Sportsnet 650 doesn’t officially launch for two more months, but the summer months are equally as important. After all, this is when the station can talk to candidates, make programming hires and fine tune their presentation to make sure their September 4th debut goes off without a hitch.
When the station premieres in roughly 60 days, it will do so with a strong local morning show. It was confirmed today that James Cybulski, Steve Darling and Mira Laurence will team up in morning drive, forming Sportsnet’s Starting Lineup with Cybulski, Darling and Laurence. The trio will host weekdays 6a-10a PT.
“James, Steve and Mira are a dynamic trio with a tremendous amount of experience and sports knowledge that will be invaluable to Sportsnet 650, the morning show and, most importantly, sports fans in Vancouver,” said Craig MacEwen, Program Director, Sportsnet 650. “These three talents are not only excellent at what they do, but they are also exemplary members of the community, giving back through various charitable efforts. We are thrilled to have them on the Sportsnet 650 team.”
Cybulski is an award-winning broadcaster with over 25 years of on-air experience. He was Bureau Chief of The Score from 2000-2004, and worked on Sportsnet Pacific from 2013-2016. He had recently been working for NEWS 1130. His resume also includes serving as a sportscaster and reporter for SportsCentre on TSN and hosting a radio program for TSN 1050. In fact, Cybulski was the first drive-time host hired by 1050 when the station launched in April 2011.
Darling meanwhile has been a British Columbia resident nearly his entire life. His resume includes stints as a news anchor and sports reporter with NEWS 1130, BCTV and Global BC Morning News. His popularity soared as host of Global News Morning. After 15 years on the show, he left last year after being pushed out of his anchor’s chair. His exit was viewed unfavorably by viewers, leading them to launch a Facebook group titled “Steve Darling Deserved Better Treatment”. The page still has nearly 19,000 followers.
Over a decade worth of experience covering Vancouver sports is what Laurence brings to the table. She spent 10 years as head of the sports department for CTV Vancouver Island before choosing to leave the broadcasting business. Since then she has worked for the Partnership Development Officer for Vikes Athletics and Recreation at the University of Victoria and as the Executive Director of HeadWay, the Victoria Epilepsy and Parkinson’s Centre.
Sportsnet 650 will make announcements about the remainder of their lineup at a later time. The station has already gained the radio rights to the Vancouver Canucks and according to The Province, Satiar Shah is expected to be involved with the brand in some capacity.
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.
