In the 42-minute podcast, Pete Rozelle Hall of Fame Award winner Howard Katz is the guest as he tells behind-the-scenes stories from his 50-plus years in the business. There are tales about Roone Arledge to Howard Cosell to Al Michaels to ABC to ESPN to the NFL and its schedule and much more.
It’s “The Main Event with Andrew Marchand."
The Topics …
How Katz received his first break into sports for ABC’s Munich Olympics
Roone Arledge was brilliant and unpredictable
The lessons from Roone
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The Monday Night Football traveling circus with Don Ohlmeyer, Howard Cosell, Frank Gifford and Don Meredith
Ohlmeyer’s influence on Katz’ career
How a family decision changed Katz’ career
Working for Al Michaels’ father and the relationship that grew from it
Going to ESPN and making up the rules
His Steve Bornstein connection began in Bristol
Launching ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPN Radio …
Why he chose to go to ABC Sports as president
How he ended up at the NFL
What was Katz’ best Cosell story
The sad and touching story when Katz had to tell Cosell his show was being canceled
Why Cosell didn’t want anything to do with broadcasting at the end of his life
Amazing Cosell being Cosell story
Witnessing Michaels’ career from beginning to now
Cleaning house at Monday Night Football
Ohlmeyer felt like he was casting a sitcom and landed on Dennis Miller as an analyst
Ohlmeyer was one and done as the MNF producer
His fondness for Fred Gaudelli
How Katz and Sandy Montag brought Madden to ABC from Fox
Miller tried to stay on with Madden
ABC vs. ESPN: Cultural war
Bodenheimer receiving the the top ESPN job over Katz
One of the the shows that Katz was most proud of as it was full circle
The impact of Mark McCormack’s untimely death
How did Katz get control of the NFL schedule
Launching NFL Network
Katz’ advantage on scheduling came from his TV background
The big items Katz tried to add to the schedule
Hurricane Katrina and trying to figure out the Saints’ games
Being popular, not being popular and the Pope
How did he deal with the personal requests from owners, etc.
What does Katz think of the ESPN and NFL Network, etc. equity deal
Why retirement is overrated …
His wife has a great line …
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On Deck: Marchand & Meterparel
