The Big Weekend comes out of winter hibernation with a profile on Bill Raftery, who had a front-row seat to Jim Nantz saying goodbye to his college basketball friends. Then some Masters thoughts, including Scott Van Pelt on what's so special about Augusta as the best golf weekend of the year arrives. Plus, an interview with ESPN's Paul Hembekides, co-author with Mike Greenberg on Got Your Number: The Greatest Sports Legends and the Numbers They Own. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Warner Bros. Discovery play-by-play voice extraordinaire Brian Anderson returns to the podcast to talk about calling LeBron James' quest to secure the NBA's all-time scoring crown, dig deep into the mechanics of his job, and reflect on his first All-Star nod. Plus, is Justin Rose back? Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Adam Lefkoe, the host of TNT's Tuesday night NBA coverage, joined the show to talk about his new multiyear contract extension and the unique joy of working on a show willing to go in unpredictable places. Then, was that the best Detroit Lions win in 30 years? Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This was a landscape-changing year for sports media. Big names found new homes, salaries skyrocketed and, as always, news came fast and furious. Over the past six months our panel of experts has watched, listened, read, compared, collated and debated the best from sports media in 2022. The result is our annual tribute to the industry. We present to you The Big Lead's 2022 Sports Media Awards.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We love our sports, don't we, folks? Especially on a weekend where all of your teams win, there's thrilling and important finishes around the country, and a World Series champion is crowned. Reacting to all the good stuff that happened for once, plus some media notes on FOX's new Saturday night primetime college basketball play, Chris Fowler remaining at the top of his game, Joe Davis laying out, and how a Super Bowl booth sounds at the midway mark of the NFL season. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Brooklyn Nets are juggling multiple controversies as Kyrie Irving continues to pass up opportunities to apologize and Ime Udoka has been selected, somewhat perplexingly, as the man to fix this mess. The Big Lead's Kyle Koster and Liam McKeone discuss all the tumult and if there's any hope on the horizon. Then, tonight is the night we'll know for once and for all if baseball is better than football based on how many people watch on television. You can taste the excitement in the air. As well as the sarcasm. What do these ratings-obsessed people think they're accomplishing and why do they want to live their lives like that? Plus, having the bravery to admit that, actually, a World Series no-hitter is pretty cool. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Phil Simms of The NFL Today and Inside the NFL joins the show to preview the epic Buffalo Bills-Kansas City Chiefs game on Sunday. What makes Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen so special? What does the public miss when assessing quarterback play? Plus, Kyle and Liam make some picks for you to consume at your own risk. All that and essays on Adam Amin's thrilling NLDS broadcast, CGI dragons at Yankee Stadium and an all-time broadcasting bit involving Angela Lansbury. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

One of the better sports weekends of the year has markets moving all over the place and only one podcast can tell you which way the wind's going to blow. We went to the Sports Stock Market to get some inside information for you, the financially prudent listener. Then, Ernie Johnson joined the show to discuss MLB on TBS postseason coverage, his love for fielding fungos, the quiet preparation before the storm, and calling games with his father. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Liam and Kyle, contractually obligated to make NFL picks against the spread, once again face the music after another unfortunate showing. And try to do better in Week 5. Will they ever get better at this? Well, there's no guarantee. Pray for us. This is getting bleak. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

LIV Golf reportedly has a very unique plan for their broadcasts and, honestly, we all should have seen it coming from miles away. Kyle and Liam have a very unique new plan for picking NFL games against the spread and climb out of the hole they've dug by Schrute-ing things up. Plus, let no one accuse us of not saying nice things about the ManningCast. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy