This is the 400th episode of our little show. In that time we’ve probably done…carry the one…close to 200 interviews, including conversations with some really big names. But for a show that considers itself a sports media show, there are very few people in our industry who garner the universal respect and esteem as Bob Ley.
Considering Ley is anchoring ESPN’s fantastic coverage of the World Cup that culminates in the finale this weekend, it is my incredible pleasure to have the opportunity to talk with him, especially for one of the episodes that ends in 00. Those do feel more like milestone moments, even if it is just one more show than yesterday.
We discuss, at great length, the World Cup to this point and spend a lot of time focusing on the production by ESPN. Ley shares some insight to the interaction between those on the set — and the fortune of having analysts from USA, England and South Africa along with Spain, Germany and the Netherlands.
We discuss some of the World Cup storylines, including the importance of Landon Donovan’s goal for the 2022 World Cup bid as well as Ley’s time in Africa what it’s been like being away from the United States for so long, yet (on TV at least) feeling no different than being in Bristol. He makes certain to point out that they are very aware of being in Africa, not Bristol.
Beyond the World Cup, I asked Ley who his favorite interviews have been, and he tells some fantastic stories about his opportunity to sit and chat with several American Presidents. He then tells a wonderful story about his time with Desmond Tutu, which is seriously a must listen.
This is the second of two shows today, featuring a conversation with Jon Tannenwald of Philly.com’s The Goalkeeper.
The episode, obviously, focuses all on the semifinal win by Spain over Germany, the Dutch win over Uruguay, and a set up for the World Cup final. Who will be the star? Who has been underrated so far? Who, in our minds, will win. Lots of soccer talk to preview the title match this weekend.
We’ll have another dose of soccer tomorrow when our 400th show features an interview with Bob Ley of ESPN, from South Africa. Thanks for listening.
The first of two shows today. Nick and I talk about LeBron’s rumors and whether or not the people — namely show guest Stephen A. Smith — were right in reporting that LeBron was going to Miami. So many things have happened since that report, but if he ends up going, does that make the report correct and thereby confirmed, or nothing more than coincidental?
The analogy that I use is that of a math problem. If you get the answer right, but your work is wrong and you just happened to end up with the right end result, does that mean you were right at all? If 2 plus 2 is 4 and you got 4 as your answer but did so by adding 3 and 1, were you right? Maybe I’m over-thinking it.
Nick also talks about the AT&T this weekend and his brush with Tiger Woods at the 10th tee. People are in awe of the man. Tiger, not Nick. Well, Nick’s pretty good too.
Thanks for listening. Check the next show out for our World Cup recap and finale preview with Jon Tannenwald of The Goalkeeper.
We discuss the unavoidable: LeBron’s personal signing day.
Specifically, we discuss the news that ESPN will have an hour-long special. It’s a great get by the WWL, even if the hour is going to be completely and utterly ridiculous. My suggestion is that LeBron should name a team without cap space for him and give them an hour on live TV to make room. That would be great TV. Nick thinks it should be like a wrestling PPV…Oh my gawd that’s Chris Bosh’s music!
Either way, it’s ridiculous. But should we expect anything less from “King James.”
Long overdue, Stephen A. Smith joins the show to talk about his departure from the Philadelphia Inquirer, the rumor of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh going to Miami (and the notion of revisionist journalism) and a lot, LOT more. What else?
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• We talk about that ONE TIME when he filed a story from his Blackberry.
• We talk about Allen Iverson’s retirement and how he broke the news then wrote a column saying he didn’t believe the news to be true.
• We talk about celebrity and debate whether or not he’s star (hint: I think yes, he thinks no).
• We talk about the quality of his work at the Inquirer and his original termination and subsequent reinstatement.
• We talk about his settlement, and how ostensibly he was only working back at the paper the last six months until that settlement could be reached. That’s why both sides are happy…because neither really wanted him to be there.
• We talk about the rumor that the Inqy was able to get out of his deal because of his appearance on the View.
• We talk about being a political pundit — as he puts it, not an expert, just an American with an opinion.
• We talk about the news that he’s in talks with Showtime for a new TV show and an upcoming book he’s working on.
This show is entirely fascinating. Leave your thoughts in the comments.
(Image via StephenA.com)
