BLOGS WITH BALLS » Podcast http://blogswithballs.com The Future of Sports Media Mon, 17 Oct 2011 18:38:06 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 Blogs With Balls Radio, Episode 34 http://blogswithballs.com/2011/10/blogs-with-balls-radio-episode-34/ http://blogswithballs.com/2011/10/blogs-with-balls-radio-episode-34/#comments Mon, 17 Oct 2011 18:34:31 +0000 hhr http://blogswithballs.com/?p=3682

Kevin Owens knows a thing or two about playing basketball overseas.  The 7-footer (who recently hung up the hightops) caught up with fellow Euro-vet Brandon Jennings. Jennings recently partnered with MISSION Athletecare™ in promoting their groundbreaking and game-changing Court Grip™ technology, “a proprietary, patent-pending formula that is scientifically engineered to enhance traction and combat the negative effects of dusty, worn-out courts.”  Fitting since such courts seem to be the only place these days locked out NBAers can catch a pickup  game.

Blogs With Balls Radio, Episode 34 by Blogs with Balls
  

]]> http://blogswithballs.com/2011/10/blogs-with-balls-radio-episode-34/feed/ 0 Blogs With Balls Radio, Episode 31 http://blogswithballs.com/2011/03/blogs-with-balls-radio-episode-31/ http://blogswithballs.com/2011/03/blogs-with-balls-radio-episode-31/#comments Wed, 30 Mar 2011 20:41:46 +0000 hhr http://blogswithballs.com/?p=3192

This week we interview Bogs With Balls 3 panelist and author of the recently-released The Extra 2%.

Blogs with Balls Show – Episode 31 by Blogs with Balls

Jonah, with the distinction of being both a baseball and financial journalist, was the perfect choice to pen a book that looked at how three baseball neophytes (two owners and their GM) took the lessons and strategies they learned on Wall Street to turn the Tampa Bay [Devil] Rays from a perennial cellar- dweller to a legitimate contender in the powerhouse AL East.

Playing a central roll in the story of the Rays is former owner Vince Naimoli, whom Keri paints as squandering all goodwill the had in the St. Pete’s community upon the team’s inaugural season due to his penny-pinching, ego-maniacal ways.  He dug a hole out of which his successors are still struggling to climb.

In addition to several of those personalities (new and old management) and their quirks and approaches, Jonah talks about the process of researching and writing a book on a team that now prides itself on secrecy.

We also talk about some of the baseball philosophies employed by those individuals such as the Ray’s practice of “arbitrage,” which – in a nutshell – is signing young players for long term, inexpensive deals with clauses giving the team a ton of leverage and value.

Jonah was able to find a Michael Lewis-esq balance in packaging a business book into a baseball book without drifting too far in either direction so that it would off-put partisans, and may even will leave you rooting for the Rays.

This week’s links of interest:

]]> http://blogswithballs.com/2011/03/blogs-with-balls-radio-episode-31/feed/ 0 Blogs With Balls Radio, Episode 30 http://blogswithballs.com/2010/12/blogs-with-balls-radio-episode-30/ http://blogswithballs.com/2010/12/blogs-with-balls-radio-episode-30/#comments Thu, 30 Dec 2010 19:54:01 +0000 hhr http://blogswithballs.com/?p=2760

We talk this week with Washington Redskins’ Director of Responsibility (real title), and former 4-time Pro Bowler Ken Harvey.  In his Director role with the team, Harvey is working with Diageo’s anti-underage drinking campaign, We Don’t Serve Teens.

Blogs with Balls Show – Episode 30 by Blogs with Balls

Photo by Karen Ballard/Redux 1/19/10 via Hogs Heaven

We talk a bit about his involvement with the program and other philanthropic endeavors, including space exploration and education.

I commend Ken for his work with the Washington Post’s video segment that he hosted, Word on the Street with Ken Harvey, noting it was very blog-ish and perhaps a bit ahead of it’s time event though it wasn’t that long ago.

From there we hit on the changing role of media in sports. Ken talks about the lack of a filter and pros and cons of living in a world where “Any one at any time has a chance to create media and be a part of media;” and players having direct, instant access to fans, “Not everything that could be said needs to be said.”

Assessing Mike Shanahan’s handling of the team in his first year comes down to “Do you want to try to win right now or do you want to build for the future?”  By asserting his authority, Harvey guesses the coach is pushing to the former.  He appreciates, however, the sense of competition Shanahan is building.  He noted that “people were becoming heroes and superstars without ever producing anything.”  Grade wise for Shanahan, as a plan moving forward B/B+; the way he handled McNabb C/C+.

Harvey addresses the current culture and environment as brought about by the Daniel Snyder regime, “Winning changes everything.  You have a whole generation coming up who hasn’t experienced the Super Bowls.”

]]> http://blogswithballs.com/2010/12/blogs-with-balls-radio-episode-30/feed/ 1 Blogs With Balls Radio, Episode 29 http://blogswithballs.com/2010/12/blogs-with-balls-radio-episode-29/ http://blogswithballs.com/2010/12/blogs-with-balls-radio-episode-29/#comments Fri, 10 Dec 2010 21:23:51 +0000 hhr http://blogswithballs.com/?p=2725

Another abbreviated show this week, but a topical one as HuggingHaroldReynolds.com’s College Football guru Wes the Cynic chats with NCAA football Hall of Famer, and thus far the first and only 2-time Heisman Trophy winner, Archie Griffin.

Blogs with Balls Show – Episode 29 by Blogs with Balls

While in town for tomorrow’s ceremony at the Down Town Athletic Club, Griffin is also doing his part to promote the Wendy’s High School Heisman which celebrates high school seniors across the country who excel in academics, athletics and community leadership, and since the program’s start in 1994, more than 305,000 students have been recognized by the program for their outstanding achievements both on and off the field.

Wes presses him on whether or not their would be another multi-time winner, whether he voted for himself in 1975, his thoughts on Nebraska joining the Big 10, how character should be weighed in Heisman voting in light of Reggie Bush and Cam Newton controversy, and has Griffin make an Oregon-Auburn prediction.

For more information about the High School Heisman program and the nomination process, visit http://www.wendysheisman.com or contact your local high school principal, guidance counselor or athletic director. “Like” Wendy’s High School Heisman on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/wendyshighschoolheisman for program updates and to connect with alumni.

]]> http://blogswithballs.com/2010/12/blogs-with-balls-radio-episode-29/feed/ 1 Blogs With Balls Radio, Episode 28 http://blogswithballs.com/2010/12/blogs-with-balls-radio-episode-28/ http://blogswithballs.com/2010/12/blogs-with-balls-radio-episode-28/#comments Sat, 04 Dec 2010 16:20:01 +0000 hhr http://blogswithballs.com/?p=2698

In an abbreviated return of the podcast, Chris flies solo and catches up with Bills legend and Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, whose thoughtfulness and charitable work are evidence that it is not, in fact, all about the U.

You can listen to the show here:

BwB Show with Jim Kelly by Blogs with Balls

Among the topics, Chris hits are: Stevie Johnson, QB’s who should know better by now, the Toronto Bills and his involvement with the Tostitos Connect To Home Bowl, “a unique bowl-game-inspired celebration, complete with all the game-day rituals and a chance for troops to play football with college football legends.”

  • On Cam Newton: “You show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.”
  • On Vince Young: “Jeff Fisher is an excellent coach…I respect Jeff Fisher enough to know that whatever he said is probably the right thing.”
  • On Derek Anderson: “He has to know that this is not 1990. This is 2010. There’s cameras everywhere.”

Interestingly, on social media, specifically about the ability of players to immediately hit send, Kelly notes: “It’s definitely not good.”  No word whether he’s ever discussed that fact with Thurman Thomas before the RB blocked @HHReynolds on Twitter.

For more information on the Tostitos Connect To Home Bowl, check out Facebook.com/Tostitos.

]]> http://blogswithballs.com/2010/12/blogs-with-balls-radio-episode-28/feed/ 1 Blogs With Balls Radio, Episode 27 (We’re Back) http://blogswithballs.com/2010/07/blogs-with-balls-radio-episode-27-were-back/ http://blogswithballs.com/2010/07/blogs-with-balls-radio-episode-27-were-back/#comments Thu, 15 Jul 2010 17:41:15 +0000 hhr http://blogswithballs.com/?p=2416

This week’s Blogs With Balls Show on the JoeSportsFan Radio Network is now available.

Download Episode 27 here, or subscribe via iTunes.

Hot damn! It’s been a while! Not since Amy K. Nelson told us how lame we were have we been able to get a podcast in.

We blame, of course, BwB3…a great success if we do say so. Don’t take our word for it, ask this guy. And these folks.

Our guest this week is is the VP of Business Development at BleacherReport.com, David Nemetz.

B/R kicked off the BwB3 experience with a bang, hosting our kickoff party with flowing Guiness at The Fifty/50. David was then a member of the Localization panel at the main event, and we expand a bit on that conversation.

Since its inception, Bleacher Report has gone through a number of tweaks and facelifts, none more significant than the recent addition of Brian Grey, formerly of Yahoo and Fox Sports, as their new CEO.

We talk with David on a number of topics pertaining to B/R’s position in the industry, its benefits to its members and where it goes next.

This week’s links of interest:

]]> http://blogswithballs.com/2010/07/blogs-with-balls-radio-episode-27-were-back/feed/ 1 Blogs With Balls Radio, Episode 26 http://blogswithballs.com/2010/03/blogs-with-balls-radio-episode-26/ http://blogswithballs.com/2010/03/blogs-with-balls-radio-episode-26/#comments Sun, 28 Mar 2010 20:23:44 +0000 hhr http://blogswithballs.com/?p=1778

This week’s Blogs With Balls Show on the JoeSportsFan Radio Network is now available.

Download Episode 26 here, or subscribe via iTunes.

Our guest this week a award-winning journalist Amy K. Nelson. Amy covers major league baseball for ESPN.com and is part of the site’s Enterprise team. Born and raised on the north shore of Massachusetts and a graduate of Hampshire College, Amy has been covering professional sports for close to 10 years.

(Image: ESPN.com)

She writes both investigative and long-form pieces for the site, and among her recent highlights is a piece on the timeline of death of Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and a breaking news story and in-depth feature on Alex Rodriguez’s infamous cousin who allegedly provided him steroids. She also served as a moderator for ESPN’s First Take program, chatting with fans online and relaying their comments live on the show, and has appeared on SportsCenter, ESPNews, Baseball Tonight and Outside The Lines.

Amy talks about her path to ESPN, starting with her decision to forgo a career as a photo-journalist and dive head first into sports journalism. Admittedly addicted to Twitter, she describes the role social media plays in complimenting her work.

She and Chris, two card-carrying members of Red Sox Nation, talk about Boston’s prospects for the up-coming year, their thoughts on some faces familiar to Fenway – namely Nomar and Mike Lowell, and whether this is finally the breakout year for minor league superstar and major league enigma Clay Buchholz.

Finally, in one of the most groundbreaking revelations on the BwB show, Amy reveals the connection between Boof Bonser and the single greatest moment of her professional career.

This week’s links of interest:


Follow us on Twitter@HHReynolds or Click Here to get HHR in your inbox.

]]> http://blogswithballs.com/2010/03/blogs-with-balls-radio-episode-26/feed/ 3 Blogs With Balls Radio, Episode 25 http://blogswithballs.com/2010/03/blogs-with-balls-radio-episode-25/ http://blogswithballs.com/2010/03/blogs-with-balls-radio-episode-25/#comments Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:45:06 +0000 hhr http://blogswithballs.com/?p=1771

This week’s Blogs With Balls Show on the JoeSportsFan Radio Network is now available.

Download Episode 25 here, or subscribe via iTunes.

We kick the show off this week with a very pointed voicemail we received from the incomparable Softball Guy, who was not all that thrilled with our guest selection this week: Matt Sebek from our podcasting partners JoeSportsFan.com.

An Exclusive, Emotional Interview with Softball Guy from JoeSportsFan.com on Vimeo.

Long before partnering up on the Internets waves, JoeSportsFan was a everyday read for HHR.

Matt’s experience as an online programmer has helped take the site’s brand to a new level of online media that includes blogging, and the incorporation of both audio and video.

About a month ago, JSF launched JoeSportsFanSTL.com which focuses on sports in the site’s home town of St. Louis, and puts out a weekly Basketball Jones-esq video segment covering the latest hot topics surrounding the city’s teams and athletes in the offbeat tone JSF fans have come to know and love.

The city-centric, or “hyper-local,” approach to online sports coverage is one we have been keeping a close eye on leading up to BwB3 in light of national companies like ESPN and Comcast, and regional ones like NESN and SNY going full force into blogging and multimedia/online platforms. We talk about how this could affect team and city-based sites, including the new JSF STL.

Ep. 3: The One with Derrick Chievous from JoeSportsFan.com on Vimeo.

The guys that run the site have also dabbled in AM radio, and Matt talks about the advantages to working online as opposed to the terrestrial waves.

For any aspiring podcasters, and those bloggers looking to attempt video, this week is a must listen, as Matt let’s you know from his experience what steps you can take to make your show(s) better and differentiate them from the field that is rapidly saturating.

This week’s sites of interest:

]]> http://blogswithballs.com/2010/03/blogs-with-balls-radio-episode-25/feed/ 1 Blogs With Balls Radio, Episode 24 http://blogswithballs.com/2010/03/blogs-with-balls-radio-episode-24/ http://blogswithballs.com/2010/03/blogs-with-balls-radio-episode-24/#comments Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:07:13 +0000 hhr http://blogswithballs.com/?p=1753

This week’s Blogs With Balls Show on the JoeSportsFan Radio Network is now available.

Download Episode 24 here, or subscribe via iTunes.

We are joined this week by the “World’s Greatest Chinese Jew,” non-Eskimo Ben Koo.

A bucknuts.com blogger and the former Business Development Manager at Yardbarker, Ben is now the CEO of Bloguin.com, a blog network founded in 2009 that now boasts over 130 sites and 800k+ views/day.

With his background as a blogger, advertising point man and now network exec, Ben is able to provide a wide perspective on many areas of the industry.

A quote that I think is worth repeating is one that we haven’t heard in such a frank and concise manner:

“There’s this misconception with sports blogs that there are media buyers or people looking to purchase advertising…going across the web and reading articles looking for the best writer to sponsor…but the reality is that there needs to be a certain reach that gets them excited that meets their needs and it could be in the millions or hundreds of thousands…”

Ben talks about Bloguin and what sets it apart from networks like FanSided and SB Nation, but notes how the real competition isn’t the other online networks like these, but rather the traditional media outlets.

This week’s links of interest:

]]> http://blogswithballs.com/2010/03/blogs-with-balls-radio-episode-24/feed/ 1 Blogs With Balls Radio, Episode 23 http://blogswithballs.com/2010/03/blogs-with-balls-radio-episode-23/ http://blogswithballs.com/2010/03/blogs-with-balls-radio-episode-23/#comments Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:09:24 +0000 hhr http://blogswithballs.com/?p=1742

This week’s Blogs With Balls Show on the JoeSportsFan Radio Network is now available.

Download Episode 23 here, or subscribe via iTunes.

Our guest this week is Phil from the multifaceted men’s website Gunaxin.com.

Phil has been a longtime friend of HHR and, more so, the Blogs With Balls conferences, having attended and been vocal at both the New York and Vegas shows.

In Vegas, we had a great panel conversation on whether or not bloggers should be granted the same access and treatment that teams and leagues afford traditional media and journalists. On that panel, Yahoo!’s Puck Daddy Greg Wyshynski – among the most high profile and respected hockey bloggers on the web – brought up the fact that the NHL has embraced new media to circumvent the lack of coverage MSM has allotted the sport. Specifically, the Washington Capitals, thanks in large part to their new-media savvy owner, is regarded as one of the most progressive franchises in terms of blogger credentialing. Phil, who blogs at the Fansided Caps blog Capitals Outsider, is among those select few sports bloggers in any sport that covers games from the press box.

Recently, his actions in the press area drew the attention and criticism from the Internets, the team and even Wyshinski…actions that eventually lead to his suspension from the press box.

With almost 3 weeks to digest the incident, Phil reflects on his actions, the reactions, and the hypocritical treatment in relation to his Verizon Center nemesis Mike Milbury.

Moving on to Gunaxin, Phil talks about how his unique background has aided in positioning the site among the fastest growing men’s general interest sites, how and why the Gunaxin decided to dabble in podcasting, and its recent launch of Gunaxin Links – a direct and men’s focused alternative to Reddit.

A recurring theme is Phil’s appreciation for the online community. He credits folks he met at BwB (Dan Levy, Matt Sebek and Gary Vaynerchuk) as being influential in Gunaxin moving into many of the areas it has, and credits the conference itself as helping facilitate some of the A-list guests they’ve gotten to interview.

This week’s links of interest:

]]> http://blogswithballs.com/2010/03/blogs-with-balls-radio-episode-23/feed/ 0