Once again news is being made throughout the sports radio format. Here’s the latest information we can provide. If you or your radio station have a future news tip or story you’d like to pass along, please email JBarrett@hvy.tcp.mybluehost.me.
- According to sources, Andrew Siciliano will soon be named the play by play radio voice of the Los Angeles Rams. Siciliano has done an excellent job on the Red Zone Channel and NFL Network and has prior radio experience in Los Angeles working for FOX Sports Radio and ESPNLA 710. He also worked as a sports radio reporter earlier in his career in Chicago. His ascension to the play by play position with the Rams has been expected for quite some time. The team utilized him to call pre-season games on television in St. Louis during the past few seasons.
- One person who isn’t expected to be part of the Rams radio broadcast team is Eric Dickerson. The Los Angeles Rams legend was the odds on favorite to be named the team’s radio analyst and talks with the team did take place, but the Hall of Fame running back is planning to explore a different role instead. Multiple sources say Dickerson will join AM 570 LA Sports as a contributor for the 2016 NFL season. Details about his role remain unclear. With Dickerson out of the picture, the names Jim Everett, Jerome Bettis, and Maurice Jones-Drew have been mentioned as possible options in the analyst role.
- Staying in Los Angeles, ESPN is expected to confirm the addition of Max Kellerman to ‘First Take‘ where he’ll replace Skip Bayless and square off daily with Stephen A. Smith. Kellerman’s departure leaves a hole in afternoon drive on ESPNLA 710. No word yet on who will partner with Marcellus Wiley on the radio program or on ‘SportsNation‘ with Wiley and host Michelle Beadle. ESPN is said to be considering internal and external options.
- A tip of the cap to the team at 790 The Ticket in Miami for their work surrounding the departure of Dwyane Wade. When the story broke late last Tuesday night, local programming was scheduled to end at 10pm. Recognizing the importance of the story, The Ticket went live and local throughout the overnight. Josh Friedman and Chris Perkins extended their show to Midnight, Zack Duarte stepped in to host from midnight to 5:30am, and Dan Le Batard, who was on vacation, took a break from his break to host his show Wednesday morning. The station also had social media posts and on-air promos updated in a timely fashion.
- We’re 2 weeks late on highlighting this story but it’s one worth sharing. Scott Kaplan of the Mighty 1090 in San Diego took part in the “Race Across America” which began in Oceanside, CA and ended in Annapolis, MD. Kaplan’s team “Team Pony Express” biked across the country in 6 days, 2 hours, and 47 minutes, raising over $150K for the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) in the process. Kaplan shared his daily journey with local listeners on social media. Although “Team Pony Express” initially finished 2nd, they ended up taking top honors due to a disqualification.
- In Houston, on-air promos have hit the air to highlight a brand new local program debuting soon on Yahoo Sports Radio 1560 KGOW-AM. “Nate and Creight“, which features local personalities Nate Griffin and Patrick Creighton, will take over weekdays from 1p-3p starting on July 18th. The two men had been hosting part-time for local competitor Sports Radio 610. 610 is currently looking for PT talent to fill their void.
- AM 1300 The Zone in Austin, TX provided a nice surprise last week to their morning audience. With regular co-host Sean Adams off for a few days, Chip Brown spent two of them working with special guest co-host WWE superstar Mark Henry. The two-time Olympian, and former WWE World Heavyweight Champion, is a Texas native and currently resides in Austin.
- Last November, Tim Montemayor left 1320 KFAN in Salt Lake City where he was program director and the morning drive host to move to Phoenix. His wife landed a great job resulting in a family relocation. Since then ‘Monty‘ had taken a break from hosting shows on a regular basis, but that changed last week when NBC Sports Radio AM 1060 in Phoenix added Tim and his son Jake to their weekday lineup. The father and son duo are now hosting a daily 1-hour show from 10a-11a.
- Mike Maniscalco was let go by Buzz Sports Radio in Raleigh two weeks ago and as he looks for his next permanent gig he’s helping out a former employer. Maniscalco will fill-in on FOX Sports 910 in Richmond, Virginia for two days this week as morning host Wes McElroy enjoys a few days off.
- Our condolences to the friends and family of Tennessee sports radio host Gary Haskew who passed away recently at the age of 74. “Dr. Basketball” as he was known on WGOW 102.3FM died of a massive heart attack. He spent over 25 years talking sports on the Chattanooga airwaves.
- The Hudson Valley Renegades minor league baseball team have hired a member of baseball broadcasting royalty. New play by play radio voice Josh Caray, is the grandson of Harry Caray, son of Skip Caray, and brother of Chip Caray. He began his new role calling the team’s games in mid-June. In addition to calling Renegades games, Josh serves as the play by play voice for Stony Brook University men’s football and basketball.
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.