Rich Eisen on New "SportsCenter" Podcast

Episode 616 of “SI Media With Jimmy Traina” features a conversation with NFL Network/ESPN host, Rich Eisen.Eisen discusses his new podcast, “The is SportsCenter: Stories From the Set.” He explains how the podcast came out, what it was like to interview Dan Patrick, Chris Berman, Chris Fowler and others and reveals what he learned from doing the series.Eisen also talks about ESPN purchasing the NFL Network, no longer doing play-by-play for NFL games, returning to ESPN, the Knicks championship run, interviewing Larry David the day after New York’s 29-point comeback against San Antonio, the status of the Yankees, LeBron James leaving the Lakers and much more.Following Eisen, Sal Licata from SNY TV and “The Sal Licata Show” joins Jimmy for their weekly “Traina Thoughts segment. This week, they discuss the strong reaction to last week’s Dunkin’ Donuts conversation, a wild week for the Mets featuring a managerial firing, a bracket of Mets embarassing moments and Mr. Mets dancing during a report on Carlos Mendoaz getting the ax.Other topics discussed include NBC choosing golf over MLB, Dianna Russini’s latest controversy, the 4th of July and more.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 615 of “SI Media With Jimmy Traina” features a conversation with The Athletic’s sports media reporter, Andrew Marchand.Topics discussed include Pat McAfee’s expected monster deal with ESPN; massive ratings increases for sports across the board; the significance of Fox buying Roku; who CBS should pair with Andrew Catalon on the NFL this season; CBS’s hiring of Russell Wilson and Kyle Long for the “NFL Today”; the breakup between Dan Le Batard and Stugotz; Linda Cohn retiring from ESPN, the lack of buzz surrounding Catilin Clark and much more.Following Marchand, Sal Licata from SNY TV and “The Sal Licata Show” joins Jimmy for their weekly “Traina Thoughts segment. This week, they discuss coming off the high of the Knicks’ postseason run, the World Cup, Jimmy’s horrible U.S. Open betting loss, Fanatics Fest, Larry David’s new show and Jimmy causing a massive stir on social media over a Dunkin’ Donuts post.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 614 of “SI Media With Jimmy Traina” features an interview with ABC/ESPN’s lead NBA play-by-play voice, Mike Breen.The voice of the Knicks talks about what it was like to call the closing seconds of New York’s title win in Game 5, where this NBA Finals ranks in his career as a broadcaster and where the OG Anunoby tip-in and 29-point comeback in Game 4 ranks in terms of games he’s called.In addition, Breen talks about working his first NBA Finals with Richard Jefferson and Tim Legler, what it was like to have “Inside the NBA” as the pregame, halftime and postgame show for the first time, whether he would’ve went with a triple “BANG!” if Jalen Brunson’s 3-pointer went it at the end of Game 4, Monica McNutt nailing her closing comments after Game 5 on the radio side, his nightmarish travel excursion from San Antonio to New York after Game 5 and much more.Following Breen, Sal Licata from SNY TV and “The Sal Licata Show” joins Jimmy for their weekly “Traina Thoughts segment. This week, Sal breaks down his trip to San Antonio for Game 5 of the NBA Finals and what it was like to watch the Knicks win a championship in person and more.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 613 of “SI Media With Jimmy Traina” features an interview with ESPN’s Kevin Clark.The host of “This Is Football” explains why he doesn’t have World Cup fever, why he’s outraged by Brenda Sorsby’s two-game suspension, and why it’s just not right for the Bears to play in Indiana instead of Chicago.In addition, Clark talks about the state of the sports media business and the phasing out of columnists, why Tom Brady is his dream guest for the podcast, people saying he looks like WWE’s Danhausen, and the out-of-control costs of attending sporting events.Following Clark, Sal Licata from SNY TV and “The Sal Licata Show” joins Jimmy for their weekly “Traina Thoughts segment. This week’s topics include: the NBA Finals and the behavior of Knicks fans, Sal’s interview with Bill Parcells, an outstanding new movie trailer, the art of making a music playlist and more.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 612 of “SI Media With Jimmy Traina” features an interview with “Sports Business Journal” sports media reporter Austin Karp.Karp talks about the NBA and ABC being set up for big ratings with the Spurs and Knicks in the Finals, the trio of Mike Breen, Richard Jefferson and Tim Legler calling their first NBA Finals together and the “Inside the NBA” crew of Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal working the NBA Finals pregame, halftime and postgame studio shows for the first time ever.In addition, Karp discusses Pat McAfee being ESPN’s top star, the buzz surrounding the World Cup, a big problem with college football’s playoff schedule, whether Fox could lose the World Series and/or the NFL, the current debacle at “60 Minutes" and much more.Following Karp, Sal Licata from SNY TV and “The Sal Licata Show” joins Jimmy for their weekly “Traina Thoughts segment. This week’s topics include: the NBA Finals, Jimmy’s interview with Marv Albert, Sal getting a message from a “Howard Stern Show” wack packer, a fun ranking game, Sal’s lack of Bon Jovi knowledge and more.Sponsored by: Underdog: Download the Underdog app and use code SPORTSILLUSTRATED' Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 611 of “SI Media With Jimmy Traina” is a Mailbag edition of the podcast.The show starts with Jimmy and Sal Licata from SNY TV and “The Sal Licata Show” discussing the Knicks’ playoff run, potential NBA Finals matchups and the betting odds for the NBA Finals. Next up is a conversation about Netflix’s new Martin Short documentary and the passing of Rob Base.After that, Jimmy reads and answers questions from listeners. Among the topics people asked about: Can the NYPD handle the MSG crowd if the Knicks win the NBA title; Which broadcast booth would we like to hear call one more game; What question do people want the media to ask Mike Vrabel; best and worst streaming services; Danhausen; book and tv show recommendations; movies that get multiple viewings; encores at concerts and much more.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 610 of ‘SI Media With Jimmy Traina’ features an interview with ‘Inside the NBA’s’ Charles Barkley.Barkley defends ‘Inside the NBA’s’ first season on ESPN, calls out the NBA for its playoff scheduling, reacts to his recent dust-up with Draymond Green, and expresses his excitement for ‘Inside the NBA’ to work the NBA Finals for the first time ever.In addition, Barkley weighs in on ESPN’s Shams Charania spoiling the MVP announcement, LeBron James’s future, the NCAA expanding to a field of 76 teams, patching things up with Michael Jordan, why he loves Sean McDonough, his plans for the offseason, and much more.”Following Barkley, Sal Licata, from SNY TV and “The Sal Licata Show,” joins Jimmy for their weekly “Traina Thoughts” segment. This week’s topics include the NBA playoffs, NFL schedule thoughts, the podcast’s opening jingle, Sal getting ratio’d on Twitter, Jimmy’s experience buying concert tickets, Auntie Anne’s prices and more.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 609 of “SI Media With Jimmy Traina” features an interview with NFL Vice President of Broadcast Planning, Mike North.North discusses all things 2026 NFL schedule. Topics include whether Sunday afternoons are getting hurt by adding so many standalone games, when the schedule actually gets finalized and when teams get the schedule, how flex scheduling will work for the 2026 season and why the NFL added a game on Thanksgiving Eve.In addition, North talks about going with the Chiefs in primetime for the first two weeks of the season, why the league decided to have the Patriots play the Seahawks in the season opener, Prime Video getting such a strong schedule, the possibility of an 18-game season and much more.Following North, Sal Licata, from SNY TV and “The Sal Licata Show,” joins Jimmy for their weekly “Traina Thoughts” segment. This week’s topics include Sal’s review of the Michael Jackson movie, Netflix’s “Roast of Kevin Hart,” the Knicks incredible playoff run, the devaluing of NFL Sunday Ticket, Bill Simmons’ interview with David Letterman, Stephen Colbert’s final days as host of the Late Show and much more.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 608 of “SI Media With Jimmy Traina” features segments with Richard Deitsch of “Sports Business Journal” and Mike Vaccaro of the “New York Post.”The podcast kicks off with Jimmy and Deitsch discussing the latest sports media news. Topics include ratings for the NFL draft, NBA playoffs and Kentucky Derby, the status of “Inside the NBA,” CBS having interest in Russell Wilson, whether ESPN should have interest in Steve Kerr, the future of Dianna Russini and much more.Following Deitsch, Vaccaro joins the podcast to discuss the legendary career of John Sterling. The columnist details his relationship with Sterling while explaining what made Sterling unique and analyzing Sterling’s massive popularity among Yankees fans.Following Vaccaro, Sal Licata, from SNY TV and “The Sal Licata Show,” joins Jimmy for their weekly “Traina Thoughts” segment. This week’s topics include Jimmy’s review of Netflix’s Hulk Hogan documentary, the Kentucky Derby, the Knicks’ playoff run, Sal’s issue with Mother’s Day, Ben Stiller choosing the Met Gala over the Sixers-Knicks playoff game and more.Underdog: Download the Underdog app and use code: SPORTSILLUSTRATEDAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 607 of “SI Media With Jimmy Traina” features a conversation with “Good Morning Football’s” Kyle Brandt.Brandt talks about working again with Peter Schrager at the NFL draft, what it’s been like since ESPN took over NFL Network, and fooling people into thinking he had a fight with WWE superstar Seth Rollins on set.In addition, Brandt talks about why he’s in favor of studio shows being on-site, whether he’d like to branch out into covering other sports, why it was so cool to work with Mel Kiper Jr., recently putting on a concert with his childhood friends, and his favorite “Curb Your Enthusiasm” moments.Following Brandt, Sal Licata from SNY TV and “The Sal Licata Show” joins Jimmy for their weekly “Traina Thoughts” segment. This week’s topics include Netflix’s Hulk Hogan documentary, Dianna Russini’s alleged playlist for Mike Vrabel, a shady practice by the Mets regarding tickets, a bagel store disaster, a Costco disaster, and much more.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy