Cumulus Media’s Westwood One is adding a new voice to its morning lineup with the launch of a weekday show hosted by sports media personality Drake C. Toll. The program will air Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., aiming to blend sharp analysis with engaging conversation for sports fans nationwide.
This is the first new program announced for the upcoming Westwood One Sports Network, which was announced in October. Audacy and Cumulus Media announced the merger of Infinity Sports Network and BetMGM Network into a singular network beginning Monday December 29. The announcement was an extension to the partnership between Audacy and Cumulus Media’s Westwood One, the sole distributor of both Audacy owned networks.
Toll, currently a play-by-play broadcaster with the Savannah Bananas, brings a reputation for energetic and immersive storytelling. Known for captivating audiences in the fast-paced world of sports entertainment, Toll said his new show will combine insight, opinion, and a modern approach to sports talk. He plans to leverage multiple platforms—on-air, online, and social media—to connect with listeners and create a shared, interactive experience.
“Westwood One is the gold standard in audio. It’s an honor to join a brand creatively steeped in sports storytelling,” Toll said in a statement. “Not unlike the Savannah Bananas, I’m prepared to push the limits of sports talk. I’ll deliver for Jimmy in Tucson, Arizona just as much as Joe in Marshall, Texas. And for every groundbreaking Los Angeles Lakers trade, there’s a Boston College linebacker who survived cancer. You’ll hear the same fire and heart for each. We’re going to create something special, I promise you that.”
Toll’s career began in Vilonia, Arkansas, where he founded EagleVision, which was named Arkansas Sports Network of the Year in 2019. While attending Baylor University, Toll contributed to SicEm365 and Sports Illustrated’s Baylor Bears coverage. He hosted Locked On Baylor before expanding to Locked On Big 12, which grew into the nation’s top Big 12 podcast. His work has been featured across major outlets, including ESPN, TNT, Sports Illustrated, and Front Office Sports. Toll will continue his play-by-play duties with the Savannah Bananas while hosting the new Westwood One show.
Bruce Gilbert, senior vice president of Sports/Content & Audience for Westwood One, emphasized Toll’s appeal to a modern audience. “Drake represents exactly what we’re building. A modern, interactive sports experience that is driven by personalities and fueled by fans,” Gilbert said. “Programming that breaks away from the predictable and formulaic. Drake’s ability to entertain, connect, and innovate makes him the ideal voice for mornings on Westwood One.”
Currently, the new lineup launching December 29 will feature Toll hosting solo in morning drive from 6:00–9:00 a.m. ET. You Better You Bet with Nick Kostos will air from 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. ET, with Jim Rome anchoring the coveted 3:00–6:00 p.m. ET weekday slot. BetMGM Tonight, hosted by Brad Evans and a to-be-named BetMGM Network host, will air from 6:00–11:00 p.m. ET).
Sources have told Barrett Media that the 12pm-3pm weekday timeslot is currently being arranged. The hope is to officially secure talent in the next two weeks. Overnight programming and weekend programming is also being arranged as part of the Westwood One Sports roster.
The new Westwood One Sports Network extends a partnership between Westwood One and Audacy that first began with the launch of CBS Sports Radio in 2012. Westwood One has handled sales and distribution for the network since its launch.
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So it is confirmed that Westwood will ruin Audacy. There is only so much gambling content that can be consumed. Sorry, but with VSIN and Sports Grid, nobody was clamoring for BetMGM to get into the space. Kostos is ok. Evans failed on Fantasy Radio. He’s just another big mouth. Loss for listeners.