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Awful Announcing
Awful Announcing
Awful Announcing
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Awful Announcing (AA) is an American sports news website and blog.[1] Founded in 2006 by Brian Powell, the website focuses on sports media personalities, particularly broadcast announcers and television sportscasters.

Key Information

History

[edit]

A graduate of James Madison University (JMU), Brian Powell founded Awful Announcing in May 2006.[2] Early in its history, Awful Announcing was a prominent outlet in the sports blogosphere.[3] Powell noted that Spencer Tillman was an early critic of his blog.[3] Bloguin Network acquired Awful Announcing in 2010; later in 2015, Comeback Media was spun out of Bloguin, becoming AA's parent company.[2] Ben Koo is the current owner of Awful Announcing.[4]

The website reports on news relating to sports announcing, broadcasting, and related media industry spaces.[5][6] AA also conducts interviews with sports media executives.[7] Their sharing of announcing audio has been cited to increase awareness of situations, such as when they wrote about West Virginia basketball coach Bob Huggins using a homophobic slur in a radio interview in 2023.[8]

Citation and reception

[edit]

AA's reporting has been cited by sports media websites such as ESPN and Fox Sports,[9][10] as well as general news outlets like Forbes.[11] ESPN has also issued statements via Awful Announcing.[10]

Some sports announcers have commented on Awful Announcing. The book Those Guys Have All the Fun: Inside the World of ESPN (2011) quoted both Rece Davis and Bob Ley.[12] Davis stated that sports announcers who "fall into reading" blogs like Awful Announcing and get upset or try to explain their mistakes pointed out by such blogs on-air "probably aren't doing [their] job as effectively as [they] ought to be". Meanwhile, Ley stated that he sometimes checks sports blogs like AA, as well as The Big Lead and Deadspin, likening visiting the blogs to "shopping in a discount store".[12] Other sports media personalities have referenced Awful Announcing in their own writing, such as Bill Simmons in his Book of Basketball (2009) and Jemele Hill in her memoir, Uphill (2022).[13][14]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Awful Announcing

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Awful Announcing is an American sports media website founded in May 2006 by Brian Powell, a native and graduate, that specializes in news, analysis, commentary, and humorous criticism of , announcers, and related media events, with a primary focus on major U.S. professional leagues such as the NFL, , and , as well as . Initially launched as a hobby project in the early sports blogosphere, the site quickly gained popularity by highlighting on- and off-air lowlights and gaffes in sports media, often through satirical and critical lenses that resonated with fans frustrated by broadcaster performances. In 2010, the website was acquired by the Bloguin Network under the leadership of Ben Koo, who became its owner and editor-in-chief, leading to an expansion of its content beyond pure criticism to include more structured news reporting, in-depth features, and industry analysis, while growing its team to include prominent contributors like Matt Yoder, Joe Lucia, Andrew Bucholtz, and Ken Fang. This acquisition marked a pivotal shift, transforming Awful Announcing from a niche critique platform into a more comprehensive resource cited widely by sports fans and media professionals alike. By 2015, Awful Announcing had become part of Comeback Media following a spin-out from Bloguin, which further professionalized its operations. Today, the site reaches over seven million unique visitors monthly and maintains its signature blend of humor and scrutiny, often ranking broadcast crews annually based on reader polls for leagues like the NFL and MLB, while covering broader topics in sports media and pop culture. Its influence extends to spotlighting both mainstream events and obscure stories, solidifying its role as a key voice in the evolving landscape of sports broadcasting commentary.

History

Founding and Early Development

Awful Announcing was founded in May 2006 by Brian Powell, a graduate of and a native, who launched the site as a personal hobby project focused on critiquing . Inspired by an on-air gaffe from broadcaster using the phrase "wideopenshotability," Powell aimed to create an open forum for humorous analysis of announcers, networks, and related media mishaps, quickly gaining traction within the burgeoning sports blogosphere. Initially hosted on a Blogspot platform at awfulannouncing.blogspot.com, the site served as a simple outlet for Powell's irreverent takes on sports commentary. In its early years, Awful Announcing emphasized humorous and critical examinations of various sports broadcasts, including NFL, , and , skewering announcers for perceived errors, biases, or overly dramatic styles. Content often highlighted lowlights from on-air performances, establishing the site's signature tone of witty sarcasm toward figures in sports media. For instance, early articles included critiques of prominent , such as a 2007 piece questioning whether was limiting his workload during the season, reflecting the site's focus on broadcasting assignments and their impact on quality. Another 2008 post lampooned Buck's admission that he rarely watched sports and no longer enjoyed baseball, underscoring the site's penchant for exposing perceived disconnects between announcers and their subjects. By , as the site approached its fourth anniversary, it had solidified its niche as a go-to resource for sports media commentary, with Powell maintaining its hobbyist roots until its acquisition by the Bloguin Network under the leadership of Ben Koo, who became its owner and editor-in-chief, which marked the beginning of broader operational changes. This foundational phase laid the groundwork for eventual expansion into more comprehensive sports coverage.

Expansion and Key Milestones

Around 2010, Awful Announcing transitioned from its initial blog format to a more robust website platform following its acquisition by the Bloguin Network, which enabled significant operational growth including the recruitment of additional staff and contributors such as Matt Yoder, Joe Lucia, Andrew Bucholtz, and Ken Fang. This shift marked a key milestone in the site's development, broadening its infrastructure to support expanded content production and professionalization. In 2015, another pivotal milestone occurred when Comeback Media was established as a spin-off from Bloguin Network, becoming the parent company for Awful Announcing and its sister site, The Comeback, which further stabilized and scaled operations while fostering synergies in sports media coverage. By this period in the mid-2010s, the site had achieved substantial audience growth, reflecting its increasing prominence in the sports media landscape. The introduction of the Awful Announcing Podcast in 2011 represented a major diversification into audio content during the , providing a new avenue for in-depth discussions on topics and complementing the site's written articles with episodes featuring industry figures. This move aligned with the era's rising popularity of and helped drive engagement by offering on-demand commentary. Throughout the and beyond, Awful Announcing expanded its coverage to include more structured news reporting, in-depth features, and industry analysis across major U.S. leagues such as the NFL, , , and . This diversification was supported by the growing team of contributors and resulted in a broader scope of stories, from mainstream broadcasts to niche developments. By the present day, these expansions have contributed to the site reaching over seven million people a month, underscoring its evolution into a leading voice in sports media commentary.

Content and Editorial Approach

Core Topics and Coverage Areas

Awful Announcing primarily covers critiques of personnel, including , , and studio hosts, with a focus on major U.S. leagues such as the NFL, , , and . The website evaluates announcer performances through annual rankings, such as its 2025 NFL announcer rankings that graded broadcast teams on factors like insight and entertainment value, and similar assessments for highlighting strengths and weaknesses in regional coverage. Recurring topics include , , and in , often spotlighting and off-air incidents that affect viewer experience. For instance, the site has analyzed in college football coverage, ranking figures like for perceived favoritism based on reader surveys. In contexts, articles have critiqued and overall production flaws, such as during games that force reporters to improvise . The website features in-depth series on specific leagues, including NFL booth rankings that assess team dynamics and individual contributions, as well as examinations of sideline reporting inconsistencies that impact game narratives. Over time, Awful Announcing's topics have evolved to encompass , such as critiques of ' sports programming and early coverage of commentary, reflecting shifts in the broader sports media landscape. This expansion integrates its signature humorous style into analyses of modern broadcasting challenges.

Style and Commentary Characteristics

Awful Announcing employs a signature style characterized by sarcastic and irreverent humor that targets the quirks and perceived shortcomings of and . This approach often manifests through and exaggerated commentary that highlight awkward moments or over-the-top calls in . For instance, in their annual rankings articles, frequently feature humorous phrasing, such as describing an announcing duo as making "the end of sound like a Tuesday morning in a dentist’s office waiting area," underscoring the site's emphasis on lighthearted yet pointed analysis. The commentary style integrates multimedia elements like and to amplify , alongside that contextualize announcer behaviors in relatable terms. Reader feedback in articles often includes informal nicknames or descriptors, such as labeling an announcer as "your confused uncle in the booth," which exemplifies the irreverent tone that permeates the site's content. This humor is applied across core sports topics like NFL and college football broadcasts, providing a fan-driven layer of engagement without delving into exhaustive lists. To emphasize key points, Awful Announcing incorporates fan polls directly within articles, soliciting grades and opinions from readers to inform rankings and discussions. These polls, such as those yielding over 18,500 responses for college football announcer evaluations, allow for collective and critique, with comments like "I’ll watch paint dry with these dudes" illustrating the humorous, opinionated voice. Compared to broader sports media commentary sites like , which cover a wide array of sports news and culture, Awful Announcing maintains a narrower focus on and , delivering specialized within that niche. This distinction positions it as a dedicated outlet for irreverent takes on and events.

Notable Features and Events

Interactive Polls and User Engagement

Awful Announcing has utilized interactive polls as a key mechanism for since at least the mid-2010s, often integrating them with social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) to amplify participation and discussion. These polls are typically embedded within articles or promoted via the site's official X account (@awfulannouncing), allowing readers to vote directly and share results, which fosters and extends reach beyond the website. For instance, polls related to sports media controversies, like assigning blame in , are shared on X to solicit immediate feedback from the audience. The types of polls conducted by Awful Announcing primarily focus on rankings of best and worst , predictions regarding broadcast changes, and fan-voted critiques of . Examples include annual rankings where users grade or evaluate NFL broadcast booths, often structured as multi-option voting systems to capture detailed reader opinions. might ask about potential shifts in or , while critique-based polls invite users to rate elements like or . These formats encourage active involvement by tying directly to the site's core focus on sports broadcasting analysis. Polls on Awful Announcing play a significant role in driving website traffic and shaping subsequent content, as results often inspire follow-up articles that analyze voter sentiments and media implications. By highlighting poll outcomes in posts and newsletters, the site boosts user retention and attracts new visitors through shared discussions on social platforms. For example, a 2025 poll on a garnered 3,875 responses on the first day, with 73% attributing blame to , which informed coverage of the dispute and increased engagement metrics. While specific average participation rates are not publicly detailed, such polls demonstrate consistent involvement, with thousands of votes in high-profile cases contributing to content strategy by identifying trending topics for deeper exploration. The evolution of interactive polls at Awful Announcing aligns with the site's broader development in the , transitioning from basic commentary-focused content to more dynamic features following its 2010 acquisition by the Bloguin Network. Early iterations likely resembled simple blog-embedded voting tools, as seen in mid-decade coverage of external polls, but by the , they had incorporated sophisticated integrations like time-bound voting periods and social media embeds for . This shift supported the site's expansion under Comeback Media from onward, emphasizing to complement with . One of the standout viral moments for Awful Announcing in 2023 was its annual NFL announcer rankings poll, which solicited reader grades for broadcast crews and sparked widespread discussions on about the most irritating announcers. The poll, based on more than 18,000 responses, highlighted booths receiving the lowest grades, such as 's and team. Another key example of was the site's year-end compilation "The 10 best sports announcing bloopers of 2023," which showcased humorous gaffes from various leagues, such as an NHL Draft Lottery mix-up and awkward on-air moments that resonated with fans frustrated by broadcasting errors. This article amplified critiques of announcers like those in and broadcasts. These moments contributed to broader trending topics in sports media discussions, such as the ongoing debate over announcer quality and the desire for viewer controls like muting options, as seen in related Peacock streaming enhancements announced in subsequent years that echoed reader sentiments from the polls. By capturing real-time social media reactions to broadcasting flaws, Awful Announcing's content filled informational gaps in traditional encyclopedias, documenting ephemeral online phenomena like viral bloopers and poll-driven outrage that shape public perceptions of sports commentary.

Impact and Reception

Audience and Influence

Awful Announcing primarily attracts a dedicated readership of -based sports enthusiasts, with its content resonating strongly among younger fans who engage heavily with . The site's humorous and critical takes on appeal to this , fostering high levels of interaction through shares, comments, and participation in . On , Awful Announcing has seen substantial growth, amassing over 400,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter) by early 2026, reflecting its expanding reach among . This follower base has contributed to , particularly during , where posts often drive spikes in traffic and discussions. The website's influence extends to shaping public opinion on and , with its interactive polls and rankings frequently cited by mainstream outlets. For instance, Sports Illustrated has referenced Awful Announcing's fan-voted announcer ratings in coverage of and broadcasts, highlighting how the site's insights influence broader media narratives. Similarly, has noted its role in analyzing viewership trends and broadcaster performance, underscoring its impact on industry conversations. Through accessible, fan-driven commentary, Awful Announcing has democratized sports media criticism, empowering everyday viewers to voice opinions on and that might otherwise remain unaddressed in traditional outlets.

Criticisms and Controversies

Awful Announcing has faced accusations of bias and dishonesty in its coverage of sports media, particularly from prominent figures in the industry who claim the site engages in personal attacks and fabricates information to advance agendas. In a 2017 article, sports media personality of accused the site of being "nothing more than a biased and dishonest site run by a triggered Ohio State Buckeye fan," alleging that owner Ben Koo harbored a personal vendetta against him stemming from Travis's criticisms of dating back to 2013. Travis claimed this bias manifested in obsessive negative tweeting and articles targeting him, describing Awful Announcing as "a collection of losers with small audiences and petty grievances making up stories about people they don’t like," which led to broader questions about the site's impartiality in critiquing and . A key controversy arose in March 2017 when Awful Announcing published content that alleged deliberately misrepresented his views on , specifically twisting his column on to falsely claim he blamed the quarterback's actions for "thousands of deaths." Travis highlighted the tweet as "100% false" and accused the site of refusing to correct the error, instead "doubling down on the falsehood," which he described as "intentionally choosing to distribute fake sports media news." This incident fueled accusations that the site's humorous and critical style often veered into overly harsh personal attacks, amounting to bullying of media personalities through distorted reporting. The backlash escalated to potential legal threats, with stating he could "file a lawsuit and win substantial damages -- potentially enough to shut his site down" due to the "" and "" in the coverage, likening it to . While no lawsuit materialized, the exchange underscored debates over the of edgy sports media commentary, with critics arguing that such tactics could deter advertisers wary of association with . Travis further criticized the site for lacking originality and credibility, claiming its content was merely "rewrites and trots out the same banal and predictable opinions," reinforcing perceptions of in its operations.

References

  1. https://awfulannouncing.com/about-awful-announcing
  2. https://www.businessinsider.com/author/awful-announcing
  3. https://muckrack.com/media-outlet/awfulannouncing
  4. https://awfulannouncing.com/orig/2023-nfl-announcer-rankings.html
  5. https://awfulannouncing.com/mlb/2023-mlb-local-broadcaster-rankings.html
  6. http://awfulannouncing.blogspot.com/2010/08/revival-of-awful-announcing.html
  7. http://awfulannouncing.blogspot.com/
  8. https://awfulannouncing.com/2007-articles/is-fox-limiting-joe-bucks-work.html
  9. https://awfulannouncing.com/2008-articles/joe-buck-admits-he-rarely-watches-sports-and-doesnt-enjoy-baseball-anymore.html
  10. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/awful-announcing-podcast/id448978343
  11. https://awfulannouncing.com/nfl/2025-announcer-rankings-olsen-davis-aikman-collinsworth-brady.html
  12. https://awfulannouncing.com/orig/2025-mlb-local-broadcaster-rankings.html
  13. https://awfulannouncing.com/college-football/2025-media-bias-rankings-finebaum-portnoy-saban-herbstreit.html
  14. https://awfulannouncing.com/nba/dennis-scott-spero-dedes-tnt-technical-difficulties.html
  15. https://awfulannouncing.com/nba/brian-windhorst-player-media-failed.html
  16. https://awfulannouncing.com/streaming/sports-programming-solution-service-subscription-hopping.html
  17. https://awfulannouncing.com/2016/aa-qa-richard-lewis-talks-esports-journalism-hosting-eleague-dreamhack-and-more.html
  18. https://awfulannouncing.com/college-football/2025-announcer-rankings-mcdonough-mcelroy-eagle-blackledge-herbstreit-fowler.html
  19. https://awfulannouncing.com/tag/polls
  20. https://x.com/awfulannouncing
  21. https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/poll-taking-more-blame-youtube-tv-blackout.html
  22. https://awfulannouncing.com/college-football/grade-top-25-cfb-announcing-teams-2024.html
  23. https://awfulannouncing.com/2014/espn-com-asks-most-espn-poll-question-in-history-of-espn-polls.html
  24. https://awfulannouncing.com/orig/best-sports-announcing-bloopers-2023.html
  25. https://x.com/awfulannouncing/status/1735303650984206541
  26. https://x.com/awfulannouncing/status/2008902476976779727
  27. https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/news/new-york-knicks-announcers-top-nba-fan-ratings
  28. https://www.si.com/mlb/giants/onsi/news/sf-giants-announcers-awful-announcing-mike-krukow-duane-kuiper-dave-flemming-jon-miller
  29. https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicolekraft/2025/07/18/fox-sports-cuts-shows-taps-barstool-portnoy-to-reach-younger-viewers/
  30. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/insights-how-ben-koo-awful-announcing-navigate-world-sports-horowitz-ojf6c
  31. https://www.outkick.com/analysis/awful-announcing-lies-is-dying-site-sad
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