CFB - who has the toughest job and who might be the most successful after 5 years. \opic 19:00 Week One big games 22:25 Who may end up #3 and #4 in the CFP playoff? 25:40 Conference realignment 35:00 Atheltic Director - not the job it's all cracked up to be 39:00 NBC Big 10 television deal 40:00 NFL QB's - big difference in depth AFC v NFC 47:45 10 new NFL head coaches - who have the chance for immediate impact 1:01:30 NY Giants agita 1:04:50 Football is not complicated these teams understand who they are 1:07:30 Paul hosting Premier League Mornings/Live coming up This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, it's episode 65 of The Wormcast. Joining me this week is one of the all-time great television sports journalists, Bob Ley, 40 years as a studio host at ESPN. A wide ranging discussion of sports media, general media consumption and a whole bunch of soccer thoughts stories one with a Nobel Peace Prize winner. Enjoy! Topics discussed:j Bob's perspective as a viewer than being involved day-to-day in live sports shows. The changing media landscape with it's "salad bar" of content. Does Bob miss the non-stop off the field stories that dominate the headlines? Soccer growth in the US and the economic and competition issues with manhy European leagues. The World Cup in Qatar-Politics and soccer are inseparable 2010 World Cup the game changer: Stories of Archbishop Desmond Tutu Bob's involvment with Seton Hall's Center of Sports Media This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week on The Wormcast, Octagon's SVP of Media Rights William Mao joins me for episode 64 examining the fallout from the stunning departure of USC and UCLA from the Pac-12 to the Big 10 in 2024. What does it mean for media rights, broadcasters positioning in the college sports? What conferences will survive after the Big 10 and SEC finish adding teams and what will the future of the College Football Playoff look like? Enjoy this beefy show! Topics discussed: 2:00 How did USC and UCLA get to this point? 5:00 Pac-12 going immediately to market for their next media rights cycle what does it mean? 14:00 Pac-12 football viewership analysis is surprising 19:50 What exactly are grant of rights? 22:50 Notre Dame's options 28:00 College Football Playoff future 36:30 Which media companies will join FOX as the next Big 10 rights holder? 40:10 Kickoff times debated, a key piece of consideration for schools conference choices 45:00 Big 12's positioning 50:00 Length of television and media rights contracts in college sports 52:00 Does the SEC add members to counter the Big 10 move? 54:30 The student-athlete future, will they become university employees? 1:00:00 Tribute to "The Hammer" Hank Goldberg This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week The Wormcast takes a look back at the first half of 2022 in the sports media world with all of the big stories seeemingly every week there is something that is shaking up the landscape. Enjoy! Topics discussed: 2:00 NFL network announcer free agency 4:00 Apple's MLS agreement and why is Adam Silver smiling? 7:00 NFL Sunday Ticket and RSN's going direct-to-consumer 14:00 USC and UCLA moving to the Big 10 and how the college sports media landscape will react 24:00 F1 extends their deal with ESPN 26:40 LIV Golf production 35:00 Some predictions This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week on The Wormcast we're back just in time for the UEFA Champions League Final and it's a battle of European giants Liverpool v Real Madrid who've combined for 19 European Cup championships. My guest to discuss the big match is Ian Joy of CBS Sports and analyst for NYCFC matches on the YES Network in New York. We tap into other big topics in the soccer space. Enjoy! Topics discussed: 1:30 Champions League Final preview 21:00 CBS Sports commitment to soccer coverage and promoting Serie A 38:00 MLS Cup Champions NYCFC looking for a new home 44:20 Six months out from the World Cup all the questions surrounding the US Men's National Team. This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week on The Wormcast it's episode 61 and my guest is Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports. Jason has been one of the top journalists covering the NFL for nearly 20 years in print, broadcast tv and radio. You see him on fall Sundays on The NFL Today as their NFL Insider. We take a look at one of the wildest NFL off-seasons we can remember with trades, guaranteed contracts and a myriad of off-field issues. Enjoy! Topics discussed: 2:00 The NFL as a year round sport even with just 5 months of action 11:00 NFL Salary cap fact and fiction 17:40 Deshawn Watson's precedent setting contract 22:10 Is the tide shifting on competitive balance in NFL? 25:25 Daniel Snyder's latest malfeasance 31:00 Latest on Brian Flores' lawsuit and ways to change hiring practices for head coaches 41:00 Pool of potential NFL is shallow 44:05 Wisest move by a club this off-season 45:35 Advice for aspiring sports journalists Links mentioned in this episode: http://example.com http://second-example.com This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week we're back with The Wormcast, episode 60, My guest this week is Adam Littlefield, Senior Producer of Live Content - Premier League at NBC Sports. We discuss NBC's plans taking their studio show over the pond to England for this weekend's boffo Manchester City v Liverpool clash. How Rebecca Lowe has ascended to a top studio host on US television and the philosophy on how NBC's crew handles the most challenging subjects? The Ted Lasso affect on the Premier League and much more. Enjoy! Topics discussed: 1:30 NBC's studio show on the road covering Manchester City v Liverpool, what goes into it? 17:45 Rebecca Lowe's skills hosting the Premier League 28:00 Philosophy covering challenging topics in studio 35:30 The relationship with corporate cousin SKY Sports 39:50 Tailoring Premier League coverage for the US audience 42:10 The Ted Lasso effect 50:00 Premier League Mornings fan fest 55:00 Who wins the Premier League? This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, it's episode 59 of The Wormcast. Troy Aikman leaving FOX after 20+ season's for ESPN's Monday Night Football is a seismic shift in NFL broadcasting. This will be the first of many dominos that will fall not only for announcers but production teams as well. Clark Pierce, founder of Emerging Media Technologies join me to discuss the fall out. We also have some thoughts on the Olympics and Phil Mickelson after his comments on the PGA Tour and new Saudi-backed Super Golf League. Enjoy Topics discussed: 2:00 ESPN going all in for Troy Aikman and the ripple effect in the industry. 33:50 Olympics on tv, it won't get easier for NBC in Paris 39:05 Phil Mickelson, has he cost himself a future as a network broadcaster? This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week on The Wormcast, ever wanted to know how a network provides you the pictures and sound for the Super Bowl? My guest this week is FOX Sports' lead NFL director, Rich Russo. The multiple-EMMY Award winner, Rich has directed four Super Bowls for FOX and six others for NFL International feed. Rich brings you inside the production truck on how the FOX team prepares and executes the biggest one-day event in America every year. Enjoy! Topics discussed: 2:00 NFL broadcasts coming ouf the unusual 2020 season. 4:15 Directing Thursday Night Football and Sunday afternoons, how to plan and prepare 9:35 Communication between producer Richie Zyontz and director. Philosophy of broadcasts and with so many cameras how does everyone see everything? 21:00 Relationships with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman and communicating with them during games. 27:20 Rich's Super Bowl prep in the off week 31:30 Super Bowl prep timeline once at the Super Bowl site. 34:00 Friday full rehearsal of the pre-game elements, a crucial day. 37:15 Super Bowl 55 and NFL 100 pre-kick stories from Miami 42:15 The stress and importance of gettimg definitive shots in case of replay challenges. 44:20 What technology or access advances would Rich like to see to advance live storytelling 51:30 John Madden's affect on Rich and many of his colleagues career. This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, it's episode 57 of The Wormcast and my guest is William Mao, Octagon's VP of Global Media Rights Consulting. We chat on a wide variety of topics in the sports media landscape. William brings a unique perspective as we touch on subjects from the NFL, College Football Playoff to the Olympic Games on NBC, enjoy! Topics discussed: 1:45 William's responsibilites at Octagon and his path in the buisiness 7:50 Sinclair's lifeline for their D-to-C product 15:00 NFL ratings juggernaut 20:00 CFP's missed opportunity 28:30 Competition for Neilsen measuring audiences 31:45 NBC's Olympics challenges 37:45 Microsoft purchasing Activision 40:20 Did Apple miss the boat on live sports and should they buy ESPN 46:20 Netflix 'Drive to Survive' now with the PGA Tour and ATP/WTA Tour 48:40 MLS and US Soccer rights This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week we kickoff 2022 with the recently retired longtime tv play-by-play voice of the Philadelphia 76ers, Marc Zumoff. Fun conversation about his 76ers days, working in his hometown throughout his career, relationships with Allen Iverson, Larry Brown and Dave Zinkoff. Also Kate Scott succeeding him in the 76ers pxp seat. Paying it forward with his alma mater, tips for aspiring broadcasters, authoring a college text book and his work organizing the Maccabi Media Program for this summer's World Maccabiah Games in Israel. Enjoy! Topics discussed: 2:15 What does Marc miss about covering the 76ers 3:45 Relationships with Allen Iverson and Larry Brown 11:00 Being one of the legendary voice of Philly sports 13:50 How Marc started with the 76ers 15:30 How Marc's experiences in a variety of sports helped his career 20:00 Aspiring sports broadcasters needing a well-rounded skillset 22:06 Writing a college textbook on sports broadcasting and the Claire Smith Center for Sports Media 25:00 Kate Scott the new tv pxp voice of the 76ers 28:00 Dave Zinkoff the legendary PA voice of the 76ers 31:50 Mark's broadcasing influences 36:00 Maccabi USA media program for aspiring broadcasters at this summer's World Maccabiah Games in Israel Links mentioned in this episode: http://maccabiusa.org This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm