Opening Up the SI Media Podcast Mailbag

Episode 587 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" begins with a brief "Traina Thoughts" segment with weekly contributor, Sal Licata, before ending with a long mailbag segment.Topics discussed during "Traina Thoughts" include some Christmas shopping stories, Sal's night at Alex Rodriguez's Christmas party, Sal getting lots of coverage for his interview with Stugotz and more.In the mailbag segment we tackle questions regarding the futures of Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Ian Eagle and J.J. Watt at CBS; who could replace Al Michaels on "Thursday Night Football"; favorite childhood sports memories; sports venue we'd most like to visit; favorite David Letterman guest; whether the NFL should eliminate the 4:05 p.m. game and go to all 4:25 p.m games; betting philosophies; Steve Kornacki; worst guest cancellation; should podcasts be called podcasts; Jimmy's NFL Sunday food situation; the status of the annual year-end podcast with Peter Schrager and Andrew Perloff and much, much more.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 587 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features an interview with the voice of "Monday Night Football," Joe Buck.Buck talks about ESPN's end-of-season schedule, which will include two playoff games, how he handles "storylines" while calling a game and how everyone at Disney is preparing for ABC/ESPN airing next year's Super Bowl.In addition, Buck also sheds light on the Troy Aikman-Caleb Williams dust up from earlier in the season, talks about being named the Ford C. Frick Award winner by the MLB Hall of Fame, whether he has any interest in hosting "Good Morning America" and much more.Following Buck, Sal Licata from SNY TV joins Jimmy for their weekly "Traina Thoughts" segment. This week's topics include WFAN parting ways with Sal, last Sunday's awesome slate of NFL games, the state of sports media, Christmas, "Nurse Jackie," Rob Reiner's career and more.Sponsored by: Cash App: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/8tqn8m9c #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement. Discounts and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.Underdog: Download the Underdog app and use code: SPORTSILLUSTRATEDAura Frames: (https://on.auraframes.com/SIMEDIA Code: SIMEDIA)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 586 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features an interview with WWE superstar, The Miz.The Miz, who has a long and storied history with John Cena, talks about Cena's final match, his retirement and whether he will really disappear from the WWE as he has claimed. Miz also reveals what we might not know about Cena away from the ring and pulls back the curtain on the famous storyline where Miz and his wife, Maryse, spoofed Cena and his then-girlfriend, Nikki Bella.In addition, The Miz also talks about his own career after being in the WWE for nearly 20 years, why he thinks he's always a heel no matter what, being a reality star and more.Lastly, Miz, a huge Cleveland Browns fan, weighs in on his team's season and Shedeur Sanders.Sponsored by: Underdog: Download the Underdog app and use code 'SPORTSILLUSTRATED' & Aura Frames (https://on.auraframes.com/SIMEDIA Promo Code SIMEDIAAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 585 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features an interview with the CBS NFL broadcast team of Ian Eagle and J.J. Watt.Watt talks about what it's been like going from the studio to the booth, what has been the most difficult thing about calling games and what it's been like calling so many Steelers games featuring his brother, T.J.Eagle and Watt each reveal what has surprised them the most about the other, while Eagle also shares his thoughts on breaking in a new partner and how that has gone for him over the years. In addition, Eagle shares a story about seeing Watt getting hangry at a restaurant.Other topics covered include Watt's long hair, why Watt has YouTubeTV, why he is a one-TV guy and much more.Following Eagle and Watt, Sal Licata from WFAN and SNY joins Jimmy for their weekly "Traina Thoughts" segment. This week's topics include: the Raiders' wild cover against the Broncos, the Justin Herbert-Laura Rutledge non-controversy controversy, college football playoff thoughts, Philip Rivers shocking return to the NFL, the biggest problem with Christmas tress and more.Sponsored by: Underdog: Download the Underdog app and use code 'SPORTSILLUSTRATED' & Aura Frames (https://on.auraframes.com/SIMEDIA Promo Code SIMEDIAAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 584 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features an interview with "College GameDay" host, Rece Davis.Davis reminisces about being at ESPN for 30 years, his early days on ESPN2 and his time as a "SportsCenter" anchor.In addition, Davis, who has now been the host of "GameDay" for 10 years, talks about what it was like to replace Chris Fowler, his favorite Lee Corso memory, whether he cares about "GameDay" ratings, why he stayed at ESPN instead of leaving for Fox, whether he thinks he can challenge his co-hosts and the most difficult thing about hosting "GameDay."Other topics discussed with Davis include the claim that ESPN has an SEC bias, calling Bill Belichick's first game at North Carolina and the aftermath, the Lane Kiffin saga, how he'd fix the college football playoff.Following Davis, Sal Licata from WFAN and SNY joins Jimmy for their weekly "Traina Thoughts" segment. This week, Sal gives an update on his WFAN status, the fellas talk about their Thanksgivings, look ahead to a monster NFL week, react to Spotify's list of the top 10 podcasts of 2025 and discuss some content creators.Sponsored by: Cash App: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/skc774hy #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement. Discounts and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 583 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features an interview with ESPN President, Burke Magnus.Magnus talks about fallout from the YouTubeTV-Disney carriage dispute, whether ESPN has a public relations problem and what the new deal with YouTubeTV means for cable companies.Burke also shares his desire to get more episodes of "Inside the NBA" on ESPN in the future and how the partnership with Turner Sports for "Inside the NBA" is going,Other topics discussed include the possibility of Scott Van Pelt moving into "Around the Horn's" old timeslot, Molly Qerin's departure from the network, the various Pat McAfee and Stephen A. Smith controversies, Paul Finebaum possibly leaving ESPN for politics, whether "Monday Night Football" doubleheaders are dead, how the new partnership with the WWE is going and much more.The podcast wraps up with the weekly "Traina Thoughts" segment featuring Sal Licata from WFAN and SNY in New York.This week, Jimmy gives a couple of shout-outs to listeners before the fellas discuss a couple of documentaries they watched, the cost of going to the movies and the Thanksgiving football games.Sponsored by: Cash App: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/skc774hy #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement. Discounts and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 582 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features an interview with Prime Video's Al Michaels, a conversation with The Athletic's Richard Deitsch and the weekly "Traina Thoughts" segment.Michaels, who is currently working on a year-to-year basis with Amazon, reveals that he would like to return next season to continue his broadcasting career. Michaels also discusses Prime's strong schedule this season, the work ethic of his partner, Kirk Herbstreit, having the NFL instruct him to offer an on-air correction during a recent game, working in gambling references, working on Christmas Day, his television career and what his Thanksgiving plate will look like.Following Michaels, Deitsch joins the podcast to talk about the latest sports media news. Topics discussed include how Amazon and NBC have done with their NBA coverage, the YouTubeTV-ESPN carriage dispute ending, Gus Johnson's decline, Fox's approach to sports broadcasts, the NFL schedule, the future of podcasts and much more.The podcast wraps up with the weekly "Traina Thoughts" segment featuring Sal Licata from WFAN and SNY in New York.This week's topics include Jimmy having a "Curb Your Enthusiasm" restaurant moment, Netflix's new Eddie Murphy documentary, why it's good that the Chiefs are .500, a viral Jason Alexander video and more.Sponsored by: Underdog: Download the Underdog app and use code 'SPORTSILLUSTRATED' & Rocket Money: RocketMoney.com/SIMEDIAAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 581 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features a conversation with "Good Morning Football's" Kyle Brandt.Brandt opens up the podcast venting about people sharing about their sports-viewing "set ups" and talks about what he goes through to watch games and explains why he likes his simple set up.Then the interview transitions to sports media talk with Brandt explaining what it's like to interview the top quarterbacks from around the NFL each week, revealing how he feels about seeing his former "Good Morning Football" colleague, Peter Schrager, on ESPN and sharing his thoughts on ESPN purchasing the NFL Network.Brandt also talks about having an MVP vote this season, whether he'd ever want to call games, working with Scott Van Pelt and why he loves the chaos of a wide-open NFL season.Other topics discussed with Brandt include Amazon Prime's documentary on John Candy, the best Leonardo DiCaprio movie and "The Ali G Show."Following Brandt, Sal Licata from WFAN and SNY in New York joins Jimmy for their weekly "Traina Thoughts" segment.This week's topics include the continuing YouTubeTV-Disney dispute, USC pulling off a truly bush league movie, Aaron Glenn starting fights with the New York media, show recommendations 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 580 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" is an all-Mailbag episode.The show starts off with Jimmy explaining why the podcast was delayed this week and why there isn't a main guest. The "Traina Thoughts" segment featuring Sal Licata from WFAN and SNY follows the intro. Topics covered include the YouTubeTV-ESPN carriage dispute, the passing of NFL broadcaster Bob Trumpy, the Dodgers beating the Blue Jays in Game 7 of the World Series, Sal's interview with actress Sydney Sweeney and more.Following "Traina Thoughts," Jimmy opens up the mailbag. This week, listeners had questions about Fox hiring Drew Brees to essentially replace Mark Sanchez on its No. 3 NFL crew, the performances of Joe Davis and John Smoltz throughout the Major League Baseball postseason, in-game manager interviews, Jimmy's process for writing his daily "Traina Thoughts" column, whether Jimmy hates a couple of New York sports media people, ranking the "Seinfeld" seasons and slicing a bagel.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 579 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features a conversation with The Ringer's Bryan Curtis.The host of "The Press Box" podcast weighs in on all the latest sports media news. Topics discussed include: ESPN's coverage of the Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups gambling scandals; "Inside the NBA's" debut on ESPN; NBC's use of Michael Jordan as a "special contributor"; Joe Davis's performance calling the World Series, Stephen A. Smith continuing to go after LeBron James; ESPN's massive win with SEC football; USC football's lack of national appeal, Scott Van Pelt possibly moving from midnight to 5 p.m. and much more.Following Curtis, Sal Licata from WFAN radio and SNY TV in New York joins Jimmy for their weekly "Traina Thoughts" segment. This week, they discuss Netflix's new documentary on the Montreal Expos, Jimmy beating Sal in a college football betting pool, this week's monster Chiefs-Bills game, a birthday party scam, Halloween and moreSponsored by: Underdog: Download the Underdog app and use code 'SPORTSILLUSTRATED'& Rocket Money: RocketMoney.com/SIMEDIAAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy