The radio industry gathered from the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York, N.Y. to celebrate the year and recognize the industry’s finest from the 2023 Marconi Radio Awards presented by the National Association of Broadcasters. Those within the sports radio industry in particular were on hand to accept honors and support their colleagues, including host Rich Eisen.
Debbie Kenyon of Audacy kicked off the festivities in the sports format as the winner of the Legendary Manager of the Year. 97.1 The Ticket, the winner of last year’s Sports Station of the Year, is in her purview and consistently one of the strongest-rated stations in the market. She has served as the senior vice president and market manager for the Detroit cluster of stations for Audacy, formerly Entercom, since 1999. While Kenyon was not on hand for the awards, a colleague accepted the honor on her behalf.
“She’s proud to be part of an industry that has the opportunity to inform, educate, entertain and inspire millions of people each week,” the colleague said.
98.5 The Sports Hub (WBZ-FM) won sports radio station of the year honors, its fourth Marconi Award victory in the 14-year history of the station. The outlet beat out several other competitors in the category, including KFAN (KFXN-FM) in Minneapolis-St. Paul; 1310 The Ticket (KTCK-AM) in Dallas-Fort Worth; WFAN in New York City; and 106.7 The Fan (WJFK-FM) in Washington, D.C. Station program director Rick Radzik accepted the award and dedicated it to the behind-the-scenes staff members and thanked listeners in the Boston marketplace for their support.
“The passion of Boston’s sports fanbase and our loyal listeners for the last 14 years,” Radzik said. “….We’ve had great listeners. We have a great fanbase in Boston, and we appreciate all our support.”
James Brown, a three-time Emmy Award-winning broadcaster and host of The NFL Today for CBS Sports, was on hand to accept the NAB Distinguished Service Award. National Association of Broadcasters president and chief executive officer Curtis LeGeyt introduced Brown and emphasized his achievements both in sports and news media. After a tribute video, Brown took the stage to accept the organization’s highest honor.
“At the end of the day, it is all about teamwork as some of the award winners have said,” Brown said. “Nothing is done solo; it is all about the team. Nothing says it better than covering and hosting in the world of sports. Sports, certainly, is a wonderful platform that have helped move the social needle forward.”
Brown connected his experiences in the world of sports and news media to how he can utilize his platform to advance the conversation forward. As a longtime media personality and commentator, he has been able to inform, entertain and persuade audiences through multiple platforms for several decades.
“The chasm in society right now is so wide and deep, and people are spewing vitriol at each other as opposed to talking and loving each other. Love always wins.”
Eisen, who was hosting the event, won the award for network/syndicated personality of the year and gave a heartfelt acceptance speech with his Cumulus Media/Westwood One colleagues on hand. He expressed that he felt overwhelmed and congratulated the other nominees, articulating the honor he felt in being within the same group. Eisen also told the story of meeting Bob Barker, the former host of The Price Is Right on CBS, and how he thanked him for the passion he brings to his job ever day.
“Our industry is unique,” Eisen said. “As James [Brown] would be able to tell you through his years on television, [we] are trying to crack the code on how to reach fans; how to reach people who consume what we’re doing, and no medium can rival radio on that front.”
