The Best of Denver curse strikes again.
Back in March, we named ESPN’s The Locker Room, co-starring Nate Kreckman and Broncos Ring of Famer Tom Nalen, Denver’s top radio sports show in our 2014 Best of Denver issue. But as with Gloria Neal, who was given her walking papers at AM-760 shortly after we dubbed her 2014’s Best Radio Talk-Show Host, Nalen’s out at ESPN Denver (although apparently by his choice), as are two other noteworthy personalities, Les Shapiro and Charles “CJ” Johnson — and other changes are on the way at the station beginning Monday, July 28.
First, a little background. In February 2010, aswe’ve reported, a group led by automobile expert and local TV staple Dealin’ Doug Moreland bought 102.3 and 105.5 from NRC Broadcasting, fronted by Tim Brown, an energetic figure who also happened to be gazillionaire Phil Anschutz’s son-in-law. The following May, we learned that the ownership cabal also included onetime Denver newspaper journo turned ESPN talking head Adam Schefter and Tom Manoogian, who was well known to listeners of KOA and other stations via his Lou From Littleton pseudonym.
The 102.3 format was dubbed The Ticket and featured Shapiro, Johnson and Kreckman — and all three survived when, in January 2012, the switch was made to ESPN Radio Denver. But the station has consistently struggled in the ratings. Combining the most recent numbers from both its signals still puts it in 26th place overall out of 36 stations.
Now, Shapiro and Johnson, who’d been paired in a midday slot, are out and Kreckman is the sole host of The Locker Room. Here’s how Manoogian describes the changes.
Regarding Nalen, Manoogian says, “Tom’s contract ended July 22. We offered an extension and he refused.”
Shapiro and Johnson received no such opportunity due in part to scheduling of nationally syndicated ESPN programming, including Mike and Mike, featuring Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic, and Colin Cowherd.
“Mike and Mike is our flagship show,” Manoogian allows. “It dominates men 25-54 in the mornings. And Colin does a great job for us. We couldn’t be happier.”
As a result, Mike and Mike will air from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. beginning on July 28, with Cowherd following from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — an hour later than previously. That shrinks the subsequent slot, which Les and CJ had manned from noon to three, to two hours, and Manoogian says, “A two-hour show doesn’t lend itself to having two people. It’s not cost-effective. At the end of the day, I’ve got to return a profit to my investors. So when Les and CJ’s contract also ended, we decided not to renew them.”
Instead, the two-hour block is now being filled by Cecil Lammey. “He has passion, energy and is about everything football,” Manoogian notes. “Cecil’s been doing Sunday mornings since we started the station and he’s an expert on fantasy — so we thought it would be the perfect time to give a chance to a guy who’s been with us since day one.”
For the rest of this story visit Westword where it was originally published
Jason Barrett is the President and Founder of Barrett Media since the company was created in September 2015. Prior to its arrival, JB served as a sports radio programmer, launching brands such as 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He also spent time programming SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY. Jason also worked on-air and behind the scenes in local radio at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years on the national stage, producing radio shows for ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT. Among them included the Dan Patrick Show, and GameNight.
You can find JB on Twitter @SportsRadioPD. He’s also reachable by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
