The Play-By-Play

The NFL released their 2025 and they are looking to set viewership records. Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese playing each other bringing out discourse among the public. "Around the Horn" ends this Friday. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, including the NBA playoffs on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.

Time Stamps:

-2:00: NFL schedule release

-17:10: Beef Meter: Kevin Durant vs. Emmanuel Acho and Robert Griffin III vs. Ryan Clark

-23:41: WNBA season starts, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese discourse

-41:21: The end of “Around the Horn”

-54:27: “The Fall of Favre” review

-1:00:54: Tom Cruise joining “The Pat McAfee Show”

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Michael Jordan shockingly heads to "NBA on NBC." After over 20 years, Rich Eisen is heading back to ESPN. The U.S. Senate discuss the future of sports streaming. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod, Brendon Kleen, and Drew Lerner, who was at the sports streaming hearing, discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.

Time Stamps:

-:56: Michael Jordan announced for “NBA on NBC”

-13:54: Rich Eisen moving show to ESPN, Pat McAfee responds

-23:48: State of sports streaming in Senate

-1:04:00: Pablo Torre’s podcast on Jordon Hudson/Bill Belichick

-1:07:09: Lady Gaga

-1:11:05: NBA Draft Lottery

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Caitlin Clark returns to Iowa for preseason basketball. John Skipper leaves Meadowlark Media as Dan Le Batard's company has an uncertain future. Amazon continues their NBA hiring. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, including the NBA playoffs on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.

Time Stamps:

-:46: Caitlin Clark preseason return

-21:40: John Skipper leaves Meadowlark Media

-42:33: Amazon hires Dwyane Wade, Steve Nash, Candace Parker, and Udonis Haslem

-57:30: Best NBA playoffs in years

-1:01:37: Bill Simmons Spotify deal reinvigorating him

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Shedeur Sanders dropping in the NFL Draft had everyone talking. Shannon Sharpe is on a leave of absence at ESPN. Jordon Hudson had a massive problem with CBS' softball interview with boyfriend Bill Belichick. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod, Brendon Kleen, and Sam Neumann discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.

Time Stamps:

-1:03: Shedeur Sanders becomes the talk of the NFL Draft

-29:31: Shannon Sharpe not on ESPN

-48:42: Robert Griffin III takes over for Brock Huard on Fox College Football

-57:34: Stan Van Gundy and Steve Nash to Amazon

-1:03:29: Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson’s CBS interview

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WrestleMania 41 was lackluster. Lee Corso announces his retirement. And everyone had takes about Nico Iamaleava. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, including Mel Kiper Jr. and Brian Windhorst, on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.

Time Stamps:

-1:25: WrestleMania 41

-19:40: Lee Corso retiring Week 1 of 2025 College Football season

-33:09: Stock Watch, Stock Watch: Sports media reactions to Nico Iamaleava

-46:29: Mel Kiper Jr./Pro Football Hall of Fame/NFL Draft

-53:47: Brian Windhorst podcast tour

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CBS had a perfect situation with the Masters. The UFC-ESPN negotiating window ends without a deal. Is streaming finally going to take over cable? Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod, Brendon Kleen, and Drew Lerner discuss these topics and more, including how the Trump administration is handling RSN's, on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.

Time Stamps:

-:45: A perfect Masters

-23:57: ESPN’s exclusive negotiating window with UFC ends with no deal

-45:46: It’s the end of TV as we know it?

-1:00:43: WrestleMania 41 underwhelming

-1:03:28: Who in sports media can fill an arena?

-1:08:49: RSN’s

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Stephen A. Smith and LeBron James going at it. Gary Danielson announces his retirement, resulting in CBS to make moves in their college football and NFL broadcasts. Peter Schrager leaves NFL Network for ESPN. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen, along with AA head Ben Koo, discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.

Time Stamps:

-:47: Stephen A. Smith vs. LeBron James

-21:54: Gary Danielson retiring, Charles Davis replacing Danielson, JJ Watt replacing Davis at CBS

-43:13: ESPN hires Peter Schrager

-58:23: Zach Lowe joins The Ringer

-59:56: RIP NFL Chain Gang

-1:02:44: Dave Portnoy being the most influential person in the intersection of sports and politics

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Dan Hurley rubs many the wrong way, so is that why he's great for college basketball? Is Shohei Ohtani the face of Major League Baseball. Are the lack of Cinderellas really what's destroying college basketball. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, including an in-depth discussion with Morning Consult's Ellyn Briggs on how Gen Z consumes sports, on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.

Time Stamps:

-1:04: No Cinderellas in March Madness

-21:11: Ellyn Briggs joins the show

-21:39: Best way to summarize how Gen Z consumes sports

-24:57: Gen Z having a strong connection to athletes, going to games

-29:49: NIL and Gen Z

-31:22: Sports going away from a made-for-TV product?

-34:17: Gen Z and Gen-Alpha sports participation

-37:13: Public reaction to Jackie Robinson article temporarily taken down

-42:30: Women’s sports fans supporting activism among players

-46:33: LIV Golf/Saudi Arabia and sportswashing

-50:20: What has to happen for a new league to work in 2025?

-54:48: Dan Hurley

-57:48: Shohei Ohtani as the “Face of MLB”

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How does the media talk about Bill Belichick's and Jordon Hudson's relationship? People taking NFL insiders to task on how they report free agency news. Who are some of the top stars of online sports media? Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.

Time Stamps:

-:41: NFL insiders criticized for how they report free agent news

-18:12: Kyle Hamilton of the Week

-20:52: Breakout Stars of Online Sports Media Draft

-43:07: How to discuss Bill Belichick’s and Jordon Hudson’s relationship?

-58:11: Basketball sports betting being terrible contributing to lack of interest in the NBA

-1:03:16: Women’s NCAA Tournament without Caitlin Clark

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Stephen A. Smith and ESPN finally have a deal and the TGL is entering the playoffs in their first season. Awful Announcing's Brandon Contes and Drew Lerner join Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen to discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.

Time Stamps:

-1:01: Stephen A. Smith’s new ESPN contract with Brandon Contes

-32:23 TGL entering playoffs with Drew Lerner

-50:33: What should replace “Around the Horn?”

-58:33 Giving up X posting for Lent update

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