Detroit sports radio host Mike Valenti agreed to a new contract with Entercom, keeping The Valenti Showon WXYT-FM 97.1, weekdays from 2pm – 6pm. Length of the agreement was not disclosed, but the extension was announced as a “long-term” contract.
“Mike is an extraordinary talent who has a great rapport with Detroit sports fans,” said Debbie Kenyon, SVP and Market Manager of Entercom Detroit. “He has built a dedicated listener base and we’re thrilled to have him on the 97.1 team for years to come.”
Valenti joined The Ticket in 2004 and moved to afternoon drive in 2007 with co-host Terry Foster when the station switched from AM radio to FM. Foster retired from the show in April 2017, following a stroke which put him on medical leave for much of 2016. Since Foster’s retirement, Valenti has continued in afternoon drive as a solo host.
“I value the opportunity to continue my career at The Ticket in Detroit, one of the great sports towns in the country,” Valenti said in the press release announcing his new contract.
Valenti re-upped with WXYT The Ticket in 2016, signing a 10-year contract extension while the station was still owned by CBS. The reason for renegotiating Valenti’s contract was not reported, but since his last contract was agreed to, Valenti has become a solo host of the show and new ownership took over. While under his previous contract, the 36-year old Valenti explored the option of moving to a larger market.
Valenti’s highly opinionated style, combined with his ratings success and New York ties made him a candidate to take over for Mike Francesa when he was set to retire from WFAN. Valenti spent a week on-air at New York’s WFAN last summer, partnered with Evan Roberts and Chris Simms separately.
Valenti ended up staying in Detroit after Francesa’s afternoon drive timeslot was filled by Chris Carlin, Maggie Gray and Bart Scott, but last November Tony Paul of The Detroit News tweeted “heard rumblings Mike Valenti was among those offered the job, but turned it down.” Ultimately, Francesa returned after five months of retirement, pushing Carlin, Maggie and Bart to middays.
Brandon Contes is a freelance writer for BSM. He can be found on Twitter @BrandonContes. To reach him by email click here.
Brandon Contes is a former reporter for BSM, now working for Awful Announcing. You can find him on Twitter @BrandonContes or reach him by email at Brandon.Contes@gmail.com.
