Everyone is always in search of opportunity, whether it’s personal or professional. Opportunity doesn’t come around very often, so you must take advantage when a rare moment of opportunity presents itself. That’s what T-Bob Hebert did when an opportunity to leave his home in Louisiana for the big city in Chicago came around with Barstool Sports. Last week, Hebert announced he would be leaving his Off The Bench morning program with Jacob Hester to take an amazing opportunity with the digital content giant.
“I’m 36, my contract is up, and if I’m ever going to go for something, the time is now,” said Hebert. “I would’ve been completely happy to stay in Baton Rouge the rest of my life, but it was kind of this moment. If I’m ever going to take this shot, it’s now, and the worst they can say is no.”
That shot was one that many can only dream of getting in their career—an opportunity to work for one of the largest content brands in the country and a career-defining move. Hebert, the son of former New Orleans Saints quarterback Bobby Hebert, worked without an official contract with 104.5 ESPN Baton Rouge while he was figuring out his next steps, which led to his opportunity with Barstool Sports.
“That’s one of the great parts about Guaranty Media—it’s not corporately owned,” explained Hebert, saying he continued working under the parameters of his former contract without signing a new agreement. “I was never worried about working without a contract or anything.”
Knowing Your Value And Searching It Out
Since 2017, Hebert grew in morning drive on the radio station, co-hosting with Jordy Culotta, and then in 2021, following Culotta’s exit, collaborating with fellow former LSU Tiger Jacob Hester. Over time, Hebert’s portfolio expanded as the station grew digitally. He hosted several podcasts and streaming video programs for The Volume and Stadium, and in February was announced as the new co-host of Jim Rome’s The After Hour program, airing on Rome’s new FAST channel network.
With all the ventures he was associated with and his contract coming up with Guaranty Media, Hebert decided—with his knowledge and reach online—it could be time to begin looking for other opportunities.
“I felt like I had maybe reached a bit of a ceiling. Not in terms of how much I was enjoying the show or anything like that, but maybe a ceiling about what I could kind of earn here,” noted Hebert. “I was like, I think I’ll explore some opportunities.”
Hebert said he has developed a great relationship with a number of the top talents at Barstool Sports over the years, including Brandon Walker and Dan “Big Cat” Katz. After working briefly for Stadium, which is based in Chicago, Hebert sent a text to Katz pitching the idea of joining Barstool Sports.
“Dan (Katz) got back to me, and that kicked off the process,” Hebert said. “They came down to New Orleans for the Super Bowl, and I did some work with them. I met with Dave (Portnoy), and then they offered me a job. Now me and my family are about to move to Chicago.”
The former LSU offensive lineman is scheduled to start with Barstool Sports in early June in a role that has not yet been fully defined. He envisions his role focusing on college football but is open to any opportunity that Barstool Sports puts in front of him.
“I’m just excited to create. I’ll just get in where I can fit in,” Hebert explained. “I’m also a mega nerd. I’m obsessed with chess, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings. I am a man of many passions, but that’s what I like about the opportunity.”
Every New Beginning Comes From Another Beginning’s End
With the new role at Barstool Sports, Hebert will also have to leave his position with sports talk host Jim Rome on The After Hour—a position he took in February, which he never truly thought of but embraced when the opportunity was presented.
“I reached out to Barstool months ago, and then randomly, before I ever heard back that a job offer (from Barstool) was real, this Jim Rome opportunity just landed in my lap, and it was incredible,” said Hebert. “I feel awful. The timing could not be worse on all of this, because this has been a revelation getting to work with him. He’s one of the ‘OGs’ of the industry.”
Hebert expressed how much he appreciated the opportunity—albeit short—to work with Rome and see how he treats everyone on his program with professionalism.
“This is one of the more overwhelming experiences in my entire life, in that I am feeling completely contradictory emotions all at once in the extreme,” Hebert explained. “I love my radio show here in Louisiana. I love my team here. This is the best team that we’ve had, which is an ironic twist of fate. Right when I feel like we were peaking in terms of the makeup and how we interact with one another, it’s ending.”
As he plans his move to Chicago—a city he says he’s falling in love with the idea of living in—Hebert knows the stakes this opportunity presents and the expectations that come with it. He is motivated to achieve success in whatever role he’s assigned.
“I don’t want to assume anything (about the job),” said Hebert. “I just want to go up there and try to prove the people right who have given me this opportunity and are betting on me by just working my ass off.”
Hebert says he feels “old” watching younger people work with social media but is looking forward to learning from the staff at Barstool Sports about how to adapt to the ever-changing landscape. He credited Guaranty Media for building an excellent team of young video producers who have elevated his radio program and considers himself lucky to have had that support in Louisiana.
Looking Back With The World Looking At Your Future
Reflecting on all he has done in his eight years with 104.5 ESPN Baton Rouge, Hebert is not naïve—he knows that a move to Barstool is a career-making step. He admitted he is selfishly excited about the opportunity, but it’s not lost on him that it took the work and support of many people to make this happen.
While growing up the son of a legendary New Orleans NFL quarterback—and successful radio host on WWL in his own right—T-Bob Hebert never felt pressure from “The Cajun Cannon.” He has carved out his own path to success but credits the lessons he learned from his parents and upbringing for molding him into who he is today.
“I love being known as Bobby Hebert’s son. I love that, and that will never change,” noted Hebert. “I’m proud to be Bobby’s son, and I don’t give a damn about my own legacy as it pertains to his. I just want to honor his legacy—because that man, and my mother, because everything is a team—I just want to honor his legacy, because that man gave me everything in life, and he did it by working his ass off and putting his body on the line for decades.”
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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.
