Mark Friedman, a longtime sports radio host in Dallas, has passed away, his brother announced on Monday morning. Over the last several years, he had been operating his own company, FriedoNation Productions, where he hosted and produced podcasts for individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations. Throughout these years, he endured a strenuous health battle and, according to his brother, “had been doing remarkably well considering everything that he had gone through.”
Friedman brought kindness, amiability, and benevolence to the community and co-workers throughout his career in sports media, which included stops at ESPN and Cumulus Media.
While with Sportsradio 1310 The Ticket, he was the producer of The Norm Hitzges Show and also served as the outlet’s assistant program director. The Stephen F. Austin State University graduate volunteered as a coach with Special Olympics Texas and was a board member of the Allen Fairview Chamber of Commerce.
“I am just shocked by this incredibly sad news,” Jeff Catlin, program director of Sportsradio 1310 and 96.7 FM The Ticket, said in a statement. “‘Friedo’ was a great guy; a real people-pleaser that was loved by everyone that knew him. As the assistant program director at the Ticket and then ESPN Dallas 103.3, he was also an excellent programmer. He had a real gift for coming up with unique promotional ideas that helped the stations grow and deepen their relationships with listeners.”
“‘Friedo'” was a name that everyone knew and for good reason both in DFW sports radio and for his community efforts,” added Bryan Broaddus, afternoon host at 105.3 The Fan, in a statement. “He was a tremendous teammate who you could always ask his opinion and was always open to ideas. He knew how to handle the team and everyone involved. I had enormous respect for him. Our thoughts are with his family.”
Arrangements for a memorial service are still being planned by the family, and many Facebook users shared their memories and provided condolences in the comments section.
