Here we go again.
A billionaire set to ask the taxpayer for their money to build a new stadium. It’s a tale as old as time.
You can crisscross this country any which way and find stories in major American cities of the taxpayer often getting fleeced by ownership groups of sports teams for shiny new stadiums with the promise of economic development, a windfall of tax dollars, and everything else under the sun.
And if your market has had one of those debates recently, or is on the front end of that debate beginning, as we are in Kansas City, then this is more of a News Talk story than a Sports Talk story. In fact, the News Talk station should be able to beat the Sports Talk station at their own game whenever this issue comes up.
That’s because these stories are much more about politics, finances, and economic development than they are about simply sports. Sports is what we perceive a new stadium story to be about, but it’s never really about the sport or the team on the field.
Let’s be honest, most voters are skeptical when the billionaire owners come begging to look for a handout. And given where the world is heading into 2023, a looming recession, and general pessimism across the political spectrum of perceived “elites”, now is going to be a difficult time for any team to make such an ask.
So even if you hate sports, know that you can win on a story like this by tapping into your own political and news contacts for insight that the sports folks in town won’t have while also being the “voice” of the people in your market.
Your political and business connections will prove far more valuable than knowing the team’s GM or coach. Plus, on the News Talk side, you can be the voice of the people. The Sports Talkers are far more likely to be the fanboys looking for a shiny new toy to enjoy a hot dog and beer. That’s not what most of the working stiffs in your community are thinking about. It’s not top of mind for them to figure out how quickly they can spend $20 on a beer and $18 on a basket of lukewarm chicken fingers and soggy french fries.
Who’s standing up for them during a process like this? You.
News Talk hosts know that game is oftentimes better than Sports Talk hosts do because we’re used to questioning politicians around the community who tell us we’re one sales tax hike away from finally paving the roads, picking up your trash on time, or keeping you safe. More often than not, it rings hollow.
So in the zero-sum game that is radio listening, don’t be afraid to dabble in the sports world, especially when it very clearly crosses over from being a sports story to being a news story. You’ve got the connections, you talk more about these kinds of topics than they do, and you won’t be blinded by sports fandom. Listeners will appreciate it, they will come to you as their “advocate” and you might flip some of them on a permanent basis.
And don’t worry, you don’t have to know who the fifth starter, backup point guard, or third-string running back is on the team. None of that matters. This is your lane.
Pete Mundo is a weekly columnist for Barrett Media, and the morning show host and program director for KCMO in Kansas City. Previously, he was a fill-in host nationally on FOX News Radio and CBS Sports Radio, while anchoring for WFAN, WCBS News Radio 880, and Bloomberg Radio. Pete was also the sports and news director for Omni Media Group at K-1O1/Z-92 in Woodward, Oklahoma. He’s also the owner of the Big 12-focused digital media outlet Heartland College Sports. To interact, find him on Twitter @PeteMundo.
