ESPN's Heel Turn

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.andrewmarchand.comIn the 34-minute sports media podcast, Andrew Marchand & Jon Meterparel dissect how ESPN turned into WWESPN with WrestleMania.Plus, the Dianna Russini resignation from The Athletic, Prime Video’s slow NBA playoff start, Charles Barkley brings it, MLBN shines during a tragedy, MLB analysts overdoing it, YouTube’s NFL quest, World Cup transport fiasco & Papa Clicker’s Mike Vaccaro “Bosses of the Bronx” review.For access to our twice-a-week podcasts sign-up as a free or paid subscriber at AndrewMarchand.comThe Topics …* How to assess ESPN going all in on WWE & WrestleMania* Is WWESPN better for WWE or ESPN …* Not taking Charles Barkley and “Inside The NBA” for granted …* MLB Network’s strong work during a tragedy* Prime Video starts its NBA playoffs slow* MLB game analysts have to stop doing this …* Perception of Stephen A. Smith at WrestleMania* Why ESPN did the WWE deal* How Paul Fortenbaugh and others stood out on ESPN’s WWE coverage * What to make of the Dianna Russini resignation from The Athletic* What is going on with Mike Vrabel* The big production question if YouTube adds five more NFL games* What was YouTube’s issue on its first NFL game* The younger broadcaster approach …* Has it been easy or difficult to find the NBA playoff games …* Is Prime Video’s NBA pregame good?* What works with the NBA on NBC* The forthcoming World Cup fan fiasco* The Dallas Wings’ PR team was lost * The WNBA wants to be covered, but not covered …* The Big 3 Dallas Mavericks story from back in the day * Does Mike Vaccaro’s “The Bosses of the Bronx” receive an all-time Papa Clicker score? * The “Cakes are Baking” Game is born. Play along …* Sign-up: Off The Record with MLS Commissioner Don Garber on Thursday, April 23rd* Subscribe at AndrewMarchand.com* On Deck: Daniel Jeremiah is The Main Event