Earlier in the summer, ESPN LA 710 announced new media rights agreements with the University of Southern California and the Los Angeles Kings, adding to its portfolio of play-by-play rights for regional teams. In addition to that, the station revealed a new programming lineup featuring a blend of local and national programming; however, those plans have changed in recent months with the departure of Allen Sliwa. During Tuesday’s edition of the show, Sliwa announced that he had reached 15 years with the company and decided to move on, a difficult decision that he signified as putting his personal life over his professional life.
As Sliwa delivered his goodbye message, he told a story of how he started selling sponsorships for the Los Angeles Lakers and pondered over transitioning to discuss the team on the air. That opportunity came a few years later on Saturdays, and he remembered his elation when former program director Amanda Brown informed him that the show was moving to Monday nights and being extended for an hour. Sliwa eventually garnered the role of contributing to the Lakers radio broadcasts themselves as the studio host for pregame, halftime and postgame coverage.
“I feel like I have zero regrets of what I’ve done over the 15 years,” Sliwa said, “and I feel like it’s far beyond anything I thought I was going to accomplish.”
Sliwa remembers calling Rodgers to ask him if he would be available to co-host a new show, and he was grateful to have him as his on-air partner. In fact, he emphasized that he taught him what a day-to-day show is and how to tie in both personal life and entertainment into the on-air product. Although Sliwa enjoyed his time with the station, he does not have any regrets towards his decision and understands that chapters come to an end.
“It’s incredibly daunting not knowing really what’s next,” Sliwa said. “It is going to be a challenge, but I do think ultimately at the end of the day, it’s okay sometimes to pick your personal life over your professional life, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
Because of Sliwa’s departure, additional changes to the ESPN LA 710 lineup were revealed on the show, including the addition of new co-host and former Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle D’Marco Farr. The Travis and D’Marco show will make its on-air debut on Monday, Sept. 9 at 9 a.m. PST immediately following the ESPN Radio network program #Greeny. Additionally, Beto Duran will step into the role of hosting the Lakers pregame, halftime and postgame coverage on the station. The Lakers Talk program will continue as well with new host Andy Kamenetzky, expanding to two hours and involving a YouTube component.
