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Awful Announcing

Former ESPN reporter Michele Steele joins Big Ten Network as contributor

Former ESPN anchor Michele Steele is returning to sports media. After 14 years at the Worldwide Leader, Steele departed the network last summer. She served as both a reporter out of ESPN’s Chicago bureau and as a SportsCenter anchor in Bristol. Now, she’s joining up with Big Ten Network as a contributor, according to a report Read more... The post Former ESPN reporter Michele Steele joins Big Ten Network as contributor appeared first on Awful Announcing.

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NESN’s new scorebug is quite big

NESN has unveiled a new scorebug for its Red Sox coverage, and its size is already receiving mixed reviews. There is no question that NESN needed to update its graphics. The last time it even tweaked them was in 2020, and the network has used the same design structure since 2017. The newest NESN scorebug Read more... The post NESN’s new scorebug is quite big appeared first on Awful Announcing.

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F1 reporter responds after Max Verstappen ejected him from press conference

Prior to a scheduled press conference in the lead up to the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend, star Formula One driver Max Verstappen ejected The Guardian reporter Giles Richard from the press room over a question Richard had asked the driver over three months ago, at the end of the previous F1 season. Richard’s question, Read more... The post F1 reporter responds after Max Verstappen ejected him from press conference appeared first on Awful Announcing.

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Netflix raises prices after debut MLB broadcast

If you want to watch the next sports event on Netflix, it’s going to cost you even more. Netflix announced today that it was raising the prices for its Standard with Ads, Standard, and Premium tiers. The base Standard with Ads plan will now cost $8.99/month, up a dollar. Standard is now $19.99/month, up $2, Read more... The post Netflix raises prices after debut MLB broadcast appeared first on Awful Announcing.

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Chris Berman earns Disney Legend distinction

Chris Berman isn’t quite ready to pull the curtain down on his ESPN career that has lasted as long as the network has been in existence. But he will get what amounts to a lifetime achievement award from the parent company of the WorldWide Leader in Sports. It was announced that the Swami would be Read more... The post Chris Berman earns Disney Legend distinction appeared first on Awful Announcing.

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Robert Griffin III named to USA national flag football team

On Saturday, following the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, Fox college football analyst and former Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III announced that he would be “going for gold” with the USA flag football National Team in 2028 for the LA Summer Games. “Proud and Honored to announce that I will be going for Gold in Read more... The post Robert Griffin III named to USA national flag football team appeared first on Awful Announcing.

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NC State understands why fans feel lied to as Will Wade departs for LSU

Will Wade is returning to Baton Rouge after one year in Raleigh. The controversial head coach was fired from his job as head coach of the LSU Tigers in 2022 for recruiting violations tied to the FBI wiretap probe into corruption throughout college basketball and illicit payments to players. Wade quickly landed on his feet Read more... The post NC State understands why fans feel lied to as Will Wade departs for LSU appeared first on Awful Announcing.

Read moreNC State understands why fans feel lied to as Will Wade departs for LSU

Indiana coach Curt Cignetti is already in midseason form

Who’s got it better right now than Indiana Hoosiers football coach Curt Cignetti? The 64 year-old head coach now has the greatest called shot in sports this side of Babe Ruth after improbably leading Indiana to their first national championship in football after being a Big Ten doormat for decades. But because of his ability Read more... The post Indiana coach Curt Cignetti is already in midseason form appeared first on Awful Announcing.

Read moreIndiana coach Curt Cignetti is already in midseason form

Dan Le Batard wants more comedians on baseball games in spite of Netflix Bert Kreischer criticism

The MLB debut on Netflix was met with plenty of criticism and critiques from viewers who tuned in for the Opening Night broadcast between the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants. And the poster child for the streamer’s efforts was famed shirtless comedian Bert Kreischer. The 53-year old has risen to stardom as a Read more... The post Dan Le Batard wants more comedians on baseball games in spite of Netflix Bert Kreischer criticism appeared first on Awful Announcing.

Read moreDan Le Batard wants more comedians on baseball games in spite of Netflix Bert Kreischer criticism

Tom Brady explored coming out of retirement as owner-player

Tom Brady, who, in addition to his duties in FOX’s lead broadcast booth, is a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, returned to the football field in a competitive capacity for the first time since his retirement in 2023 to participate in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, citing Read more... The post Tom Brady explored coming out of retirement as owner-player appeared first on Awful Announcing.

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Dan Patrick shares concerns about MLB Netflix debut: ‘It was just too much Netflix’

Netflix attempted to make a huge splash with its Major League Baseball debut on Wednesday night. And so far, the feedback for the streaming giant has been that it may have been bigger than it should have been. Netflix has the rights to Opening Night, the Home Run Derby, and the Field of Dreams game. Read more... The post Dan Patrick shares concerns about MLB Netflix debut: ‘It was just too much Netflix’ appeared first on Awful Announcing.

Read moreDan Patrick shares concerns about MLB Netflix debut: ‘It was just too much Netflix’

Mets singer botches national anthem on Opening Day

After Opening Night on Netflix on Wednesday, the rest of Major League Baseball celebrated one of the great traditions in sports on Thursday with Opening Day. However, the festivities got off to an unfortunate start in New York as singer Christopher Jackson forgot the words to the national anthem before the New York Mets hosted Read more... The post Mets singer botches national anthem on Opening Day appeared first on Awful Announcing.

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Mark Sanchez criminal trial delayed for third time

The wait for the criminal trial of former Fox Sports NFL analyst Mark Sanchez rolls on. The trial was originally being scheduled for December 2025. There, Sanchez would face his felony battery charge and multiple misdemeanors from an encounter with a delivery driver in Indianapolis. Sanchez allegedly attacked the driver in October 2025 while in Read more... The post Mark Sanchez criminal trial delayed for third time appeared first on Awful Announcing.

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Tom Verducci boldly predicts Pirates will make postseason in 2026

Tom Verducci is going out on a limb, or, one might say, a plank. The veteran sportswriter, who is a regular contributor to Fox’s MLB coverage and MLB Network, boldly stated on the latter’s predictions show that the Pittsburgh Pirates — who haven’t sniffed October baseball in nearly a decade — would make the postseason Read more... The post Tom Verducci boldly predicts Pirates will make postseason in 2026 appeared first on Awful Announcing.

Read moreTom Verducci boldly predicts Pirates will make postseason in 2026

MLB’s return to NBC will open with a Bob Costas monologue

Baseball is back on NBC, and it’s enough to make anyone nostalgic, including the great Bob Costas, who spent the better part of two decades as the sport’s voice on the network and became one of its great storytellers with his iconic pregame monologues. Awful Announcing has learned that NBC will open today’s Pirates-Mets game Read more... The post MLB’s return to NBC will open with a Bob Costas monologue appeared first on Awful Announcing.

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Daniel Jeremiah hasn’t found anyone who agrees with Dan Orlovsky on Ty Simpson

The central claim in Dan Orlovsky’s case for Ty Simpson over Fernando Mendoza has always been that it isn’t just him. That multiple NFL teams share his view that the Alabama quarterback is the better prospect. That he isn’t simply an outlier. On Wednesday, Daniel Jeremiah said that it hasn’t been his experience. NFL Network’s Read more... The post Daniel Jeremiah hasn’t found anyone who agrees with Dan Orlovsky on Ty Simpson appeared first on Awful Announcing.

Read moreDaniel Jeremiah hasn’t found anyone who agrees with Dan Orlovsky on Ty Simpson

Fran Frascilla slams anonymous ACC coach dissing Hubert Davis an ‘ass-hat’

After another disappointing end to a season, North Carolina fired head basketball coach Hubert Davis this week. When he succeeded Roy Williams as head coach with the Tar Heels, his future looked very bright. Davis led UNC to the championship game in his first season, unfortunately losing a double-digit lead to Kansas in the final. Read more... The post Fran Frascilla slams anonymous ACC coach dissing Hubert Davis an ‘ass-hat’ appeared first on Awful Announcing.

Read moreFran Frascilla slams anonymous ACC coach dissing Hubert Davis an ‘ass-hat’

NBC Sports Boston makes clever case for Jaylen Brown MVP

Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics is making a late charge to win the NBA MVP award. And he made his biggest statement yet on Wednesday night. With Jayson Tatum slowly getting up to speed, Brown is still the top option on the Celtics. He led Boston to a victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder Read more... The post NBC Sports Boston makes clever case for Jaylen Brown MVP appeared first on Awful Announcing.

Read moreNBC Sports Boston makes clever case for Jaylen Brown MVP

ESPN to air Pat Summitt celebration special this Sunday

Before Pat Summitt took over at Tennessee in 1974 — at just 22, two years after Title IX and before the NCAA even sponsored a women’s tournament — the sport looked nothing like it does now. By the time she stepped away in 2012, she hadn’t missed the tournament once, never posted a losing season, Read more... The post ESPN to air Pat Summitt celebration special this Sunday appeared first on Awful Announcing.

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What the data actually says about MLB and NBA popularity

It is a popular trope on social media these days to argue that Major League Baseball has surpassed the NBA in popularity. But does the actual data agree? The claims come from all corners of the internet. Some people were simply impressed with the success of the World Baseball Classic. Some are baseball fans who Read more... The post What the data actually says about MLB and NBA popularity appeared first on Awful Announcing.

Read moreWhat the data actually says about MLB and NBA popularity

NCAA women’s tournament sees impressive viewership numbers

It might be fair to argue that college basketball has never been hotter with both men’s and women’s NCAA Tournament action seeing big ratings numbers. On the men’s side, CBS and TNT Sports’ coverage of the 2026 NCAA Tournament has set high viewership marks one round after another. Through the first weekend, the tournament is Read more... The post NCAA women’s tournament sees impressive viewership numbers appeared first on Awful Announcing.

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Oscar De La Hoya regrets selling Ring Magazine to Turki Alalshikh: ‘I don’t think there’s any integrity there’

The legacy of Ring Magazine has taken a polarizing place in the current boxing landscape as the longtime media institution has come under the control of Zuffa Boxing promoter Turki Alalshikh. And boxing icon and former Ring Magazine owner Oscar De La Hoya has regrets over his sale of the magazine. The publishing of the Read more... The post Oscar De La Hoya regrets selling Ring Magazine to Turki Alalshikh: ‘I don’t think there’s any integrity there’ appeared first on Awful Announcing.

Read moreOscar De La Hoya regrets selling Ring Magazine to Turki Alalshikh: ‘I don’t think there’s any integrity there’

Partial TV and streaming viewing picks for March 26, 2026: How to watch NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

All Times Eastern Australian Rules Football Round 3 Collingwood Magpies vs. Greater Western Sydney Giants — Fox Soccer Plus, 4:26 a.m. (Friday) College Baseball Miami (FL) at Clemson — ACC Network, 7 p.m. Oklahoma at Texas — SEC Network, 8 p.m. College Basketball Men’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Regional Semifinals West Region, SAP Center, San Read more... The post Partial TV and streaming viewing picks for March 26, 2026: How to watch NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appeared first on Awful Announcing.

Read morePartial TV and streaming viewing picks for March 26, 2026: How to watch NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

AA Podcast: Bill Raftery on March Madness, onions, not slowing down, and more

On this week’s episode of the Awful Announcing Podcast, host Brandon Contes interviews college basketball broadcasting legend Bill Raftery. Brandon and Bill discuss a wide range of topics including working March Madness, why Bill was unable to trademark “onions,” Bill still loving his job and not slowing down at 82 (or is he 82), and more. Read more... The post AA Podcast: Bill Raftery on March Madness, onions, not slowing down, and more appeared first on Awful Announcing.

Read moreAA Podcast: Bill Raftery on March Madness, onions, not slowing down, and more