The first two weeks of the NFL season have been seen major injuries and holdouts across the league. When that happens, your team either has the depth to deal with the problem or is in big trouble. For example, during the first two weeks here are the important NFL players lost to injury:
Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints(Thumb, out at least 6 weeks)
Nick Foles, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars (Broken Collarbone, out indefinitely)
Tyreek Hill, WR, Kansas City Chiefs (Collarbone, out 4-6 weeks)
Sam Darnold, QB, NY Jets (Mono, out til Week 5)
Trevor Simien, QB, NY Jets (Torn Ligament, on IR)
Add in high profile holdouts of Chargers RB Melvin Gordon and Redskins LT Trent Williams just shows that you have to have a deep bench to be ready for any situation.
It made me think about the bench at your sports radio station. The station may be fine for a day or two or even a week without one of its main hosts, but what would you do if you lost a host for 4-6 weeks like Tyreek Hill? Are you ready for that?
Here are a few key ways to build your station’s depth:
Internal Fill-ins:
Anchors, reporters and producers are natural fill-ins. They’re part of the station fabric already, know the sound and culture, and are typically cost-effective. It’s crucial when listening to these internal candidates to determine the potential of the host.
Think of it like doing the job of a baseball scout. Listen to the host’s personality on the air. Are they genuine? Do they connect with listeners. Are they prepared yet not over-prepared? I have seen internal hosts get an opportunity to host and just load it up with guests and topics they have stored up. The problem here is getting a show full of guests and topics that may not be relevant based on the day’s news.
You want to hear these fill-in hosts handle every possible scenario including: handling breaking news, creating and developing topics, taking calls, interviews, back and forth with a co-host. If you recognize potential in an internal fill-in, you need to nurture it. It will take delicate work, because this person has a current job that you need them to focus on. Aircheck them, offer them varying fill in spots, and most of all, give them reps. They’ll need the reps to make mistakes, get more comfortable. Have them host solo and with different partners. It’s a lot of work, but will payoff when you need it.
External Fill-ins:
So where do you find these external fill-in candidates? Anywhere, if you’re always looking (and listening!) Here are the different “categories” I would be looking in for these fill-in candidates:
- Writers: Not just sports writers, but writers who really know your city and market and cover it.
- Callers: Is there a caller who is really outstanding? A caller who always brings it and is prepared?
- Retiring Athletes/Coaches: Is there a coach or player with a local tie-in that could have what it takes to be a host on your station? Give them a tryout. Talk to them about the possibilities. It’s super important that a former player or coach wants to put in the work necessary to do a regular, fill-in or daily talk show. They can’t survive on old stories and they have to bring something to the table that is unique. By the way, they don’t have to be big name players or coaches. Just someone with the right experience who would potentially be a good fit for your station.
- Everywhere: Is there a local bartender, waiter, personal trainer, or politician who is great at talking sports? Has great passion, opinionated, boundless energy. You really need to always be looking and listening to find someone in this category.
Just like NFL teams, sports radio stations face attrition caused by illness, injury, hosts leaving, and even from budget cuts. Don’t wait until you need to replace top talent to begin this process. If you take the time and put in the thought and cultivation you should be able to create a two or three deep depth chart similar to what NFL and college football teams have. Be proactive and be prepared and you’ll leave yourself with some strong options when you’re faced with a sudden opening.
Matt Fishman is a former columnist for BSM. The current PD of ESPN Cleveland has a lengthy resume in sports radio programming. His career stops include SiriusXM, 670 The Score in Chicago, and 610 Sports in Kansas City. You can follow him on Twitter @FatMishman20 or you can email him at FishmanSolutions@gmail.com.
