The Wormcast: How Sports Media Happens

This week on The Wormcast it's episode 25 and I welcome Drew Kaliski, producer of The NFL Today on CBS. We discuss planning the biggest day in television, the Super Bowl and everything behind the scenes at The NFL Today. Topics discussed: 1:45 Look back at SB 55 8:30 Top features in the Super Bowl pre-game coverage 14:05 James Brown's commentary on NFL owners and their lack of hiring of people of color for coahing and management positions 18:00 Amy Trask 21:00 Viacom/CBS brandinga: James Corden, Desus and Mero 24:10 "Nickified" Halftime highlights and Nick kids interviewing Tom Brady 26:30 Nate Burleson 29:30 Chemistry on the NFL Today set 33:05 What's next for NFL pre-game shows 38:20 NCAA Tournament plans 45:30 Drew's career path This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week on The Wormcast I welcome National Sports Broadcasting Hall of Famer, the legendary Fred Aldous. Fred has won an astounding 27 National Sports Emmys in a 35 year network career as the lead audio mixer at CBS, Turner and since 1994 FOX Sports. You've heard his work on Super Bowls, World Series, Daytona 500's, Olympics and a whole lot more. We take a deep dive into a fascinating side of sports television, one I beleive you'll enjoy. Topics discussed: 2:25 Thoughts on how CBS covered Super Bowl 55 from an audio persepctive 5:25 How do you plan and prepare for a Super Bowl with his audio team 18:40 Audio this NFL season with no fans in the stands 21:40 NFL 100 from Super Bowl 54 24:10 Fred's career beginnings working in music recording studios 33:45 Fred's big break at CBS 36:30 Starting up a Broadcast Audio program for students at the Conservatory of Arts and Sciences in Phoenix 40:45 Audio a priority in the early years of FOX Sports 46:40 NASCAR and "Crank It Up" 52:40 Favorite moments 56:15 Technology going forward 1:00:00 Being recognized by his peers in the National Sports Hall of Fame This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week on The Wormcast we get you ready for Super Bowl Sunday by looking back at some of the top Halftime Shows and stories working and attending many Super Bowls. My guest is Mike Del Tufo from the Rich Eisen Show. Mike is an audio mixer for studio shows and plays a DJ on Friday nights on the Twitter. A much different Wormcast this week, enjoy! Topics discussed: 1:30 How Mike ended up on air with the Rich Eisen Show 7:30 voting on Prime Time Emmys 11:50 Super Bowl Weeks on the Rich Eisen Show 20:00 Attending Super Bowl Halftime Rehearsals 25:10 The buildup to U2's Super Bowl Halftime show 2002 31:05 Mike's Top 5 SB Halftimes 36:14 Prince in 2007 39:40 U2 #1 for Mike 44:17 Some of my Super Bowl stories 47:45 The Rolling Stones 50:35 Whitney Houston's National Anthem at SB XXV 52:40 The Weeknd Links mentioned in this episode: https://twitter.com/MichaelDelTufo This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

A bonus episode of The Wormcast. We're heading towards Super Bowl week in Tampa and it's a huge challenge for the broadcasters. My guest is NFL Network Executive Producer, Mike Muriano. Topics discussed: 2:45 What has it been producing tv the last 11 months during COVID? 11:00 NFL Network's programming and production layout. 18:49 The popularity of Good Morning Football 22:40 Some stories of yore, early days at NFL Network. This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week it's episode 21 of The Wormcast. It's my pleasure to welcome Mark Followill the tv pxp voice of the Dallas Mavericks, FC Dallas in MLS, college football and international soccer on FOX Sports. Topics discussed: Leadoff: Final moments of the NFC Championship Game and clock management 8:00 Calling NBA games in an empty arena 12:30 Calling Mavs road games from the American Airlines Center in Dallas 18:40 Luka Doncic 26:40 Will th NBA establish an academy system similar to soccer? 29:00 NBA midseason cup tournament and other ideas 35:20 Working for Mark Cuban 36:30 How how he started with the Mavs 42:45 Can radio announcers please tell me the score and how much time is left? 45:30 Dallas sports media market - The Ticket KTCK sports radio 59:30 How Mark started with FC Dallas 1:08:00 Advice fot young broadcasters This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week it's episode 20 of The Wormcast: How Sports Media Happens. What is going on in esports? What is it as a media property and where is it going? E-sports production executive Drew Ohlmeyer joins me to discuss all things esports and conecting to the Gen Z audience. Topics discussed: An overview of the major publishers and influencers in esports and gaming The success stories and question marks in esports The complex and fragmented esports audience Why esports will not have the fate of televised poker? The connection of video games to Gen Z Where will video gaming be after the pandemic ends? When will there be a water cooler moment in esports? The influence his father Don Ohlmeyer an all-time sports televison and entertainment executive had on Drew growing up. Drew lamenting on his beloved NY Jets and NY Mets Enjoy! This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

We're back in 2021 with the lastest edition of the Wormcast. My guest this week is FOX Sports Studio Host, Rob Stone. We spend a lot of time on college football, MLS, the US National Soccer team and just a touch of wrestling at the end. Topics discussed: Big Noon Kickoff Influence of Urban Meyer on the show College football's future MLS - when will the 2021 season begin? The young American soccer stars and expectations in a congested 2021 calendar A touch of old school wrestling This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week on episode 18 of The Wormcast I get to interview a soccer hall of famer, Brad Friedel. Brad is one of the most decorated players in the history of soccer in the U.S. He's played for clubs on three continents including 18 seasons in England's Premier League where he's the answer to a trivia question. Most consecutive games played at 310. Topics discussed: How Brad jumped into the agent side of soccer after his time coaching the New England Revolution 4:30 How do soccer agents scout and recruit players? 9:30 How his experience being a player helps him on the agent side 13:50 Explaining the transfer system in soccer and how deals are made 17:45 FIFA's possible reforms to the agent business 19:15 MLS's growth and challenges with the player talent pool 23:00 Why finally the US Soccer system is producing talented young players? 28:00 Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic 30:40 Coaches that had a profound impact on Brad's career: Sigi Schmid, Bora Milutinovic, Graeme Souness, & Bruce Arena 36:50 2002 US World Cup team 43:25 Brad's most talented teams, teammates and opponents 44:45 Brad's time as a pundit in the UK and US 47:55 Why it did not work out as coach of the New England Revolution 51:50 On his hometown Cleveland Browns This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Who doesn't love sports photography? This week on The Wormcast I'm joined by the ultra talented Billie Weiss, the Sr. Manager of Photography for the Boston Red Sox. We chat about an area of sports media of great artistic and commercial value, but is frankly, pardon the pun, under exposed. A really fun conversation about one of the most creative parts of the sports media ecosystem. Enjoy! Topics discussed: 3:00 What's it like to have Fenway Park as your office space to shoot every day? 5:00 Organizing the photo team for a day at the ballpark 14:15 Keeping it fresh over an 162-game regular season 17:20 Building relationships with the players and coaches 20:45 off the field shoots 23:30 Big Papi 25:15 What is a good photo? 26:35 Shooting in and empty ballpark in 2020 29:50 The first time picking up a camera and Billie's "Eureka" moment 36:30 How photographers develop their own style 40:40 Shooting pictures on a smart phone 43:00 shooting tennis and other sporting events 46:30 Spring training Links mentioned in this episode: http://billieweiss.com https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN25_dn8fBmIK6rdtpxCLrg This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week on The Wormcast it's Episode 16 and my guest is soccer journalist, author, and podcaster Grant Wahl. Wahl has reported, written and voiced a new podcast series titled American Prodigy: The Freddy Adu Story. In 2003 Adu was a 13-year-old soccer prodigy and was considered America's best hope for their first global superstar, but it didn't work out that way. We discuss the new series, Wahl's work on another prodigy at the time LeBron James, part of his 20+ year career covering college basketball and soccer. Enjoy! Topics discussed: 2:30 The Freddy Adu Story 10:45 Covering two prodigies Adu and LeBron James 17:30 The 1991 US Women's National Team, the first Women's World Cup Winner 20:00 The freedom of the podcast episodic format. Grant's process on writing and voicing podcasts. 26:15 Grant's unique journalism beginnings at Princeton covering Bob Bradley and Pete Carill. 32:20 Internship at the Miami Herald, a newspaper with a legendary sports staff. 34:55 The greatest piece of advice given to Grant 36:25 Grant's early days at Sports Illustrated 40:15 Grant's most memorable stories at Sports Illustrated 48:30 MLS questions coming out of COVID 52:30 The exciting young US men's soccer players emerging on the international stage 55:20 What's going on with 2022 World Cup Qualifying? 58:00 The most talented member of his household, his wife, Dr. Celine Gounder part of the President-elect Biden's COVID-19 Advisory Board. This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week it's episode 15 of The Wormcast. My guest is international sports television executive Jonth Whitehead. Jonty has spent his career with SKY Sports in the UK, beIN Sports in Doha, and with FOX Sports in the US. In early November Jonty was named President of SPORT BUFF. The company creates a live social game around sports video content through an overlay on the broadcast. Topics discussed: How Jonty ended back at beIN Sports in Doha after time in the US 5:20 How beIN programmed at the beginning of the pandemic 9:45 How COVID highlighted the need for tv innovation 12:00 Piracy of international sports content and how beIN reacted to Saudi Arabia's beOutQ industrialized piracy. 16:30 Qatar as hosts for the World Cup 2022 19:00 An introduction to SPORT BUFF and how they are attempting to help engage younger sports viewers 28:30 Technology and the human element clashing in soccer and football. The referees and officials caught in the middle. 34:30 Jonty's road ion sports television 39:20 What Jonty learned from working in sports television in the US Links mentioned in this episode: http://sportbuff.com This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, former Cleveland Browns GM Michael Lombardi joins The Wormcast. Michael has uses his four decades of NFL experience and transformed it into a multi-plaform media career. Topics discussed: 2:00 The quality of play this season in the NFL 5:40 Evaluating college talent when decided to opt-out this season 6:55 The most important statistic in football 9:30 The best time to make a big play in football 11:10 Lessons learned from being the GM in Cleveland 13:30 State of coaching in football 17:00 Michael getting into the media with CBS 18:05 What would you ask a candidate interviewing for head coach? 20:50 Relationship with George Raveling 23:30 The Daily Coach e-newsletter 27:15 Being an analyst for VSIN, content company covering sports wagering 28:55 Michael is commissioner for a week 29:40 Michael's next book project Links mentioned in this episode: https://thedaily.coach http://theathletic.com http://vsin.com This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week on The Wormcast, Episode 13 I welcome Mark Young. Mark is a freelance writer, researcher and editorial consultant with all the major networks. You may not of heard about Mark, but you're familiar with the copy he's written on features and teases for the planet's biggest sporting events like the Olympics, World Cup, Super Bowls, The Masters and Wimbledon. Currently Mark is in London preparing for CBS Sports coverage of the UEFA Champions League. Topics discussed: Quarentine in London 3:45 Writing "Inside the NFL" for Showtime 6:45 The Masters 10:30 Fans missing from the stadiums and arenas 16:45 Winter Olympics stories 21:35 Champions League coverage on CBS 27:45 US missing out on 2018 World Cup, but bright future 29:50 2002 World Cup stories from South Korea 33:00 Stories of host nations fans in the Euros and World Cup 36:35 2014 World Cup Semifinal Brazil v Germany 40:30 2010 World Cup South Africa 43:00 Champions League Group Stage discussion 47:05 Project Big Picture will change be coming to the soccer structure in England? 55:00 The sophistated American soccer fan 59:25 How Mark ended up writing for sports television productions 1:06:45 A Game of Honor- Documentary on a year with Army/Navy football teams 1:11:00 2011 Women's World Cup US v Brazil Quarterfinal Enjoy! This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week it's Episode 12 of The Wormcast and my gues is sports media strategist and consultant Pat Crakes of Crakes Media. Pat spent 20 years at FOX Sports in their programming department and rose to SVP of Programming, Research & Content Strategy. Currently Pat advises investors on sports media properties around the world. Topics discussed: Have too many Tier 1 sports events over the last two months hurt television viewership and ratings? 5:00 The issues with sports on streaming platforms 9:00 Linear tv, pay tv and streamming and the economics behind it 15:00 Who will be the winners in the sports streamming wars 24:00 Expanded MLB Playoffs? 25:45 NFL Media deals when will they be made, what about the big digital players? 29:40 Will ABC get an NFL package? 30:55 The future of NFL Sunday Ticket 36:50 What are Pat's clients looking for in their investments 40:00 What are SPACs and why do they keep popping up for sports media investment? 42:55 The saturation of sports betting sites? Will there be consolidation? 46:25 Big prediction for the sports media world for the end of 2020, early 2021. Enjoy! Links mentioned in this episode: [email protected] Twitter handle @aquinas82nd This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week it's Epidode 11 of The Wormcast. My guest is Eric Saperstein, who was one of Golf Channel's first production employees when they launched in 1994. Eric transitioned into academia and now is the Education Director at Full Sail University in Orlando where he founded the Dan Patrick School of Sports Broadcasting. We bounce around talking televised golf, Tiger Woods, great interviewers, what should baseball do to get eyeballs on their games and how professional sports seasons are overlapping into one another and finally how Eric ended up in the world of academia including convincing Dan Patrick to start up a program at Full Sail. Enjoy! Topics discussed: Golf Channel's early days 6:45 The Tiger Woods effect on the Golf Channel 10:05 Eric's relationship with Scott Van Pelt and SVP's career evolution 13:15 Peter Kessler, Golf Channel's first on-air star personality 19:15 Great interviewers chat: Larry King, Howard Stern, Bob Costas 23:30 Golf Channel acquiring PGA Tour rights and "Big Break" 28:00 Eric producing "Live From" golf's majors 36:00 Discussion on golf attrating younger viewers through technology 44:00 What does baseball do to get more eyeballs on their broadcasts and how other pro sports are affected by the scheduling shifts due to COVID. 50:45 Eric's transition into the world of academia 56:00 How he convinced Dan Patrick to start up a sports broadcasting school within Full Sail U. Links mentioned in this episode: http://www.fullsail.edu This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, it's Episode 10 of The Wormcast. Ever noticed how much music is incorporated on your favorite games you watch at home or at a stadium? My guest is Matt Gutknecht of APM Music. Matt heads up the Sports Enterainment division and we discuss how music happens in brodacasts and live sporting events. We also do a deep dive into some of the most classic sports themes from The Olympics, Monday Night Football and many others. Topics discussed: What's APM's scope in the sports entertainment industry 3:45 101 intro on asynchroization and live performance music clearances 7:45 Music free for all on social media platforms. 10:00 How I discovered audio sweetening and sound design for my projects at FOX 14:30 The music of NFL Films 17:35 Sound design at stadiums and arenas in the COVID era 18:45 The story behind the Monday Night Football theme 22:15 The Olympics Theme, Wide World of Sports, The Chicago Bulls intro music 32:00 How Matt graviated towards the music business 35:00 Recording artists using mega sports events to promote their music 50:10 Hank Williams "All My Rowdy Friends" 40:00 Spingsteen at The Super Bowl 41:30 Whitney Houston's Star Spangled Banner @ Super Bowl 25 43:00 More sports themes. CBS's great catalogue including The Masters 45:45 FOX NFL Sunday theme 50:10 Hank Williams "All My Rowdy Friends" Enjoy! This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, it's Episode 9 of The Wormcast: How Sports Media Happens. My guest is Amy Rosenfeld of ESPN. Amy is VP of Production for soccer and the ACC Network. Amy has covered just about every sport under the sun as a freelancer for NESN producing Boston Bruins games, to producing Curling at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games for NBC, as well as The Great Outdoor Games at ESPN. Topics discussed: We start off with how ESPN produced the MLS is Back tournament in Orlando. From health and safety to jumbo virtual advertisement walls. 15:00 Protocols that will stick with sports production going forward 23:25 Sharing best practices with ESPN's NBA colleagues in the Disney Bubble. 31:00 How will ESPN produce MLS matches going forward and the "world feed" model might be the future of sports production in many of the major leagues in North America. 38:00 The genesis of ACC Network 43:00 College students getting real world sports tv production experience 52:00 Amy's career path with a story about David Letterman 56:30 ESPN's The Great Outdoor Games 59:00 Producing Curling at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games, which became a cult favorite. 1:01:30 Evolution of ESPN's World Cup coverage over the years 1:09:00 Women behind the scenes leading in sports production 1:15:00 People Management now more than ever it's important This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week on The Wormcast it's episode 8. I'm taking a deep dive into soccer television production with Shaw Brown. Shaw has been involved in all aspects of soccer production for over 25 years. He might be the only one who's worked in soccer production for ABC, ESPN, FOX, NBC and CBS. Brown has worked 13 Men's and Women's FIFA World Cups, all 25 seasons of MLS, and most recently was the studio producer for CBS Sports HQ's coverage of the UEFA Champions League and Europa League. Topics discussed: We begins with how CBS organized their UEFA presentations in a matter of weeks after obtaining the rights. 19:45 The Old Firm match Celtic v Rangers 22:30 How he got into soccer porduction 25:00 Working with the legendary Jim McKay 30:00 Strory of how I endup up working with Shaw in the 2010 World Cup for ABC/ESPN 32:00 more on the 2010 World Cup 37:00 What he learned working MLS and the Premier League at NBC 45:00 Some news? Will Tim Howard be NBC's new analyst on the Premier League coverage 46:10 Women involved calling MLS matches 51:00 MLS television coverage in the future Enjoy! This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week it's Episode 7 of The Wormcast I'm joined by the sports documentarian, Jonathan Hock of Hock Films. Jon has earned 11 National Sports EMMYs and a Peabody Award for his work at NFL Films and for ESPN's "30 for 30" series of films. In 2005 Hock's story on Sebastian Telfair's life in high school in Coney Island, Brooklyn called "Through the Fire" was the first independent doc ever acquired by ESPN. Since thJon has directed or produced seven films for "30 for 30" including "The Best That Never Was" about Marcus Dupree, "Unguarded" about Chris Herren and "Survive and Advance" about Jim Valvano. This is a graduate course in the art of filmmaking. Topics discussed: Kickoff with Jon's latest project "Benedict Men" the story of St. Benedict's High School basketball team for Quibi. 6:15 Producing content for a unique platform like Quibi 13:05 "Legacy" a project currently in production 15:30 Financing documentaries and how "Through the Fire" was made and distributed 24:30 Professional athletes involved in the content business 30:00 Philosophy of filmmaking 33:30 The story behing the 1998 World Series Film 38:00 NFL Films and the influence of Steve Sabol on his career 51:00 How you gain the trust of your subjects 1:04:20 "OJ: Made in America" 1:10:00 "Of Miracles and Men" 1:14:00 Production during COVID-19 1:17:30 The pitch, ho does it happen and what happens when you get the meeting This is a graduate course in the art of filmmaking. I beleive listeners will learn a great deal. Enjoy! Links mentioned in this episode: http://hockfilms.com This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week on The Wormcast, Paul Burmeister, the versitile host and play-by-play announcer for NBC Sports joins me for a candid conversation. Paul is in the middle of the Premier Lacrosse League's bubble in Utah as they play their Championship Series. He descibes what it's like calling the action during COVID. Other topics discussed: (11:30) Paul is the host of the Tour de France coverage, it will be different this year and he explains. (24:20) Paul gives an update on plans for the Tokyo Olympics and how 2021 will be a huge year for NBC Sports (27:05) Paul is the radio voice for Notre Dame football, one of the most prestigious radio assignments in sports, how did he land the job? (31:50) We do a deep dive into Notre Dame joining the ACC this season and playing a full conference schedule for the first time in school history. (40:20) Playing for the legendary Iowa football coach Hayden Fry (46:10) Responding to the July 30 independent report finding racial bias within the Hawkeye's program. (52:30) Looking back at his time at NFL Network and working with Mike Mayock This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week in Episode 5 of The Wormcast, I'm joined by Steve Herz, President of The Montag Group and author of a new book "Don't Take Yes For An Answer: Using Authority, Warmth and Energy to Get Exceptional Results. We discuss the the essentials of the book and how you can take the principles into your own career whether it's in front of the camera or behind the scenes. In fact it's good advice for anyone who wants to improve themselves in any business or leadership position. In the 2nd part we discuss how Steve ended up representing sportscasters and what he looks for in his clients. How COVID is challenging the represenation business and how it could affect compensation for on-air commentators. Lastly we wrap up in the curious case on why people would rather watch their favorite events or shows on a phone screen vs the super size tv screens in 4K-HDR. Enjoy! Links mentioned in this episode: http://stevenherz.com This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week on the Episode 4 of The Wormcast, sports television veteran Clark Pierce joins the show. Clark has had a stellar career in graphics innovation, website development and mobile technology for FOX Sports. Now with his own venture Emerging Media Technologies, Clark is a thought leader in the quickly evolving world of streaming media. We get into stories of how he got into the business at CBS What it was like being in the booth with Pat Summerall and John Madden. The influence of great directors and mentors from CBS and FOX had on his career path. We dive into the ever-changing sports tv business with cord cutting and streaming services. How media companies are positioning themselves with live sports. Where sports rights are going and the future of regional sports networks. Enjoy. This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

In Episode 3 of the Wormcast, I'm joined by Dominik Scholler, the Head of International Audio Visual Rights for the DFL. Dominik is the main point of contact for all international rights holders of the Bundesliga. The league was the first major international team sports competition to resume play after a shutdown due to COVID-19. The Bundesliga successfully completed 81 league fixtures and relegation playoffs with no tested cases among the players, coaching staffs and officials. Topics discussed: Dominik and I discuss the protocols put in place by the DFL following German goverment and health officials guidlines to resume play. How the league organized full televison production that promoted safety of the crew while not sacrificing the high quality standards the Bundesliga is known for. How the Bundesliga has charted a new path in the US with the FOX Sports deal in 2015 and looking ahead to a new relationship with ESPN starting with the new season in September. Spending a year studying abroad at the University of Oklahoma, how it affected his career path and gaining an appreciation of all things college football. Some great insight from Dominik. Enjoy the show while you exercise or on your drive. This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week on The Wormcast, 12-time National Sports Emmy Award winner John Ward discusses how the operations team is vital to the success of a successful sports content department at television networks. John has had a sensation career for over 25 years at FOX Sports, Directv, ATT, Deluxe and iNDEMAND. Topics discussed: How John found a career path on the operations side of the business His influences at FOX Sports Running NFL Europe operations out of London The backstory on the game changing NFL Red Zone channel on Directv Adapting to new professional challenges as Chief Technology Officer at iNDEMAND Sports televison production changing forever in this time of COVID Enjoy your exercise or drive with this week's episode. This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, on my debut show, one of America's most versatile sportscasters, Kenny Albert, joins me. We cover the NHL as they plan to restart their season after the pandemic. The wild and wacky early days of the NFL of FOX and growing up in one of the most famous sportscasting families. Sage advice for young broadcasters who want to get involved in the industry and Kenny talks about his early days calling games in high school and NYU. This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This is a preview of The Wormcast: How Sports Media Happens. The host, Jason Wormser, is a multi National Sports EMMY Award winner and 30-year veteran of the sports media world. His new podcast which takes a deep dive into the personalities in front of the camera and behind the scenes in sports broadcasting from around the globe. We'll here stories from on-air talent, executives, producers, directors, technical team and the large group of professionals that support the operations. If you've always been intrigued on how your favorite sport makes your screen this is the podcast for you. Younger folks who are interested in the business, there is some sage advice of how to make your entry way during these challenging times. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonuwormser/ https://twitter.com/worm_66 https://the-wormcast-how-sports-media-happens.zencast.website/ This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm