The Redskins and Red Zebra broadcasting — the Daniel Snyder-controlled network of local radio stations — will have a closer business relationship under a new management structure created this month, according to the team.
Red Zebra CEO Rick Carmean left the company and will not be replaced, while Redskins Executive Vice President Terry Bateman, the chairman of Red Zebra, will take a more active role in running the stations.
Carmean told employees at ESPN 980, the team’s flagship station, about his departure early last week. Bateman then addressed employees on Friday, explaining the justification for the move.
“The message is we’re trying to create a better business; that’s all there is to it,” Bateman said in an interview in his Redskins Park office Tuesday afternoon. “We’re not changing the content of the radio station.”
A station employee asked Bateman last week if the team will exert more control over ESPN 980’s content; listeners and employees of rival station 106.7 The Fan have asked the same question on social media. Bateman said Tuesday there would “absolutely not” be increased control of the station’s content.
“The team is not really any more closely involved than it was before,” he said Tuesday. “Everybody knows what the ownership structure of the team and the station was before; it’s exactly the same now. There’s not any difference. So the only thing we’re doing really is working closer on the business relationship. …
“If the Redskins stink it up on Sunday, then it’s your job to tell the truth about what’s going on, right?” he said he told the station’s employees. “You’ve got to talk about it, because otherwise you’ve got zero credibility. If you take it to a personal level and start assaulting somebody’s character, I don’t care if you’re a radio talk-show host or a software executive or anybody else; that’s inappropriate. It’s just human decency. So keep the line there.”
Bateman said the “big driver” of the radio stations is Redskins game broadcasts and surrounding programming, and that it makes sound business sense for the business staffs to work together. Red Zebra will be able to sell Redskins assets — like television commercials and FedEx Field signage — while Redskins staffers will be able to sell radio time. They will also share sales information, and work together to take care of clients.
“We’re going to really create synergy between the two groups and work closer together,” he said. “We’ll be able to just create a more comprehensive marketing package for our clients, make it easier for them to buy the whole thing, and just create a better business environment, better client service. And honestly, hopefully it will mean more revenue for the organization.”
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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.
