Category: ‘Podcast’

posted by on May 17, 2013 8:00 AM

Front & Center: Jason Bernstein on ESPN’s 11-year deal with the US Open

Serena Williams during the 2012 US Open. (Scott Clarke / ESPN Images)

Serena Williams during the 2012 US Open.
(Scott Clarke / ESPN Images)

Click HERE to listen or visit iTunes to download the podcast and be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the Front & Center podcast. Also, make sure to check out the ESPN Radio app, available for the iPad.

On Thursday, ESPN and the United States Tennis Association announced a landmark, 11-year agreement making the network the exclusive home of the US Open starting in 2015.

Jason Bernstein (ESPN)

Jason Bernstein (ESPN)

With this new deal adding about 30 hours of US Open television coverage to the 100 or so ESPN has aired since 2009 — including Labor Day weekend, the semifinals in prime time and both the women’s and men’s finals — and countless hours on ESPN3 covering the outer courts, ESPN will now air the championship in three of the four tennis majors. continue reading…

Filed in: Front & Center, Podcast, TennisOnESPN

posted by on May 2, 2013 1:01 PM

Front & Center: Justin Connolly

ESPN's Justin Connolly and the new SEC Network logo.

ESPN’s Justin Connolly and the new SEC Network logo.

Click HERE to listen or visit iTunes to download the podcast and be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the Front & Center podcast. Also, make sure to check out the ESPN Radio app, available for the iPad.

Editor’s note: Front Row Storified! the ESPN/SEC Network announcement earlier today.

Today, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and ESPN announced a 20-year agreement through 2034 to create and operate a multiplatform network, which will launch in August 2014. The new network and its accompanying digital platform will air SEC content 24/7 including more than 1,000 events in its first year. Justin Connolly, ESPN Senior Vice President of College Networks, joined the Front & Center podcast to discuss the announcement and what it entails.

Filed in: Announcements, Front & Center, Podcast

posted by on April 11, 2013 12:20 PM

Front & Center: Todd McShay

ESPN NFL Draft coverage team includes (L-R) Mel Kiper, Jr., Todd McShay, Trent Dilfer and Trey Wingo. (Allen Kee/ESPN Images)

ESPN NFL Draft coverage team includes (L-R) Mel Kiper, Jr., Todd McShay, Trent Dilfer and Trey Wingo.
(Allen Kee/ESPN Images)

Click HERE to listen or visit iTunes to download the podcast and be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the Front & Center podcast. Also, make sure to check out the ESPN Radio app, available for the iPad.

ESPN college football and NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay appears as a guest on the “Front & Center” podcast to discuss the 2013 NFL Draft. Providing insight on his preparation behind the scenes, McShay talks about the nearly year-long evaluation process, how he transitioned from scout to TV analyst and a possible post-Draft get-together at Fenway Park with fellow analyst Mel Kiper.

Note: This afternoon, ESPN announced its commentator team for the 2013 NFL Draft (April 25-27). McShay will be paired with host Trey Wingo, Trent Dilfer and Kiper on the main set at Radio City Music Hall on Days 2 and 3. He will also be part of draft coverage throughout Day 1 from the ESPN studios in Bristol, Conn.

ESPN NFL Draft Analyst Todd McShay reviews his notes during a recent draft. (ESPN Images)

ESPN college football and NFL Draft Analyst Todd McShay reviews his notes during a recent draft. (ESPN Images)

Filed in: Behind The Scenes, Front & Center, Podcast

posted by on April 10, 2013 4:55 PM

Front & Center: Manny Acta

ESPN's Manny Acta on the set of Baseball Tonight. (Joe Faraoni/ESPN Images)

ESPN’s Manny Acta on the set of Baseball Tonight.
(Joe Faraoni/ESPN Images)

Click HERE to listen or visit iTunes to download the podcast and be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the Front & Center podcast. Also, make sure to check out the ESPN Radio app, available for the iPad.

Just as a new season of Major League Baseball begins, Front Row caught up with former big league skipper Manny Acta, who joined the roster of Baseball Tonight and Baseball Esta Noche as an ESPN analyst earlier this spring.

Prior to joining ESPN, Acta served as manager of the Cleveland Indians for three seasons. He began his big league managerial career with the Washington Nationals in 2006. Then 37, Acta was the youngest active manager in Major League Baseball. -

Filed in: Front & Center, Podcast

posted by on March 19, 2013 2:05 PM

Front & Center: X Games Host Ramona Bruland

X Games host Ramona Bruland gives an update from Tignes.

X Games host Ramona Bruland gives an update from Tignes.

Click HERE to listen or visit iTunes to download the podcast and be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the Front & Center podcast. Also, make sure to check out the ESPN Radio app, available for the iPad.

No matter the sport, winning on the road is always a key to success. After making her debut as X Games host from her adopted hometown of Aspen, Colorado, in January, Ramona Bruland (@RamonaBruland) has a “road game” this week with X Games Tignes taking place tomorrow through Friday from France’s Northern Alps (See complete viewing schedule).

In the Front & Center podcast above, Bruland joins us from Paris to discuss, among other things, how to properly pronounce “Tignes,” what she learned from her X Games hosting debut, what fans should most look forward to this week and the amount of preparation that goes into an international X Games event. She even throws in some French for good measure.

Filed in: Behind The Scenes, Front & Center, Podcast

posted by on March 12, 2013 3:46 PM

Front & Center: Ernesto Jerez habla sobre el Clásico Mundial de Béisbol

Ernesto Jerez (Rodrigo Varela/ESPN Images)

Ernesto Jerez (Rodrigo Varela/ESPN Images)

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Ernesto Jerez es considerado por muchos aficionados hispanos como la voz insignia de las transmisiones de béisbol en español. Desde que se unió a ESPN en el 1995, Ernesto ha narrado cientos de partidos que incluyen las Grandes Ligas, las ligas invernales (República Dominicana, Puerto Rico, México y Venezuela), la Serie del Caribe y el Clásico Mundial de Béisbol; incluyendo la tercera edición que se está llevando a cabo.

En el podcast de Front & Center anexo, Ernesto nos habla sobre el Clásico, su experiencia cubriendo el béisbol por tantos años y la planificación y preparación que se lleva a cabo para comentar en cada partido. No nos pudimos resistir de también pedirle a Ernesto una demostración de su famoso grito de cuadrangular que se ha convertido en un símbolo de la pasión y la emoción del béisbol para nuestra audiencia hispana: No no no no no, díganle que no a esa pelota!

Nota del editor: El partido de esta noche entre Estados Unidos y Puerto Rico será transmitido a las 8 p.m. (EDT) en ESPN Deportes.

Filed in: Front & Center, Podcast

posted by on March 12, 2013 3:45 PM

Front & Center: Ernesto Jerez on the World Baseball Classic

Ernesto Jerez (Rodrigo Varela/ESPN Images)

Ernesto Jerez (Rodrigo Varela/ESPN Images)

Click HERE to listen or visit iTunes to download the podcast and be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the Front & Center podcast. Also, make sure to check out the ESPN Radio app, available for the iPad.

Ernesto Jerez is considered for many Hispanic fans the signature voice for Spanish-language baseball broadcasts. Since joining ESPN in 1995, Ernesto has called hundreds of games that include Major League Baseball, the winter leagues (Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Venezuela), the Caribbean World Series and the World Baseball Classic; including the third edition that is underway.

In the Front & Center podcast above, Ernesto discusses the WBC, his experience covering baseball for so many years, and the planning and preparation that goes behind calling each game. We couldn’t resist asking him for a demonstration of his famous home run call that has become a symbol of passion and emotion of baseball: “No no no no no, díganle que no a esa pelota!”

Editor’s Note:Tonight’s game featuring USA versus Puerto Rico will be air at 8 p.m. (EDT) on ESPN Deportes.

Filed in: Front & Center, Podcast

posted by on March 12, 2013 12:45 PM

Front & Center: Bill Polian

ESPN's Bill Polian (Joseph Faraoni/ESPN)

ESPN NFL analyst Bill Polian
(Joseph Faraoni/ESPN)

Click HERE to listen or visit iTunes to download the podcast and be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the Front & Center podcast. Also, make sure to check out the ESPN Radio app, available for the iPad.

ESPN analyst Bill Polian is no stranger to NFL free agency. The six-time National Football League Executive of the Year — who was honored by the Touchdown Club of New Orleans this weekend with the Pete Rozelle Award for his longtime contributions to the game — helped build multiple successful franchises during his 24 years as a general manager.

Having moved from the front office to the analyst ranks last March, Polian now serves as ESPN’s GM, analyzing the free agency process, player acquisitions, and more on television, radio and for ESPN Insider.

In anticipation of the start of free agency (today, 4 p.m. ET), the Front & Center podcast above offers a conversation with Polian, who discusses how his business philosophies changed though the years and the best free agent decision he ever made.

Polian and many other ESPN analysts and insiders will have all the latest free agency news throughout the day. (Fans can also stay updated by using ESPN.com’s Free Agent Tracker.)

The schedule:
Screen shot 2013-03-12 at 12.08.04 PM

Filed in: Front & Center, Podcast

posted by on February 26, 2013 1:00 PM

Front & Center: Analyst Andy Katz on his ESPNU show Katz Korner

ESPN's Andy Katz on the set of Katz Korner. (ESPN)

ESPN’s Andy Katz on the set of “Katz Korner.” (ESPN)

Click HERE to listen or visit iTunes to download the podcast and be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the Front & Center podcast. Also, make sure to check out the ESPN Radio app, available for the iPad.

The madness of March doesn’t really seem all that mad once you hear Senior ESPN.com Writer Andy Katz’s season-long college basketball schedule. From his daily writing for the site to his sideline reporting at games to his in-studio work, Katz goes pretty much non-stop from Midnight Madness (October) through One Shining Moment (April).

This year, Katz’s plate has overflowed with a brand new podcast (co-hosted by analyst Seth Greenberg), hosting duties for ESPNU’s The Experts (Tuesdays, 1 p.m. ET with re-air at 2:30 p.m., ESPNU) and his new show, Katz Korner (Tuesdays, 4:30 p.m., ESPNU).

In the Front & Center podcast above, Katz covers a range of topics from his goals for Katz Korner to his affection for Outside the Lines and his thoughts on whether college basketball needs “fixing,” as some have suggested.

Filed in: ESPN College Basketball, Front & Center, Podcast

posted by on February 13, 2013 3:51 PM

Front & Center: Kevin Negandhi

ESPN’s Kevin Negandhi. (Joe Faraoni/ESPN Images)

Click HERE to listen or visit iTunes to download the podcast and be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the Front & Center podcast. Also, make sure to check out the ESPN Radio app, available for the iPad.

ESPN SportsCenter anchor Kevin Negandhi will join ESPN’s studio coverage of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship, replacing seven-year host Trey Wingo. Negandhi, along with veteran analysts Kara Lawson and Carolyn Peck, will be in ESPN’s Bristol, Conn., studio for first- and second-round and regional action, as well as on-site in New Orleans for ESPN’s Final Four coverage.

Negandhi, Lawson and Peck will take to the air this Sunday as part of ESPN’s Play 4Kay initiative. On Monday, the trio will move from ESPN’s Bristol, Conn., studios to the XL Center in Hartford, Conn., site of No. 3 Baylor at No. 1 Connecticut (9 p.m. ET, ESPN2), part of Big Monday Presented by Bud Light.

In the Front & Center podcast above, Negandhi talks about his dream of being a SportsCenter anchor; the prospect of playing pick-up basketball with Peck and Lawson; ESPN’s role in the growth of women’s basketball and more.

Filed in: Front & Center, Podcast