The Toast to 10 series, presented by Premiere Networks, is a month-long look back at 10 years of Barrett Media. Throughout the month, you’ll hear from those who have shaped the company, managed and created content, read the site, and partnered with the brand between 2015 and 2025, sharing how they’ve seen it play a role in covering the media industry and educating, celebrating, and challenging the business.
Sports radio has been the foundation of what Barrett Media was built on. I got to know Jason Barrett through his story when he first launched the business in 2015. There were Twitter chats happening between Jason and other programmers and talent from around the country that I latched onto. If I recall correctly, the hashtag was #PDChat.
I considered it the forbidden door opening for the first time. A way to use social media to connect with my peers outside the walls of the building I worked in. What began as a networking method to connect with peers was built into a business by Jason Barrett. Who took a chance on his career path for the betterment of the industry.
Barrett notes his passion for teaching, coaching, writing, analyzing data, discovering and recruiting talent, and brand building as the reasons why he considered building his own brand. That has since morphed into a representative of the industry that educates, celebrates, and challenges the industry it serves. It has grown to cover news and music, along with television and business. However, sports radio is the core of what makes Barrett Media one of the highest-regarded media brands in the country.
When I reached out to key members and friends in the sports radio industry, I knew responses would come fast and furious. Many of those represented in this piece have either been inspired, assisted, or have found love and respect for the Barrett Media brand over their time working in the industry. This piece was the one I truly looked forward to writing the most. Because much of the feedback provided mirrored my own experiences.
Spike Eskin – SportsRadio 94WIP
Spike Eskin is an afternoon drive host on SportsRadio 94WIP in Philadelphia. A former programmer, Eskin has learned to balance the roles behind the mic and in the office. He has been named in both the Barrett Media Top 20 for programmers and for major-market afternoon drive programs. He says he discovered Barrett Media near the beginning of the business because of the unique perspective it provided someone working in the industry.
“It was helpful to see ideas from other markets,” said Eskin. “There wasn’t anything specifically covering sports.”
Eskin has been a key speaker at the Barrett Sports Media Summit events over the years. Participating on panels and as a solo guest. He says attending the earlier versions of the Summit provided him a higher profile in the industry. As the networking it provided was invaluable—an important aspect of what Barrett Media has always strived to provide within sports radio.
“Barrett has worked its way into being a funnel for more mainstream outlets,” noted Eskin. “When visibility for our brands is so important, I believe it helps most here.”
As a consumer of Barrett Media since the beginning, Eskin noted the changes he has seen with the brand over time. With the expansion into television, news, and music. He sees how the brand’s tentacles have created more sections of the industry to participate in.
“[Barrett Media] seems less like a publication specifically for the industry,” explained Eskin. “The appeal seems broader to me.”
The Philadelphia-based radio and podcast host is excited to see how the Barrett Media brand continues to expand. He hopes for a better ranking in February for the program he hosts on 94WIP.
“I want to make sure the WIP Afternoon Show is more accurately ranked in the top 20,” Eskin proclaimed. “#5 was fine, I guess, but let’s be honest—we deserve to be higher.”
Steve Mason – ESPN LA
Steve Mason is a co-host on Mason & Ireland on ESPN LA. Mason just celebrated his 20th anniversary on the Los Angeles sports radio brand while signing a new multi-year extension with ESPN. When I reached out to Steve, whom I profiled last month, I was curious how long he has been following Barrett Media.
“I found Barrett Media within a couple of months of the launch,” stated Mason. “I love radio, and I love that Barrett Media loves it as much as I do.”
Mason credits Jason Barrett for becoming what newspapers could no longer do. Covering radio used to be a very successful practice for many local newspapers, providing coverage for local audiences that desired it. However, over time, those publications began to disappear, creating an opening that Jason Barrett saw needed a fit.
“Back in the day, newspapers had writers that really covered radio. As newspapers have faded, so has the coverage of sports radio,” explained Mason. “Barrett Sports has become the Bible for sports radio. It is one of the few outlets that covers and celebrates what we all do.”
The Los Angeles-based talk show host noted that every time he or his program is mentioned by Barrett Media in an article. He receives feedback from people all over the country. He credits the continued growth of the Barrett Media brand to the quality of writers it continues to provide. His hope for the future of the brand is to continue following the same path as the industry itself.
“The business is evolving as terrestrial radio goes digital,” said Mason. “I am hoping that Barrett Media evolves with it.”
Marc Silverman – ESPN Chicago
Marc Silverman co-hosts afternoon drive on Chicago’s ESPN 1000 alongside Waddle & Silvy. An annual Barrett Media Top 20 ranking program for major-market afternoon drive programs. Silverman noted he became aware of Barrett Media from former ESPN 1000 programmer Justin Craig, who now oversees ESPN Radio in Bristol, Connecticut.
“I crave knowledge about our industry,” said Silverman. “Justin Craig turned me onto it, and I’ve subscribed to the email for the last five to six years. It’s one of the first things I read every morning.”
Silverman remains a student of the game. He noted his passion for continuing to educate himself about the business and what others in the industry are doing to enhance their programs and stations. Silverman is a big proponent of learning from one another to help everyone grow and feels Barrett Media has always strived to provide the stories to assist with that.
“I think it’s super important that we recognize the ones doing things successfully and the right way,” noted Silverman. “We are competitors, but also more alike than different. At the end of the day, not many get to do what we do. I appreciate being part of the broadcast community.”
Silverman attended his first Barrett Sports Media Summit this past May in his hometown of Chicago. He had always desired to attend and was thankful to do so, not only as an attendee but also as a speaker on a panel in the market where he serves his listeners.
“I enjoyed connecting with many I’ve never met but have admired,” explained Silverman. “My appreciation for others in the biz has grown thanks to learning about them and their shows. I loved connecting with many of them at the BSM conference.”
If there was one desire from Silverman relating to the content Barrett Media provides the industry, he believes the focus should be “less is more.”
“Evolving away from ratings convos. It’s been flawed for years and isn’t an indicator of who’s good or successful,” noted Silverman. “As I have evolved as a host, I hope BSM evolves and realizes this.”
Michael Kay – ESPN New York | New York Yankees
Michael Kay is not only the radio voice on ESPN New York weekdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. ET, he also has served as the play-by-play voice of the New York Yankees for over three decades. Kay was an immediate consumer of the Barrett Media brand when it launched in 2015 and continues to stay updated daily through the site and its two newsletters.
What led Kay to become a follower of the brand is the reputation he has for Jason Barrett.
“Jason Barrett has been there and done all of this, so he knows the business from the inside out,” said Kay. “I figured something that had his name on it could be trusted and insightful. Jason is not just someone looking to sensationalize a topic, but he covers the real aspect of it all.”
Kay attended a Barrett Sports Media Summit held in New York. He was a guest speaker on a panel alongside his former co-hosts at ESPN New York, Don La Greca and Peter Rosenberg. I remembered sitting in the audience during that panel; taking notes on how one of the more successful talk programs in a top market dismissed the system they were judged on. It sparked not only a new line of thinking for how to determine success. But also allowed me a window to see a new side of a show I attempted to bring aspects of back to my local market.
You could tell the respect Kay had for Barrett during that panel. He reinforced that when discussing the importance of Barrett Media today.
“I think it’s [Barrett Media] important. Jason was on the other side and knows what’s important and what works,” said Kay. “I trust what is written under his name.”
Kay’s hopes for Barrett Media mirror those of many of his colleagues in the industry.
“To keep growing, expanding, and becoming the major voice where the industry comes to learn and to get its message out,” noted Kay.
Maggie Gray – Infinity Sports Network/SiriusXM
Maggie Gray is a nationally syndicated co-host on Maggie & Perloff on the Infinity Sports Network and SiriusXM. She noted she began following the Barrett Media brand in 2018. Immediately subscribing to the daily newsletters once discovering the outlet. Gray noted that Barrett Media is tabbed on her browser. Sandwiched between email and fantasy football, showing the level of importance the site has for her.
“It wasn’t just the headlines—it was the sharp analysis wrapped in real industry experience,” noted Gray. “Barrett Media doesn’t just talk about media; it talks to media pros like they live in the same trenches.”
Gray has been a frequent attendee at the Barrett Sports Media Summits over time. In a capacity as attendee, speaker, panelist, and moderator of panels. She says the Summit provides a perfect place to catch up with old colleagues and friends. While helping put faces to Twitter profiles in her timeline.
She also noted her early impressions of the brand were mostly about ratings and gossip. However, over time she saw the brand become more of a “pulse-check for the whole industry,” evolving from being an observer to a participant in shaping the narrative.
“It plays a crucial role. Barrett Media covers sports radio like it’s more than noise between games,” explained Gray. “Without it, the industry would have a lot fewer conversations and a lot more echo chambers.”
Carl Dukes – 92.9 The Game
Carl Dukes co-hosts Dukes & Bell on 92.9 The Game in Atlanta. The afternoon drive host says he’s been a supporter of the Barrett Media brand since its beginnings in 2015. Dukes believes Barrett Media has successfully filled a void regarding coverage of sports media with the vision of providing information valuable to the entire industry as a whole.
“The inside information and the stories that need to be told. The acknowledgment of the talent in our industry being properly recognized,” explained Dukes. “What Barrett Media does is very important in covering the sports radio industry. Knowledge is power, and the knowledge provided across the board, I think, is important to the growth of our industry and the future of what this will potentially look like as we move forward.”
Dukes says he specifically enjoys reading pieces from Barrett Media focused on other talent from around the country and their journey to where they are today.
“There are so many interesting stories and so many different ways to approach it,” said Dukes.
He noted the community he feels when pieces are published by Barrett Media surrounding his show and station has been rewarding. To be the one recognized leads people to connect and network, asking for advice or feedback on how to be better.
“I have had the chance to meet, help, and also gain new friends,” explained Dukes. “People have called me after features done by Barrett Media on my shows or career, seeking advice. For me, there is nothing more rewarding than helping others and seeing them grow in the industry. Just like Sean McVay, I take pride in my tree and the folks I have helped along the way. Some of those relationships are in direct relation to Barrett Media.”
Evan Cohen – ESPN Radio
Evan Cohen is the co-host of Unsportsmanlike on ESPN Radio. Being a voice on several hundred affiliates nationwide every morning can be a difficult task to continually focus on the trends and emerging talent in the industry. Cohen noted the reason he chooses Barrett Media as a source of daily information is the stories it tells of those who share the same passions as he does.
“I enjoy positive features on people that deserve the praise they were getting,” said Cohen. “It is clear that Barrett Media is interested in highlighting the good that comes with sports content and those people within it. The importance is just that—telling stories of the good people and brands associated with the sports content industry.”
Cohen noted a particular story that met that threshold while he was working in digital for Good Karma Brands.
“When The Land On Demand in Cleveland started, the Barrett Media analysis of our project was exciting to see,” noted Cohen. “The viewpoints presented that led to others contributing ideas allowed us to have conversations about the project. That is still going at a high level today.”
The future of the industry is the focus for Cohen. How to adapt to changing technologies and how sports fans can adapt to new ways of distributing content. Cohen noted he hopes that Barrett Media can properly highlight the good for those sports content fans, teammates, and partners moving into the next decade.
Phil Mackey – SKOR North
If you know the name Phil Mackey, you’ve sat in on one of the panels he’s a part of annually at the Barrett Sports Media Summits—or you could just be a die-hard Vikings fan. Mackey is the director of digital content development for Hubbard Radio, which transformed SKOR North into a model for how traditional radio stations can morph into digital titans.
Mackey noted he discovered Barrett Media as a young radio host and has been hooked ever since.
“For me, Barrett Media is my go-to place to catch up on sports media industry news—to find out what’s happening around the country, at other companies, and even with various friends and acquaintances in the business,” said Mackey. “An incredible daily industry resource and news source.”
He says he feels more connected to the industry over the past five years because of the depth of insight and connection Barrett Media provides. Mackey has spoken at the Barrett Sports Summits many times, providing his deep knowledge rooted in experience for how SKOR North became what it is through trust, thought, and hard work to appeal to a new generation of sports content consumers.
“Jason and Barrett Media were instrumental in the early building process of SKOR North,” noted Mackey. “Jason and I worked extremely closely for 18 months—circa 2019–20—to craft strategies for distribution, branding, revenue, and talent. It was my first chance at leading a media brand, and Barrett Media was an incredible resource that helped expedite my learning process. The best comparison I can think of, sports-related—I was a young quarterback, and Barrett Media was the QB Whisperer coach/resource that helped me see the field more clearly.”
Joe DeCamara – SportsRadio 94WIP
Joe DeCamara is part of the morning team at 94WIP in Philadelphia—a passionate sports radio market driven through the fire for greatness by their following. DeCamara, like many of his contemporaries, has been a follower of the Barrett Media brand since its beginnings.
“Being on the email distribution list to get stories sent directly to my inbox makes things incredibly convenient,” said DeCamara. “I love it! I read the headlines every single day. And I dig into the articles that interest me most.”
He says what he appreciates most about what Barrett Media continues to provide is simplicity. Including the information and adding perspective to enhance the understanding of the news of the day is a vital piece of why DeCamara remains a daily reader of the brand.
“It’s highly important coverage. Barrett Media does a great job selecting the most important stories to feature,” said DeCamara. “Many of these are highly important in this information age. There probably has never been such scrutiny on the media across our nation. In my opinion, Barrett Media does a great job covering this aspect of American culture.”
While DeCamara has never attended a Barrett Sports Media Summit, it remains a goal of his to attend in the future. He noted he’s been impressed with seeing how the brand has grown over time, giving attention directly to the quality of the product provided daily to the Barrett Media consumer. As we celebrate a decade serving the industry, DeCamara sees a bright future ahead for Barrett Media.
“To do what you are continuing to do, and to grow in any and all ways that the future requires,” explained DeCamara. “Grow in order to stay at or near the top.”
Nick Wilson – 92.3 The Fan
Nick Wilson hosts afternoon drive on 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland alongside Jonathan Peterlin. Ten years ago, when Wilson was hosting nights in Cleveland, he felt disconnected from the industry. In a search for more information on the sports talk landscape, Wilson found Barrett Media and hasn’t left since.
“There are certainly more quality outlets covering sports radio/sports talk these days, especially with many stations posting audio/video. The perspective that Barrett Media uses is less anthropological and from more of a boots-on-the-ground level,” said Wilson. “That perspective is so much more valuable to me and how I navigate this complicated world than the Jane Goodall version. It’s less dismissive of the business and presents a more personal understanding for the reader.”
Wilson explained he’s been excited about the changes over time he’s seen with Barrett Media. How the brand has expanded to cover television, news, and music—an all-encompassing outlet that he notes will only continue to serve as a scale on the future of what the industry evolves into.
“The usefulness has never changed, but what I consume and what I gravitate to has changed with it. Working with Jason in Charlotte also gave me a deepened respect for not just him but the publication too,” noted Wilson. “On more than one occasion, I’ve read something that stirred up a thought or emotion, and I’ve had the ability to reach out and engage with the author. I love different perspectives on the business, and every one of those interactions impacted how I think about this business.”
Dan Dibley – 95.7 The Game
Finally, Dan Dibley—a schooled veteran of the industry with thirty years of service—said that Barrett Media was a source of information that was long overdue for the industry it served. Dibley appreciates the expanded coverage of the Barrett Media brand into all media, including news and music, while continuing to be compelling and interesting in the content it provides.
“Barrett Media is very important because it has become an information warehouse for our business,” said Dibley. “It’s like the Amazon of media; you can get everything there.”
Dibley recalled several stories that helped Barrett Media stand out from the rest. The Pat McAfee saga with ESPN, along with the journey of Craig Carton from WFAN to jail and back to WFAN, stood out in depth of coverage and insight. The annual Top 20 lists are another destination piece of content that the savvy veteran broadcaster enjoys.
While he has not attended a Barrett Sports Media Summit as of yet, he hopes to in the future.
“I’m awaiting my invite to be on a panel. Perhaps one that talks about using humor in sports talk radio,” mentioned Dibley. “As we arrive at 10 years of the site, it’s become an industry leader and a must-read for people in the business. Very entertaining for those outside the business. Knowing Jason Barrett, I’m not surprised he has turned this site into a monster.”
Barrett Media continues to be the leading industry brand covering sports radio and the personalities that encompass the format. While challenges exist in every industry, Barrett Media has, does, and plans to remain the industry standard in educating, celebrating, and challenging an industry passionate about the medium.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to 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.
