When it was announced that Rich Eisen will be making his return to ESPN this fall, there were several questions that I had. I wrote about this a couple of months ago but am still awaiting some answers. I asked: was the partnership with Eisen a warning shot at The Pat McAfee Show and their partnership with ESPN? The logic would say that with both shows being independent contractors with the network, could the network choose who they want on ESPN’s main channel if McAfee’s controversial headlines became too much for the network to support?
The other question I had was the forgotten one by the network at the time. Rich Eisen’s show is currently syndicated on hundreds of sports radio stations around the country. His name carries weight in the space. Why not improve your ESPN Radio lineup by adding Eisen to the mix?
We got that answer this week, but that leads to the next question: who replaces Rich Eisen on Westwood One and Infinity Sports Network?
It’s a question I have yet to hear many speculate on, especially since it’s been less than a year since Eisen’s program began airing on the Infinity Sports Network. The NFL Network host just started on the network in January of this year and is already leaving town for its crosstown rival.
Stacking the Competition Head-To-Head
Currently, the Infinity Sports Network houses Maggie & Perloff, Reiter Than You, The Zach Gelb Show, and Eisen’s program in weekday prime. You can surely debate the strengths of that lineup in a head-to-head battle between Infinity, FOX Sports Radio, and ESPN Radio.
Many would consider Infinity third prize in the race.
FOX Sports Radio has the titans ESPN Radio once had in Dan Patrick and Colin Cowherd. Both have supreme name value in the attention economy on a daily basis.
ESPN Radio adding Eisen gives them a massive boost to a lineup that has struggled to gain attention for many years. UnSportsmanlike is the third or fourth morning show attempt since Mike & Mike signed off in 2017. The network has yet to truly find an impactful player in the space since Cowherd departed in 2015 and Dan Le Batard departed in 2020.
You could surmise that the Infinity Sports Network is already playing from behind, but now there is an opportunity to cut into the conversation and make an impactful move. It’s the sports radio free agency period, and it’s time to make a massive signing.
Craig Carton – Former FS1 / Former WFAN
Craig Carton is a free agent following the cancellation of Breakfast Ball on FS1. While FOX Sports hasn’t made his release official (yet), he was almost immediately rumored to be making a return to WFAN once news broke of Ball’s cancellation.
Carton has a massive resume of success in the industry. He causes disruption, grabs attention—all while being just enough brash as he is entertaining. With no current real estate at WFAN, the easy move would be to slide him back into the Audacy family with a midday show slot from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and have his arsenal at the ready in case there does become an opportunity at WFAN.
Tony Reali – Former ESPN Around the Horn Host
Tony Reali is easily sports media’s top free agent and is willing to talk to anyone. He’s a media darling with a great sense of enthusiasm and compassion that is missing in much of sports radio today. Has Reali ever ventured into sports radio before? No, but with his sense of curiosity, do you think he would not fit the bill?
In the age of licensing deals that networks are shelling out now, why not get exclusivity to Reali’s brand for three hours every weekday, where he could also branch out into other avenues—which is amazing cross-promotion for your product on the Infinity Sports Network.
Signing Reali would bring major star power to a lineup that severely lacks it, and it would demand attention in the industry.
Mike Valenti – Afternoon Drive 97.1 The Ticket – Detroit
I tried to consider a host from the Audacy umbrella who I feel has outgrown their market and deserves a shot at national radio. Scanning the country, a few names come to mind. However, the first name that stands out is Mike Valenti.
The 44-year-old talker hosts afternoons on 97.1 The Ticket in Detroit. He’s a ratings giant, somewhat controversial, and grabs your attention every day. As a frequent consumer of his product, I don’t think he would take the opportunity if offered, in my opinion. While he may be flattered, he does enjoy being a big fish in the 313 pond.
He lacks social presence, which could take him out of consideration because the role will require it. I’ve always appreciated Valenti’s approach to his craft: truth and no B.S., but all about entertaining the audience.
Dan Bernstein – Former 670 The Score Host
This one may be a long shot following his dismissal from 670 The Score, but the noise created by Dan Bernstein’s return to radio would cause a seismic shift in the industry. Over 30 years behind the microphone in one of the biggest markets in the country, Bernstein was a major part of The Score’s success story for the last quarter-century and would fit the role as an opinionated attention driver for a network that needs attention.
The business side of the equation could be tricky—as a former Audacy employee who was fired from the company, could they lure him in following his dismissal? Would Bernstein even consider returning to radio instead of going the independent media route—or media at all?
He’s been silent since March, but would be a fascinating play for the Infinity Sports Network if they so choose.
Elevating From Within the Walls of Infinity Sports Network
Promotion from within could be the most logical answer for the Infinity Sports Network. Understanding the network came to a partnership with Eisen on airing his program, maybe the desire to spend the same amount of money or more on recruiting an outside voice may not be in the cards at all. Could they elevate Bill Reiter to noon to 3 p.m. from his 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. slot? Of course—and especially now with Reiter stepping away as a featured columnist with CBS Sports. Would Zach Gelb be an option? As a sports radio lifer who commands a strong digital presence, he could fit the bill. The issue with elevation is you need to shuffle the deck in other areas, which could mean promotions for some others on the network as well.
The point being: this is an opportunity to make the Infinity Sports Network better through subtraction. Eisen will no longer be airing as part of the network on New Year’s Day, and affiliates need answers on direction. They depend on their partner to provide them the best option available for their own viability in their individual markets.
What a great time to get creative and think outside the box. Create noise and embrace disruption.
Will they? I guess it’s just another question waiting to be answered.
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John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.
Interesting piece