Episode 176 of the SI Media Podcast features an interview with J.E. Skeets and Tas Melas of “The Starters” on NBA TV and a conversation with NBA Twitter personality, Rob Perez, aka @World_Wide_Wob.  Skeets and Tas discuss how they landed on NBA TV after building a loyal Internet audience thanks to being old-school bloggers and podcasters. The guys offer advice for podcasters and share the do’s and don’ts for having a successful podcast. They also talk about what it’s like to work for the NBA, what obstacles they had to overcome, relationships with players and other Turner announcers and much more. Perez also discusses how he became popular on social media thanks to his NBA fandom. Has he ever heard from the league or networks about posting clips? Is he addicted to Twitter? Did he intentionally set out to become a social media personality? All of this is covered and more.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 175 of the SI Media Podcast features an interview with SiriusXM radio host, Chris "Mad Dog" Russo. The Doggie talks at length about his former partner, Mike Francesa, ending his retirement after four months to return to New York's WFAN and all the surrounding drama. Russo has strong words for many of the players, including Bart Scott and Boomer Esiason. Russo also talks about whether his relationship with Francesa has been damaged by Dog sharing his opinions on Mike's return. Other questions tackled in the podcast: Was Russo hurt by Francesa turning down an offer from Sirius? Is there any chance for some kind of limited Mike and the Mad Dog reunion? What is the biggest challenge about doing a show for SiriusXM? Has Russo been hurt by not embracing the Internet? What has been the worst trend in radio? And much more.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 174 of the SI Media Podcast features an interview with TNT NBA play-by-play man Kevin Harlan and a roundtable with media reporters Andrew Marchand of the “New York Post” and Neil Best of “Newsday” to discuss the big news of Mike Francesca’s expected return to WFAN.

Harlan talks about the differences between doing TV and radio, his favorite sport to call, analysts he wishes he could work with, favorite places to work, whether he regrets doing play-by-play of a streaker and much more.

After Harlan, Marchand and Best join the show to gives us all the latest news on radio host Mike Francesa ending his retirement after four months and returning to New York’s WFAN.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Episode 173 of the SI Media Podcast features interviews with New York Post media reporter Andrew Marchand and the NFL Network’s Rich Eisen.

Marchand weighs in on the latest sports media news, including Brett Favre’s tryout for “Monday Night Football,” the rough ratings start for ESPN’s “Get Up,” A-Rod’s performance in the booth, the Michael Kay Show beating WFAN in the ratings and the latest with Mike Francesca.

Eisen defends the NFL Network’s TWO- hour schedule release show, reveals the most challenging aspect of hosting the NFL Draft, voices his frustration with NFL writers who tip draft picks on Twitter, talks about this year’s draft being simulcast on FOX and much more.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Episode 172 of the SI Media Podcast features interviews with ESPN NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy and “Something To Wrestle With” podcast co-host, Conrad Thompson. 

Van Gundy talks about LeBron James’ incredible season, the upcoming playoffs, players whining too much, working with Marv Albert and Mike Breen, why he got too much criticism for a Rihanna comment, whether coaches should talk politics, feuding with Howard Stern and much more.

Thompson then joins the show to discuss the deal he and partner Bruce Prichard signed with the WWE Network and reveals all the details of their new show while reassuring fans that their podcast remains unchanged.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Episode 171 of the SI Media Podcast features interviews with Kevin Burkhardt of FOX Sports and the WWE’s Roman Reigns, who will be in the main event of WrestleMania on April 8.

Burkhardt discusses how he used to do play-by-play of Nintendo games as a kid and the path he took to get to FOX. In addition to sharing advice for young people trying to get in the broadcasting business, Burkhardt also talks about the differences between doing games and studio show, almost working with Jay Cutler, hating three-person booths, the craziness of working with Pete Rose and A-Rod and much more. 

Following Burkhardt, Reigns joins the show to talk about main eventing WrestleMania, where his relationship stands with the WWE fans, the relentless life of being a WWE superstar, the time he forgot his lines on live TV and plenty more. 

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Episode 170 of the SI Media Podcast features a roundtable discussion with media reporters Andrew Marchand of the New York Post and Chad Finn of the Boston Globe. 

Among the many news stories covered: What will FOX do for a Thursday Night Football analyst now that Peyton Manning has turned down the gig? Why did Peyton decline FOX’s offer? 

We also talked about whether there can be such a thing as too much Sister Jean and CBS/Turner’s stance on showing crying kids during the NCAA tournament.

Other topics discussed: How will A-Rod do in the booth? Is anyone excited for ESPN’s “Get Up? What is Mike Francesa’s future and why are him and Chris “Mad Dog” Russo so great together?

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Episode 169 of the SI Media Podcast, ESPN historian, author and podcast host, James Andrew Miller discusses his much-talked about interview with former ESPN President John Skipper, who revealed that his departure from the company stemmed from a cocaine extortion plot.

Miller discusses why Skipper and Disney did not handle the situation differently and whether there were other factors in Skipper resigning and not taking a leave of absence.

In addition, Miller talks about the fractured relationship between ESPN and the NFL, whether ESPN needs the NFL after their contract expires, who will get the “Monday Night Football” analyst gig, what is giving Peyton Manning pause about taking a job calling games and much more.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Episode 168 of the Sports Illustrated Media Podcast features ESPN NFL analyst Louis Riddick.

In this episode, Riddick addresses what separates a good NFL broadcaster versus an average one; how he has attempted to improve as a broadcaster; his candidness on issues and why too often former players pull punches on the air; how he navigates being a candidate for NFL general manager jobs versus working at ESPN; his thoughts when someone does not report on him accurately; how he approaches discussing social issues or politics on social media; whether he has been approached about possibly replacing Jon Gruden in the Monday Night Football booth and interested in doing that; playing under Nick Saban and Bill Belichick in Cleveland; Saban’s attention to detail and what makes him different than other coaches; how the Browns should approach holding the No. 1 and No. 4 picks in the NFL Draft, and much more. To listen to the podcast in full, check it out on Apple Podcasts and Stitcher.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Episode 167 of the Sports Illustrated Media Podcast features guests ESPN host and play by play announcer Adnan Virk and Big Ten Network lead host Dave Resvine. In this episode, Virk discusses the most well-known Canadians in American sports broadcasting; his passion for film and his work as an Oscars red carpet host and interviewer; working in multiple roles for ESPN including on college football, college basketball, baseball play by play broadcaster, ESPN Radio, and as the host of the Cinephile: The Adnan Virk Movie Podcast; how Oscars viewers should feel about the show in the #MeToo era;  his surprise over Matt Vasgersian and Alex Rodriguez getting hired by ESPN for baseball; his comfort level in talking publicly about his Muslim faith; how he navigates discussing Islam with ESPN’s social media policies; how he would assess the coverage of Muslim athletes in terms of frequency, depth, and tone; why he likes calling the MLB Celebrity All-Star Game and much more. Resvine discusses his role as the lead host of the Big Ten Network and his move from ESPN a decade ago; why it was important to be the lead anchor at a place; his recent medical issue with Bell’s Palsy, a temporary nerve condition that paralyzes one side of the face; how his network navigates covering the Big Ten with the Conference owning 49 percent of the network;  his must-Big Ten Game Day environments a fan should partake in; the success of his book, The Opening Kickoff: The Tumultuous Birth of a Football Nation, and potential future projects, and much more. To listen to the podcast in full, check it out on Apple Podcasts and Stitcher.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com