Congratulations to Danny Parkins. 670 The Score’s afternoon host has a new deal with FS1, which was reported Monday. Television’s gain, however, is now radio’s loss. Vice President for the Score and BetQL Network Mitch Rosen now has a big position to fill. Interest in the opening will be there but finding the right fit in Chicago is no easy task.
Parkins and Matt Spiegel have teamed in afternoons since February 2021, when they reunited after previously working together in middays. Spiegel was let go by former GM Jimmy DeCastro, and brought back later after DeCastro was gone.
Since the news became official, Barrett Media has asked industry contacts to see who they think makes sense for one of sports radio’s most coveted positions. In gathering those responses, here are 5 ways the industry suggested 670 The Score could go to replace Danny Parkins.
The Possibilities:
#1: With drive time unsettled, and Spiegel needing to find the right partner, many see the brand’s best move being to move the midday show with Dan Bernstein and Laurence Holmes to afternoons. Bernstein has had success in that timeslot before. Holmes’ energy and likability have also been a hit for years with Chicago sports fans. If one show is already working, and capable of handling drive time pressure, while the other is being rebuilt, why not maximize what’s hot while developing the next hit?
#2: When thinking of a replacement for Parkins, the obvious starting place is inside the market. But Parkins proved you don’t have to live in Chicago to win there, just have a connection to the city. One name that immediately comes to mind is Jarrett Payton, the son of NFL legend Walter Payton. Payton has done local media work on both radio and television. He’s a favorite of a few inside the Score. If Payton and Spiegel click, adding a strong football presence for the upcoming Bears season can’t be bad for business.
#3: Before returning to television, Leila Rahimi was making a name for herself at The Score. Rahimi was doing that in middays with Dan Bernstein. If The Score elects not to move or split up Bernstein and Holmes, might Rahimi be tempted by the bigger stage of drive time? The pay would likely be higher along with additional exposure. She’s still involved with the Score on a part-time basis but this opportunity makes too much sense to explore. Those familiar with her who we asked, rave about her on-air talent.
#4: One name you can’t rule out based on history is Jason Goff. He enjoyed success with Matt Spiegel in middays, only losing his spot when Jimmy DeCastro walked in and changed the entire radio station. When working together, Spiegel and Goff had chemistry. Knowing what each other brings to the table, what Chicago sports fans crave, and being able to step in tomorrow and do the job without needing time to find the right balance is what Goff adds that others can’t.
#5: Rosen isn’t likely to bet on a longshot but if he wants to, he has options. Before Parkins and Spiegel reunited, Danny went through an on-air search for his next partner. Many talented people with Chicago ties came through the door. One even fared well who had outside the market experience, and a prior connection to Parkins. Maybe they weren’t the right fit then, but could they be now?
Ramie Makhlouf was one of those names who impressed. The Milwaukee host was a prior finalist. He’s spent years doing sports talk in Milwaukee, a quick drive north, and bleeds Chicago sports. He also has a great sense of humor, which could mesh well with Spiegel. Ramie has also tested himself in other cities. He’s worked for SKOR North in Minneapolis, and Sactown Sports in Sacramento. Adding a point of view from inside and outside the market could help the show. It’s what Parkins brought to the table when he stepped in the door. That only matters if Ramie and Matt Spiegel gel though.
Another option would be Steve ‘Sparky’ Fifer, a talented personality in Milwaukee who is already in the company. Sparky has energy, passion, and opinions to command people’s attention. He’s also inside the company at 1250 The Fan in Milwaukee and has a good relationship with Rosen. His preparation and familiarity with the Chicago sports scene is also stellar.
Another Chicago native with experience who has tested himself outside the market is Ari Temkin. Temkin spent eight years in Austin/San Antonio working on his craft before taking on bigger roles with SiriusXM and 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. Ironically, Temkin now works for Good Karma Brands as an affiliate manager for the Bears, White Sox and company’s properties out west, in addition to hosting on satellite radio.
If not being from Chicago isn’t held against him, one talent who many believe could pay dividends for the Score is Carrington Harrison. Danny Parkins’ former partner in Kansas City proved during his Score audition that he’s ready for a larger stage. He had a lot of success with Parkins, and has built on it since taking over afternoons as a solo host. If Parkins and Spiegel clicked, and Parkins and Carrington did too, maybe there’s something that ties them all together?
Losing Harrison would be a big blow to Audacy Kansas City, which just announced a forthcoming move to the FM dial. However, the move would be inside the company. Though that’d be inconvenient for KC management, we are talking about the third largest market in the country, and a brand like the Score which is vital to Audacy’s business.
Shot in the Dark:
If Rosen wants to go outside the box, there are former athletes with Chicago ties that could be interesting. Former Blackhawks players Chris Chelios and Jeremy Roenick are two names that were suggested by a few industry sources. Another was former Bears quarterback Jay Cutler who is familiar to Bears fans and Chicago sports radio listeners. Cutler has also dabbled in broadcasting. It’s hard to picture him though wanting to do radio full-time after making bank in the NFL.
The station could also look into Barstool Chicago to see if there’s untapped talent ready for a bigger role. One on-air talent even raised the idea of Jon ‘Stugotz’ Weiner who recently considered moving to New York to work for WFAN. If Stugotz wouldn’t return home to the big apple though it’s hard to see him making a jump to Chicago.
Another thing you can’t rule out, which Jason Barrett reminded me of, is that Ryan Porth is part of this process too with Rosen. Are there people Ryan’s developed internally who we’re not thinking about? Is he connected to someone previously from his PD days who’d be worth a look in the windy city?
One thing is for sure, there will be no shortage of applicants for the Score’s drive time vacancy. Given Rosen’s track record of hiring talent, and the station’s history of delivering results, expect them to figure this out, even if it’s bumpy right away. In the meantime, say a prayer for Rosen and Porth. They won’t be sleeping much until the puzzle is solved.
You never show comments, why?
How about Brian Hanley, who also was unceremoniously let go by DeCastro and deserved much better. He is solid.
Where’s Mully and Haugh? Mysteriously missing all week and only a bunch of bs about being on vacation. They are the only reason for having the Audacity app. If they are not available I will delete the app.