It’s been just under a full week since the tragic event in Utah where conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot dead at a public event held at Utah Valley University. Putting political leanings aside for the moment, the event left many in all sectors of media shocked, dumbfounded, and worried. An event promoting freedom of expression, silenced just minutes after it began. Sports radio shares a debate similar to political talk radio: public discussion of emotionally charged topics can provoke strong reactions.
While sports commentary isn’t about morality or politics, a heated debate or a hot take can still inflame a listener or follower, sometimes toward harmful actions against talent or stations.
If we set aside political leanings and remember that Kirk was a radio talent himself, the Utah shooting serves as a stark reminder: threats to radio talent can happen anywhere. This is an ideal moment for stations to evaluate the daily risks their on-air talent faces and to consider how they approach planning for the unexpected.
We live in a society where social media amplifies everything said through the megaphone that sports radio provides. The pursuit of wider reach carries inherent risk. While stations cannot control how listeners interpret or react to messaging. They can control how talent are protected.
Talent Security Should Be Priceless
I harken back to my time running a sports radio outlet and the game plan for remote broadcasts. You have the tech, the talent, and maybe a promotions hand. The tech and promotions staff are often part-time and mainly under the age of 40.
Quality engineers are increasingly expensive, and full-time promotions staff are rare, leaving gaps in protection.
Is this enough to protect your talent on the road? Could a rogue fan cause a ruckus at a local establishment with only a couple of part-timers to stand in the way of talent?
If they’re even able to pay enough attention to the broadcast in the first place.
Kirk’s situation prompted internal reflection. College campus, small security detail, no professional guards to monitor—local police were on patrol but not solely focused on the event. Kirk had held similar events before, yet given the volume of death threats he received daily, why not reassess security protocols to better protect talent?
I’m not looking to point fingers; I’m just asking the question. The lesson is clear: you can’t always predict the unexpected—but you can prepare for it. The same principle applies to sports radio.
Talent Face Threats Daily
At the Barrett Sports Summit in May, I hosted a panel with 670 The Score afternoon host Laurence Holmes. We discussed how talent use social media and handle live feedback via chat and text lines. Holmes recounted an incident in which a texter said he should be shot after an opinion on Aaron Rodgers. When Holmes followed up to confirm whether the threat was serious, the texter replied yes.
In any line of work, if a customer tells a worker they should be shot, wouldn’t you consider that a threat?
What’s to say that the next time Holmes’ show broadcasted live from an establishment, there wouldn’t be a similar threat—or even worse? Would the radio station on site be able to prevent an incident, knowing you can’t always plan for the unexpected?
This isn’t about pointing fingers at 670 The Score; the possibility of such incidents exists for any brand, especially in today’s climate.
It’s time for broadcast companies to better educate, plan, and prepare talent and staff for the unexpected.
It’s Time To Reevaluate
There are already several policies that radio stations across this country have in place to protect their talent and employees. That’s something stations have always controlled. What they can’t control is how people’s emotions boil over with words spoken and escalate faster than we can anticipate.
No talent on any format should have to endure or deal with threatening feedback about themselves or their program. We don’t live in the same sports media ecosystem we once did. Discussing quarterbacks or even coaching hires can lead to death threats. Being critical of local teams can bring on emotional and dark feedback in real time from your listening audience.
Social media adds another layer of risk, where trolling can escalate threats and harassment.
If sports radio adapted during COVID to address audience shifts toward on-demand and visual content, it can adapt now to ensure live talent are safe during events. Being in the arena with listeners should remain central to the medium, but protection plans must go beyond relying on part-time staff.
Every employee deserves a safe and secure work environment. For sports radio, this applies both in-studio and on the road. It’s well past time for broadcast companies to reassess protection plans for live events. Ensuring every reasonable measure is taken, regardless of cost.
Ultimately, the Utah tragedy involving Charlie Kirk is a reminder that freedom of expression comes with real-world risks. Sports radio, like all live media, must balance engagement with safety. Thoughtful planning, adequate staffing, and clear policies can prevent preventable tragedies while maintaining the energy and connection listeners expect.
Radio talent should be able to engage audiences without fear for their lives. Stations should prepare for the unexpected, not react to it. The responsibility is clear: protect your talent, secure your events, and never underestimate the consequences of the amplified voice that sports radio provides.
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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.
