ESPN 97.5 in Houston is undergoing a notable shake-up as hosts Paul Gallant and Joel Blank have exited the Gow Media sports talk station. Gallant disclosed his departure Tuesday on social media, while Barrett Media confirmed that Blank was also affected by the station’s latest round of personnel moves.
Gallant, who joined ESPN 97.5 in 2022 after his time at 710 ESPN in Seattle, expressed gratitude to listeners while acknowledging the financial realities that led to his exit.
“Today was my last day at ESPN Houston. Budget cuts. Who could have seen budget cuts coming to radio in 2025,” Gallant said in his online post. “On a serious note, it’s been a blast these last three and a half years. I’ve got no hard feelings. That place allowed me to do the radio that I wanted to do.”
Initially paired with Vanessa Richardson in mornings, Gallant shifted to middays in 2024 alongside Joe George. George then moved on to host Last Call at night on the station while serving as the station’s assistant program director. Gallant’s voice became a fixture in the Houston sports landscape, and his candid style often resonated with a younger audience.
Blank, meanwhile, had been a central figure in ESPN 97.5’s afternoon drive. He partnered with Jeremy Branham in 2021 to launch The Killer Bs before taking over the slot permanently in 2023 following the departure of The Wheelhouse. Blank brought a unique perspective after years as a multimedia talent and director of broadcasting for the Houston Rockets. His transition into sports talk allowed him to blend his broadcast experience with an insider’s knowledge of the Houston sports scene.
With both hosts departing, ESPN 97.5 has already adjusted its on-air lineup. The Rich Eisen Show now airs from Noon to 3 p.m. in Gallant’s former slot. In afternoons, Branham remains in place but now pairs with George, forming a new iteration of the drive-time show.
The moves are part of a larger trend across the industry, as stations navigate economic pressures and adjust strategies to balance budget concerns with audience demands. For listeners in Houston, the changes mean saying goodbye to two familiar voices while adjusting to a new sound during key listening windows.
Gallant closed his farewell message by acknowledging the uncertainty of his next step, though he struck an optimistic tone.
“As far as what’s next for me, f**k if I know, right?” Gallant wrote. “I’ll be fine. I’ve got a great life. This has been a blessing to be able to do this as long as I have. I hope I’ll be able to continue it in some way, shape or form. Busted my ass, did all I could. All I can hope for is that I’ll get another opportunity somewhere else.”
Blank has not yet made a public statement on his exit.
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