In the 47-minute sports media podcast, NBC Sports Executive Vice President of Communications, Greg Hughes, provides insight and great stories into his nearly four decades in the business from TNT Sports to NBC.
Hughes tells tales from the PR wars inside Rudy Martzke’s old USA Today column, his relationships with stars and how to deal with social media. Plus, much more on “The Main Event with Andrew Marchand.”
The Rundown …
Hughes is tight with Charles Barkley and tells the story of how TNT Sports lured Barkley to Atlanta
Barkley is a very generous guy in a lot of different ways
As the EVP communications for NBC Sports, what is Hughes trying to accomplish
What do folks do right at networks
How you build relationships with the people who cover the media
What PR people have to be able to say to reporters
Hughes’ policy of never lying
The importance of Versant CEO Mark Lazarus on Hughes’ career
Why Lazarus had Hughes move his office next to Lazarus’
The media critics from Rudy Martzke to Richard Sandomir to …
How TNT Sports first had to punch up at the networks
Fighting with his friends and foes from Vince Wladika, Lou D’Ermilio, Chris LaPlaca, Ed Markey and Kevin Sullivan
The famous Mike Soltys quote on Keith Olbermann
Incredible Hughes’ USA Today line over a Fox Sports mistake
Hughes’ relationship with Martzke bonded over Wisconsin
Dealing with Warren Moon controversy as a player/analyst for TNT
How Hughes transitioned from TNT Sports to NBC Sports
“Being invited to leave” from TNT Sports, along with Lazarus
He only went to NBC because of Lazarus
How Hughes fostered relationships with Bob Costas and Al Michaels, etc. when he arrived at NBC
How does Hughes handle when NBC Sports is being criticized
How to handle highly critical social media
Hughes has been at two perfect games
Lazarus wanted to leave one, but Hughes wouldn’t
Bud Selig blasting the head of Time-Warner
How Hughes owns several restaurants and bars
He only would go to NBC if he kept the bars
Hughes says some nice things about his NBC colleagues
The All-Star-Super Bowl-Olympic itinerary with Rick Cordella
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On Deck: Marchand & Meterparel
Subscribe at AndrewMarchand.com
