Sports and pop culture are like macaroni and cheese—they just work together. I think we all know by now that most sports stars want to be entertainers, and many entertainers want to be sports stars. So, it comes as no surprise that veteran Indianapolis sports talk host John Michael Vincent, or JMV, successfully blends the two on a daily basis on the show I eavesdropped in on this week, The Ride with JMV on 93.5 & 107.5 The Fan.
The Ride airs during afternoon drive, and JMV is just as likely to discuss topics surrounding Indianapolis sports—both current and historical—as he is to reference something like the current top 10 songs of the week. Vincent, who has been with the station since 2010, is also very willing to share personal stories, so the show truly feels like he and the audience are in it together.
The show has a very national feel in terms of its style and delivery, featuring one main voice joined by great analysts engaging in smart, in-depth sports conversation—most of the time, anyway. I caught the first part of the show on Friday, the day after the Indiana Pacers beat the Memphis Grizzlies in a matchup between two teams currently ranked in the top four of their respective conferences.
JMV started the show just as any great show should—wasting no time and getting right into it.
As he discussed the Pacers game, JMV described a disjointed first quarter in which the Pacers trailed by 13 points, followed by a dominant second quarter that saw them put up 50 points. He credited the win to a balanced performance, where both the starters and the bench played key roles in overcoming the large initial deficit.
Vincent highlighted individual contributions as well as the high expectations for the team. Emphasizing the no-excuses mindset for the Pacers, he said, “I don’t care about the youth. I don’t care that people think that they’re still not worthy of being there. I don’t care what people say or Joel Embiid says… That doesn’t matter. What matters is with that group. What matters is what happens within that organization. And we should have a high level of expectations.
“I thought that was the way. I mean, it would be great if you could eliminate the really awful starts because that certainly has been the case here in recent history. But overall, that’s what you want to see right there because you got a little bit of everything. You got a little bit of everything from basically everybody.”
Passion radiates from JMV—his love for Indianapolis sports comes roaring out of the speakers. In addition, when guests or listeners join the show, he has a way of making them feel comfortable, engaging in a genuine conversation rather than a stiff question-and-answer session.
Pacers TV’s Jeremiah Johnson was the first guest of the day, and he summed up the game by saying, “That’s exactly what you want to see from this group. That’s the type of performance. And believe me, that’s what it is going to take this year.” As the conversation continued, JMV and Johnson provided Pacers fans with everything they could have wanted: a look back on the game, a preview of what lies ahead on the schedule, and terrific insights into what the team needs to do and learn from the previous night’s performance in order to continue being successful this season.
Basketball is king in Indiana, and throughout the hour, the show not only featured NBA talk but also discussions about college and high school hoops. Coach Bob Lovell, a local high school basketball analyst, was the next guest to join. He and JMV discussed the upcoming high school semi-state tournaments, highlighting some impressive undefeated runs by local teams and noting that it was the 50th girls’ state finals—an event that underscores how far the girls’ game has grown.
There was also talk of a few community events outside the realm of sports, which are expected topics on the show. In addition, there was some playful banter about “JMV Sucks” t-shirts and insider references that went over my head. However, it was clear that the show has a loyal following and many longtime listeners who are in on it all.
Overall, The Ride with JMV is a blend of high-level analysis and local pride, where the sports teams are both held accountable and celebrated. It’s hosted by a passionate sports fan and historian who shares many interests beyond just sports, and he enjoys sharing all of it with those who tune in each afternoon on their way home.
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Dave Greene is the Chief Media Officer for Barrett Media. His background includes over 25 years in media and content creation. A former sports talk host and play-by-play broadcaster, Dave transitioned to station and sales management, co-founded and created a monthly sports publication and led an ownership group as the operating partner. He has managed stations and sales teams for Townsquare Media, Cumulus Media and Audacy. Upon leaving broadcast media he co-founded Podcast Heat, a sports and entertainment podcasting network specializing in pro wrestling nostalgia. To interact, find him on Twitter @mr_podcasting. You can also reach him by email at Dave@BarrettMedia.com.
