One of the morning sessions on Day 1 of the recent Barrett Sports Media Summit in New York was ‘The Power Panel’ which was hosted by longtime media executive and McVay Media president Mike McVay. On the panel were three people who help shape sports audio conversation across the country: Good Karma Brands president Steve Politziner, Westwood One Senior Vice President of Sports Bruce Gilbert and Audacy Executive Vice President of Programming Jeff Sottolano.
To put the group into perspective, Audacy has sports programming on over 40 radio stations across the country and airs over 5,000 games through various play-by-play partnerships. Most of what Good Karma Brands does is in sports, including eight ESPN radio stations in markets including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. They have over a dozen play-by-play partnerships in professional sports. Westwood One, who has the rights to the NFL and the NCAA Tournament, amongst several other properties, is owned by Cumulus Media who also has sports on over 40 radio stations across the country and many local play-by-play partnerships.
Needless to say, this power panel knows a thing or two about sports programming. The whole discussion was terrific, but I wanted to share the answers to just the first question Mike McVay asked which was, “What is the strength of the sports talk format?”
“What we deliver is that engagement around that orbit that is sports,” said Sottolano. “We do it in a really relatable, organic, accessible way…What people are attracted to is that connection we have…I think it starts with sports…That real-time engagement and passion that our best talent and programmers are able to tap into…We are a highly engaged format that has proven to be durable across these different mediums.”
Politziner said, “When you think about sports radio, sports audio, sports media… the difference now is things have gotten so much more fragmented everywhere else that sports historically was more of a niche play and has become more of a mainstream play. Not to mention more of a brand-safe play, so it is a great time to be there…It’s as valuable as ever.”
McVay asked Bruce Gilbert, “Is the biggest strength the audience, the listeners, the personalities?”
Gilbert said, “There’s one thing that’s a common thread…it’s about the talent, the talent drive it and what is attractive about the talent is the subject matter of sports…We are living in crazy times, it’s a divisive time…Everyone wants to be angry about something. Sports is the great unifier; it brings people together. I don’t care how you grew up or what your politics are. If you root for the same team as me, we’re together, we are united. We have always been able to provide this escape for people from all of the things that get on their nerves in real life.”
To watch the full session and all of the other conversations that took place at the BSM Summit in New York, click here.
