Sports Radio

NASCAR Racing Network Forms From Partnership with MRN, PRN

“Working side by side, MRN and PRN have built one of the largest radio networks in sports,”

iHeartMedia, San Diego FC Announce Radio Broadcast Partnership

“We are thrilled to welcome iHeartMedia and Grupo PSN as our official radio broadcast partners,”

Ken LaVicka to Call Inter Miami CF Radio Games on ESPN West Palm

"The standing that they’re in with the Messi brand – the fact that they are chasing a championship this season. It’s just a great opportunity all around for me.”

Sean Pendergast: Lack of Baseball Coverage on ESPN Outside of Game Broadcasts is ‘100% True’

"If you watch shows like 'First Take' and 'Get Up,' there’s no baseball coverage on there."

Tom Tolbert “Knew Something Was Going On” Day Of KNBR Cuts

“I went, ‘We’re probably screwed.’ And, oh God, he’s wearing a collared shirt too? Oh man, we’re toast.”

Sports Columns

Does Anyone Want to Own a Radio Station?

In April of 2012, ESPN began leasing an FM...

PBR Professional Bull Riding the ‘Perfect Remedy’ Following the Super Bowl

"The 2024 season averaged 1.4 million unique U.S. viewers per 2024 telecast, up from 1.1 million in 2022"

Finding a First is Crucial for Talent Before Its Your Last

"I’ve been in your shoes, and I’ve walked a mile if not an entire marathon or two in them."

SNL50 Presented The Best Way To Celebrate Your Brand

“Saturday Night Live celebrated itself and its influence by reminding its biggest fans what it does best and by showing everyone what they fell in love with in the first place.”

If You Cannot Sell Yourself, You Should Not Be in the Sports Content Business

If anyone is going to work for me in any capacity, I need to be sold they can sell.

Sports Television

US-Canada 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game Averages Over 16 Million Viewers Across Both Countries: Report

Connor McDavid scored a game-winning goal in overtime, resulting in a 3-2 victory for Canada over the United States.

St. Louis Blues Airing Three Games on Free Television for First Time in 15 Years

“Broadcasting these Blues games is another great way for us to give local viewers what they want.”

Former NBA Guard Gilbert Arenas Confirms Meeting With NBC Sports

“It's a good crazy that people want me, and I'm very thankful for just the opportunities that I put myself back in position to be wanted,"

ESPN Signs Quentin Richardson as NBA Analyst

The addition of Richardson comes shortly before The Walt Disney Company commences a new 11-year media rights deal with the NBA.

MLB, ESPN Agree To End Current Broadcast Agreement Following 2025 Season

“We are grateful for our longstanding relationship with Major League Baseball and proud of how ESPN’s coverage super-serves fans,”

News Radio

Former ‘Opie & Anthony’ Host Anthony Cumia to Join 77 WABC

"Looking very forward to my triumphant return to broadcast radio in NYC. Thanks to everyone at WABC Radio."

John Catsimatidis: Curtis Sliwa, Frank Morano, Anthony Weiner ‘Crossed the Line’ on 77 WABC

"Everybody was running their mouths, trying to get away with as much as they can get away with."

Dennis Prager Receives ‘Encouraging’ Update on Health and Recovery After November Fall

"He has one goal: to get back to all of us and to talk to the world again."

Dan Bongino Stays Near Top of January Triton Digital Podcast Rankings as Shawn Ryan Climbs Into Top 5

The Dan Bongino Show only trailed NPR News Now and Up First from NPR in the Top Podcasts By Weekly Average Downloads category.

WBAP Adds The Joe Pags Show to Daily Lineup

Joe Pagliarulo steps into the timeslot previously occupied by Chris Krok.

News Columns

It’s Time for News/Talk Radio to Strike While the Iron’s Hot

Every show, every segment, and every piece of imaging can be viewed as an audition for a potential new listener.

Will the Success of ‘The Will Cain Show’ on Fox News Lead Cable News to Consider a YouTube-Like Approach to Shows?

Cain's show presents something different and unique to virtually everything else in cable news. Shouldn't other channels take notice?

Why News/Talk Radio Hosts and Stations Need to Dive Head First Into Winning Topic A

If you are discussing the education subcommittee vote while your community is receiving a foot of snow, you have failed.

Does The News Industry Think Anything Makes Being a Reporter in 2025 Enticing?

The glamour of the Woodward and Bernstein days (or the Walter Cronkite days, or the Ernie Pyle days) is long gone. If you’re just starting out, no, you don’t want to be a reporter.

Nielsen Well Intentioned For Changing Qualifying Time, But Still Missing the Mark By Wide Margin

It’s a step in the right direction, but it’s miles away from how major digital outlets are calculating their metrics.

News Television

Newsmax: ‘We Fear A Future Administration May Not Like Something’ We Report, That’s Why We Support Associated Press in Standoff With Donald Trump

“We can understand President Trump’s frustration because the media has often been unfair to him, but Newsmax still supports the AP’s right, as a private organization, to use the language it wants to use in its reporting.”

Sean Hannity Interview with Donald Trump, Elon Musk Earns More Than 5 Million Viewers for Fox News

The conversation marked the first time both Donald Trump and Elon Musk sat down for a televised interview.

CBS Evening News Switches Away From News Magazine Style Weeks Into New Format

The ratings have continued to slide in the weeks following the change from Norah O'Donnell to the new format.

Ratings Roundup: Meet the Press Earns NBC News Top Spot in Key Demo With Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Interview

In the total viewers sector, NBC News saw a 7% increase compared to the Sunday, February 9th edition of the long-running network news program.

Music News

CRS 2025: Day 3 Takeaways

The third and final day of CRS 2025 in...

Mix 104.1 Boston’s Steve Salhany Believes In ‘Real Local Radio’

“I've been doing this so long, and this is all about doing great local radio. I'm only as good as the people who work with me on each individual station."

‘The Country Top 40 with Fitz’ Marks Five Years With Fitz At The Mic

“It is an absolute dream every single weekend when I get to play the hits,” said Fitz. “When I walk into Bob’s studio, it feels like Christmas."

KRST Albuquerque Dedicates ‘The Juan Velasco Studio’

Earlier this week, co-workers, friends, and family gathered at the station to commemorate the studio's naming, “The Juan Velasco Studio.”

CRS 2025: Day 2 Takeaways

Day two of CRS 2025 in Nashville picks up...

Music Columns

It’s Time for News/Talk Radio to Strike While the Iron’s Hot

Every show, every segment, and every piece of imaging can be viewed as an audition for a potential new listener.

Will the Success of ‘The Will Cain Show’ on Fox News Lead Cable News to Consider a YouTube-Like Approach to Shows?

Cain's show presents something different and unique to virtually everything else in cable news. Shouldn't other channels take notice?

Why News/Talk Radio Hosts and Stations Need to Dive Head First Into Winning Topic A

If you are discussing the education subcommittee vote while your community is receiving a foot of snow, you have failed.

Does The News Industry Think Anything Makes Being a Reporter in 2025 Enticing?

The glamour of the Woodward and Bernstein days (or the Walter Cronkite days, or the Ernie Pyle days) is long gone. If you’re just starting out, no, you don’t want to be a reporter.

Nielsen Well Intentioned For Changing Qualifying Time, But Still Missing the Mark By Wide Margin

It’s a step in the right direction, but it’s miles away from how major digital outlets are calculating their metrics.

Podcasting

CNN Launches Chance Encounters Podcast Hosted by Francesca Street

CNN, under the direction of CEO Mark Thompson, has made digital media efforts a priority, including the podcasting space.

The Volume Adds ‘New Rory & Mal’ Podcast in First Entertainment Show on Colin Cowherd-Founded Network

“The Volume has built a community of creators and personalities that align with the New Rory & Mal brand."

Audacy EVP of Podcasts Jenna Weiss-Berman Departs to Join Amy Poehler-Led Company

Weiss-Berman is the latest executive to depart Audacy since the company emerged from its pre-packaged Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.

Former Barstool Sports CEO Erika Ayers Badan Launches Podcast with Lemonada Media

Lemonada Media will handle both distribution and ad sales for the new venture.

Fox News Contributor Raymond Arroyo to Launch Show with iHeartPodcasts

Fox News contributor Raymond Arroyo has announced the launch...

Sports Radio

NASCAR Racing Network Forms From Partnership with MRN, PRN

“Working side by side, MRN and PRN have built one of the largest radio networks in sports,”

iHeartMedia, San Diego FC Announce Radio Broadcast Partnership

“We are thrilled to welcome iHeartMedia and Grupo PSN as our official radio broadcast partners,”

Ken LaVicka to Call Inter Miami CF Radio Games on ESPN West Palm

"The standing that they’re in with the Messi brand – the fact that they are chasing a championship this season. It’s just a great opportunity all around for me.”

Sean Pendergast: Lack of Baseball Coverage on ESPN Outside of Game Broadcasts is ‘100% True’

"If you watch shows like 'First Take' and 'Get Up,' there’s no baseball coverage on there."

Tom Tolbert “Knew Something Was Going On” Day Of KNBR Cuts

“I went, ‘We’re probably screwed.’ And, oh God, he’s wearing a collared shirt too? Oh man, we’re toast.”

Sports Columns

Does Anyone Want to Own a Radio Station?

In April of 2012, ESPN began leasing an FM...

PBR Professional Bull Riding the ‘Perfect Remedy’ Following the Super Bowl

"The 2024 season averaged 1.4 million unique U.S. viewers per 2024 telecast, up from 1.1 million in 2022"

Finding a First is Crucial for Talent Before Its Your Last

"I’ve been in your shoes, and I’ve walked a mile if not an entire marathon or two in them."

SNL50 Presented The Best Way To Celebrate Your Brand

“Saturday Night Live celebrated itself and its influence by reminding its biggest fans what it does best and by showing everyone what they fell in love with in the first place.”

If You Cannot Sell Yourself, You Should Not Be in the Sports Content Business

If anyone is going to work for me in any capacity, I need to be sold they can sell.

Sports Television

US-Canada 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game Averages Over 16 Million Viewers Across Both Countries: Report

Connor McDavid scored a game-winning goal in overtime, resulting in a 3-2 victory for Canada over the United States.

St. Louis Blues Airing Three Games on Free Television for First Time in 15 Years

“Broadcasting these Blues games is another great way for us to give local viewers what they want.”

Former NBA Guard Gilbert Arenas Confirms Meeting With NBC Sports

“It's a good crazy that people want me, and I'm very thankful for just the opportunities that I put myself back in position to be wanted,"

ESPN Signs Quentin Richardson as NBA Analyst

The addition of Richardson comes shortly before The Walt Disney Company commences a new 11-year media rights deal with the NBA.

MLB, ESPN Agree To End Current Broadcast Agreement Following 2025 Season

“We are grateful for our longstanding relationship with Major League Baseball and proud of how ESPN’s coverage super-serves fans,”

News Radio

Former ‘Opie & Anthony’ Host Anthony Cumia to Join 77 WABC

"Looking very forward to my triumphant return to broadcast radio in NYC. Thanks to everyone at WABC Radio."

John Catsimatidis: Curtis Sliwa, Frank Morano, Anthony Weiner ‘Crossed the Line’ on 77 WABC

"Everybody was running their mouths, trying to get away with as much as they can get away with."

Dennis Prager Receives ‘Encouraging’ Update on Health and Recovery After November Fall

"He has one goal: to get back to all of us and to talk to the world again."

Dan Bongino Stays Near Top of January Triton Digital Podcast Rankings as Shawn Ryan Climbs Into Top 5

The Dan Bongino Show only trailed NPR News Now and Up First from NPR in the Top Podcasts By Weekly Average Downloads category.

WBAP Adds The Joe Pags Show to Daily Lineup

Joe Pagliarulo steps into the timeslot previously occupied by Chris Krok.

News Columns

It’s Time for News/Talk Radio to Strike While the Iron’s Hot

Every show, every segment, and every piece of imaging can be viewed as an audition for a potential new listener.

Will the Success of ‘The Will Cain Show’ on Fox News Lead Cable News to Consider a YouTube-Like Approach to Shows?

Cain's show presents something different and unique to virtually everything else in cable news. Shouldn't other channels take notice?

Why News/Talk Radio Hosts and Stations Need to Dive Head First Into Winning Topic A

If you are discussing the education subcommittee vote while your community is receiving a foot of snow, you have failed.

Does The News Industry Think Anything Makes Being a Reporter in 2025 Enticing?

The glamour of the Woodward and Bernstein days (or the Walter Cronkite days, or the Ernie Pyle days) is long gone. If you’re just starting out, no, you don’t want to be a reporter.

Nielsen Well Intentioned For Changing Qualifying Time, But Still Missing the Mark By Wide Margin

It’s a step in the right direction, but it’s miles away from how major digital outlets are calculating their metrics.

News Television

Newsmax: ‘We Fear A Future Administration May Not Like Something’ We Report, That’s Why We Support Associated Press in Standoff With Donald Trump

“We can understand President Trump’s frustration because the media has often been unfair to him, but Newsmax still supports the AP’s right, as a private organization, to use the language it wants to use in its reporting.”

Sean Hannity Interview with Donald Trump, Elon Musk Earns More Than 5 Million Viewers for Fox News

The conversation marked the first time both Donald Trump and Elon Musk sat down for a televised interview.

CBS Evening News Switches Away From News Magazine Style Weeks Into New Format

The ratings have continued to slide in the weeks following the change from Norah O'Donnell to the new format.

Ratings Roundup: Meet the Press Earns NBC News Top Spot in Key Demo With Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Interview

In the total viewers sector, NBC News saw a 7% increase compared to the Sunday, February 9th edition of the long-running network news program.

Music News

CRS 2025: Day 3 Takeaways

The third and final day of CRS 2025 in...

Mix 104.1 Boston’s Steve Salhany Believes In ‘Real Local Radio’

“I've been doing this so long, and this is all about doing great local radio. I'm only as good as the people who work with me on each individual station."

‘The Country Top 40 with Fitz’ Marks Five Years With Fitz At The Mic

“It is an absolute dream every single weekend when I get to play the hits,” said Fitz. “When I walk into Bob’s studio, it feels like Christmas."

KRST Albuquerque Dedicates ‘The Juan Velasco Studio’

Earlier this week, co-workers, friends, and family gathered at the station to commemorate the studio's naming, “The Juan Velasco Studio.”

CRS 2025: Day 2 Takeaways

Day two of CRS 2025 in Nashville picks up...

Music Columns

It’s Time for News/Talk Radio to Strike While the Iron’s Hot

Every show, every segment, and every piece of imaging can be viewed as an audition for a potential new listener.

Will the Success of ‘The Will Cain Show’ on Fox News Lead Cable News to Consider a YouTube-Like Approach to Shows?

Cain's show presents something different and unique to virtually everything else in cable news. Shouldn't other channels take notice?

Why News/Talk Radio Hosts and Stations Need to Dive Head First Into Winning Topic A

If you are discussing the education subcommittee vote while your community is receiving a foot of snow, you have failed.

Does The News Industry Think Anything Makes Being a Reporter in 2025 Enticing?

The glamour of the Woodward and Bernstein days (or the Walter Cronkite days, or the Ernie Pyle days) is long gone. If you’re just starting out, no, you don’t want to be a reporter.

Nielsen Well Intentioned For Changing Qualifying Time, But Still Missing the Mark By Wide Margin

It’s a step in the right direction, but it’s miles away from how major digital outlets are calculating their metrics.

Podcasting

CNN Launches Chance Encounters Podcast Hosted by Francesca Street

CNN, under the direction of CEO Mark Thompson, has made digital media efforts a priority, including the podcasting space.

The Volume Adds ‘New Rory & Mal’ Podcast in First Entertainment Show on Colin Cowherd-Founded Network

“The Volume has built a community of creators and personalities that align with the New Rory & Mal brand."

Audacy EVP of Podcasts Jenna Weiss-Berman Departs to Join Amy Poehler-Led Company

Weiss-Berman is the latest executive to depart Audacy since the company emerged from its pre-packaged Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.

Former Barstool Sports CEO Erika Ayers Badan Launches Podcast with Lemonada Media

Lemonada Media will handle both distribution and ad sales for the new venture.

Fox News Contributor Raymond Arroyo to Launch Show with iHeartPodcasts

Fox News contributor Raymond Arroyo has announced the launch...

Barrett Media

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‘ESPN BET Live’ Is a Lock For Both Information and Entertainment

Betting has become part of mainstream sports and media. What was once considered a taboo mingling is now the norm. Professional sports teams and multimedia networks now have corporate relationships with betting companies. Heck, some of these companies now have their own Internet/television networks.

From DraftKings to FanDuel to BetMGM to Caesars and more, we are living in a new world order for sure, one where odds and props are as important as opponents and points. It is only natural that sports conglomerate ESPN would jump into this fray with its own sportsbook powerhouse ESPN BET and a daily show ESPN BET Live.

The program featuring Tyler Fulghum, Erin Dolan, and Joe Fortenbaugh among others has made its mark on the sports betting landscape. It is a fun and informative watch for bettors and fans alike.

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ESPN BET Live, seen on ESPN weeknights at 6:00 p.m. EST, benefits from solid lead-ins with NBA Today hosted by the terrific Malika Andrews and NFL Live with the equally talented Laura Rutledge at the helm. It is clever scheduling indeed. Viewers can get their dose of sports news and knowledge from those two shows and then combine that knowledge with the betting trends and data from ESPN BET Live.

The lively program begins with a segment called Opening Lines – essentially looking at the top sports stories from a wagering angle. On the Tuesday, January 9 edition the lead story was Ja Morant’s season-ending shoulder surgery. The on screen graphic not only gave the news, but also revealed that Memphis opened as a +5.5 underdog at Dallas that night, but with the injury news, moved to a +8.5 underdog.

This is the guts of ESPN BET Live, to use a baseball comparison, the story is the pitch and the gambling angle is the home run swing. Dolan delivered strong analysis of how the Morant injury will affect Memphis’s betting lines moving forward.

Fulghum discussed Steelers’ linebacker T.J. Watt being ruled out of the Wildcard matchup against Buffalo this Sunday due to a knee injury. The show offered a telling graphic showing the Steelers’ record as 69–33–2 with Watt and 1-10 without him. In days gone by, point spreads and injuries were presented as news, but were really betting guides in disguise. These days, the masks are off – it’s all about the bets.

Joe Fortenbaugh provided some real talk about the slumping Philadelphia Eagles stating that Philly has lost five out of the last six games and have not covered the spread in eight games. Despite this, the Eagles had moved from a 2.5 to a 3 point favorite against the Buccaneers.

Fortenbaugh is the unquestioned engine of the ESPN BET Live machine. This dude is Vegas personified. He is confident, direct, informed, and a bit of a wise ass in the best way possible. The cat is dressed to the nines, well-coiffed, and eternally pumped and ready to pounce on any subject with stats and information. He’s got game aplenty – the quintessential sports wagering guru.

Hailing from the working class community of Allentown, PA and a Penn State grad, Fortenbaugh is all showbiz now and brings experience as a sports wagerer and poker star himself. He also does excellent weekly turns on ESPN’s First Take with Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim.

Fortenbaugh continued to trash the Eagles saying that Nick Sirianni’s constant chatter of “We’re not going to quit.” is not a plan to get better. Even Dolan, an unabashed Eagles’ fan and fellow Nittany Lion who worked in the Philly TV market, admitted that the Eagles are a mess. In a humorous moment, Fortenbaugh stopped the onslaught and, with a sly smirk, put a positive spin on the Eagles-Bucs game which, lo and behold, is on ESPN.

One of the strengths of ESPN BET Live is that it provides updates on the betting lines for games as well as sports analysis. Dolan provided some telling statistics supporting her point that the Miami Dolphins cannot beat teams with winning records. She narrated a graphic showing that Miami scores roughly twice as many points and is 9-2 against losing teams as opposed to 1-5 vs. teams with winning records.

If Fortenbaugh is the star of ESPN BET Live, Dolan is the meteor. She is a captivating talent, and her enthusiasm and knowledge come through vividly. Dolan has been a consistent presence on social media and made her mark on ESPN with her Dolan Out Winners interstitial segment on SportsCenter.  

She has found the perfect vehicle for her talent in ESPN BET Live. Dolan is knowledgeable, jump off the screen watchable, and pointed in her commentary – a rising personality in sports broadcasting for sure.

Like Fortenbaugh, she has found her niche in the white hot world of sports betting, but I can see her doing even more at ESPN as her career evolves. Like many talents at the network, she has wisely employed social media and video to connect with followers and give fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse of her career.

As the show continued, the conversation moved to basketball, and Fulghum did an expert job setting up Dolan and Fortenbaugh to keep the show moving at a relentless pace. Fortenbaugh talked about the Knicks feasting on losing teams while Dolan discussed the Lakers being a sluggish team since winning the NBA In Season Tournament.

I really like the fast paced, machine gun commentary by Fulghum, Dolan, and Fortenbaugh. They are all incredibly prepared and ready to give their viewpoints on each game and topic. On this episode, Fulgham introduced a Play or Procrastinate segment where the panelists decide if they are ready to place a bet on the game at that moment or wait for more information as the game gets closer.

It is a segment that hits at the heart of the bettors’ dilemma especially with the NFL having a season of injuries and last minute inactives and scratches. For the Steelers-Bills game, Dolan advised procrastination worrying about the large 10 point spread and preferring to look into some player prop bets for this game.

I like that ESPN BET Live doesn’t just handicap games, but also focuses on individual player props and their statistics. On this episode, the trio talked about Jaden Ivey of the Pistons and Desmond Bane of the Grizzlies.

ESPN’s Andrew Hopkins joined the panel in the second half of the show to provide some football insight to mix with the betting talk. He discussed the Jared Goff/Matthew Stafford soap opera with both quarterbacks facing their former teams in the Rams-Lions playoff game this weekend. Dolan chimed in with good questions to Hawkins about the Chiefs offense.

Variety is also a strength of the program. The show moved to golf, analyzing possible wagers on the SONY Open and the news that Tiger Woods has 20-1 odds to win a major championship this year. College basketball was up next with ESPN’s Dalen Cuff joining the panel.

The Prop Culture segment at the end of the program talked about the odds that Jim Harbaugh would return to Michigan with Fortenbaugh offering a 5% chance of Harbaugh’s return.

You can debate whether the rise of betting content and online betting itself is good for sports, but there is no debate regarding ESPN BET Live. It taps into the hardcore culture of betting with all of the facts, factors, and figures. When it comes to information, entertainment, and compelling wagering debate, ESPN BET Live is as close as bettors will get to a sure thing.

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John Molori
John Molorihttps://barrettmedia.com
John Molori is a weekly columnist for Barrett Sports Media. He has previously contributed to ESPNW, Patriots Football Weekly, Golf Content Network, Methuen Life Magazine, and wrote a syndicated Media Blitz column in the New England region, which was published by numerous outlets including The Boston Metro, Providence Journal, Lowell Sun, and the Eagle-Tribune. His career also includes fourteen years in television as a News and Sports Reporter, Host, Producer working for Continental Cablevision, MediaOne, and AT&T. He can be reached on Twitter @MoloriMedia.

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