When you have your dream job, it’s not easy to walk away from it. But in life, there are things that are more important and that begins and ends with family. From the time he was five years old growing up on Long Island, all Casey Stern wanted to do was to talk about sports and that dream came true with a resume that so many people in the industry would love to have.
Stern cut his teeth in the industry working for MLB.com followed by New York-based MSG Network. That led to a 12-year run at SiriusXM, a stint with NBA TV and the opportunity to be a studio host for TNT and TBS covering MLB, NBA and the NCAA Tournament.
But, a couple of years ago, Stern needed to take a break in the action.
“Family things always take priority,” said Stern. “That was more important than broadcasting as much as I love what I do and as much as it’s been a dream career for me.”
For Stern, the good news is that he and his family are doing well at home in Atlanta.
“The great part is that now my family is thriving,” said Stern. “Everybody is in a good place. I’m in a great place and I’m just looking to get back to doing what I love. When I was five, I stood up in first grade and when everybody said they wanted to be an astronaut, I wanted to be (Mets broadcaster) Bob Murphy and that hasn’t changed. I’m still the same big kid and I still have the same big dreams so I’m just looking for the next chapter and the next opportunity. There’s a rush that’s different being on TV and radio for me than anything else I’ve felt in my life and I’m just looking forward to experiencing that again sometime soon.”
But that opportunity has, for whatever reason, not been there for Stern.
In sports, we commonly talk about athletes and the careers they’ve had by referring to “the back of his baseball card” or the card of whatever sport that individual plays. If we look at sports broadcasters, you look at the resume and the work that he or she has put out over the air whether it’s in television or radio.
Full disclosure…Casey Stern is a friend of mine but that’s irrelevant to what we’re talking about. His resume screams that he should be back in the game, but he’s being patient waiting for that opportunity to come his way.
Is he frustrated?
“Not really,” said Stern. “I think if you allow yourself to get mad at it, it’s not going to go anywhere good. I certainly understand it’s an industry that’s full of talented people. This industry is not easy and to get to the level where I was at and to get back there is not easy to do. I’m not frustrated. I’m honestly at a more grateful point than I’ve ever been in my life. When you lose things that you love, that dream and that absence makes the heart grow fonder. I’m just looking to talk sports and do what I love. I know that opportunity will come and I’ll be grateful for it when it does.”
With his family life in a great place, Stern has begun the process of finding that next dream job by launching a new podcast “Unfiltered with Casey Stern” on the Bleav network of podcasts. It’s been an opportunity for Stern to start talking sports again and he’s doing it on his terms, in his words and with some great content.
“It’s been so amazing,” said Stern. “I love talking sports. I’m just having such a great time with it and one of the cool things about being able to do a podcast and doing it with Bleav is I really get to put it out in my own way and make the impact that I want and at the end of the day, that’s more than anything else the most important thing so I’ve just been having a blast with it.”
Stern has made his way back in the game with the podcast, but the search still continues for a traditional sports broadcasting role. But, going back to his number one priority in life which is his family and taking care of his kids, he has to put a roof over their heads and food on the table.
As he waits for that next dream job to come his way, Stern has had to turn to work outside of sports broadcasting to provide for his family.
“You go through a period of time where you realize I’m going to wait and then it’s not coming,” said Stern. “We all have responsibilities as parents and as humans. I have been working a job outside of broadcasting. You do those things to make ends meet.”
Between his full-time job, launching the podcast and coaching his kids in baseball and softball, Stern is a busy man these days.
“I’m a grinder,” said Stern. “I’ve always been a grinder so I went back to work. There’s no time to sit and lick wounds when you’re a parent and you have responsibilities.”
The home base for those responsibilities is currently Atlanta but as he waits for a broadcasting opportunity, there is always that possibility that Stern might have to relocate.
Or maybe not.
Stern spent his first year with Turner living in New York but commuting back and forth to Atlanta for his studio duties. Perhaps there is a similar opportunity for him to remain in Atlanta but have a job that will allow him to work remotely from home or require some travel.
Right now, Atlanta is home but will it be his forever home?
“Forever is a long time,” said Stern. “Atlanta is my home for now. This is where my family is and my kids are thriving and this is where I’ll be. Atlanta is my home and I love being here with my kids but I’m flexible for the right opportunity and I’m just looking for a chance to not only show what I can do but to be able to enjoy doing what I love.”
Casey Stern has enjoyed a brilliant career in broadcasting. That next chapter is long overdue.
Peter Schwartz writes weekly sports radio features for Barrett Media. He has been involved in New York sports media for over three decades, and has worked for notable brands such as WFAN, CBS Sports Radio, WCBS 880, ESPN New York, and FOX News Radio. Peter has also served as play by play announcer for the New Yok Riptide, New York Dragons, New York Hitmen, Varsity Media and the Long Island Sports Network. You can find him on Twitter @SchwartzSports or email him at DragonsRadio@aol.com.
