The year 2025 brought several instances of seismic shifts in the sports media landscape. Leagues arranged new media rights deals, key figures shifted from network to network, and customary layoffs occurred in between. Sports media remained a buzzsaw of interest throughout the past year. This makes it difficult to predict what’s to come in 2026.
Looking back, could we have predicted that Michael Jordan would join NBC Sports in their return to NBA coverage? Might we have seen the writing on the wall that Craig Carton would make another return to WFAN? The game of predicting the future rarely provides a true outcome and more than likely would have ended as a “Freezing Cold Take” for Fred Segal to save for future use.
As we approach the beginning of 2026, I reached out to several members of the sports media community.
I wanted to learn what the biggest and brightest names believe will happen in the new year.
2025 was a year of change for Mitch Rosen, Vice President of 670 The Score and the BetMGM Network. The unfortunate events that led to the firing of longtime personality Dan Bernstein resulted in the elevation of Lelia Rahimi and Marshall Harris. Later in the year, Mark Grote was added as a full-time member of the program as well.
Rosen also oversaw the end of the BetMGM Network as it transitioned, along with the Infinity Sports Network, into the new Westwood One Sports network, which launched earlier this week.
When I asked Rosen what he predicts could happen in 2026 in sports media, he saw a continued pattern of growth. He believes the demand for localized sports content is only expected to increase.
“With local sports content, the adventures in video interaction will continue to explode. New platforms and new interactions with local audiences,” said Rosen. “Local sports content will continue to grow in the audio space. In particular, as other formats are challenged with finding new ways to find ears and eyes. I feel sports is constant in that local fans want to interact with local hosts and communicate about local sports.”
Rosen, considered by many a top sports radio programmer in the country, shared his perspective on 2026.
He believes questions about regional sports networks’ viability could contribute to an audio boom.
“Audio play-by-play sports could see a resurgence, especially given the uncertainty of regional sports networks,” noted Rosen. “Especially with the game of baseball. Baseball on the radio remains a special relationship between the team, fans, announcers, and the radio station.”
Mad Dog Sports Radio host Damon Amendolara also sees growth coming as the appetite for content continues. He feels the consumer will continue to find new ways to seek out content in 2026.
“Those of us in the creator space are engineering ways to make compelling, consistent content at bargain-basement production prices compared to traditional TV production costs,” said Amendolara. “I feel you’ll see more streaming channels search out podcasts and YouTube shows as programming on their model.”
Amendolara, who recently signed a multi-year extension with SiriusXM, noted that Netflix’s partnerships with Spotify, iHeartMedia, and Barstool Sports serve as an example of what’s to come in 2026 and beyond.
“Netflix adding those podcasts to their library is the first chapter,” said Amendolara. “Smaller streaming channels will realize what efficient programming this is and start licensing all levels of successful podcasts. Much like the era when linear TV sports channels realized sports radio shows could easily and cheaply fill hours of programming. The same land grab will happen with podcasts.”
Several other suggestions revolved around the future of the car radio, considered by many as the last dedicated spot where traditional broadcast radio dominates. Will companies make more efforts to remove traditional radio from the dashboard, further challenging consumption in 2026?
Former 105.7 The Fan host and reporter Jerry Coleman, who exited the station in 2022, has evolved into hosting digital content for several years. During that time, he has not lost his passion for sports radio. When I asked Coleman for his 2026 prediction, he foresaw significant cost-cutting measures in the industry. He said these cuts would be more extensive than ever before.
“I see the elimination of sports updates, and the people who voice and produce that content moving away,” noted Coleman. “Instead of the normal top-and-bottom-of-the-hour headlines, you’ll see more hosts and producers taking on the role than ever before.”
In that line of thinking, Coleman also predicts broadcast companies will take a hard look at three-person sports radio programs, as budget cuts are likely in 2026.
“I think we’ll see more changes with the three-person sports radio show,” said Coleman. “I can see broadcast companies looking at these programs as extremely costly and excessive, despite any success with ratings.”
ESPN Chicago host Marc Silverman sees 2026 as the year when sports media brands around the country grapple with the future of artificial intelligence.
“2026 will be a big year trying to navigate AI. Where it fits and where it doesn’t,” said Silverman, noting that his program Waddle & Silvy accepted AI-generated parody songs for the first time as part of the program’s annual holiday parody song content this month. “What is ethical when it comes to content creation, and what isn’t? There wasn’t a rule against it, but was using AI fair?”
Mark Moses, host of The Mark Moses Show podcast, also agrees that AI will make headlines in 2026. After moving his program away from traditional broadcast radio in 2025 to a daily podcast, Moses believes more broadcast companies may follow a similar path.
“Traditional radio broadcast companies are going to invest heavily in local sports/news video and audio podcasting to help grow revenue in their markets,” predicts Moses. “The key will be whether talent can create great local content that people want to consume. Also, can the talent utilize social media correctly to market their product.”
Other predictions included a decline in viewership of sports debate shows such as First Take or First Things First. Several sports media respondents noted that some of the audience is growing tired of “fake debate.”
Many feel a more genuine and honest approach to programming will attract more viewers. They believe it is more effective than “pandering” by others.
2026 could also bring a rising cost of consumption for sports fans. Respondents noted that escalating media rights deals by streaming companies will likely increase subscription costs. This could lead more fans to either find new ways to consume without paying for subscriptions or decide their fandom isn’t worth the added price tag.
A new year brings renewed excitement for what 2026 will bring to the sports media landscape. The leagues have never been more profitable, and fandom continues to grow, with more ways to connect to teams than ever before. The interest in games keeps sports media in business, and the appetite for content seems endless.
As 2026 approaches, one thing is clear: sports media will continue to evolve at a relentless pace. From AI-driven content and shifting broadcast models to the enduring power of local radio and fan engagement, the industry will face challenges and opportunities in equal measure. While no prediction is foolproof, the constant remains the passion of fans and the drive of those creating the content.
Change is inevitable, but as history shows, sports media will adapt—finding new ways to inform, entertain, and connect audiences, ensuring that the conversation never stops in 2026.
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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.
