With a mini-vacation on the horizon later this week, I didn’t expect to release a new UTR until next week. But given the slate of activity in sports media circles, a new installment needed to be produced.
From the department of regurgitated messaging, if you or your brand have news to share and would like to be included in a future edition of this column, please send your details via email to JBarrett@hvy.tcp.mybluehost.me.
Now on to the news.
WINZ-940 in Miami has parted ways with afternoon host Andy Slater. The Miami sports media veteran has proven he has a nose for news, breaking numerous stories over the years in South Florida. Slater has declined comment on why he’s no longer with the station or what his future plans are, but with football season about to start, the timing of the move was surprising. No word yet on what WINZ’s permanent plans are for afternoons.
A little further north in the sunshine state, changes are being made to part of the Orlando Magic radio broadcast. Popular local host Scott Anez will no longer host pre-game, halftime or post-game shows due to the team’s games moving to 96.9 The Game. Brandon Kravitz takes over as the host of all three programs. Anez had been part of Magic broadcasts for 27 years.
Congratulations to Colin Cowherd and his team. The FOX Sports Radio host announced via social media that for the month of May and June, podcast listening reached its highest point at nearly ten million listens each month.
On the subject of podcasts, check out 670 The Score host Laurence Holmes‘ new episode with ESPN LA 710 Operations Manager Dan Zampillo. The former colleagues reflected on their time working together and shared some quality insights on the good, bad and ugly of working in the sports broadcasting business. You can hear the episode by clicking here.
Continuing with The Score, as was expected, Chicago Tribune sports columnist David Haugh has replaced Brian Hanley on the morning show with Mike Mulligan. The program is now referred to as Mully and Haugh.
Nick Wilson has signed off as the evening host at 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland. Wilson spent seven years with the radio station, working his way up the ladder. He’s landed a new opportunity which should be announced soon. No word yet on how PD Andy Roth will fill the evening slot but it should be an attractive opening internally and externally given how it’s advanced the careers of Wilson, and 92.3 The Fan’s morning host Ken Carman. To apply for the position visit our Jobs section by clicking here.
VSiN has added a new racing program to its weekday schedule. Gone Racing airs Thursday’s from 5p-6p ET and is hosted by Ron Flatter and Brendan Gaughan. You can hear the show on SiriusXM channel 204 or on VSiN.com. The company has also signed on 102.9/750 The Game in Portland as a carrier of its Action Updates.
A tip of the cap to one of the Bay Area’s best sports broadcasters Greg Papa. The weekday host on 95.7 The Game and former radio play by play voice of the Oakland Raiders has been chosen to enter the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame. Also gaining entry is longtime marketing director Jude Heller who was part of The Game’s initial launch in 2011. For more information click here.
Washington DC sports radio host Nick Ashooh is taking over as host of the Locked on Redskins podcast. The added responsibility doesn’t affect his role hosting evenings and weekends on 106.7 The Fan, or my TV and digital work with NBC Sports Washington. You can learn more about Nick by clicking here.
Manny Chang received some great news recently. The producer of Miami Hurricanes football and the Florida Panthers on WQAM in Miami was named the new producer for Miami Dolphins radio broadcasts.
After 10 years in St. Louis radio, Travis Green has decided its time for a new journey. Green has left his position as Bernie Miklasz’ and Michelle Smallmon‘s producer on 101 ESPN‘s morning show for an opportunity outside of the radio industry. During his career, Green also worked for KMOX and 1380 AM. Although he’s leaving the day to day grind of radio, Green says he will still contribute written articles and a podcast for the station on a part time basis.
In the television world, former ESPN sideline reporter Britt McHenry is officially joining FOX News as a full time contributor. McHenry began her transformation to delivering political commentary after being let go during ESPN’s last round of layoffs. In addition to appearing on FOX’s programs, McHenry also has a local show in Washington DC on Friday evenings.
The Dallas Stars have confirmed that Josh Bogorad will serve as the play by play announcer for the team’s television and radio broadcasts this season. Daryl Reaugh returns to his role as color analyst.
Continuing in Texas, the San Antonio Spurs have added Dan Weiss to their television broadcast. Weiss replaces Andrew Monaco as a studio co-host on the Spurs Live pregame and postgame shows on FOX Sports Southwest, KENS-TV (CBS 5) and KMYS-TV (CW35).
Atlanta sports radio host Matt Chernoff has confirmed he’s returning to FOX 5 for another football season. The afternoon host on 680 The Fan will contribute to FOX 5’s live pregame show on Thursday night’s and make post-game appearances on Sunday’s following Falcons afternoon games.
ESPN has made a few changes to its NFL Nation reporting assignments. Cameron Wolfe has left the Tennessee Titans beat to move to South Beach to cover the Miami Dolphins. Turron Davenport fills the void left behind by Wolfe covering the Titans in Nashville.
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.
