Starting on Monday, 101 ESPN will have a new weekday lineup. The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy have forced St. Louis’ sports radio leader to make adjustments including parting ways with one of the most recognized personalities in the market.
Several hosts will change dayparts to help the station move forward but the headline that is certain to generate a lot of attention is the exit of longtime host Bernie Miklasz.
Miklasz has been a fixture in St. Louis sports media for decades. The former St. Louis Post Dispatch columnist joined 101 ESPN in April of 2009. He’s spent most of the past decade patrolling 101’s airwaves, delivering ratings, and earning recognition from industry executives as the #1 Mid-Market Morning Show in BSM’s annual Top 20 each of the past three years.
101 ESPN afternoon host Randy Karraker paid tribute to Miklasz today on his show and said the situation was the result of the economy being shut down. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reached out to Miklasz for comment and he wasn’t ready to discuss the situation but did say that he’s trying to keep things in perspective and stay positive.
With Miklasz gone, 101 ESPN will turn to Randy Karraker to take over the morning drive slot. Karraker will be joined by Miklasz’s former co-host Michelle Smallmon for a new show. The program is expected to air weekdays from 7a-10a CT.
Karraker’s move to mornings creates an opening in afternoons on the station’s top rated program The Fast Lane. Brad Thompson and Chris Rongey will remain with the show and taking over Karraker’s role will be midday host Anthony Stalter. Stalter originally joined 101 as the show’s producer and has since gone on to thrive as a host working alongside the late Chris Duncan and former Blues player Jamie Rivers. He’s also added PT hosting opportunities at the ESPN Radio network.
As Stalter moves into afternoons and away from middays, 101 will add a 1-hour show featuring St. Louis Cardinals broadcaster Dan McLaughlin from 10a-11 CT. They’ll also retool the midday show with Rivers, adding one of its rising stars Brandon ‘BK’ Kiley as the lead host. The midday team will occupy the weekday slot of 11a-2p CT.
