Eddie Radosevich awoke to a blaring alarm at 4:45am last Monday. For the first time in nearly 15 years, his morning was beginning well before the sun would make its first appearance of the day. His initial thought was one that most people would probably have in that same scenario, “what have I done to myself?”
Soon after, Radosevich headed to the Tyler Media Studios in Oklahoma City for his first day in a new role. Never before had he been a full-time employee of a radio station, but on this particular day, he was beginning his first day as a co-host of The Franchise Morning Show.
Though Radosevich hadn’t been employed by a radio station since interning for Sports Talk 1400 in college, sports radio was never far from his mind, in fact, his passion for it never wavered. For several years, he’d been a popular guest on stations across the market. Being employed at SoonerScoop.com of the Rivals Network, along with a rising social media presence, the informative and entertaining segments on OU athletics he provided, started to reveal his talent in the sports radio world. From guests appearances came fill-in opportunities with The Franchise. After proving himself throughout several months and expressing his desire to get into a full-time role, The Franchise Morning Show became the dream he always wanted to pursue.
In an age where program directors are getting as creative as ever to find new talent. The Franchise is just the latest example of thinking outside the box to fill an open position.
TM: How did this all come together?
ER: It was kind of a trickle down from doing fill-in work but we were both open to the idea of me getting back into radio on a full-time basis. My fill-in work lasted about eight months and then The Franchise approached me a couple weeks ago about an opportunity they had that was available. It eventually turned into something I really wanted to pursue and it just worked out for everyone involved that I had a position to fill. It was a little bit of luck and working hard over the last couple of years, along with developing a name in the market. In my opinion, it definitely helped that I cover OU and am at all the practices and games. It was definitely an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down.
TM: How much do you think your social media presence helped get your foot in the door with The Franchise?
ER: I don’t want to say 100 percent, but I would say around 75 percent of it. More than anything, just developing a name that people know and can easily relate to on Twitter. Social media can obviously be used in the right way, to connect with a fan base or connect with an audience you’re wanting to reach.
TM: How do you see yourself fitting into a show that already has three voices on it?
ER: I think it’s definitely going to take some time to get a feel for everyone on the show. At the same time, they’ve made it really easy as far as being comfortable and letting me be myself. I don’t have to worry about anything outside of the station. I don’t want to say I’ve built a persona, but I think people know I like to have a good time and can be sarcastic as far as interacting with people. As the year goes along, and as I get more comfortable, I think finding my role and finding my groove will be a lot easier once we get our pace going.
TM: Who you are on Twitter and how people know and recognize your name, is that who you want to be on the radio show?
ER: Yeah. I think the worst thing you can do if you’re trying to build a social media presence or trying to build a brand on the air, is to be fake with people. Sometimes, it probably bites me because I’m so honest and give my opinion, but at the same time it works out in the end because that’s who I am, whether you see me at a bar, at a game or walking through your tailgate on Saturday. Hopefully, people can appreciate the fact they know what they’re getting with me. I don’t want to be fake at all.
TM: You never hesitate to tweet out an opinion of yours, especially if its sports related. Seeing as you’re in a new role, is there a balance to tweeting out all your thoughts or to hold some back for the show?
ER: I haven’t really thought about that. In leading up to this, it’s always been segments as a guest. I guess that’s something I probably need to look at and make an example of what I need to be doing.
TM: You’re also in another situation that I find interesting. Your boss at SoonerScoop, Carey Murdock, is a morning show host at The Sports Animal who you’re competing with every morning. How does that dynamic work?
ER: SoonerScoop is still my No.1. I made that very clear before accepting the role. I talked to Carey and Josh McCuistion who are co-owners of the website and I didn’t want to make it awkward. At the end of the day, I think it’s great for the SoonerScoop brand to be on the radio in the Oklahoma City market on two of its bigger stations. I think it’s a good baseline to have. We haven’t discussed too much on competing with one another, but I think it’s be fun and we’re still on the same team, at the end of the day.
TM: Why do you think The Franchise saw you as a fit with the morning show?
ER: In a way, I think it worked out for the best since I do cover OU. I think they were looking for somebody that’s with the team daily, especially during the football season. I still think OU still probably drives the majority of sports radio talk in Oklahoma. I know the Thunder is huge, and they’ll always be the talk of the town during the season, but at the same time I think you can get the most out of Oklahoma football because it’s the lifeblood of the state.
TM: Why did you want to get back into radio?
ER: Growing up, that’s kind of what I did, I listened to sports talk radio. I don’t have any music on my iPad or have an iTunes, in fact I don’t really listen to a whole lot of music. Sports radio has always been a passion of mine and getting my own, or being a part of one, has always been something I’m drawn to. It started when I was little, going home and playing Nintendo and instead of listening to the announcer on the game or listening to music, I’d turn on sports radio. It’s always been a passion.
TM: Seeing as you’ve never been a full-time employee at a station, do you think you’re a prime example of hiring someone outside of the box? Someone who built a name outside radio but has shown on different avenues they can be entertaining and informative?
ER: Yeah, in a way. I’m definitely thankful for the opportunity I’ve been given and the believe The Franchise has in me. But at the same time, I’ve tried since my college years to make good connections through networking in several markets and to make appearances on several stations. In a way, they’re taking a risk but I definitely think I’ve proved myself, whether it be filling in with another person or going solo to show it’s something I have a passion for and that it’s something I want to do for years to come.
Tyler McComas is a columnist for BSM and a sports radio talk show host in Norman, OK where he hosts afternoon drive for SportsTalk 1400. You can find him on Twitter @Tyler_McComas or you can email him at TylerMcComas08@yahoo.com.
