Last Word On Sports Media Podcast

It's the latest edition of our show/podcast as host T.J. Rives and co-host Mike Gill are back to go over the sports media topics that kickoff the month of June on the "Last Word on Sports Media Podcast" The guys cover NBA Finals set with OKC/IND. Is this series going to be one of the least watched ever? Were the ratings due to plummet without a "big market" involved? The guys also talk the sendoff of the "NBA on TNT" with the end of the Indiana/NY Knicks series and now, the bizarre situation with their "Inside the NBA" pre-game and post-game show going to Disney/ABC/ESPN next year. Next up is the Stanley Cup rematch with Florida/Edmonton. Will that hurt the casual interest that it's not prominent franchises and we saw it last year? The guys discuss. A possible great storyline for them is: can a Canadian team breakthrough for their first Cup since 1993?! Incredible drought for that Country, when it's "their sport." The guys also talk the reports of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament expansion heating up and why the proposals could be "dead on arrival" because CBS/Turner don't want more "play-in" type games. Also, NCAA College Baseball Tourney is going and the results were bad for the SEC specifically and now the non-power conferences may have a tougher time with the bigger conferences not wanting them in their post-seasons. The guys talk abou ti all on the "Last Word on Sports Media Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscrbie to this feed for all our content on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

On this edition of the show we get the chance to spend some time with Sean Kelley, the radio voice of the Florida Gators and also a free lance contributor to ESPN Radio's play by play coverage of the NBA and MLB. Host T.J. Rives and Sean go back almost 25 years together as broadcasters and they have an engaging conversation with Sean on his career, the Gators winning the college basketball national championship and now working NBA playoff games for ESPN Radio. Sean has great insight into his call of the winning moment and his call in San Antonio in April, as Florida knocked off Houston for their third national title. And, he also relates his best venues to have called a game in his career. It's all part of the "LWOS Media Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.

It's the newest edition of the "Last Word on Sports Media Podcast" off the Memorial Day Weekend covering everyting from racing to the NBA to MLB having new interest in Sunday night baseball? Host T.J. Rives and co-host Mike Gill are back and go over: - Indy 500 scores BIG in the ratings in it's Fox Debut. Why did it do so well? - The NBA is one game away from a Thunder/Pacers Finals and is that going to be an audience disaster or sign of a new wave of NBA stars that have to take over? - Plus, the NBA on Turner "Swansong" coming at the end of Pacers/Knicks after 40+ years of doing pro basketball. - Also, Caitlin Clark is injured- are the WNBA Interest/Ratings about to suffer? - New- NBC And Apple reportedly are neegotiating For the Sunday Night MLB package that ESPN apparently no longer wants. - And, it's late May and we have in-fighting For conferences over the College Football Playoff format. The guys explain and detail the greedy moves by the SEC and Big Ten upcoming. It's all part of the "Last Word on Sports Media Podcast," and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

He has one of the most exciting play by play jobs in all of sports. Larry Collmus is the live track announcer for some of the biggest moments in horse racing, including NBC Sports coverage of the "Triple Crown" races. And, he's with our host Mike Gill on a special editoin of the "LWOS Media Podcast!" The 59 year old Collmus, a Baltimore, MD, native, is off his thrilling call of "Journalism," the horse who narrowly lost the 2025 Kentucky Derby finishing second, roaring from behind to narrowly win the Preakness this past weekend. Larry gives Mike insight into all that goes into seeing and calling a dramatic race like last Saturday and talks more about his long career as an announcer at famous tracks all over the U.S. Collmus has been with NBC since 2011 and continues quite a run as such a recognizable voice in sports play by play. Hear him on the "LWOS Media Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

We're back with another edition talking all things sports media, as Caitlin Clark and the WNBA have returned, a crazy finish and great race call to the Preakness, Bill Belichick is still trying to rehab his image and more on the "LWOS Media Podcast." Host T.J. Rives and co-host Mike Gill return with their insight and analysis on the topics this week. What about the Clark/Angel Reese contraoversy and how the WNBA continues in year two of having a transcendent player to botch the situaion and promotion, etc.? Still, the ratings for her games with Indiana are tremendous by their previous standard. The guys discuss. There's alson NBA Playoffs talk and can the NY Knicks save the ratings for ESPN/ABC in the Finals? Also, the ECF series of Knicks/Pacers willl be the last games on Turner for awhile. They also go over the outstanding race call finish to the 2025 Preakness with announcer Larry Colmus and discuss how to make the Triple Crown races better attended by the top horses. Plus talk on Scottie Scheffler winning the PGA Champ on CBS, the NHL Final Four for the Stanley Cup Playoffs are set, the Indy 500 goes to Fox Sunday and Scott Hanson is back on NFL Redzone too! It's all part of the "Last Word on Sports Media Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

We're back with another week and takes/news on sports media from Michael Jordan joining NBC's NBA covergae, to the NFL flexing it's off field interest again this week and the "Rich Eisen Show' is on the move back to where he started nationally, ESPN. It's all part of the "Last Word on Sports Media Podcast" Host T.J. Rives and co-host Mike Gill of "The Sports Bash" five day a week afternoon show in Atlantic City, NJ return with their insight and opinions. They talk some NBA Playoffs and shaky games and looming matchups that might not have a lot of interest. But, there was definitely intrigue from the Monday night NBA Draft Lottery and Cooper Flagg headed to Dallas. Plus, will MJ make an impact and even, be critical of players/coaches, etc. as a broadcaster later this year? Also, the boys are interested in the NFL putting out it's schedule on Wednesday night and the amount of natonal standalone games and different places that they will be played. Plus, they discuss what ESPN might be up to with the Rich Eisen Show coming to their outlets online and on maybe on ESPN Radio? It's all on the newest "LWOS Media Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

Some insane endings in the Stanley Cup and NBA Playoff matchups, one of the premier single events in sports, the Kentucky Derby, delivers on audience and more are part of the latest "Last Word on Sports Media Podcast!" Host T.J. Rives is back with co-host Mike Gill to go over it all and give some insight and takes. They talk first about some great play by play moments by Kenny Albert of TNT in the thrilling game 7 finish of the NHL series with Winnipeg and St. Louis. And, then, follow it up with fellow Turner broadcaster Ian Eagle calling a last second three pointer for the Nuggets to beat the Thunder in game 1 on Monday night. The guys have thoughts on the broadcasters showing greatness. Then, the attention turns to the Kentucky Derby and the success that NBC has had growing the audience year after year for the race. Also, though, there was a scary situation for one of their premier broadcasters in Mike Tirico, who had a food allergy make him ill and take him off the pre-race coverage. You'll hear from Tirico on what happened and our guys can relate their own food allergy stories, too. The guys talk the media handling of the Batimore Ravens releasing controversial kicker Justin Tucker and finish by going over an amazing TV series finale' anniversary for May 6th of 2004. It's all part of the "LWOS Media Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

It's a jammed edition of the latest "Last Word on Sports Media Podcast" with so much to cover from the plummeting NFL Draft status of Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders, to former Patriots coach Bill Belichick and his "girlfriend problem" as it relates to coverage and the NBA playoffs heating up. Host T.J. Rives and co-host Mike Gill are back wtih their insight and takes on it all. Why did Deion Sanders' son not get drafted on the first two nights costing him 10s of millions of dollars and more to our point, what about the media coverage and the takes? The guys go over with insight and analysis of the draft on ESPN, NFL Network and the internet. Also, what's up with Belichick, who's a first time college coach with North Carolina and has his nearly 50 years younger girlfriend already badly damaged his situation with her handling of the media? We discuss it all. There's trouble for Shannon Sharpe and have we seen the last of him on ESPN, plus, a top Fox Sports executive is now out of his role with two different lawsuits pending against him and the huge broadcaster. The guys also talk NBA Playoffs coverage and ratings and wonder what would be so wrong with having Kevin Harlan and Reggie Miller call the NBA Finals one year? The are truly great together on game coverage on Turner Sports. Hear it all on the newest "Last Word on Sports Media Podcsat" and make sure to be on this feed for all our coverage through Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

On this special edition of the LWOS Media Podcast, host T.J. Rives is back to remember one of the iconic TV play by play broadcasters of the 1980s-2010s, as ESPN's Mike Patrick passed away at age 80 this past weekend. T.J. welcomes back to the pod- Ken Fang of Awful Announcing and broadcaster historian Phil de Montmolin of the Announcer Schedules Twitter handle and podcast to share their thougts and stories on Patrick's career. Whether it was calling big time College Basketball in the 80's with Dick Vitale or eventually becoming the signature voice of the NFL on ESPN starting in 1987 and running for 18 years teaming with Joe Theismann and Paul McGuire, Patrick became legendary for the "big game" calls of his career. They guys share a roundtable of stories and personal encounters, as well, as Patrick's versatility was constantly on display, including doing the women's final four and the college world series for ESPN, too. It's all part of this special "LWOS Media Podcast" remembering Mike Patrick and make sure to follow/subscribe to this feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

On this week’s Last Word on Sports Media, host T.J. Rives and co-host Mike Gill react to the breaking news of Lee Corso's retirement from #ESPN's College #GameDay and his legendary media legacy. It's a move that has been years in the making. Why now? And, what's the natural evolution of that show? The guys also dive deep into media coverage of the #NBA and #NHL #StanleyCup playoffs, and preview how ESPN and #NFL Network are handling their 2025 #NFLDraft coverage. Who’s doing it best, what to expect from live broadcasts, and how networks are stacking their talent? You'll hear the draft story of former New York Giants running back great now turned WFAN Radio and CBS Sports NFL broadcast Tiki Barber telling Tiki Barber his draft story. And, his twin brother Ronde, who went on to a Hall of Fame career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was picked a little while later than night in 1997. The guys also go over the NBA's TV ratings from Easter weekend and the bump that they got from the Lakers, Celtics and Warriors in their standalone games. Also, there was a massive technical glitch for Turner Sports NBA coverage in Cleveland and sideline reporter and former Magic player Dennis Scott saved the broadcast. The guys also talk Wrestlemania coverage for the WWE and the "Pat McAfee Show" for ESPN, etc. We give you insights, behind-the-scenes talk, and media takes you won’t hear anywhere else on the "LWOS Media Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spotify/Spreaker, etc.!

We're back with another April edition of our show talking the HUGE Sunday on the course for Rory McIlroy winning The Masters and for CBS wtih the massive audience his dramatic playoff win brought. Plus, was a prominent ESPN host really about to leave for rival Fox Sports? We're ready to go over it all on the "Last Word on Sports Media Podcast!" Host T.J. Rives is back with co-host Mike Gill to give their insight and takes. They discuss the dramatics on CBS Sunday and why the Masters resonates for sports fans that aren't really golf fans. And, how Jim Nantz is in his best element calling this event. Then, they turn to the story of Rece Davis re-signing with ESPN to continue to host their College Gameday for football and basketball, but was he really close to leaving for Fox Sports' coverage of college football and more? Lots of discussion on this. The guys also talk the NBA playoffs starting mid-week with their lastest "Play-in" one game elimination games to set their final two seeds in each conference. Plus, they talk about tremendous national hockey play by play voice Kenny Albert getting a new role with the N.Y. Rangers. And, they wrap with some LEGENDARY boxing nostalgia on the 40th anniversary of the Marvin Hagler-Thomas "Hitman" Hearns three round brawl from 1985. They also have some quick comments with an interivews with from great boxing broadcasters Al Bernstein and Barry Tompkins. It's all on the "LWOS Media Podcast!" and make sure to follow/subscribe for our content on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

It's the end of the latest NCAA hoop season with Final Fours in San Antonio and Tampa, Alex Ovechkin breaks Wayne Gretzky's all time goal scoring record, the Sports Emmy Award nominations are out and much more, including a national radio host joins us, too, on the "LWOS Media Podcast!" Host T.J. Rives and co-host Mike Gill return with their takes and more. They talk first about the thrilling men's Final Four that saw three exciting finishes, culminating with Florida defeating Houston for the title Monday night. The ratings are up big for the men's tourney. The guys discuss what it all means. They also go over the UConn romp to the women's national championship and the sharp loss off audience without Caitlin Clark involved this year. Then, it's a conversation with Zach Gelb of Infinity Sports Radio to go over his thoughts on the Final Four and also, an NHL sendoff for legendary NY Rangers announcer Sam Rosen, too. Mike and T.J. follow up with their thoughts on the Sports Emmy nominations, including Greg Olsen getting a nod for top sports live game analyst and not, Tom Brady. And, both Ian and Noah Eagle are nominated for best play by play. They also discuss the Tennessee Titans new radio voice and the return of the Lakers Luka Doncic to play his old team the Dallas Mavericks and whether it will move the NBA needle in audience or not? Hear it all as part of the "LWOS Media Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

It's a HUGE culminating week for the NCAA Men's and Women's Tournaments, as the respective Final Fours will take place in San Antonio, TX and Tampa, FL this weekend. And, we're ready to discuss lots about it on the newest "Last Word on Sports Media Podcast." Host T.J. Rives returns with takes on this past weekend's coverage and of course, some updates on the ratings. First what about the "Cooper Flagg Effect" for Duke helping the CBS/Turner audience numbers? And, just how big will the Saturday night semi in San Antonio with Houston be? T.J. has some thoughts. He also discusses the women's ratings and the expected dramatic dropoff from the humungous audience last year for Iowa's Caitlin Clark and her games. It's still a solid product on TV for ESPN/ABC, but there's now confrmation for good that Clark meant 4 and 5 times more audience for her games last year. There's more analysis on this. Then, T.J. talks the start of the MLB season and the coverage on ESPN, the tributes to the late Milwaukee Brewers great broadcaster Bob Uecker and the disastrous first A's game in Sacramento that saw technical problems plague the night for their first game in their temporary home against the Cubs. Next, a fascinating discussion on the announcers in this year's tourneys and leading to the all-time broadcasters to work a men's Final Four and a look ahead to whom are calling the Final Fours this weekend at the two sites. We do this with Phil de Montmolin, who's a great historian of it all and use to co-host the Announcer Schedules Pod with Mike Gill on this feed. T.J. and Phil reminisce on some great Final Four broadcasting nostalgia of their own, too. Catch it all on the "LWOS Media Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

Tons of "March Madness" NCAA Tourney conversation, news and even, a reporter controversy lead this week's show. And, we also look ahead to the MLB season getting underway this weekend, too on the "Last Word on Sports Media Podcast." Host T.J. Rives is back with co-host Mike Gill to give their insight and takes on the sports media stories, information and subjects. That includes the start up of the 2025 Men's Tourney and the lack of "Cinderellas" making into this weekend? Also, it's a surprise that CBS' #1 team of Ian Eagle, Grant Hill and Bill Raftery NOT covering Duke and Cooper Flagg in Newark, NJ. Mike has an idea on expanding the tournament in a big way that inclludes the little guy, massively. It's fascinating and not that far fetched and would mean a lot more televised games and therefore, $$$. Then, the guys also talk the UConn ouster by Florida on Sunday and how a local Charlotte reporter's video of Huskies coach Danny Hurley yelling in the tunnel of the arena and blaming the referees for his team's defeat has caused controversy. T.J. has strong takes and Mike chimes in, as well. And, the guys talk the opening of hte MLB 2025 regular season, which will include the return of Joe Buck calling MLB games for the first time in three years. And, is it really going to be the end of ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball after 35 years? It's all part of the "LWOS Media Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

We are ready for the mayhem and the madness, as the 2025 NCAA Basketball Tournament gets underway in full on Thursday and Friday and a special guest joins host T.J. Rives to talk about it on this edition of the "Last Word on Sports Media Podcast!" Tim Brando of Fox Sports, but formerly CBS and ESPN is aboard and has tons fo stories about his involvement with calling the tourney on CBS and the colleagues he's worked with like Billy Packer and the late Greg Gumbel. Lots of stories and insight from Timmy B! Plus, we have more on the ratings from this past weekend of the conference tourney title games Saturday and Sunday and the CBS Selection Show reveal, as well. And, T.J. says a few words about the late, award winning writer of the Washington Post sports section and tremendous author of many sports books, John Feinstein, who died unexpectedly last week. It's all on this edition of the "LWOS Media Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

On our newest edition of the show, co-hosts T.J. Rives and Mike Gill are back to go over the sports media top stories, personalities and more, as it's the "LWOS Media Podcast." The guys go over: NFL Free Agency Coverage on ESPN and NFL Network, but with a twist as,Twitter/X being down at times Monday and Tuesdat hampers NFL Insiders being able to instantly break stories. College Basketball Champ Week Leads To "Selection Sunday" this weekend. The guys go over it all, including the CBS/Turner announcing pairings for the tournament. They also talk the new massive contract that ESPN's Steven A. Smith got late last week and the ramifications of it not only for him, but also future broadcasters, too. How frustrated is MLS with there TV deal on Apple+ with the start to their season looming and what can they do about it? And, there's also brief tak on golf's "Players Championship" on NBC this weekend and Formula 1 Racing's 75th Season Starts This Weekend in Australia and it's their final year on ESPN . It's all part of the LWOS Media pod and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

A legendary studio NFL host says it's tio retire, NBC previews their NBA coverage with Mike Tirico and more is all part of the latest "Last Word on Sports Media Podcast!' Co-hosts T.J. Rives and Mike Gill are back aboard to go over the latest in sports media news, ratings and newsmakers. They talk the long rumored retirement of Fox Sports NFL studio analyst and former Super bowl winning coach Jimmy Johnson at 81 years old. It was apparently time, but it was odd that Johnson didn't go ahead and do it as part of Fox's Super bowl coverage in New Orleans last month. What was really going on with that? Next, the guys go over NBC's Mike Tirico doing regional NBA play by play for games this week on two NBC regional sports channels. What was the motiviation behind this? Mike saw the Monday night game he did for the Philadelphia 76ers game and he'll be working another game in Boston later this week. There's more on Indy Car racing debuting on Fox Sports for the first time this weekend and they will eventually broadcast the Indy 500 in late May. And, how did the NHL's latest "Stadium Series" game with Detroit at Columbus end up doing in audience for ESPN? Catch all of the topics and more on "LWOS Media Podcast" and make sure to follow/subcribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

We are heading to the end of February but there's no shortage of news and info in the world of sports media and our guys, T.J. Rives and Mike Gill as they return for the newest "Last Word on Sports Media Podcast!" The guys cover the upcoing end at the end of this MLB season of ESPN's relationship with baseball after 36 years. Why did it get to this point? What will MLB do for a Sunday Night Baseball broadast in the future and more. Then, they turn to the success of the "4 Nations" NHL and countries hockey tourney that concluded last Thursday night with a massive (by hockey standards) 9 million plus watching the USA vs. Canada finale'. Was this a case of this event coming together organically and if not, can the NHL sustain it? There are takes. Also, T.J. and Mike pay tribute to former NY and national sportscasting staple, Al Trautwig, who died from cancer earlier this week. Trautwig was mostly known for his work on MSG cable with pre and post game anchoring of the NY Rangers, Knicks and Yankees broadcasts. He also was part of broadcasted as part of 16 different Summer and Winter Olympics for NBC and ABC. He will be missed, especially by NY fans. Hear it all on the "Last Word on Sports Media Podcast!" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

Off the Eagles win in Super Bowl XIL in New Orleans, our co-host Mike Gill is back aboard on the show to go over his experiences with T.J. Rives. That and can the NBA All-Star Game be saved? Does anyone still care? We cover it all on the "LWOS Media Podcast." T.J. and Mike cover Mike's vacation to Thailand, of all places, DURING the NFL playoffs. Say What? Yes. Hear more. Also, Mike followed up by being in NOLA and share some experiences. The guys also talk the NBA issues and failing ratings and how Hockey stumbled onto excitement with the " 4 Nations" round robin series instead of their All Star Game. The championship game is Thursday night in a grudge rematch with the U.S. and Canada in Boston. They also talk about ESPN's Joe Buck returning to the MLB booth briefly for the Milwaukee Brewers Opening Day game with the New York Yankess. This after Buck was Fox's lead p x p guy on baseball for over 25 years. And the show pays a tribute to a Nebraska broadcaster dying of cancer and honors late night sports radio host Amy Lawrence on her retirement after 13 years of overnights for CBS/Infinity Sports Radio Network. It's all part of the LWOS Media Podcast, and make sure to follow/subscribe to this feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

Off the Eagles crushing win over the Chiefs for Superbowl XIL last Sunday in New Orleans, host T.J. Rives returns with his insight and analysis on the coverage of the game and he brings on a national media colleague who was there in "the Big Easy" firsthand to talk about it. It's part of the "LWOS Media Podcast!" First, T.J. gives some thoughts on the massively rated Fox Sports broadcast of the Eagles romp and the ratings showed that despite the blowout, it was, yet again, the most massively rated TV program of the year by a huge number. Also, how did much scrutinized former seven time Super bowl champ Tom Brady do in the Fox booth with Kevin Burkhardt? Then, hear T.J. with Fox Sports Radio's Jonas Knox, who is the host of the nationally heard "2 Pros and a cup of Jo" weekday moring show with former NFL stars Lavar Arrington and Brady Quinn. Jonas and his guys were at "radio row" in New Orleans and he relates stories on the coverage last week and also, the food in that famous town. Plus, T.J. and Jonas reminisce about working together in the early 2010's on FSR on Saturday nights with some great stories about it all. Finally, T.J. goes over some broadcasting personalities coming and going like Dick Vitale, Hubie Brown, Jimmy Johnson and Dan Orlovsky and revists the debate of whether the massive women's college basketball audience would or wouldn't hold once Caitlin Clark departed for the WNBA. It's all part of the latest "LWOS Media Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreake/Spotify, etc.!!