1. A fracas between sports media figures used to be one of the fun aspects of Twitter, but now everybody fights with everybody about everything all day long, so a skirmish is hardly special anymore.
The lack of amusing sports media feuds is among the many, many reasons why X, formerly Twitter, is just an awful cesspool these days, but for a split second on Monday night we got a throwback to the good ol’ days thanks to Adam Schefter’s takedown of Doug Gottlieb.
It all started with Schefter reporting the news that Sacramento State was talking to Michael Vick about its head-coaching job. In the reporting Schefter mentioned that Sacramento State had $50 million in NIL money.
Sacramento State is in discussions to hire former Pro-Bowl QB Mike Vick as its new head coach, per sources. Sacramento State plans to move up to FBS, is building a new stadium and has over $50 million in NIL. Sacramento State would build an experienced coaching staff around Vick…
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 16, 2024
Gottlieb, who hosts a radio show while also coaching Wisconsin–Green Bay men's basketball, took issue with Schefter’s reporting of the $50 million in NIL money, so he got snippy with Schefty.
Jeezus Shefty, edit what agents tell you… 0.0% chance Sac State has $50m in NIL. https://t.co/8eoU0wwKPO
— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) December 17, 2024
Right off the bat, Gottlieb gets a minus here for the cringe use of “Jeezus.” Plus, why would anyone care this much about Sacramento State football? But publicly calling out Schefter for just regurgitating what an agent said is a bold move.
Naturally, this didn’t sit well with Schefter, who went complete savage on Gottlieb.
And Jeezus, Doug. A seven-game losing steak and last place in the Horizon League? Less time on social media and more time in the gym. pic.twitter.com/r58Fpwfvb8
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 17, 2024
Honestly, who knew Schefter had this in him?
He could’ve just pointed out Wisconsin–Green Bay’s 2–10 record and that would’ve sufficed. He could’ve just mentioned that Wisconsin–Green Bay is on a seven-game losing streak and that would’ve sufficed. He could’ve just mentioned last place in the Horizon League and that would’ve sufficed.
But what really, really, really put things over the top and was the proverbial kicking-him-while-he’s-down move was Schefter INCLUDING A SCREENSHOT OF THE STANDINGS!
Sure, “less time on social media and more time in the gym,” is quite a haymaker to finish off the reply, but I just love the image of Schefter, on one of his multiple phones while getting bombarded with texts from agents and front office people, taking the time to go to ESPN’s app, fire up the college basketball standings page, search for the Horizon League and then screenshot the standings to include in his tweet.
What a performance.
2. I’m not a RedZone viewer, so I didn’t see this on Sunday, but the “commercial-free” broadcast had commercials this week and everyone flipped out.
Sportico’s Jacob Feldman reports that RedZone will go back to being commercial-free for the near future.
About those NFL RedZone ads:
— ✏️Jacob Feldman (@JacobFeldman4) December 16, 2024
4 commercials ran on Sunday, all 15 seconds or less, with games still appearing in a side-by-side box.
Fan complaints have been heard across X, Reddit, Threads, etc.
No more spots are scheduled as of now. Details here:https://t.co/4TziiWkR1u.
3. I said in Monday’s Traina Thoughts that Nik Bonitto’s interception against the Colts on Sunday was one of the coolest plays of the NFL season. Bonitto’s Broncos teammate, Patrick Surtain II, was mic’d up for the play and I think it’s safe to say he is in agreement with me.
Bonitto 🗣️
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) December 17, 2024
This pick-6 made the Broncos' bench go wildpic.twitter.com/l2ntJhU5rC
4. Here are a couple of amazing betting stories for my fellow degenerate gamblers out there.
David Montgomery is out for the remainder of the season...
— br_betting (@br_betting) December 17, 2024
If you bet Over on his Season Total Rushing Yards, look away 🫣 pic.twitter.com/4RIFJK0laU
I mean could there even be a worse beat?
— ClutchPoints Betting (@CPBetting) December 16, 2024
Clear path to a TD, nobody in his way, and Jonathan Taylor drops the ball before crossing the goal line, as we’ve seen WAY TOO MANY players do…
And the +49202 parlay misses because of it 🤢
(via @JeffCuch / @DKSportsbook) pic.twitter.com/nXKmp4nrOM
5. Lions coach Dan Campbell must not know that you can’t use the f-word on terrestrial radio because he left it fly on Detroit’s 97.1 this morning.
#Lions HC Dan Campbell was FIRED up this morning on @costaandjansen, addressing their injuries, how they’ll overcome them, and even dropping two F-bombs while at it.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 17, 2024
This is a must-watch. 🔥🔥pic.twitter.com/Qv6mMfJTvD
6. The latest SI Media With Jimmy Traina features a conversation with one of ESPN’s top play-by-play callers, Sean McDonough.
McDonough talks about receiving praise from a certain college football legend for his call of the ACC championship game between Clemson and SMU, and what goes through his mind while he’s calling a wild ending.
McDonough also takes a trip down memory lane to discuss some of his famous calls. He recalls what it was like working with Bill Raftery and why Raft got the nickname, “Uncle One More.” In addition, McDonough shares his thoughts on calling the first College Football Playoff game between Indiana and Notre Dame and why the trip to South Bend will be special for him.
Following McDonough, Sal Licata from WFAN radio and SNY TV in New York joins me for our weekly “Traina Thoughts” segment. This week we discuss the NFL schedule, Netflix hiring a slew of people for its Christmas Day NFL broadcasts, the new season of Hard Knocks, Christmas tree problems and more.
You can listen to the SI Media With Jimmy Traina podcast below or on Apple and Spotify.
You can also watch SI Media With Jimmy Traina on Sports Illustrated‘s YouTube channel.
7. RANDOM VIDEO OF THE DAY: Happy 78th birthday to the great Eugene Levy.
Be sure to catch up on past editions of Traina Thoughts and check out the Sports Illustrated Media Podcast hosted by Jimmy Traina on Apple, Spotify or Google. You can also follow Jimmy on X and Instagram.
This article was originally published on www.si.com as Full Analysis of Adam Schefter’s Takedown of Doug Gottlieb.
