WFAN’s Gregg Giannotti is a little confused on the announcement by SiriusXM Mad Dog Sports Radio yesterday that Steve Torre is the new morning show co-host on the channel. The WFAN host says Steve Torre’s new gig sounds like small-market radio, and not a move SiriusXM typically makes.
What We Know: Damon Amendolara exited Mad Dog Sports Radio’s morning show last Friday, ending a three-year run with Mike Babchik. SiriusXM then tapped Torre late Monday afternoon as his replacement. Torre is the channel’s program director, and will begin co-hosting with Mike Babchik on September 8. Torre previously hosted evenings and worked alongside Danny Kanell before adding programming duties. Giannotti addressed the move on Boomer & Gio Tuesday morning.
What They Said: (All quotes via WFAN Boomer & Gio Show):
Gregg Giannotti says the announcement of Steve Torre is similar to small market radio: “You’re telling me you’re going to be the program director and the morning guy? What is this? Omaha? That’s what they do in Charlesville, Pennsylvania.”
Gregg Giannotti on Steve Torre replacing Damon Amendolara on Mad Dog Sports Radio: “Everybody’s walking around the guillotine over their head when you get to a certain level. But if I were [Damon Amendolara], you replaced me with the program director? That’s a tough pill to swallow. DA’s been doing mornings for a long time. He’s had success. People like him. The program director replaced him?”
Gregg Giannotti on a programmer replacing a talent with himself: “It seems strange. In any other instance in media, where the guy who’s sort of behind the scenes, then they get rid of the guy who’s been doing it. Then he, as the boss, who is the person who makes decisions, is now making a decision to hire himself in mornings.”
Gregg Giannotti thought Mad Dog Sports Radio would have brought in someone on the level of Amendolara or better: “It just struck me as strange. I thought, when they were going to replace it, they replace it with someone who’s done it for a long time. Maybe as long as Damon [Amendolara], or maybe longer. Or someone who had done it at a high level somewhere for maybe a few years. I guess that’s the way it works over there.”
What Remains Unclear: Whether Amendolara resurfaces elsewhere remains unclear, though he’ll keep hosting the NFL Tailgate Show. Torre hasn’t said whether his programming role changes once mornings start in any capacity.
What It Means: Giannotti’s comments highlight an interesting decision by SiriusXM management. Replacing a host with significant experience in morning drive with his boss does come off as a cost-cutting measure more than a long term solution. It will be interesting to see how Torre and Babchik work for the subscriber base of Mad Dog Sports Radio. Especially with added competition in more than twenty Audacy sports radio stations coming to the satellite platform. Consequently, Torre now faces pressure to prove the move wasn’t self-serving in many minds. Whether that bet pays off will shape morning drive rankings for years.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
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.