Day two of Barrett Media’s Top 20 series continues with a look at the top 20 Mid Market Sports Radio Morning Shows of 2025. Stay tuned to this website, our newsletters and X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok to learn the results for the remainder of this series. Once the Top 20 is done, I will record a video discussing what stood out from this year’s process. That video will be posted on the Barrett Media YouTube page so be sure to subscribe to be notified once the video goes live.
As you review these results, please remember that they represent the collective feedback shared by our industry voters. Barrett Media does not vote in this process. Our role is to assemble the group, collect the votes, and present the information.
Important Information
#1 – These results are based on 2025’s performance. 2026 changes have no effect on the voting.
#2 – We ask our voters to supply photos and logos to avoid headaches. Some comply, but most don’t. It forces us to spend a lot of time digging for images to highlight everyone. For that reason, there are no photo changes unless it involves a mistake. Thanks in advance for understanding.
#3 – Our Mid Market executive panel consists of thirty one (31) program directors and corporate executives from radio’s top broadcasting companies. They include Audacy, iHeart, Cumulus, Beasley, Good Karma Brands, Bonneville, SiriusXM, ESPN Radio, FOX Sports Radio, Radio One, and a bunch of independently owned and operated radio stations. Our voting group is large because we want feedback from every part of the country. We also do that to assure the results don’t favor any one media group.
#4 – The criteria for our voters included the ear test, originality, multi-platform impact, ratings success, clearance (national shows) and industry buzz. Keep in mind, our voters live in different cities, work for different companies, have different tastes, and value certain factors higher than others. This is not a perfect system but it’s one we feel good about using to showcase the industry’s best.
#5 – A total of 50 shows were eligible for voting consideration in the Mid Market Sports Radio Morning Shows category.
And the Winner Is…
For the fourth straight year, the top honor for Mid Market Sports Radio Morning Show of 2025 belongs to McElroy & Cubelic. The Birmingham based duo finished in front of Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima to earn the win. Congrats to Greg, Cole and the entire WJOX staff on the well deserved recognition.
I want to thank Dylan Barrett for creating the artwork, and each voter who participated in the process. Now without further delay, here are Barrett Media’s Top 20 Mid Market Sports Radio Morning Shows of 2025.
Additional Notes:
- McElroy & Cubelic finished fifty seven (57) points ahead of Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima to secure first place. Greg and Cole also received a category best eleven (11) first place votes.
- Spots 21-25 were occupied by Robby & Rexrode, SportsTalk with John & Vince, The Morning Sports Beat, DJ & PK, and The Press Box.
- The closest contest saw Off The Bench finish one point ahead of The Morning Animals.
- Of the 50 shows to appear on submitted ballots, eight (8) received at least one 1st place vote.
BNM Top 20 of 2025 Remaining Schedule:
- Wednesday February 4 = BM Top 20 Major/Mid Market Sports Radio Midday Shows of 2025
- Thursday February 5 = BM Top 20 Major/Mid Market Sports Radio Afternoon Shows of 2025
- Friday February 6 = BM Top 20 Major/Mid Market Sports Radio Program Directors of 2025
- Monday February 9 = BSM Top 20 Major/Mid Market Sports Radio Stations of 2025
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.
Jason Barrett is the Founder and CEO of Barrett Media. The company launched in September 2015 and has provided consulting services to America’s top audio and video brands, while simultaneously covering the media industry at BarrettMedia.com, becoming a daily destination for media professionals. Prior to Barrett Media, Jason built and programmed 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He was also the first sports programmer for SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, which later became 97.5 The Fanatic. Barrett also led 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY, and worked on-air and behind the scenes at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years at ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT producing ‘The Dan Patrick Show’ and ‘GameNight’. JB can be reached on Twitter @SportsRadioPD or by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
