Women's Basketball voice Brenda VanLengen joins T.J. Rives and Phil de Montmollin in a special conversation on the Announcer Schedules podcast, fresh off her ESPN call of the Miami upset over top-seeded Indiana. VanLengen has announced over 1,200 women’s basketball games as both a play-by-play announcer and an analyst on ESPN, Fox Sports and other networks throughout her 28-year broadcasting career 

Topics in the wide-ranging conversation include:

* VanLengen’s in-game process as the Miami upset over Indiana was materializing. 

* Her journey from analyst to her role as play-by-play announcer AND analyst today.

*The differences and challenges between the two announcing roles.

*An unforgettable NCAA Tournament debut with a toss from Robin Roberts in the ESPN studio.

* Play-by-play announcers who have helped along the way.

* The growth of women’s basketball and its national television coverage.

* A preview of VanLengen’s newest project - “If Not for Them” which details the hidden figures responsible for the origins of Women’s Basketball. For more, visit ifnotforthem.com

Announcer Mentions: Brenda VanLengen, Holly Warlick, Robin Roberts, Dave Armstrong, Candace Parker, A’ja Wilson, Andraya Carter, Kevin Kugler, Bill Doleman, Bill Land, Kevin Eschenfelder, Ron Thulin 

Hear it all as part of the latest "Announcer Schedules Podcast" as part of the Last Word On Sports Podcast feed, and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.! And, also go to www.lastwordonsports.com/podcasts for more!

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As part of this week's "Last Word On Sports Media Podcast" T.J. welcomes Big Ten Network hoops analyst Stephen Bardo to the pod for an in depth conversation .

Stephen also just recently worked the NCAA tourney coverage on radio for Westwood One last weekend and saw Alabama and Houston up close from court side. He gives insight on what he saw for those teams chances to be in the Final Four, etc.

Bardo also discusses what has happened to the Big Ten, as only Michigan State survived the first weekend of the Big Dance. Bardo also relates how calling a game for an analyst is a totally different role than doing it on TV.

It's insightful stuff for those that enjoy "how the games are called" on TV/radio. And make sure to follow/subscribe to the "Last Word On Sports Media" podcast feed for more great content like this on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!

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This week on Episode 41 of the Announcer Schedules Podcast, Mike Gill and Phil de Montmollin review all the latest from March Madness and the World Baseball Classic. Women's Basketball voice Brenda VanLengen joins the program to talk about her ESPN call in the Miami upset over top-seeded Indiana as well as her journey as both a play-by-play announcer and analyst. 

Throughout the show, a multitude of announcers from past and present are mentioned with an array of topics discussed including:

 

*** Kevin Harlan's call of Furman over Virginia

*** A big weekend for Andrew Catalon, Steve Lappas and Jamie Erdhal

*** Catalon and his signature "F-D-U Believe It!" call 

*** Several memorable moments for Erdahl reporting

*** Attention placed on young Sports Information Director

*** Potential musical chairs in 2024 for March Madness

*** Announcer pairings for both tv and radio for Sweet 16 and Elite 8

*** Classic calls at the World Baseball Classic 

*** Japanese television celebrates WBC win

*** Women's Basketball Tournament announcers 

*** Brenda VanLengen interview 

Hear it all on the "Announcer Schedules Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.! And find us also on www.LastWordOnSports.com/podcasts

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We are jam packed on the newest edition of the "Last Word On Sports Media Podcast" with everything from the NFL off season to March Madness heating up and beyond!

Host T.J. Rives returns with guest Carmen Vitali of FoxSports.com and their NFL coverage to talk the Bears trading the #1 overall pick, where will Aaron Rodgers end up and what was it like to cover Super Bowl 57 recently. Carmen has great insight on those things and the dynamics of her job with one of the top online sports entities in the U.S., if not the world.

Next, T.J. welcomes Big Ten Network hoops analyst Stephen Bardo to the pod. Stephen also just recently worked the NCAA tourney coverage on radio for Westwood One and saw Alabama and Houston up close from court side. Stephen also discusses what has happened to the Big Ten, as only Michigan State survived the first weekend of the Big Dance. Bardo also relates how calling a game for an analyst is a totally different role than doing it on TV.

Finally, TJ. recaps some CBB massive TV numbers for the Madness coverage on CBS and Turner's stations. Plus, the World Baseball Classic scored with drama early in the week, as Japan edged the USA for the title.

It's all on the "Last Word on Sports Media Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!

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Minor league hockey in a major league hockey city. It’s worked for Don Levin, owner of the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League. Since he formed the team in 1994 it’s won 5 titles! But Levin loves business claiming this was his dream as a six year old. By his early 20’s he owned a very popular head shop in Chicago that sold rolling papers. Yes, those kind of rolling papers.

Levin isn’t into pot but made a fortune combining that with a paper company now the largest in the world!

“We bought everything in the store expect rolling papers. I didn’t know what that was for," Levin says on the show.

But, with successes comes some losses such as buying a movie company. One of his pictures was “Angel” about a student by day and hooker by night. Let’s say it wasn’t no, Nate’s for an Academy Award and leave it at that. Levin lost money on that venture but he’s extremely proud of his hockey team catered for families by charging much lower prices than NHL teams.

Now in his 70’s, Levin is still very active especially in the suburbs where the Wolves play. He helps people adopt dogs and claims the Wolves have given away several thousand!

Tell me a story I don’t know is now aligned with Last Word on Sports Media Podcast and sponsored by Mr. Duct. (mrductcleaning.com)

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Minor league hockey in a major league hockey city. It’s worked for Don Levin, owner of the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League. Since he formed the team in 1994 it’s won 5 titles! But Levin loves business claiming this was his dream as a six year old. By his early 20’s he owned a very popular head shop in Chicago that sold rolling papers. Yes, those kind of rolling papers. Levin isn’t into pot but made a fortune combining that with a paper company now the largest in the world!

Now in his 70’s, Levin is still very active especially in the suburbs where the Wolves play. He helps people adopt dogs and claims the Wolves have given away several thousand!

Hear his stories coming Tuesday!

Tell me a story I don’t know is now aligned with Last Word on Sports Media Podcast and sponsored by Mr. Duct. (mrductcleaning.com)

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This week on Episode 40 of the Announcer Schedules Podcast, guest host T.J. Rives and Phil de Montmollin break down the announcing teams for March Madness, while also taking a dive into the NIT and the Women’s NCAA Tournament. 

Throughout the show, a multitude of announcers from past and present are mentioned with an array of topics discussed including:

 

*** March Madness announcer pairings by site

*** NBA talent shifting over to the NCAA Tournament 

*** Announcers who carried a big College Basketball workload in regular season  

*** A look back at conference tourneys, including Mike Gill and T.J. Rives at the MAAC Championship 

*** Dave Pasch and Bill Walton on the Pac-12 Championship 

*** Announcers assigned to NIT on ESPN 

*** Women’s NCAA Tournament announcers 

*** NBA steps aside for NCAA Tourney 

*** NHL on Saturday primetime 

*** World Baseball Classic announcers 

*** A coming out party in Taiwan 

*** Rest in Peace Pat McGrath, legendary talent statistician 

*** An all-time classic call to remember the magic of March Madness 

Hear it all on the "Announcer Schedules Podcast" as part of the" Last Word on Sports Media" podcast feed. And make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.! And find more at www.lastwordonsports.com/podcasts

 

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It's a special edition of the show this week, as host T.J. Rives re-lives being part of the 2008 SEC men's hoop tourney in Atlanta. That's known more for the tornado that skimmed off the Georgia Dome wreaking havoc with finishing the Alabama-Mississippi State game and displacing the rest of the tourney.

T.J. plays rarely heard highlights of his national call of the tornado and craziness with analyst Mark Wise and Dick Gabriel on Sirius XM Radio and the SEC's website. And then, he welcomes Mark, Dick and two other guests for a roundtable discussion on the events of that night in March, now 15 years ago.

Hear from the voice of Alabama Crimson Tide basketball Chris Stewart and veteran network play by play man Tim Brando, now with Fox Sports, who was on the regional TV call of Bama-Mississippi State game. They share their memories and reaction to what happened, the delay of almost one hour and more!

Its a rare opportunity to hear from the group of guys that were part of history that night/weekend in Atlanta.

T.J. also plays some audio of/promote Greg Gumbel of CBS being the guest on George Ofman's "Tell me a story I don't know" talking about being part of their March Madness coverage for over 30 years.

This edition concludes with some "Love it or Leave it?" on the TV ratings this weekend, baseball's new policies to try to speed up play and sports documentaries to see.

It's all on the "Last Word on Sports Media Podcast" and make sure to find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!! And, also hear us as part of lastwordonsports.com/podcats

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You can’t have selection Sunday without Greg Gumbel. He’s been doing it and hosting the NCAA Tournament for 25 years. Add another as March Madness is upon us again. In part two of this episode (the first aired last September) Gumbel discusses his prepared for the grueling first weekend of the tournament which includes 16 games on Thursday and Friday and 8 more on Saturday and Sunday. Top that off with Gumbel not being done with the first round until 1-1:30 in the morning and then he’s back by 7:30 for production meetings, voices, etc.

But Gumbel loves it claiming it’s a plum job and he’s never going to take for granted he’s been very fortunate And then there’s the crew: Clark Kellogg, Seth Davis, Kenny Smith and the one and only Charles Barkley!

Now 76, Gumbel also goes back in time when he replaced Brent Musburger as host of the NFL Today. He still loves what he does which includes play by play of the NFL. He isn’t considering retirement. Would you if you had these great jobs?

“Tell me a story I don’t know” is thrilled to be a partner with Last Word on Sports (@lastwrodonsports) and is proudly sponsored by Mr. Duct, a top Chicago area business providing comprehensive air duct cleaning and maintenance for residential and businesses. (mrductcleaning.com)

Hear it on the "Last Word On Sports Media" podcast feed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!

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You can’t have selection Sunday without Greg Gumbel. He’s been doing it and hosting the NCAA Tournament for 25 years. Add another as March Madness is upon us again. In part two of this episode (the first aired last September) Gumbel discusses his prepared for the grueling first weekend of the tournament which includes 16 games on Thursday and Friday and 8 more on Saturday and Sunday. Top that off with Gumbel not being done with the first round until 1-1:30 in the morning and then he’s back by 7:30 for production meetings, voices, etc.

But Gumbel loves it claiming it’s a plum job and he’s never going to take for granted he’s been very fortunate And then there’s the crew: Clark Kellogg, Seth Davis, Kenny Smith and the one and only Charles Barkley!

Hear his "March Madness" behind the scenes tales on Tuesday!

“Tell me a story I don’t know” is thrilled to be a partner with Last Word on Sports (@lastwrodonsports) and is proudly sponsored by Mr. Duct, a top Chicago area business providing comprehensive air duct cleaning and maintenance for residential and businesses. (mrductcleaning.com)

Hear it on the "Last Word On Sports Media" podcast feed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!

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This week on Episode 39 of the Announcer Schedules Podcast, Mike Gill and Phil de Montmollin dive into the announcer pairings for March Madness and this week's college basketball conference tournaments. Mike Breen and NBA happenings are also discussed plus Baseball and Hockey news.

Throughout the show, a multitude of announcers from past and present are mentioned with an array of topics discussed including:

 

*** TV announcer pairings for March Madness

*** Addition of Stan Van Gundy; Jay Wright in studio

*** Wake-Syracuse ending; retirement of Jim Boeheim 

*** Big South, SoCon, MAAC and other conference tourneys 

*** Congrats to voice of Richmond Spiders 

*** The Mike Breen Double Bang 

*** A 2011 Christmas Day double for Breen and Van Gundy

*** All-Women's NBA broadcast on ESPN

*** Rest in Peace Dave Wills of Tampa Bay Rays

*** World Baseball Classic 

*** NHL upcoming on national tv

*** A classic call from BIG EAST Tournament at MSG

Hear it all on the "Announcer Schedules Podcast" as part of the Last Word on Sports Media podcast feed. And make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!! And find us on lastwordonsports.com/podcasts

 

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Heavy hearts this week on the show, as prominent MLB/Tampa Bay Rays radio broadcaster Dave Wills died suddenly Sunday. Host T.J. Rives has thoughts and guests to remember the classy, talented broadcaster.

However, the show begins with T.J. talking Big East Tournament beginning in college hoops and more with Rob Stone of Fox Sports. Rob gives great insight on covering the event year after year at Madison Square Garden and why it's so iconic in March. Rob also speaks more to Fox's coverage this past November of the World Cup in Qatar and what that was like as a broadcaster and huge supporter of the sport?

Then, T.J. welcomes two guests: Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com and his Tampa Bay Rays themed "Under the Orange Roof" podcast, as well as, George Ofman, who hosts "Tell me a story I don't know" a great sports story telling podcast. The guys give their stories and remembrances of Dave Wills and what he did for and meant to them.

It's all part of the latest "Last Word On Sports Media Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!

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The shortest goaltender in NHL history was nicknamed “Shrimp.” The second smallest happened to be Darren Pang, now an excellent inside the glass analyst for both TNT and the St.Louis Blues Pang played only 2 seasons in the NHL, both with the Chicago Blackhawks and in his first one, finished second in rookie of the year voting!

While his career was so short, Pang’s leap into the world of broadcasting has had a large impact. His insight enhances the broadcasts along with his sense of humor. And he certainly knows about goaltending.

But Pang also has a keen understating of trades and with the NHL trade deadline passing last Friday, he offered his views on a Blackhawks icon wearing a new original six jersey. Patrick Kane was sent to the New York Rangers giving them an even more dynamic offense.

Pang wondered whether Kane had something left having had to play for a team rebuilding and trying to end up with the worst record in the league in order to have a better chance at getting Connor Bedard, a generational type of talent. Pang said after Kane scored 5 goals in two games, wow! But now Kane has to prove himself again, something Pang doesn’t have to do.

Tell Me A Story I Don't Know is part of the "Last Word on Sports Media" podcast feed and makes sure you are following/subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!

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The shortest goaltender in NHL history was nicknamed “Shrimp.” The second smallest happened to be Darren Pang, now an excellent inside the glass analyst for both TNT and the St.Louis Blues Pang played only 2 seasons in the NHL, both with the Chicago Blackhawks and in his first one, finished second in rookie of the year voting! While his career was so short, Pang’s leap into the world of broadcasting has had a large impact.

His insight enhances the broadcasts along with his sense of humor. And he certainly knows about goaltending. Hear more from Darren Pang coming Tuesday.

Tell Me A Story I Don't Know is part of the "Last Word on Sports Media" podcast feed and makes sure you are following/subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!

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This week on Episode 38 of the Announcer Schedules Podcast, Mike Gill and Phil de Montmollin break down the insane buzzer beaters from the past week in college hoops, while previewing the upcoming conference tournaments. Also, a look at the upcoming NBA schedule, including two games in one day for the number one ESPN/ABC crew.

Throughout the show, a multitude of announcers from past and present are mentioned with an array of topics discussed including:

 

*** Buzzer Beaters throughout college hoops

*** Rich Waltz and his call of ASU-Zona

*** Kevin Brown's call of Iowa-Michigan State

*** Bellarmine's buzzer beater

*** A look around announcer pairings for conference tourneys

*** National radio abundance of college hoops

*** More Bill Walton and Dave Pasch

*** Mike Breen master class for Celtics-76ers 

*** Upcoming NBA pairings 

*** Two games in one day for Breen, Van Gundy, Jackson & Salters

*** 3,000th game milestones for voices of Kings and Pacers 

*** Gary Gerould celebration 

*** NHL upcoming on national tv

*** MLB Spring Training

Hear it all on the "Announcer Schedules Podcast" as part of the Last Word on Sports Media podcast feed. Make sure that you subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!

 

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It's the first show of March, as host T.J. Rives returns to over some of the latest news in sports media and get great insight from guest, Bryan Curtis of The Ringer on the "Last Word On Sports Media" podcast!

The guys go over the alarming lack of audience for the recent NBA All-Star game and whether it's headed for the same fate as the NFL's Pro Bowl of no longer being a game? Also, what about the upcoming media rights battle between Warner/Discovery (Turner Sports) ESPN, NBC and maybe other suitors?

The guys also discuss the dismal opening ratings for the rogue LIV Golf Series on the CW Network, where the audience was slightly more than bad re-runs of 70s sitcoms. Is there hope that with the stars like Dustin Johnson, Cam Smith, Brooks Koepka and an aging Phil Mickelson that it will do any better?

Next, is the topic of college football conference expansion and musical chairs and are Florida State and Clemson disgruntled enough to cause the ACC and ESPN trouble or not? Or are their exit penalty fees simply too great for it to matter?

T.J. concludes the episode with some "Love it or Leave it?" on the NBA ratings, the dismal XFL numbers (in their third attempt to play Spring football) and more.

It's all part of the "Last Word On Sports Media" podcast and make sure to follow/subscribe to our channel on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!

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Where have you gone Joe….not DiMaggio but Maddon? Sacked as manager of the Angels last year, Maddon would like to manage again but a recent book critical of how upper management siphons decisions from managers may hinder him. “The Book of Joe” is selling well but didn’t earn the 69 year Maddon a job this year. He still wants to manage and even join a front office but also wants to make sure it’s the right team that agrees with his philosophies. 

Maddon guided the Tampa Rays to the World Series in 1998 but did one better taking the Chicago Cubs all the way. It was their first World Series title in 108 years. That earned him a unique place in history but 3 seasons later he was let go by Theo Epstien and that was a shock to Maddon who had great success during his 5 year tenure.

Meanwhile, Maddon took up golf and claimed to play almost every day last summer though he would rather be managing this spring, summer and fall. 

Tell me a story I don’t know is now delighted to partner with Last Word on Sports Media Podcast and is proudly sponsored by Mr.Duct. Find them on the web at Mr ductcleaning.com.

Make sure that you are following/subscribing to the "Last Word on Sports Media" podcast feed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!

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Where have you gone Joe….not DiMaggio but Maddon? Sacked as manager of the Angels last year, Maddon would like to manage again but a recent book critical of how upper management siphons decisions from managers may hinder him. “The Book of Joe” is selling well but didn’t earn the 69 year Maddon a job this year. He still wants to manage and even join a front office but also wants to make sure it’s the right team that agrees with his philosophies. 

Maddon had an amazing rise as an MLB manager and so many stories that he can tell along the way. Hear more Tuesday!

Tell me a story I don’t know is now delighted to partner with Last Word on Sports Media Podcast and is proudly sponsored by Mr.Duct. Find them on the web at Mr ductcleaning.com.

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This week on Episode 37 of the Announcer Schedules Podcast, Mike Gill and Phil de Montmollin pay tribute to Tim McCarver who called 24 World Series and worked for all four major networks. The podcast also dives into several MLB news items, a look back at the NBA All-Star Weekend, XFL’s innovative formula, and the anniversary of the 1980 Lake Placid “Miracle on Ice.”

Throughout the show, a multitude of announcers from past and present are mentioned with an array of topics discussed including:

 

*** Tim McCarver’s legacy

*** McCarver’s great calls

*** McCarver’s broadcast partners 

*** McCarver as a player

*** Four broadcasting giants lost in last 14 months

*** Brandon Gaudin to Braves

*** Retirement of DBacks radio voice 

*** Reported changes at Apple TV+

*** Phillies broadcasting news 

*** NBA All-Star review, upcoming NBA

*** NHL Stadium series 

*** College Hoops upcoming 

*** XFL innovations 

*** The Anniversary of “Do You Believe in Miracles”

***Gus Johnson documentary on FOX

It's all part of the latest "Announcer Schedules Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe to the Last Word on Sports Media feed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!! And, you can find us at LastWordOnSports.com/Podcasts  

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It's another packed edition of the show that covers the latest in sports media and personalities, including insightful and entertaining guests.

Host T.J. Rives is back to cover everything from the NBA's All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City to Tiger Woods being back on the famed Riviera Country Club Golf Course in LA and also on Golf Channel/CBS. to the top event in all of NASCAR- the Daytona 500 on Fox Sports this past Sunday.

T.J. is joined by Tyler Jones, who is co-host of "Let's Go Racing With David Starr!" a tremendous NASCAR themed podcast with Starr, who is a driver on the Xfinity series and competed last Saturday night in their Daytona race.

Tyler has more on that and also whether the win Sunday night by Rickey Stenhouse in the 500 is tainted by an anti-climatic finish? Tyler also gives insight on Fox Sports coverage of the event, as well.

Finally, T.J. plays "Love it or Leave it?" on whether the NBA All-Star game is headed for extinction like the Pro Bowl game for the NFL? Also, how big a boost did Tiger give to the PGA Tour event? And, now the rebel LIV Golf circuit takes center stage with it's debut this weekend in Mexico.

It's all part of the "Last Word on Sports Media Podcast" and make sure you are following/subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!

Also see all the great podcasts on LastWordOnSports.com/Podcast, as well!

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