One of the largest productions jobs in all of media is overseeing ESPN’s college football coverage. From “College GameDay” to more than 1,000 games, ESPN Sr. Vice President Amanda Gifford leads the network’s presentations.

With a career that has spanned teaching third grade, producing Colin Cowherd’s radio show, a stint in ESPN’s Talent Office and TV production, Gifford explains what ESPN’s tries to accomplish and how she rose from an intern into a top executive with great insight about all the personalities she has managed.

It is a 35-minute “The Main Event with Andrew Marchand.”

For access to our twice-a-week podcasts sign-up as a free or paid subscriber at AndrewMarchand.com

Pod Rundown

* What is the goal for how ESPN produces college football

* Her Penn State and radio background led her to where she is now

* Why she taught third grade before joining ESPN full-time

* College GameDay and not “screwing it up”

* How ESPN exec Mark Gross was instrumental in Lee Corso’s special sendoff from GameDay

* The way ESPN manages Kirk Herbstreit schedule with his Amazon Prime Video responsibilities

* What are Nick Saban and Pat McAfee like to work with

* The Kicking Contest with McAfee and Herbstreit having to pony up at times

* ESPN will do more than 1,000 college football games, including 45 on the first Saturday

* The UFL TV innovations that have spread to college football

* The idea from the UFL that Gifford would love to bring to college football is …

* The swearing issue at ESPN …

* Going from third grade to working at ESPN Radio

* How she started in radio at 16

* Why radio is a great foundation

* Why the big games are the easy games and …

* Why working on Colin Cowherd’s Show was so vital in learning preparation

* What moving from radio into management was like

* How Cowherd’s brain never shuts off

* What does the Talent Office at ESPN do

* She wanted to stay in the Talent Office, but a top executive called with a new role

* The apprehension with new roles, except for college football

* What’s her next goal for her career

* Does she still root for her alma mater Penn State

Related Podcasts: Colin Cowherd … Adrian Wojnarowski … Shams Charania … Mike Soltys … Chris LaPlaca … Mark Shapiro… Adam Schefter … Ramona Shelburne … Greg Hughes … Traug Keller… Howard Katz … Fred Gaudelli … Laura Rutledge … Pete Radovich, Jr. … Troy Benjamin … Phil Mushnick

By placing Pat McAfee front and center for its football coverage, ESPN is tying itself to the popular and polarizing figure in a Super Bowl year. Andrew Marchand & Jon Meterparel go deep on what it means for the network, its other big personalities and its future.

It is a 36-minute “Marchand & Meterparel: Everybody Loves Sports Media” podcast.

For access to our twice-a-week podcasts sign-up as a free or paid subscriber at AndrewMarchand.com

POD RUNDOWN …

* What is the biggest take-away from McAfee adding Monday Night Football Countdown, a potential a Monday Night alt-cast to go along with his daily show, College GameDay as part of his anticipated $60M-65M per year extension

* What to love about the ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen, who passed away at 93 last week

* The young Fox Sports play-by-player on the rise

* Why Netflix’s low “Field of Dreams” ratings are bad news for MLB

* Is “Hard Knocks” on the Seahawks good or no …

* What is misunderstood about the ‘Stephen A. vs. McAfee: Who is bigger?’ conversation

* What McAfee is very good at

* ESPN is clearly saying it is OK with some of the poor choices that McAfee has made

* MNF Countdown is Scott Van Pelt’s show, but McAfee likes to lead

* Did ESPN have to put McAfee on MNF Countdown

* ESPN should be known for having the Super Bowl, not any distractions

* Jason Kelce is moving into the No. 2 ESPN NFL booth with Dave Pasch and Kurt Warner, what to think of this trio

* Karl Ravech gets his due as he says goodbye at ESPN

* ESPN is very good on the Little League World Series

* The real story in light of the Tom Pelissero Netflix/Ringer move

* Bill Simmons’ scours the ESPN waiver wire for a hat trick

* Being a human being, a reporter and the tragic Ed Oliver story

* Is Frank Isola a strong choice to succeed Tony Kornheiser on PTI with Michael Wilbon

* The ESPN, NBC, USA Network and the post-soccer World Cup bump

* Two years in, Meterparel vs. Ourand is the modern day Brady vs. Manning debate

* Cakes are Baking Game

The New York sportscasting legend Howie Rose will retire at end of the Mets’ season. He was rated No. 9 in our all-time MLB broadcasting ratings. From starting a Marv Albert Fan club in Queens to one of the greatest calls in broadcasting history (“Matteau! Matteau! Matteau!” in 1994) to the connections with fans, Rose discusses it all.

It is a 40-minute, “The Main Event with Andrew Marchand.”

For access to our twice-a-week podcasts sign-up as a free or paid subscriber at AndrewMarchand.com

The Pod Rundown

* Why trust, connection and relatability are the goals for a play-by-player

* How his dad introduced him to baseball in 1961 as a seven-year-old

* Why he was a Mets fan

* Moving from the Bronx to Bayside, Queens

* How listening is part of a DNA to become a great announcer

* How Rose got to WFAN

* Rose started a Marv Albert Fan Club as a kid

* How authenticity at WFAN was so important when he started

* How many members were in the Marv Albert Fan Club

* Did Rose want to do talk shows full-time

* His run-ins with Frank Cashen, Al Harazin and the Mets front office

* The pressure when Buddy Harrelson replaced Davey Johnson

* Rose was not made to be a soccer announcer

* Filling-in for Albert and the “singular thrill” of his career

* How he was good luck for the Rangers

* The Islanders TV gig came up and he was almost done with the Mets

* Breaking down the May 27th, 1994 double overtime “Matteau! Matteau! Matteau!” call that sent the Rangers to the Stanley Cup Final

* Where was Marv for that game and why Howie got to to do it

* The history behind the call that dated back more than a quarter century ago

* The Rangers’ loss that Rose has never gotten over

* What changed everything about the Matteau call

* Why the broadcast perch was important for getting it right

* What is the relationship between baseball radio and fans

* Why radio is more satisfying than TV

* The Mike Piazza post-9/11 call and goosebumps

* Fran Healy defying the bosses

* The Johan Santana Mets’ “no hitter” and a surreal experience

* Saying the “Mets win the pennant” in 2015 considering when his fan experience began

* The call that Rose really liked with the Mets

* How Rose’s signature Mets call of “Put in the books” happened

* Rose should get the Frick Award from the Hall of Fame

* Debating Joe Buck vs. Vin Scully for No. 1 on all-time MLB play-by-play list

Related Podcasts: Kevin Burkhardt … Ian Eagle … Joe Buck … Michael Kay … Jim Nantz … … Jason Benetti … Ryan Ruocco … Boomer Esiason ... Chris Russo … Chris Oliviero … Steve Raab … Pete Macheska … Top 10 All-Time MLB play-by-players

From Mike Tomlin to Tony Romo to J.J. Watt, it’s been another fascinating offseason in the NFL TV game. We are handing out the grades as kickoff is around the corner: Who got an A? Who got a C? Report Cards!

It is a 39-minute Marchand & Meterparel: Everybody Loves Sports Media

For access to our twice-a-week podcasts sign-up as a free or paid subscriber at AndrewMarchand.com

POD RUNDOWN

* What was the biggest NFL TV signing of the offseason

* Why Charley Steiner is Marchand’s “What’s Up”

* Which Netflix series Meterparel really liked

* Michael Kay’s odd decision to beg for votes

* Kirk Herbstreit’s dog has an NIL

* The big question about Tomlin on TV

* What grade does NBC receive for its NFL offseason moves

* Meterparel channels his inner Adam Schefter

* Grading ESPN big moves, leading with Ryan Clark out, Jason McCourty in on MNF

* Dave Pasch and Bob Wischusen in for Chris Fowler ....

* The misperception about the new Troy Aikman and the old Tom Brady NFL TV rules

* CBS went with Ross Tucker as Ian Eagle’s partner, what were the possible options

* Matt Ryan leaves, Russell Wilson arrives for NFL Today. Upgrade or no?

* How to evaluate the Tony Romo situation

* Grading CBS’ NFL offseason

* Luke Kuechly has all the jobs, what he needs to do to be good

* What grade does Netflix receive

* Why Fox and Amazon go ungraded

* The complicated Pat McAfee and an album

* How did Netflix fare with “Field of Dreams”

* Who has improved on Netflix’s MLB coverage

* Meterparel used to be partners with the late Tommy John

* Everybody Loves Local: Boog Sciambi & the Chicago Cubs

* Papa Clicker Reviews: ESPN’s Sports Heaven & Sam Mills books

* Cakes Are Baking: Marchand arrives on a hot streak as he entered six for his last nine in guessing the birthdays (Play along)

Related Podcasts: Michael Kay & being a New York sportscasting legend … Mike Soltys on Sports Heaven

On Deck: Howie Rose by Thursday morning

With Tony Romo placed on indefinite leave by CBS Sports president David Berson, the idea that Romo never returns to the No. 1 booth gains steam.

Is CBS taking the right approach? What are the other factors potentially in play, including the four-years and $72M remaining on Romo’s contract and next season’s CBS Super Bowl?

In the 35-minute sports media podcast, Andrew Marchand & Puck’s John Ourand go back-and-forth on Romo’s exile.

Plus, the dynamic state of the NFL TV pre-opt-out negotiations post Fox’s CEO Lachlan Murdoch’s saying not now to the league and where does Jimmy Pitaro’s ESPN stand these days following its recent layoffs.

For access to our twice-a-week podcasts sign-up as a free or paid subscriber at AndrewMarchand.com

Pod Rundown …

* How to rate CBS’ handling of the Tony Romo situation

* Answering if Romo will return to the CBS booth

* Outlining the potential path of a Romo’s exile

* The overarching issue for Romo’s return

* Marchand & Ourand disagree on the regression in the booth issue

* Why next year’s Super Bowl is a factor with Romo and Jim Nantz

* How Romo’s 10-year, $180M contract changed the industry

* Why Romo’s image then and now are such a business factor

* The contract mistake CBS made with Romo

* What is going to happen with the potential top musical chairs with Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit, Greg Olsen all having their contracts up to go along with the Romo question

* The Travis Kelce, Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford factors

* What Fox Sports has done with its NFL game analyst depth

* How will J.J. Watt do with Nantz

* Why Ourand thinks Ross Tucker will be very successful

* Ourand’s adjective about Murdoch’s public statement about the NFL negotiations

* Where Amazon Prime stands

* Where are the streamers with the NFL long-term

* Will there be a lot of change in the NFL platforms in the early 2030s

* Why the NFL should want YouTube in

* ESPN as a business is different than working there right now

* Why ESPN’s live sports portfolio is so incredible

* Debating ESPN’s journalism

* Ourand has plugs

The greatest talk sports talk radio host of all-time is … Who are the Top 5 all-time? … Who is on the bubble?

On a 34-minute sports media podcast, Andrew Marchand and Jon Meterparel each give their Top 5 lists, their reasons and provide some fun sports talk radio stories.

Hosts Considered: Colin Cowherd, Adam Schein, Paul Finebaum, Mark Packer, Tony Kornheiser, Tony Bruno, Chuck Wilson, Mike Francesa, Chris Russo, Mike Greenberg, Mike Golic, Michael Felger, Michael Kay, Scott Van Pelt, Ryen Russillo, Dan Patrick, Dan Le Batard, Jim Rome, John Ireland, Boomer Esiason, & Gregg Giannotti

Related Podcasts: The Top 10 All-Time MLB Play-by-Players … The Top 10 All-Time SportsCenter Hosts … Colin Cowherd … Chris Russo … Adam Schien …. Michael Kay … Chris Oliviero … Traug Keller … Bomani Jones …

For access to our twice-a-week podcasts sign-up as a free or paid subscriber at AndrewMarchand.com

Linda Cohn was rated No. 9 in the all-time SportsCenter anchor rankings. On a 33-minute, “The Main Event with Andrew Marchand,” Cohn tell us how she went from a shy girl with low self-esteem to a SportsCenter legend.

For access to our twice-a-week podcasts sign-up as a free or paid subscriber at AndrewMarchand.com

* Who did Cohn like to work SportsCenter with the most …

* How did Ed Ingles and her radio background help Cohn so much

* What being a woman in a male-dominated profession was like for Cohn

* Why Robin Roberts was important for her

* How she felt treated differently by the bosses than her male colleagues

* How schmoozing with the ESPN bosses was part of the job

* What was the greatest moment of Cohn’s career

* Her disappointment …

* The NHL star that texted her when she retired

* Cohn’s hockey playing career as a goalie

* How she became a Ranger fan growing up on Long Island

* Why she had low self esteem and then became a TV star

* How “external validation” was so important

* What made the late Tom Mees so special

* The greatest SportsCenter for Cohn was …

* Why Cohn did not like the ticker added on the screen

* Cohn likes more highlights on SportsCenter

* Cohn’s opinion on ESPN’s “embarrassing” recent layoffs

* How Karl Ravech and David Lloyd were overshadowed

* What Cohn wants to do next …

* ESPNers talking bad about ESPN after they leave …

Related Podcasts: Mike Soltys … Chris LaPlaca … Mark Shapiro… Adam Schefter … Greg Hughes … Traug Keller… Howard Katz … Fred Gaudelli …

* Next week: Marchand and Meterparel’s Top 5 All-Time Sports Radio Hosts by Tuesday & John Ourand pod by Thursday

* Brian Rolapp is the guest on Sept. 17th in midtown for “Off the Record with Andrew Marchand presented by WSC Sports”

What is next for Tony Romo and CBS with four years and $72M remaining on his contract as he is put on leave.

Andrew Marchand & John Meterparel breakdown all the potential Romo scenarios, plus the laid off Karl Ravech is back, LeBron’s “Last Dance” millions, Netflix impressive NFL hire, the new studio additions for ESPN and Netflix, Amazon-NHL and YES-MSG-DAZN.

It is a 39-minute edition of “Marchand & Meterparel: Everybody Loves Sports Media.”

For access to our twice-a-week podcasts sign-up as a free or paid subscriber at AndrewMarchand.com

* There was only one thing that Romo couldn’t do …

* The hope for Romo on a personal level

* What’s Up/What’s Down: J.J. Watt, Luke Kuechly, Romo, WNBA

* The timeline and how does Romo return

* Should Romo comeback?

* Can Romo be the face of CBS?

* The real reason that Romo’s deal might be the worst isn’t just the money

* Why Tom Brady’s 10-year, $375M contract with Fox makes a little more sense

* Jim Nantz vs. Ian Eagle with Romo & Watt

* How long will CBS wait for a permanent decision

* Karl Ravech was laid off … and he is back — the haphazard ESPN layoffs continue

* What does Ravech deserve after 33 years

* Jason McCourty is an upgrade over Ryan Clark on Monday Night Countdown

* What to make of Monica McNutt doing a SportsCenter hit from a nail salon

* The huge “Last Dance” LeBron James and ESPN documentary and will it be good

* The issues and positives with Michael Jordan’s “Last Dance”

* The Joe Tessitore WWE Summer Slam preview on the main ESPN channel

* Why Netflix’s Kuechly could be the Peyton Manning of defense on TV

* Story time: Meterparel and Kuechly, two Boston College legends

* Examining Netflix NFL pregame choices

* What the Amazon Prime Video deal in Canada means

* DAZN makes a statement with YES and MSG

* The RSN digital dilemma

* Connor Onion’s promotion to team with RG3 in Jason Benetti’s old spot at Fox

* Media Trade Deadline: Could Marchand be dealt to Ourand’s or Deitsch’s podcast?

* “Cakes are Baking Game:” Marchand (5-for-his last-6) is on fire heading into this week

* By Thursday: Linda Cohn is The Main Event

* Next week: Top 5 All-Time Sports Radio Hosts by Tuesday & John Ourand pod by Thursday

* Brian Rolapp is the guest on Sept. 17th in midtown for “Off the Record with Andrew Marchand presented by WSC Sports”

The Shohei Ohtani interpreter betting scandal is one of the crazier stories this decade. ESPN investigative reporter Tisha Thompson broke it and takes us inside all of the fascinating turns. Thompson has a new 30-for-30 podcast series on the whole scandal called, “The betrayal of Shohei Ohtani.”

It is a 35-minute edition of “The Main Event with Andrew Marchand.” A podcast about a podcast.

For access to our twice-a-week podcasts sign-up as a free or paid subscriber at AndrewMarchand.com

RUNDOWN …

* What was it like to find out that Shohei Ohtani’s bank account was sending millions to an illegal bookmaker

* What Thompson had to do next in the reporting and the wrench that was thrown into that it might be Ohtani’s interpreter

* How she feared an adult game of “telephone”

* The reputational damage that is at risk in these stories

* Why it was so important to talk to Ohtani’s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara

* How she and ESPN told Ohtani about the information they had

* How she got the interview with Mizuhara and then he lied

* What was the timeline of the reporting

* The frantic, “Don’t Publish!” phone call

* She calls Mizuhara and he picks up …

* The Dodgers make a call on Mizuhara

* “Why should I believe you?”

* The communication trail that shows the truth

* How is trust built up

* How the business is sourced information, not rumors

* Why did the story change so much

* Who is Ohtani & Mizuhara

* What was Mizuhara making

* Learning how bookies hook gamblers

* How long is Mizuhara in prison

* Thompson’s incredible family history in journalism

Related Podcasts: Mark Kriegel, Peter King, Joel Sherman, Adam Schefter, Chris Russo, Michael Kay, Joe Buck, Ramona Shelburne

There were real and fake victims of the ESPN layoffs. Andrew Marchand & Jon Meterparel go inside the ESPN/NFL Network story that rocked the sports world, explaining who was really wronged and who wasn’t.

Plus, Tony Romo’s terrible decision and the potential fallout from Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery deal being put on hold.

It is a 36-minute edition of Marchand & Meterparel: Everybody Loves Sports Media.

For access to our twice-a-week podcasts sign-up as a free or paid subscriber at AndrewMarchand.com

RUNDOWN …

* Who were the real victims of the ESPN layoffs?

* Who were the fake victims of the ESPN layoffs

* What’s up/What’s down: David Lloyd, MLB Network, Jimmy Pitaro & Tony Romo

* Assessing Pat McAfee & Stephen A.’s reaction post-layoffs

* The reason there are different rules for McAfee & Stephen A. than for Ryan Clark

* Assessing Karl Ravech’s prolific career and the reasons he was let go

* Marchand reaching out to Ravech before he was let go

* Is Clark a good NFL TV analyst

* When the rebooted NFL Live first became a success, it wasn’t because of Clark

* If Clark is the best in the world, as some of his boosters claim, he will get picked up by another network

* Responding to internet noise on the ESPN layoff story

* Why it is good for reporters to be written about

* What was the big mistake by ESPN in the Clark firing

* Tom Pellisero was not part of the ESPN ‘Avengers’

* Stephania Bell and Charles Davis were two more good people let go

* Who are the real victims of the layoffs and where do they go

* Where do Romo and CBS go from here with four years and $72 million remaining on his contract

* How can Romo not call for a Uber or a Lyft

* The Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery deal has been paused, which could have huge sports implications, including possibly with the NFL

* Marchand’s Brian Cashman-Alex Rodriguez STSFU story revisited

* Cakes Are Baking Game: Marchand comes in on 2-for-3 hot streak, moving his record to 10-for-33 … Can he continue his winning ways with A-Rod, Max Scherzer & Jordan Spieth on the card