This week on Episode 77 of the Announcer Schedules Podcast, Mike Gill and Phil de Montmollin reflect on the conclusion of the SEC on CBS, while also previewing the upcoming NFL slate and the final rounds of the NBA In-Season Tournament. A multitude of announcers from past and present are mentioned throughout the show with an array of topics discussed including:

*** NFL Week 14 Preview
*** Conclusion of SEC on CBS
*** History of SEC on CBS
*** Army-Navy Preview
*** Hesiman Trophy Ceremony Preview
*** FCS, D2 and D3 playoff game assignments
*** Pros and Cons of NBA In-Season Tournament
*** ESPN and TNT mix and match announcers
*** Noah Eagle's YES Network debut
*** Carlo Jimenez busts on scene as Clippers voice
*** Stephanie White's NBA regular-season game analyst debut
*** Jimmy V Classic on ESPN and ESPN Radio
*** Debuts of Jim Boeheim and Josh Pastner
*** NHL back on linear ESPN
*** Changes to Twins' broadcast lineup
*** Chris Garagiola named DBacks radio voice
*** Joe Castiglione wins Ford Frick Award

Hear it all on the latest "Announcer Schedules Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscibe on Apple, Spreaker, Spotify, Google, etc.!!

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It's our latest ediition of the show and host T.J. Rives returns to go over the College Football Playoff selection committee and their robbery of FSU. Was it ESPN directed? What's the precedence previously for "snubs?" And, will it matter anyway is a big subject?

T.J. is joined by Jonathan Grella, former NFL and LIV Golf Tour Communications official, who now runs his own media/marketing company out of Washington D.C.

They go ovver the CFP and what went on and the motives behind. Then, they talk Pro Football Hall of Famer now turned College Football coach Deion Sanders getting the Sports Illustrated "Sports Person of the Year" despite his team remarkably flaming out and failing by losing eight of its last nine games? How has might SI fallen, incluiding using AI writers? It's a Joke,

The boys also discuss why analysts from all big time sports on TV, especially, won't criticize or take stands about games, players or situations. Jonathan has thoughts on what those reasons now are that we get sterile or neutered takes, instead of real opinions and comments?

T.J finishes with some eye opening NFL TV numbers in the ratings, as well.

It's all part of the "Last Word on Sports Media Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple, Spreaker, Spotify, Google, etc.!

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The best of nearly 100 interviews in “Tell me a story I don’t know” is really a personal choice. I’ve featured so many guests in best of 9 seasons but in this finale I thought it might be worthy to have you listen to some thought provoking, funny and poignant moments. And not the least of them came from two people who left us. Dave Wills, the ever popular voice of the Tampa Rays and a Chicago native died last March of a heart ailment. He was only 58.

Alan Schwartz was 91 but full of vim and vigor. He was once president of the United States Tennis Association and builder of Mid Town tennis in 1970 and for nearly 50 years, the largest indoor facility in the U.S. Schwartz died in December of 2022, just three days after we had our semi annual lunch. I was crushed when I learned of both of their passings.

The best of also includes an almost hard to believe story from Los Angeles Dodgers play by play voice Charlie Steiner how history repeated itself. Cheryl Ray Stout, long time reporter and trailblazer here in Chicago recounted how she broke the story of Michael Jordan leaving basketball for baseball and then, returning to the Bulls!

Cubs radio voice Ron Coomer remembered as a child how he refused to trade baseball gloves with a future hall of famer and how could I not include Brent Musburger, my inspiration back when I was a 14 year old entertaining thoughts of getting into the business. After spending a half century plying my trade, I thanked him publicly.

It was all worth it.

“Tell me a story I don’t know" is sponsored by Mr. Duct and “Tell me a story I don’t know: conversations with Chicago sports legends” is now available on Amazon Books and at chicago area book stores.

It's been a great run of "Tell me story I don't know" with a special two part podcast coming up! Make sure not to miss any of the content on the Last Word on Sports Media podcast feed on Apple, Spreaker, Spotify, Google, etc.!

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The best of “Tell me a story I don't know” is a conglomeration of ten stories the author of this podcast enjoyed for various reasons.

It includes a clip with his inspiration, one with a local reporter, who broke TWO Michael Jordan stories, along with a writer who conveyed a humorous one about the GOAT and a golf game.

There are also parts of conversations with two wonderful people, who left us earlier. While there were nearly 100 guests during the last 3 years of "Tell me a story I don't know," this "best of" manages to encapsulate a wide range of people and stories. We hope you enjoy it.

The episode is out Tuesday!

"Tell me a story I don't know" is part of the Lat Word on Sports podcast feed and make sure to follow/subscribe of more great content on Apple, Spreaker, Spotify, Google, etc.!







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This week on Episode 76 of the Announcer Schedules Podcast, Mike Gill and Phil de Montmollin discuss NFL announcers taking games off following Thanksgiving, the Amazon Prime Black Friday game and the NBA In-Season Tournament while looking ahead to the weekend college and pro football action. A multitude of announcers from past and present are mentioned throughout the show with an array of topics discussed including:

*** NFL on Thanksgiving Review
*** Amazon's Black Friday Game
*** Announcers Taking Games Off
*** NFL Week 13 Preview
*** College Football Champ Games Preview
*** Busy Weekend for ESPN Radio
*** Another 3-day, 3-game stretch for Kevin Harlan
*** Backup Plan in Place in Miami for Heat-Bucks
*** Upcoming NBA assignments
*** In-Season Tournament pros and cons
*** TNT/ESPN announcer mix and match
*** College Basketball's ACC/SEC Challenge
*** Latest in NHL
*** Congrats to Pete Weber, voice of Predators
*** How to break into ESPN+
*** Announcer Bias Myths

Hear it all on the "Announcer Schedules Podcast" as part of the Last Word on Sports Media podcast feed and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple, Spreaker, Spotify, Google, etc.!!

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A jam packed show for the final week of November, as host T.J. Rives is back with his Sports Media takes and info and his special guests on the "Last Word on Sports Media Podcast."

First, T.J. gives his opinions about the end of the college football season and "Championship Saturday" coming this weekend. The CFB Playoff hangs in the balance for four teams and of course, the looming controversy with Michigan remains. Who might be on the outside looking in and more?

There's also talk about the Thanksgiving Day/weekend TV ratings for the NFL, CFB and more.

Then, he welcomes George Ofman of his "Tell me a story I don't know" podcast to talk the Chicago Bears woes, yet wins and why it hurts the NFL to keep featruing them in standalone prime time games. George also recently had a tremendous two part interview with CBS/ABC/ESPN legendary broadcaster Brent Musburger. He and T.J. discuss Musburger's amazing impact on sports television from the 1970s on into the 21st century.

Next, T.J. talks with long time natoinal NFL writer/author and Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, Jason Cole. They disucss the diluting of the NFL's scoring and how it is further hurting the league's image and overall interest/audience. Jason also discusses the insanity of conference re-alignment and how it has affectred so many programs in the West. That includes Stanford and Cal being displaced to the other coast to the Atlantic Coast Conference. What will become of all of the mayhem? Jason has theories on what it means for probable bleak future for a lost of schools.

It's all part of the newest "Last Word on Sports Media Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!

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We all have inspirations. Mine is Brent Musburger, one of this country’s most celebrated and successful sportscasters. As a 14 year old growing up in Chicago I was mesmerized watching him on local TV. I wanted to be him. Turns out I have fashioned a career spanning a half century. Musburger loves the fact that young people he’s come across feel the same about him as I do. Now 84 and host of “Countdown to Kickoff” on VSiN, Musburger shares more memorable stories in part two of this terrific podcast. For example, Musburger admits he only wanted to be a sports writer, which he was for the Chicago American. But he wound up being part of WBBM Newsradio’s inaugural year of 1968 He also joined the CBS TV affiliate here and the rest is history.

Musburger also discusses the tremendous success of the NFL Today, his stunning departure from CBS and subsequent hiring by ABC and ESPN. And then there’s just how “You are looking live” began.

Of all the interviews I’ve done, this is the most cherished of them all.

“Tell me a story I don’t know” is sponsored by Mr. Duct. (mrductcleanjng.com).
And my new book, “Tell me a story I don’t know: Conversations with Chicago sports legends” is available on Amazon books.

Find "Tell Me A Story I Don't Know" as part of the Last Word on Sports Media podcast feed on Apple, Spreaker, Spotify, Google, etc.!!

Follow, Like and Comment on the Show:
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We all have inspirations. Mine is Brent Musburger, one of this country’s most celebrated and successful sportscasters. As a 14 year old growing up in Chicago I was mesmerized watching him on local TV. I wanted to be him. Turns out I have fashioned a career spanning a half century. Musburger loves the fact that young people he’s come across feel the same about him as I do. Now 84 and host of “Countdown to Kickoff” on VSiN, Musburger shares more memorable stories in part two of this terrific podcast. For example, Musburger admits he only wanted to be a sports writer, which he was for the Chicago American. But he wound up being part of WBBM Newsradio’s inaugural year of 1968 He also joined the CBS TV affiliate here and the rest is history.

Musburger also discusses the tremendous success of the NFL Today, his stunning departure from CBS and subsequent hiring by ABC and ESPN. And then there’s just how “You are looking live” began.

Of all the interviews I’ve done, this is the most cherished of them all. It is out on Tuesday!

“Tell me a story I don’t know” is sponsored by Mr. Duct. (mrductcleanjng.com).
And my new book, “Tell me a story I don’t know: Conversations with Chicago sports legends” is available on Amazon books.

And, make sure to find us through the Last Word on Sports Media podcast feed and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple, Spreaker, Spotify, Google,etc.

Follow, Like and Comment on the Show:
Apple
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Come talk with TJ on X:
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From our latest edition of the show, host T.J. Rives has an extended conversation with former NY Giants football great and now CBS TV/WFAN host Tiki Barber.

Tiki discusses having worked with T.J. on national radio and the differences on an NFL TV broadast. Plus, he has new partners with Andrew Catalon p x p and former Falcons QB Matt Ryan, as a three man booth. They will work the Jacksonville at Houston game for CBS this weekend.

Tiki also details being on WFAN's afternoon show with Evan Roberts in the coveted position to debate all things NYC sports. What kind of role does he play, while all the yelling and screaming goes on about the bad play of the New York's teams?

Hear it all on this special conversation from the "Last Word on Sports Media" podcast feed and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spreaker, Spotify, Google, etc.!

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This week on Episode 75 of the "Announcer Schedules Podcast," Mike Gill and Phil de Montmollin preview the big Thanksgiving weekend NFL and college football slates, while discussing the history of Thanksgiving football and some of the best calls of the past week.A multitude of announcers from past and present are mentioned throughout the show with an array of topics discussed including:

*** Wild Finishes once again in NFL
*** Jim Donovan's return to Browns radio booth
*** Thanksgiving Day slate for NFL
*** NFL's First Black Friday game
*** College Football Rivalry Games
*** College Hoops Fest Week
*** Bill Walton in Hawaii
*** College Basketball buzzer-beaters
*** Latest from NBA
*** A Historical Look at Announcers on Thanksgiving

Hear it all on this Thanksgiviing version of the "Announcer Schedules Podcast" as part of the Last Word on Sports Media podcast feed and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple, Spreaker, Spotify, Google, etc.!!

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