Local radio host Steve Neikam became the second popular radio personality to leave ESPN Radio Syracuse in the past five weeks, announcing that he would take a job outside the industry.
Neikam said he’s accepted a job working in commercial real estate industry in the Albany area, and his decision was based largely on the financial discrepancy between the two industries.
He had positive things to say about Galaxy Communications CEO Ed Levine and the station but acknowledged the financial realities of sports radio made a long-term future challenging.
“I think it’s just the industry. that’s the harsh reality of it,” Neikam said. “Sports radio is a lot of fun, but unless you are Colin Cowherd or Mike Francesca, you’re getting the short end of things. That’s the industry as a whole.”
Neikam, 25, graduated from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications in 2012 and began working at ESPN Radio Syracuse as a producer while still in college.
He leaves the station as a short-time host and long-time co-host of the station’s popular show Upon Further Review. Neikam’s co-host on the show, Chris McManus, had announced that he would leave the station on Sept. 28, ending an amusing partnership.
In addition to the sports talk show, Neikam also served as a host for many of the station’s pre-game and post-game shows for basketball and football.
Credit to Syracuse.com 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.
