Those in the Inland Empire familiar with popular IE Sports Net’s on-air radio personalities, Brian “Coach B” Arrington and Eddie “Eternal” Talbert, Jr., know they have worked tirelessly to elevate sports talk in the region.
When the show first began three years ago in 2012 on NBC News affiliate KCAA 1050 AM, the show was initially scheduled for just a 13-week “test” run at best, as the one and only locally produced sports show.
The brainchild of Arrington, a Fontana resident and experienced broadcaster with more than 20 years in radio, IE Sports Net was developed to fill a void that he felt just wasn’t serviced on local airwaves. But with his years of experience, Arrington knew before he could take the show to air, if it were to have any chance for success, he would need to help of a dynamic co-host.
Much like the top sports/talk show at Fox Sports Daybreak with Andy Furman and Mike North, Arrington wanted a co-host who had the same passion and drive for a quality program. Enter Talbert, who had more than 20 years of radio experience under his belt as well.
Arrington and Talbert did exactly what they set up to do. The show gave a home on a local major commercial radio station to Inland Empire youth, prep, college, professional and amateur teams. With their drive and consistency in pushing each other to be better, the show became one of the top rated shows on KCAA.
“I’m so proud of what we accomplished, and our success,” said Arrington. “From the start, not knowing if we would even get the show to air, to becoming one of the top shows on the station — what an accomplishment.”
Their success has not been limited solely to radio. Arrington and Talbert were fortunate enough to be able to help produce the Inland Valley All-star Classic this past April, in coordination with Fontana A.B. Miller Athletic Director John Romagnoli. It was a popular basketball game that had not been played in well over five years, but Arrington and Talbert helped bring the event back to life.
Fast forward three years from the start of IE Sports Net, one of the largest sports entities in the world, Fox Sports Radio, opened shop in the Inland Empire. With the launch of Fox Sports 1350 AM/Riverside, the Inland Empire will get its daily fix of the Fox top national host, and IE Sports Net is joining the team.
The Inland Empire once again has a voice for local sports/talk as Arrington, Talbert and IE Sports have moved to Fox Sports Radio 1350 AM on Saturdays at 8 a.m.
“We are so excited and honored to bring IE Sports Net to Fox Sports Radio,” said Talbert. “We understand how big time this moment is, and we do not take this lightly. We look to continue to be a voice for the Inland Empire sports world.”
Credit to the Fontana Herald News who originally published this article
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.
