Barrett Media’s Top 20 series for Sports Radio is down to its final two categories. Today, we recognize the format’s best Program Directors. On Monday, we close it out by acknowledging the format’s Top Sports Radio stations. We then shift immediately into our Top 20 in News/Talk radio and television series before wrapping it all up with our eight-format celebration for Music Radio.
To stay updated on all of the Top 20 Major and Mid Market lists across the entire industry, keep an eye on this website, our newsletters and X, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, and/or Instagram. After the Top 20 series is complete, I will record a video discussing the key takeaways from this year’s results. That video will be posted on the Barrett Media YouTube page. Be sure to subscribe to be notified once it’s 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 48 PDs were eligible for voting consideration in the Mid Market Sports Radio Program Directors category.
And the Winner Is…
Paul Mason of 104.5 The Zone in Nashville. This is Paul’s first category victory. He finished fourth in the 2024 voting behind Brad Carson, Ryan Haney and Matt Fishman.
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 Program Directors of 2025.
Additional Notes:
- Paul Mason earned the win by holding a five (5) point advantage over Brad Carson. Mason and Carson tied for the most first place votes in the category with four (4).
- Spots 21-25 belonged to Jimmy Clark, Jeff Jarnigan, Erik Gee, Dusty Harrah, and Lloyd Cole.
- The tightest race featured Jeff Rickard besting Robert Mueller by one (1) point.
- Of the 48 programmers to appear on submitted ballots, ten (10) received at least one 1st place vote.
BM Top 20 of 2025 Remaining Schedule:
- 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.
