The sports media news never stops trickling in. Here’s what we have to update you on this week. As always, if you have a news tip, press release or promotion to share, please pass it along via email to JBarrett@hvy.tcp.mybluehost.me.
After 17 years at ESPN, producer Jason Romano left an incredible job to pursue his passion of spreading God’s word. In doing so, it led him from behind the scenes to in front of the microphone. As a result, Romano has launched The Sports Spectrum Podcast which explores the intersection of Sports and Faith. The debut episode which features Miami Marlins pitcher Adam Conley and team chaplain Chris Lane debuted on Friday and has been soaring up the iTunes charts. To hear it and subscribe to be alerted of future episodes click here.
Speaking of ESPN, congratulations is in order for Dan Zaksheske who has been named the new producer of First and Last with Robin Lundberg and Mike Golic Jr. Dan previously produced evening programming on the ESPN Radio Network. Lundberg and Golic Jr. are shifting their program from New York City to Bristol, CT.
A little further north of Bristol, WEEI late night host Christian Arcand has announced he’s adding hosting duties at Boston Herald Radio. The extra on-air work won’t affect his shifts on WEEI. Arcand announced on social media that he’ll be hosting the afternoon show for the Herald’s radio channel.
Longtime Cleveland sports radio host Mark “Munch” Bishop is leaving ESPN Cleveland WKNR. Bishop says he’s accepted an opportunity which will syndicate him across the state of Ohio. The company behind the plan is iHeartRadio. No word yet on who will replace Bishop on WKNR.
Congratulations is in order for Joe Castellano who has been added as a play by play announcer for the Pac-12 Network.
Matt Cundill tells BSM that in addition to handling voiceovers for music stations in Canada, he’s expanding his reach by offering his services to News/Talk and Sports/Talk brands in the United States. Cundill additionally hosts the Sound Off Podcast. To hear his work click here.
The lights have been turned off at 940 AM in Bend, Oregon. The radio station had been offering sports programming from FOX Sports Radio. Local ownership said the tower site which they had been leasing has been sold, creating the situation. However, FSR will remain available in the market. Sister station 94.9 FM has agreed to pick up the network along with play-by-play of the San Francisco 49ers and Oregon State University athletics.
Congratulations to Rob Kaloustian on being named the new General Sales Manager of SportsRadio 94WIP, Talk Radio 1210 WPHT, Phillies Radio and the Eagles Radio Network. He officially starts in is new position on Wednesday, April 5th. Kaloustian previously spent 18 years with CBS Radio before leaving in 2013 to become a Senior Sales Executive at Pandora Media.
Another talented writer will soon become a free agent due to being a cap casualty at Sports Illustrated. NFL contributor Greg Bedard tweeted out last week that he’s the latest victim of company cutbacks. Other NFL writers Jim Trotter, Don Banks and Doug Farrar have experienced a similar fate previously with SI.
And finally, FanRag Sports has added Ashley Nevel to its sports staff.
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.
