Last Word On Sports Media Podcast

tj
  • 4.7 (127)
  • Sports
  • Updated Weekly

The Last Word On Sports Media Podcast is a sports media analysis and commentary show hosted by veteran broadcaster T.J. Rives. It explores the business, television production, legal affairs, personalities, and behind-the-scenes decision-making that shape the American sports media ecosystem. Broadcasters, public relations executives, and network producers who want to keep up with industry trends, ratings, and network movements along with fans who enjoy analyzing game calls, officiating decisions, camera coverage, broadcast rights, and network programming will enjoy this podcast featuring content beyond just the scores on the field. Coverage of major TV networks (ESPN, NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC) and streaming platforms (Amazon Prime, Netflix), including broadcast booth reviews, ratings breakdowns, and production quality.Off-Field & Media Controversies: Discussions on newsroom conflicts of interest, journalist ethics, legal injunctions, and off-field scandals affecting teams and media figures.Officiating & Rules Analysis: Expert breakdowns of replay decisions, stadium clock discrepancies, and officiating transparency.League & Business Affairs: Coverage of college football realignment, conference politics, player NIL/roster disputes, and financial crises like team or league bankruptcy filings.T.J. Rives regularly brings on high-profile guests—such as former team executives, public relations strategists, sports media critics, and veteran broadcasters—who provide firsthand insider perspective. Rather than focusing purely on standard game recaps, the show evaluates how stories are reported, who is telling them, and the media dynamics at play. The podcast quickly reacts to emerging, real-time storylines—ranging from viral officiating audio leaks and network power outages to legal disputes—offering sharp analysis while news is actively unfolding. Follow, Like and Comment on the Show: Apple Spotify Amazon Music

  1. 1d ago

    Netflix Helps Kickoff NFL + JJ Watt CBS Top Team Debut And Sarkisian Blows Off ESPN With Awful Announcing's Ken Fang

    The NFL season has gotten underway and there's plenty to discuss there and in college football, plus, the passing of an NHL analyst legend for the last four decades on ESPN, too. It's all covered on the newest "LWOS Media Podcast!" Host T.J. Rives welcomes Ken Fang of Awful Announcing to go over it all. They discuss: Netflix debuts with the NFL in Australia with the 49ers and the Rams. It was strange that the game was actually on Friday late morning there and the Rams were almost a mental "no show" while being beaten. How did the broadcast go, including the big stage for new game analyst Luke Kuechly on Netflix?  The boys also discuss JJ Watt bumping up to the CBS #1 teams with Jim Nantz for Minnesota vs. Green Bay. Is Watt going to shine in this huge role/opportunity? Plus, what other CBS analyst caught Ken's eye? And, the guys discuss the "Manning-cast" and it's growth on Monday Night Football. There is also more about the Texas Longhorns massive comeback from 20 points down to defeat Ohio State dramatically. And what about coach Steve Sarkisian's behavior towards ESPN and Holly Rowe for the post game interview? And, then young star QB Arch Manning went along with a joke about an internet meme of Sarkisian hitting Holly Rowe and reporters laughed about it. He's now apologized and she has accepted.  Then, they spend time on the passing of ESPN's Barry Melrose at 70 years of age from Parkinson's disease Melrose has been a mainstay on ESPN's NHL coverage going back to the mid-1990s. They guys reminisce about his personality, humor and how beloved he was by co-workers. Also, where's the line on "how late is too late" for the U.S. Open tennis as the men's match with Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz went on and on and on, until 3:#0 am Eastern last Wednesday early morning? It's all discussed on the newest "Last Word on Sports Media Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!  Follow, Like and Comment on the Show: Apple Spotify Amazon Music Come talk with TJ on X: @ItsTJRives

  2. Sep 9

    Controversy! Big Ten, Vrabel-Russini, LIV Golf. Jonathan Grella weighs in.

    In this episode of the Last Word On Sports Media Podcast, host TJ Rives breaks down the biggest storylines in college football, upcoming NFL Kickoff events, and major sports media and legal controversies. Rives is joined by Jonathan Grella (JAG Public Affairs), former Vice President of Communications for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and former LIV Golf executive. Diana Russini and Mike Vrabel scandal Undisclosed Relationship Conflict: The discussion covers the controversy surrounding the New England Patriots head coach, Mike Vrabel and former Athletic sports reporter, Dianna Russini.Vrabel's Intended Defense: Subsequent reporting highlighted that Vrabel originally wanted to issue a stronger public statement directly defending Russini’s journalistic ethics and reporting integrity before settling on a minimal response.The Athletic's Internal Investigation: The Athletic completed an extensive review of over 900 articles, videos, and podcast appearances by Russini, concluding her relationship with Vrabel was a clear violation of newsroom conflict-of-interest standards that should have been disclosed.No Material Bias in Reporting: The podcast hosts noted that despite the conflict of interest, the internal investigation found no evidence that Russini’s reporting was compromised, inaccurate, or intentionally slanted to favor Vrabel or his teams.Big Ten Officiating & Replay Controversy Michigan vs. Western Michigan Replay Drama: Analysis of the contentious finish where Western Michigan outplayed Michigan, leading to controversial Hail Mary plays and time management issues.Big Ten Command Center Audio Release: Discussion on the Big Ten releasing synchronized video and command center audio showing a digitized clock discrepancy versus the official stadium clock.Mike Pereira’s Expert Analysis: Features an excerpt from The Joel Klatt Show featuring former NFL VP of Officiating Mike Pereira, who emphasized that replay officials must rely on the transparent TV broadcast feed rather than hidden command center videoBroadcast Coverage Insights: Praise for Noah Eagle and Todd Blackledge on NBC for immediately referencing historical clock precedent like the 2013 Iron Bowl.SEC vs. LSU Legal & Conference Conflict LSU Roster & Court Injunction: Breakdown of Lane Kiffin and LSU's decision not to roster players returning from NFL training camps despite securing a favorable Louisiana state court ruling.SEC Nuclear Option: The Southeastern Conference holds an emergency meeting to address potentially expelling LSU over ongoing roster litigation.College Football Broadcast Breakdown & Off-Field Drama FSU vs. SMU Power Outage Delay: Details on the 1-hour and 45-minute delay during the Monday Night ACC game in Tallahassee, highlighting ESPN reporters Taylor Tannenbaum and Taylor McGregor for their on-air coverage.Coaching Headlines: Coverage of Deion Sanders and Colorado's opening victory over Georgia Tech, Greg Schiano at Rutgers, and the ongoing investigation surrounding Bill Belichick and Mike Lombardi at North Carolina.LIV Golf Bankruptcy Filing Breakdown of LIV Golf's bankruptcy filing, detailing itemized creditor lists, unpaid player contracts, and the long-term legal ramifications for professional golf.NFL Opening Week & International Expansion Super Bowl Rematch: Preview of the NFL season opener featuring the Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots on NBC.NFL Melbourne Game: Analysis of the Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers matchup in Melbourne, Australia, broadcasting globally on Netflix. Follow, Like and Comment on the Show: Apple Spotify Amazon Music Come talk with TJ on X: @ItsTJRives

  3. Sep 2

    Tony Romo Apologizes, College Football Season/Coverage Cranks Up And More With Nick Couzin! | LWOS Media Podcast

    We are back in a brand new month, as the NFL and College Football get ready to dominate the sports calendar and coverage. And, we are ready to discuss that and more with a guest on the "LWOS Media Podcast!" Host T.J. Rives returns with Nick Couzin of Roundtable Sports and his "Couzin's Conversations" shows on Youtube, etc.  The guys go over- Toiny Romo releases a statement basicially admitting painkilling drug and alchohol problems and wanting to return to his role on CBS, but the Network has no comment? What does this mean for his future and the CBS main coverage? Next, Nick talks about interviewing the great Kevin Harlan who calls NFL for CBS and Westwood One Monday Night Football, as well as the NBA and college hoops. They go over a portion of getting to talk with Harlan about his career, his calls, etc.!  The guys then discuss the start of the College Football season in full with over 50 games this weekend. Nick is covering the OK State Cowboys for Roundtable, but the guys have takes on the season and also the controversy with TCU trying to ban the Ft.Worth Star Telegram newspaper from covering their program. This after the outlet broke the story of a lockerrom fight that seriously injured one player, who had to go to urgent care and the football program and coach, Sonny Dykes, didn't like it.  There's great debate about it all, including where is the Big 12 conference stepping in to tell TCU they can't ban an outlet for doing its reporting job? There's also discussion on the storylines for the season like Indiana trying to repeat as champs, Lane Kiffin now playing the villian at LSU and more! And, Nick covers the PGA Tour and golf for Roundtable and has more on the Scottie Scheffler pehnomenon for TV audience and his winning? Is this the new "Tiger Effect" for audience? And, would the top LIV golfers like John Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau be great to help that, if re-instated? Hear it all on the newest "Last Word on Sports Media Podcast!" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!  Follow, Like and Comment on the Show: Apple Spotify Amazon Music Come talk with TJ on X: @ItsTJRives

  4. Aug 26

    TJ Bucs Radio Goodbye + Karl Ravech ESPN Goodbye and LIV Golf Goodbye, For Good? | LWOS Media Podcast

    We're back for the final time in August for the latest in sports media news, info and newsmakers and numerous "goodbyes" taking place for broadcasters, as part of the "LWOS Media Podcast!" Host T.J. Rives is ready to go over- The start of College Football with "Week Zero" coverage on the games in Ireland, L.A. Las Vegas and more! Is this the beginning of the end, again, for Bill Belichick at UNC? What about the other storylines and matchups this weekend and whom are calling the games on the networks, too? Next, T.J. talks about his own situation with leaving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers radio broadcast after 21 seasons and plays an excerpt from a Tampa Bay show/podcast that he appeared on for Tuesday to explain the "why" on his decision and most importantly, what's next? Then, it was a goodbye for ESPN's Karl Ravech after a 33 year run there, as he worked for the final time on Sunday Night Baseball from the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA. We play the audio and T.J. gives his thoughts. Also, the LIV Golf tour may be done for good and they signied off their final broadcast of the 2026 season and maybe ever, due to financial problems. We play and discuss that goodbye, too. And, has Netflix made mistakes and miscalculations of the interest from their audience for MLB programming, as the "Field of Dreams" game in the Iowa cornfield did very poorly in the audience numbers. What does this mean for the streaming services in the ongoing debate of them taking over for network TV? Hear it all on the "LWOS Media Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify,, etc.!  Follow, Like and Comment on the Show: Apple Spotify Amazon Music Come talk with TJ on X: @ItsTJRives

  5. Aug 21

    Jeanie Buss Family Feud Over Lakers Sale And End of LIV Golf This Weekend? | LWOS Media Podcast

    Host T.J. Rives welcomes back Jason Powers of the "Powers on Sports Podcast" on this week's show to go over some interesting sports media subjects. It's been a wild week for the NBA off the court, as the Lakers are being sold, AGAIN, this time 11 months later for another record $12.5 Billion or quick $2.5 Billion profit. But, there are lots of moving parts and controversy about it, including current managing partner Jeanie Buss fighting the sale and her own family to remain in her position  The guys weigh in on it all and the drama may nix the sale of the team and send things into even more chaos in L.A. And, then, is this truly the end for the LIV Golf ttour at their final event of this season in Indianapolis? Signs are pointing to the floundering rival league to the PGA Tour shutting down for good due to finincial problems. Jason and T.J. give their takes on survival, where did LIV go wrong and how many of their players would end up back on the PGA Tour? It's all part of the "LWOS Media Podcast" from this week and make sure for more great content to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.! Follow, Like and Comment on the Show: Apple Spotify Amazon Music Come talk with TJ on X: @ItsTJRives

  6. Aug 19

    Lakers Sale Circus + Clippers/NBA Salary Cap Controversy, CBS Done With Romo? And More With Jason Powers | LWOS Media Podcast

    We have much to go over from pro basketball to more on Tony Romo and CBS drama, plus the WNBA continues to self inflicted issues and what about college football preseason polls? We discuss it all on the latest "LWOS Media Podcast!" Host T.J. Rives welcomes back Jason Powers of the "Powers on Sports Podcast" with more on all of it. It's been a wild week for the NBA off the court, as the Lakers are being sold, AGAIN, this time 11 months later for another record $12.5 Billion or quick $2.5 Billion profit. But, there are lots of moving parts and controversy about it, including current managing partner Jeanie Buss fighting the sale and her own family to remain in her position. Also, the Clippers still have a mess with whether owner Steve Balmer and the front office circuvented the salary cap to keep star Kwahi Leonard under contract five years ago or not? ESPN reports that the team and owner won't be punished, but others say not so fast? Also, Leonard is supposedly traded back to the Toronto Raptors... or is he? The guys also go over CBS getting ready for the start of the NFL season without Tony Romo as lead analyst, for now, and maybe, for good. Also, there's plenty of talk on golf and CBS showing Scottie Scheffler's latest romp in a PGA Tour playoff win in Memphis. Plus, is this truly the end for the LIV Golf ttour at their final event in Indianapolis? And, there's discussion on Caitlin Clark and the WNBA and the uselessnes of college football preseason polls and what coaches might be on the "hot seat" from a prominent program already? Hear it all on the "LWOS Media Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.! Follow, Like and Comment on the Show: Apple Spotify Amazon Music Come talk with TJ on X: @ItsTJRives

  7. Aug 14

    Brett McMurphy on UNC/Belichick Already Over? And CFP Exapnsion Truths | LWOS Media Podcast

    Is North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick already finished before his second season starts? And, what's the truth on whether the College Football Playoff will expand to 16 or maybe even, 20 teams in the near future? We covered these two subjects with CFB's top insider Brett McMurphy on our latest "Last Word on Sports Media Podcast!"  Host T.J. Rives inquires of Brett- now that Mike Lombardi, the hand picked GM at Chapel Hill by Belichick, is in trouble and on leave, does this send another signal that things will unravel very quickly for the Tarheels, once their sason starts? Plus, is there really validity to the possible expansion of the College Football Playoff for next yaar? Brett has the inside sourcing on what is and is not being seriously discussed? Hear it all on the "LWOS Media Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe to this feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc,! Follow, Like and Comment on the Show: Apple Spotify Amazon Music Come talk with TJ on X: @ItsTJRives

    Brett McMurphy on UNC/Belichick Already Over? And CFP Exapnsion Truths | LWOS Media Podcast

  8. Aug 12

    College Football Gets Set With Brett McMurphy Of On3 Sports + Latest On Romo/CBS And More! | LWOS Media Podcast

    College Football is nearing and there are lots of interesting storylines, including from a media coverage standpoint, to go over with one of the prominent insiders in the sport. And, we'll do that, plus have other insight on the latest in sports media news, etc. on the "LWOS Media Podcast!" Host T.J. Rives returns and talks some NFL broadcasting with CBS making public their plans and brief comments on their top NFL announcing team situation with Tony Romo currently sidelined due to his driving under the influence charge in Wisconsin. Will Romo ever be back with their coverage? Also, what about the rest of their lineup. Also, there's more on 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan sharing more to the media on his car wreck last month and the media in the San Francisco market and beyond continues to stay on the story. Plus, T.J.  has thoughts, as a 35 year radio veteran, about the disintegrating business of radio and recent massive firings and staff reductions everywhere. Then, Brett McMurphy of "On3 Sports" is back on the pod to talk the start of the college football season looming. He and T.J. discuss conference media days for the SEC, ACC, Big XII and why Brett didn't make the Big Ten in Chicago. They also discuss the floundering North Carolina Football situation with Bill Belichick and his "righ hand man" Mike Lombardi now suspendied by the university. Plus, with their tough early schedule, will it all unravel in a matter a few weeks, once September starts? Next, Texas Tech has gotten really good in the Big XII but they are now a villian and what about an expanded College Football Playoff and how close is that to happening or not, soon? It's all part of the "LWOS Media Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscrbie on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!  Follow, Like and Comment on the Show: Apple Spotify Amazon Music Come talk with TJ on X: @ItsTJRives

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4.7
out of 5
127 Ratings

About

The Last Word On Sports Media Podcast is a sports media analysis and commentary show hosted by veteran broadcaster T.J. Rives. It explores the business, television production, legal affairs, personalities, and behind-the-scenes decision-making that shape the American sports media ecosystem. Broadcasters, public relations executives, and network producers who want to keep up with industry trends, ratings, and network movements along with fans who enjoy analyzing game calls, officiating decisions, camera coverage, broadcast rights, and network programming will enjoy this podcast featuring content beyond just the scores on the field. Coverage of major TV networks (ESPN, NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC) and streaming platforms (Amazon Prime, Netflix), including broadcast booth reviews, ratings breakdowns, and production quality.Off-Field & Media Controversies: Discussions on newsroom conflicts of interest, journalist ethics, legal injunctions, and off-field scandals affecting teams and media figures.Officiating & Rules Analysis: Expert breakdowns of replay decisions, stadium clock discrepancies, and officiating transparency.League & Business Affairs: Coverage of college football realignment, conference politics, player NIL/roster disputes, and financial crises like team or league bankruptcy filings.T.J. Rives regularly brings on high-profile guests—such as former team executives, public relations strategists, sports media critics, and veteran broadcasters—who provide firsthand insider perspective. Rather than focusing purely on standard game recaps, the show evaluates how stories are reported, who is telling them, and the media dynamics at play. The podcast quickly reacts to emerging, real-time storylines—ranging from viral officiating audio leaks and network power outages to legal disputes—offering sharp analysis while news is actively unfolding. Follow, Like and Comment on the Show: Apple Spotify Amazon Music

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