SiriusXM Mad Dog Sports Radio is shaking up its morning lineup with the addition of the channel’s program director Steve Torre. Torre will join Mike Babchik for a new show launching September 8, replacing D.A. & Babchik.
What We Know: Babs & The Boss debuts September 8, pairing Mike Babchik with Steve Torre. Torre currently serves as program director for Mad Dog Sports Radio. Meanwhile, Damon Amendolara exited the D.A. & Babchik program last Friday, closing out a three-year run with Babchik. He joined SiriusXM in 2023 and had signed a one-year extension just last November. Torre is a seasoned veteran of Mad Dog Sports Radio. He’s previously worked with Danny Kanell, and hosted evenings prior to Stephen A. Smith’s arrival to the channel.
What They Said: Steve Torre on accepting the on air position along with his programming duties: “I’ve been doing it for a long time. It’s something I still want to do. I would like to think the company feels like I do a good job, and that there’s some value there. So, they continued wanting me to do that, and so I’m thrilled that they did. But there’s a lot to consider there. When you throw all that into the mix, it’s something that I had to think long and hard about, and ultimately I decided to give it a go.”
What Remains Unclear: Whether Amendolara resurfaces elsewhere in radio remains unclear. He’ll continue hosting the NFL Tailgate Show on NFL Radio. Additionally, Torre didn’t specify if his role as program director would be influenced in any way.
What It Means: Pairing Torre with Babchik signals SiriusXM wants stability from a proven insider rather than an outside hire. Consequently, the move preserves continuity for listeners while testing whether Torre’s front-office experience translates on air to guide the channel in morning drive. Ultimately, this pairing’s success will shape how SiriusXM approaches future morning-drive decisions.
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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.