Sports Media With Richard Deitsch

Episode 47 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Renee Young and Paul Heyman of the WWE. Young is a commentator on Monday Night Raw, the WWE’s flagship show, and the first woman to hold that position. Heyman is a longtime WWE performer — he currently is the advocate for Brock Lesnar —and sports entertainment impresario. Both Heyman and Young will perform at WrestleMania 35 in East Rutherford, N.J. The last segment features Sports Business Daily media writer John Ourand.  In this podcast, Heyman and Young discuss what they see as effective public speaking and performing on television; what a work week is like for each prior to performing on Raw; Young’s learning curve as a commentator for RAW; the freedom both get from management regarding WWE storylines; how to sell a message most effectively in the fewest words possible; the adjustments Young has had to make calling matches of her real-life spouse, Dean Ambrose; how Heyman worked with Ronda Rousey on her promos and why he has enjoyed the

Episode 46 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features five sports podcasters discussing all facets of their podcasts. The opening segment features Conrad Thompson, the host of three immensely popular wresting podcasts: Something to Wrestle (with Bruce Pritchard); 83 Weeks (with Eric Bischoff) and What Happened When (with Tony Schiavone). He is followed by Shireen Ahmed, one of the co-hosts of the “Burn It All Down” podcast, which brings an intersectional feminist view to the biggest stories in sports. Next up is Emily Kaplan and Greg Wyshynski, the co-hosts of “ESPN On Ice with Wyshynski and Kaplan.” Wyshynski also hosts the Puck Soup podcast. They are followed by Steven Bennett, who hosts the Buffalo-based podcast, The Sports-Casters. In this podcast, the podcasters discuss how and when they started their podcasts and why they do it; the process of putting together their podcasts each week; how many downloads they get per episode; how much time it takes each week from conception to completion;

Episode 45 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Michael Kay, the television voice of  the New York Yankees for the YES Network and the host of The Michael Kay Show, which airs 3:00 to 7:00 PM ET on ESPN’s New York City radio affiliate. Kay’s interview is followed by a sports media roundtable with Mike McCarthy, a sports media reporter for The Sporting News and Hannah Withiam, an associate editor for The Athletic. In this podcast, Kay discusses his recent interview with New York Knicks owner James Dolan; how he assessed it from his end; what Dolan said prior and after the interview; his radio competition with WFAN’s Mike Francesa; his professional issues with Francesa; why he feels his show is better; what he will do if he beats Francesa in the ratings; what Kay has learned about being a drive-time host in the nation’s biggest media market; navigating working for the Yankees with hosting a sports-talk show that discusses the Yankees; how far a broadcaster in his position can go in terms of

Episode 44 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features a conversation with NFL Network analyst and NFL Draft expert Daniel Jeremiah. In this podcast, Jeremiah details what a typical day is like for him prior to the NFL Draft; how the departure of Mike Mayock has impacted him professionally; whether he feels more pressure this year on-air in the post-Mayock era given his prominence at the NFL Network; how he will evaluate Mayock’s picks and whether he thinks he’ll have insight into which players Mayock prefers; growing up as the son of David Jeremiah, the senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church and a well-known figure in the faith community; how ESPN’s Chris Mortensen helped him get his start in the sports media; how he weighs sharing his faith publicly; whether he feels ESPN’s Draft analysts are competitors; his father serving as the chaplain for the NBA’s Clippers (then playing in San Diego) and leading services for NFL teams in town to play the Chargers; what he thinks of anonymous s

Episode 43 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features a roundtable with Sports Business Daily media reporter John Ourand and Boston Globe sports media writer Chad Finn. In this podcast, the group discusses Jason Witten’s return to the Dallas Cowboys; how surprised ESPN management was with Witten’s decision; what ESPN is likely to do next with Monday Night Football; whether ESPN would be better served with a two-person or three person booth; what media outlet will end up getting the story on the new Monday Night Football booth for 2019; David Levy leaving Turner Sports and the impact of that departure; what Jeff Zucker running WarnerMedia’s news and sports means for Turner properties; the Mets hiring of Jessica Mendoza as an advisor; how viewers should view Mendoza, Alex Rodriguez, David Ross, David Ortiz and Pedro Martinez and others working for baseball organizations and broadcasting games at the same time; what to expect from ESPN’s new sports gambling show; whether hardcore sports gamblers w

Episode 42 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features three guests. First up is Ian Eagle and Sarah Kustok, the broadcast team for the Brooklyn Nets as well as accomplished broadcasters for CBS, the YES Network  Turner Sports and Tennis Channel (Eagle) and the YES Network and Fox Sports (Kustok). They are followed by Wall Street Journal sports columnist Jason Gay and Boston Globe baseball writer Pete Abraham.  In this podcast, Eagle and Kustok discuss why it works between the two of them; what is unique about their partnership; how they value preparation and passion about preparation; whether you can have a good broadcast if you dislike your colleague; how the Nets’ current success has impacted their broadcast; why Eagle says Kustok gets television; whether they have ever gotten on each other nerves; working with Richard Jefferson in a three-person booth; why Brad Stevens, Erik Spoelstra and Nick Nurse are great in production meetings; why the Nets are good this year; whether the Nets can land

Episode 41 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features a conversation with Sports Business Daily media reporter John Ourand. In this podcast Ourand and Deitsch discuss the NBA’s declining viewership at this point of the season; why big markets among the regional sports networks are so down including New York (down 41 percent on MSG Network), Chicago (down 36 percent on NBC Sports Chicago) and Boston (down 27 percent on NBC Sports Boston); why national games are down 18 percent on TNT and 17 percent on NBA TV; the early line on which TV networks will retain NFL rights and whether ABC will get a Super Bowl; a guess on the money the NFL will receive for its media rights; how the AAF is doing as a media play and whether AAF and the XFL can both survive with a spring schedule; the firing of Adnan Virk and Virk’s future; leaks at ESPN and whether they will continue, and much more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visi

Episode 40 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features three great guests: ESPN senior investigative reporter Mark Fainaru-Wada; Fox Sports NASCAR host and NFL reporter Shannon Spake, and preeminent NASCAR writer and reporter Jeff Gluck.  First up is Fainaru-Wada, who discussed his recent piece on how Bob Costas went from fronting the NFL to being excised from last year's Super Bowl; how the story came to fruition; how often he spoke with Costas; why he thinks Costas talked to him; how he approached NBC Sports and what their response was to his inquiries; whether an in-game broadcast of the NFL can ever tell hard truths; calling me out for saying ESPN would no longer do investigative work on third rail NFL issues; how he navigated this story with his superiors, who negotiate NFL media contracts; ESPN’s commitment to this kind of reporting, and much more.   Spake discussed being named hostof FOX NASCAR’s race coverage, including all the anchor duties for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series; how

Episode 39 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features two segments. First up is a conversation with James Andrew Miller, the best-selling author of books on CAA, ESPN and Saturday Night Live the host of the “Origins” podcast. He is followed by Boston Globe media writer Chad Finn and USA Today staff writer A.J. Perez.  In this podcast, Miller discusses how he views ESPN’s firing of Adnan Virk; why he believes there was a significant over-punishment; why ESPN has not investigated who leaked Virk’s firing to the media and whether that is hypocrisy; the historic inconsistency of ESPN discipline; whether the information Virk leaked was benign or significant; whether ESPN’s decision will have a chilling impact on others staffers talking to the media; what Virk’s next steps should be regarding future employment; why Miller believes ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro should bring back Virk, and much more.  Finn and Perez discuss the low Super Bowl viewership number and potential reasons why it happened; wheth

Episode 38 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features two guests: First up is Kevin Harlan, who is calling his ninth consecutive Super Bowl game for Westwood One, the audio rightsholder for the Super Bowl. He is followed by Mike Arnold, who is directing his fifth Super Bowl for CBS.  In this podcast, Harlan discusses calling his ninth Super Bowl for Westwood One and how his radio call is different from his television work; the preparation he does to call a radio broadcast versus a television one; who he envisions listens to the radio call of the Super Bowl; creating chemistry with his color analysts including Kurt Warner and Boomer Esiason; being critical of his own radio work; where the radio booth is located at the Super Bowl and how that impacts his call; calling games through binoculars versus a monitor; how he defines satisfaction from the radio broadcast versus television; how long he hopes to continue with the radio call and more.  Arnold discusses the role of director on a Super Bowl br

Episode 37 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features two guests: First up is Laura Rutledge, a reporter and host for ESPN in a number of roles including as a reporter on live-event programming such as college football as well as a co-host on “Get Up” and the SEC Network’s “SEC Nation.” She is followed by Kevin Clark, an NFL writer, podcaster and video host for The Ringer. He previously covered the NFL for The Wall Street Journal. In this podcast, Rutledge discusses her various roles on major college football and other sports as well as hosting; her work process for each of those roles within ESPN; how she landed on “Get Up” and what ESPN has told her about her future there; her thought process on discussing Courtney Smith and Urban Meyer via commentary; facing sexism and chauvinism on social media; dealing with the stereotypes that exist on her being a former Miss Florida; the specific differences in working the sidelines on Monday Night Football versus college football; the passion of college

Episode 36 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features a conversation with Sports Business Daily media writer John Ourand. In this podcast, we discuss the potential viewership for this year’s Super Bowl in Atlanta; ESPN’s interest in getting a Super Bowl game in the future and the potential cost to get in that rotation; what kind of Super Bowl broadcast ESPN/ABC might put on; ESPN’s NFL journalism; Ourand’s story on the Big 12 conference shopping the 2019, 2021 and 2023 championship games to media companies; Endeavor move into streaming; the latest on Disney’s sale of the RSNs; the Monday Night Football booth for 2019; whether the Wizards should trade Bradley Beal to the Raptors for Pascal Siakam and O.G. Anunoby, and much more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 35 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features two guests: longtime Sports Illustrated writer Austin Murphy, and Daniel Dale, the Toronto Star’s Washington bureau chief. In this podcast, Murphy discussed the recent piece he wrote for The Atlantic (“I Used to Write for Sports Illustrated, Now I Deliver Packages for Amazon”) in which he discussed his new job as an Amazon driver at age 57; why his piecestruck such a chord, especially on social media; how he approached writing it; what the writing job market been for him since leaving SI; the issue of ageism for sports writers; covering Lance Armstrong during the Tour De France and college football for SI; getting laid off from a job after decades, and much more.  Dale discussed covering Donald Trump’s administration; his reputation as a premier Presidential fact-checkers; how he fact-checks in real-time and on social media; the record for the most lies in a month; why some outlets are reticent to use the word “lie; whether the focus on Tr

Episode 34 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features a sports media conversation on ESPN with James Andrew Miller, the best-selling author of books on CAA, ESPN and Saturday Night Live the host of the “Origins” podcast. In this podcast, Miller discusses where ESPN is in 2019 regarding its relationship with parent company Disney and its position in the sports media marketplace; ESPN’s current relationship with the NFL and interest in future rights deals; where ESPN+ is today and where it needs to be in the future; whether ESPN will be aggressive with its journalism about the NFL heading forward; new ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro’s challenges and charter; talent salaries at ESPN heading forward; what SportsCenter is today; the future of the Monday Night Football booth; ESPN and politics; why ESPN separated with Jemele Hill; a quick examination of Get Up!; ESPN as a news-breaking engine; whether ESPN would do sports-related interviews with 2020 Presidential candidates, and much more. Plus, an apolo

Episode 33 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features two guests: Chelsea Janes, the Washington Nationals beat reporter for the Washington Post who will move from that beat after the new year to cover the 2020 Presidential election; and Bruce Feldman, a college football reporter for The Athletic and a football sideline reporter for Fox Sports.  In this podcast, Janes discusses her upcoming move from covering MLB to the 2020 Presidential campaign; how her new assignment came to be; the challenges of covering politics and getting new sources; how she has approached social media and political opinions; how baseball is a good training ground for the political road; whether she thinks she will return to sports; covering the Nationals and specifically the specter of Bryce Harper leaving the franchise; what she thought of the Patrick Corbin signing and what she thinks of the Nationals in 2019; the prospect of covering the next President of the United States; and much more. Feldman discusses college f

Episode 32 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features a roundtable discussion with three prominent NBA writers: Howard Beck, a senior NBA writer at Bleacher Report; Candace Buckner, a reporter for The Washington Post who covers the Washington Wizards, and Seerat Sohi, an NBA reporter for Yahoo Sports.   In this podcast, the group discusses what they think readers expect from them in their specific roles; the different kinds of media people covering the NBA; how to figure out what lane to pursue when it comes to an NBA media job; what it’s like for Buckner and Sohi to be people of color in the NBA media; whether there is pressure to perform for NBA Twitter;  the most media friendly players they deal with and Buckner’s praise here for John Wall is worth noting; the person in the NBA they most want to interview and why (the answers will surprise you); how where they live (Brooklyn, Toronto and Washington) impacts how they view the league and job; the NBA media person they’d most want to sit next t

Episode 31 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Tom Verducci, a Sports Illustrated senior writer, an analyst for MLB Network, and an analyst and field reporter for Fox Sports. In this podcast, Verducci discusses how reporters approach covering the Winter Meetings; which MLB organizational staffers are likely to speak to reporters at the Winter Meetings; why the Winter Meetings are often controlled by agents and their agendas; how texting has become a major form of communication for reporters covering the Winter Meetings; whether he expects Manny Machado or Bryce Harper to sign during the Winter Meetings; his thoughts on Patrick Corbin signing with the Nationals; how he views long-form baseball writing in 2018 and beyond; how MLB players feel about being profiled for a written piece versus a video one; why he is not on social media or Twitter; how he views the impact of legalized wagering on MLB; when he saw the sabermetric revolution in baseball writing; his long-term commitment to featur

Episode 30 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features a media roundtable with Sports Business Daily sports media writer John Ourand and Boston Globe sports media writer Chad Finn. In this episode, Ourand, Finn and Deitsch discuss the Monday Night Football booth, Finn’s recent piece on analyst Jason Witten and what the feedback as been on the booth from our readers; the Tiger Woods-Phil Mickelson pay-per-view event, what went wrong, and how Turner Sports viewed the enterprise; the rise of NFL viewership this season and what to expect in the final weeks of the regular season; what’s next in the sale of Fox’s 22 US-based regional sports networks (RSNs); Fox’s broadcast of Ohio State-Michigan and the overcoming adversity narrative pushed by Fox broadcasters Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt; and much more.    You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 29 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features sports broadcasters Rebecca Lobo and LaChina Robinson for an examination of women’s college basketball coverage, and a look at this year’s top teams. Lobo joined ESPN in 2004 as a WNBA and women’s college basketball analyst and reporter and calls the Women’s Final Four annually. She is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Robinson calls games for a myriad of companies including ESPN, Fox Sports, Raycom’s ACC women’s basketball, the Atlanta Dream, and works at espnW, where she hosts the “Around The Rim” podcast.    In this episode, Lobo and Robinson offer their thoughts on Notre Dame, UConn, Oregon, Baylor, and Louisville, and dissect the biggest challenges for Notre Dame to repeat; what women’s basketball programs are the most media accessible and why; how forthcoming coaches are in production meeting with broadcasters; the U.S. media markets with a lot of coverage of women’s basketball and the markets that should be

Episode 28 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Boston sports-talk radio host Kirk Minihane In this podcast, Minihane discussed why he has not been on WEEI’s air since last September; checking himself into a hospital last August for treatment of depression and suicidal thoughts; why he took an indefinite leave from the airwaves; where is mental health his now and his current medication regimen; how he has spent the last three months away from sports talk; whether he thinks WEEI management believes him regarding his mental health issues; why he is leaving the Kirk and Callahan show;  his upcoming sports show for Radio.com and what he hopes the show will be; why he and Entercom management decided to take this new path; whether he will be on the Kirk and Callahan show as a guest in the future and if he discussed anything formal with Barstool Radio; whether his issues with depression has given him empathy for other people or at least pause about attacking others on the air as he did frequen