While you were busy taking in the sunshine during your mini work vacation or burying your brain in Twitter to stay informed on the latest news surrounding NBA Free Agency, developments were unfolding throughout the sports radio universe. Not to worry though, we’ve got you covered. Here’s what’s been flying under the radar in the world of sports radio.
A reminder, if you have a news tip to share in the future, send the details to me via email at JBarrett@hvy.tcp.mybluehost.me.
Under The Radar:
- The Golden State Warriors radio contract is up for grabs and sources say Entercom and Cumulus are both vying to land the team’s rights. After consecutive appearances in the NBA Finals and landing Kevin Durant in free agency, Golden State stands to earn a large increase. The big question is whether they will terminate a longstanding relationship and sacrifice having the majority of their games air on KNBR‘s powerful signal in favor of more money, consistent clearance and more inventory control on 95.7 The Game.
- Budget cuts have impacted 94.9 The Game in Nashville. The radio station has parted ways with its morning show, ‘A to Z Sports‘ featuring Austin Stanley and Zach Bingham. ESPN Radio’s ‘Mike and Mike‘ will air in its place as well as on the company’s second signal 102.5 The Game. Whether that’s a short-term or long-term move is unclear.
- Former Green Bay Packers Offensive Lineman Mark Tauscher has signed on to host a weekday talk show for Good Karma’s ESPN Wisconsin. Tauscher will team with Jason Wilde for a new program titled “Wilde and Tausch“. The show will air weekdays from 9a-11a on Good Karma’s ESPN Milwaukee and ESPN Madison stations.
- 107.7 The Franchise has parted ways with John Rohde. The former columnist who had been part of the morning show was informed his contract wasn’t being renewed a few weeks ago. He’s been replaced by Andrew Gilman and former Sooner football player Rufus Alexander.
- With Kevin Graham gone as PD of WEEI in Boston, the radio station is turning to Joe Zarbano, Ben Kichen and Carlson Mozdiez to handle day to day programming issues in the interim. The three men share a combined 27 years of experience with the radio station and are highly regarded.
- Congratulations is in order for 610 Sports’ afternoon team of Danny Parkins and Carrington Harrison. The two members of ‘The Drive‘ recently signed new agreements with their employer Entercom Kansas City.
- Jeff Rickard, who has hosted shows nationally for ESPN Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and SiriusXM has added Executive Producer stripes at 93.5/1070 The Fan in Indianapolis. He signed on with the radio station in his new role in April.
- Former NBA veteran Ryan Hollins, and former University of Memphis big man Will Coleman will take turns hosting this week on 92.9 ESPN in Memphis. They’ll be filling in for weekday host Gary Parrish as part of what the station is positioning as ‘GP Show Celeb Week‘.
- Daniel Ogden is leaving 95.7 The Game in San Francisco as producer of the midday show. Ogden, spent the past year and a half producing Greg Papa and John Lund’s show. Lund left last month to join KNBR. No word yet on where Ogden is going or who will replace him.
- Townsquare Media has strengthened its Tuscaloosa sports brand ‘The Tide‘ by moving it on to a stronger signal. The company has moved the station from 99.1 to 102.9, a move that increases the station’s reach by 3-5x. It will now be positioned on-air and online as ‘Tide 102.9‘.
- Former Atlanta/Charlotte/Miami host Mark James filled in for Joe Rose on WQAM in Miami on July 4th. That same day he also stepped in for Jim Rome on the CBS Sports Radio Network.
- Wisconsin radio host Mike Heller is filling in all of this week on ‘The Dan Patrick Show’.
- Matthew Barnaby has hosted his final show on SiriusXM’s NHL Network.
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.
