One of Barstool’s most pressing questions has finally been answered. According to the company’s CEO, Dave Portnoy, Will Compton and Taylor Lewan are leaving Barstool Sports and taking their podcast Bussin’ With the Boys with them. Portnoy confirmed the news on the Friday, Jan. 17 edition of The Unnamed Show.
“I made what I would say was my most aggressive move to keep them,” Portnoy said. “There’s always more value for a company taking talent than already here. They got an offer that was so big, it’s like I can’t…Will wants to stay, Taylor wants to stay, but it’s a compliment to Barstool — these people just pillage us. They can’t build people up, they can’t make stars.”
While there’s been no word yet as to where exactly Compton and Lewan are headed, there may be signs. Portnoy dropped Underdog as a potential destination, home to former Barstool talents Jarred Carrabis, Coley Mick, and Tyler “Trill Whithers” Johnson. He also said that while he was willing to re-sign Compton and Lewan at a likely loss to the company, gambling companies are losing “millions and millions of dollars, and they don’t care. We can’t do that.”
Portnoy was visibly hurt by the loss but is proud of Compton, Lewan, and Barstool Sports in general. “I actually think it speaks to when we try to get new people, the people here are doing great, but look at the people who have left — they got monster deals. The Barstool Effect works, it’s what we tell people when they come in, there’s no way I could ever begrudge them. I would take their deal too if I was in their shoes.”
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Premiere Networks and iHeartMedia Memphis host Ben Ferguson has been tabbed as the host of a Donald Trump-centric podcast — The 47 Morning Update — for iHeartPodcasts.
The short-form daily podcast will cover the latest happenings in the Washington D.C. political sphere and how it relates to the agenda of President-elect Donald Trump.
“I’m excited to launch this short-form podcast, taking listeners behind the scenes of the Trump administration to tackle the biggest stories the media won’t cover,” said Ferguson. “The 47 Morning Update will deliver unfiltered insights, exclusive interviews, and honest commentary on the issues shaping America today, straight from President Trump’s Oval Office.”
The show will release new episodes on a Monday through Saturday basis.
“We’re thrilled to present this short-form podcast hosted by Ben Ferguson,” said Premiere Networks President Julie Talbott. “We are confident that Ben’s fresh and vibrant style of entertainment will offer audiences a crucial means to stay informed and engaged in the national conversation.”
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Rubber City Radio Group’s Classic Rocker 97.5 WONE, Akron, joined the community in raising over $377,000 for Northeast Ohio charitable causes.
Program Director Matt Spatz said, “We are sincerely humbled by the generosity of the community in which we live, whether it’s their support of our local homeless veterans as they get back on their feet at The Valor Home to the kids at the Pediatric Palliative Care Center at Akron Children’s Hospital to various local cancer foundations including Carson Strong and the Denise Marie Flaherty Foundation; Northeast Ohioans continue to take care of each other.”
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Looking for the ultimate live casino experience in the USA? Innovate Change specializes in identifying the best live casinos for real money, offering players detailed insights into top-tier platforms. From thrilling live dealer games to generous bonuses, Innovate Change ensures every player has access to a safe and engaging online gaming environment.
Innovate Change: Your go-to expert for real money casinos
Innovate Change is a real money online casino platform in New Zealand that helps players find the best US casinos online. It reviews and recommends casinos based on essential factors like security, licensing, game selection, and bonus transparency. Whether you’re looking for high-RTP slots, live dealer games, or exciting welcome bonuses, Innovate Change ensures you’re choosing safe and rewarding options. The platform also highlights modern features like mobile compatibility and cryptocurrency payments, making it easy for players to enjoy seamless gaming. Innovate Change is dedicated to helping players play responsibly, offering advice and tools to ensure a secure and fun gambling experience.
Advantages of playing live casinos for real money
Live casinos provide the perfect combination of excitement, authenticity, and convenience. Some of the key advantages include:
Real-Time Interaction: Players can communicate with professional dealers and other participants, replicating the social aspect of physical casinos.
Authentic Gameplay: High-definition streaming brings real casino action to your screen, ensuring transparency and fairness.
High Stakes Options: Catering to both casual players and high rollers, live casinos offer tables with varying betting limits.
Diverse Game Selection: Choose from popular games like blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and unique game shows like Monopoly Live.
Convenience: Play anytime, anywhere, on desktop or mobile devices, without needing to travel to a physical casino.
How Innovate Change reviews live casinos
Innovate Change carefully reviews each live casino to make sure players enjoy a safe, fun, and rewarding experience. By checking a range of important factors, Innovate Change ensures that only the best live casinos for real money make the list. Here’s how the review process works:
Licensing and security: Casinos must be licensed by trusted authorities like the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) or UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). This ensures fair games and secure player protection.
Game selection: A wide range of live dealer games is essential. Innovate Change looks for options like blackjack, roulette, baccarat, poker, and exciting live game shows.
Bonuses and promotions: Special bonuses for live casino players, such as cashback offers or exclusive table deals, are an important part of the review. Clear and fair bonus terms are a priority.
Payment methods: The best casinos offer secure and fast payment options, including credit cards, e-wallets like PayPal, and cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.
Customer support: Players need reliable help when they need it. Innovate Change ensures that casinos provide 24/7 support through live chat, email, or phone.
Top 5 live casinos for real money in the USA
BetMGM Casino: Great for rewards and lots of games.
Caesars Online Casino: Perfect for luxury gaming and offline perks.
Golden Nugget Online Casino: Ideal for daily deals and a huge game selection.
BetRivers Casino: Known for easy-to-use bonuses.
Party Casino: Fun design with exciting promotions.
1.BetMGM Casino: Great for rewards and lots of games.
BetMGM Casino is a top choice for live casino gaming in the USA, offering a premium experience backed by MGM Resorts. Players can enjoy a wide range of live dealer games, including blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker, streamed in high definition with professional dealers. BetMGM stands out for its generous welcome bonus of up to $1,000 and a $25 no-deposit bonus, giving new players an excellent start.
The platform also features daily promotions, cashback offers, and loyalty rewards for regular players. With a user-friendly platform, a dedicated mobile app, and fast payment options such as PayPal, credit cards, and e-wallets, BetMGM ensures a seamless and secure gaming experience. Its reputation for fairness, security, and exceptional customer support makes it one of the most trusted platforms for real money gaming.
Wide game selection: Extensive live dealer games including blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker.
Generous welcome bonus: Up to $1,000 plus a $25 no-deposit bonus for new players.
Secure payments: Supports PayPal, credit cards, and e-wallets for fast transactions.
Loyalty rewards: Earn points redeemable for cash and perks through the M Life Rewards program.
Mobile compatibility: User-friendly app for seamless gameplay on the go.
2. Caesars Online Casino: Perfect for luxury gaming and offline perks.
Caesars Online Casino brings the luxury and prestige of its iconic brand to online players in the USA. Known for its live casino section, players can engage in interactive blackjack, roulette, and baccarat games with professional dealers. The platform also offers a rich selection of slots and table games for variety. New players are greeted with a 100% deposit match up to $2,500, along with additional rewards through the Caesars loyalty program, where points can be redeemed for cash, perks, or exclusive promotions. With secure payment options, including debit/credit cards, bank transfers, and PayPal, and 24/7 customer support via live chat, Caesars Online Casino delivers a high-quality gaming experience for all player levels.
Luxury gaming experience: Live casino games with professional dealers and high-quality streaming.
Massive welcome bonus: 100% match up to $2,500 for new players.
Loyalty program: Caesars Rewards program offers points redeemable for cash and exclusive perks.
Secure transactions: Payments via debit/credit cards, PayPal, and bank transfers.
24/7 customer support: Assistance through live chat, email, and phone support.
3. Golden Nugget Online Casino: Ideal for daily deals and a huge game selection.
Golden Nugget Online Casino is one of the most comprehensive platforms in the USA, renowned for its extensive library of games and exceptional live dealer options. Players can enjoy live roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and poker, streamed from professional studios with interactive features for a realistic casino experience. New players are offered a 100% match bonus up to $1,000, and ongoing promotions like cashback offers and daily prize draws ensure excitement. The casino supports multiple payment options, including PayPal, debit/credit cards, and bank transfers, for secure transactions. Golden Nugget also shines in mobile gaming, with a dedicated app for seamless live dealer gameplay on the go. Its variety, security, and excellent bonuses make it a favorite among USA players.
Comprehensive game library: Live roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and poker alongside thousands of slots.
Attractive bonuses: 100% match bonus up to $1,000 for new players, plus ongoing cashback offers.
Mobile gaming excellence: A dedicated app ensures smooth gameplay on mobile devices.
Secure payment options: Supports PayPal, debit/credit cards, and bank transfers.
Daily promotions: Offers like prize draws and leaderboard challenges keep players engaged.
4. BetRivers Casino: Known for easy-to-use bonuses
BetRivers Casino offers a welcoming and reliable environment for live casino gaming. The platform features a variety of live dealer games, such as blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, with high-quality streaming and professional dealers. BetRivers is also known for its wide range of slots and table games, catering to diverse player preferences. The casino’s $250 first deposit match bonus comes with a low 1x wagering requirement, making it easy for players to cash out their winnings. Secure and fast payment options like credit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers, combined with a rewards program offering cashback and other perks, add to its appeal. With an intuitive interface and 24/7 customer support, BetRivers Casino is a fantastic option for real money gaming in the USA.
Live dealer games: Blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and more with professional streaming.
Low wagering bonus: $250 deposit match with just 1x wagering requirements.
Reliable payment methods: Offers credit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers for secure deposits and withdrawals.
Rewards program: Cashback and loyalty benefits for regular players.
User-friendly interface: Simple design for easy navigation on desktop and mobile devices.
5. Party Casino: Fun design with exciting promotions.
Party Casino provides an exciting and dynamic online gaming experience, making it a top choice for live casino enthusiasts. Players can access a variety of live dealer games, including poker, blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, streamed in real-time with professional dealers. New players are welcomed with a $1,000 welcome bonus spread across their first deposits, along with free spins on popular slots. Regular players benefit from reload bonuses, cashback offers, and participation in tournaments with substantial prize pools. Party Casino ensures a smooth gaming experience on desktop and mobile platforms, with secure payment methods like Visa, PayPal, and e-wallets. Reliable 24/7 customer support further enhances the gaming experience, making Party Casino a top destination for real money gaming in the USA.
Dynamic game selection: Live dealer games, including poker, blackjack, roulette, and baccarat.
Welcome bonus: $1,000 bonus spread across initial deposits plus free spins on top slots.
Exciting promotions: Reload bonuses, cashback offers, and tournaments with significant prizes.
Secure payments: Visa, PayPal, and e-wallet support for fast transactions.
Mobile-friendly design: Optimized for both desktop and mobile platforms.
Top live casino games recommended by Innovate Change
Live casinos provide a realistic and immersive gaming environment, enabling players to enjoy their favorite games while interacting with professional dealers and other participants. Innovate Change has identified the top live casino games that cater to a variety of player preferences and gaming styles.
Live Blackjack
Live Blackjack remains a classic and strategic choice for players. The objective is simple: beat the dealer without exceeding 21. This game is known for its low house edge, making it appealing to both beginners and seasoned players. Popular titles include Infinite Blackjack and Power Blackjack by Evolution Gaming, which introduce innovative features like unlimited seating and side bets to enhance the gameplay experience.
Live Roulette
A timeless favorite, Live Roulette offers real-time thrills as players place bets and watch the wheel spin. With versions like European Roulette (featuring a lower house edge), French Roulette (with “La Partage” rules), and American Roulette, there’s something for everyone. Innovative variations such as Lightning Roulette introduce exciting multipliers, offering players the chance to win significantly larger payouts.
Live Baccarat
Known for its sophistication and high-stakes gameplay, Live Baccarat attracts players seeking a mix of elegance and excitement. Variants like Speed Baccarat provide faster rounds for those who enjoy quick action, while Dragon Tiger simplifies the game for newcomers, focusing on two-card outcomes.
Interactive Game Shows
For players looking for entertainment alongside gaming, interactive game shows are a perfect choice. Titles like Crazy Time, Monopoly Live, and Dream Catcher combine vibrant visuals, fun themes, and opportunities for big wins. These games appeal to those who enjoy an engaging, non-traditional casino experience.
Live Poker Variants
Live Poker combines strategy, skill, and competition, offering variants that suit all levels of expertise. Popular options include Casino Hold’em, Caribbean Stud Poker, and Three Card Poker. These games replicate the excitement of a physical poker table while incorporating the convenience of online play.
Why Players Love Live Casino Games
Innovate Change highlights that live casino games offer a blend of realism, interactivity, and high-quality production. With professional dealers, HD streaming, and innovative features, live games elevate the online casino experience, making them a top recommendation for real money players.
Bonuses and Promotions at the Best Live Casinos For Real Money
Innovate Change evaluates and recommends live casinos with the most player-friendly bonuses, ensuring maximum value for players. Below is a detailed table highlighting the types of bonuses offered at the top live casinos, along with specific examples:
Welcome Bonus
A generous bonus for new players to explore live casino games. Up to $300 plus 50 free spins. Bonus funds are valid for live dealer games like blackjack and roulette.
Cashback Offers
Rebates on a percentage of live casino losses, providing a second chance to players.
Royal Vegas Casino
Monthly cashback up to 10% on live dealer game losses for VIP members.
Free Spins
Bonus spins for live casino-compatible games or promotional events.
Dunder Casino
100 free spins as part of the welcome package, including options for live roulette games.
Loyalty Rewards
Exclusive benefits for regular players, often tied to loyalty or VIP programs.
Caxino Casino
VIP perks include faster withdrawals, bonus credits for live dealer tables, and personal account managers.
Reload Bonuses
Bonuses on subsequent deposits to keep players engaged with live games.
Tropez Casino
Weekly reload offers up to $500, applicable for live dealer games like baccarat and poker.
No-Deposit Bonuses
Free bonus funds or bets provided without requiring a deposit.
Spin Casino
$10 no-deposit bonus, allowing players to test live games risk-free.
Game-Specific Promotions
Offers tailored to specific live games like blackjack or roulette.
RiverBelle Casino
Exclusive blackjack promotions with extra cash rewards for hitting specific card combinations.
These bonuses not only enhance the gaming experience but also provide financial incentives for both new and regular players. Innovate Change ensures that all recommended casinos offer fair terms and transparent conditions, enabling players to make the most of these exciting offers.
How to Play Live Casino Games For Real Money Safely with Innovate Change
Innovate Change highlights the importance of playing live casino games responsibly and ensuring a secure experience. By following these essential safety tips, players can enjoy live casino gaming while maintaining control and minimizing risks:
Choose licensed casinos: Always select casinos licensed by trusted authorities like the Malta Gaming Authority or UK Gambling Commission. These licenses guarantee a fair and secure gaming environment.
Use trusted payment methods: Opt for reliable and secure payment options such as PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, or cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin for safe and quick transactions.
Set a budget: Establish a spending limit before you start playing and strictly adhere to it. This prevents overspending and keeps gaming enjoyable.
Avoid chasing losses: Remember that gambling should be viewed as entertainment rather than a way to make money. Avoid the temptation to recover losses by betting more.
Utilize gambling tools: Take advantage of responsible gambling features offered by most casinos, including deposit limits, session reminders, and self-exclusion options, to maintain control of your gaming habits.
FAQs
Are live casinos for real money legal in the USA?
Yes, live casinos are legal in states that regulate online gambling, such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia. Innovate Change only recommends platforms licensed and regulated by local authorities.
How does Innovate Change select the best live casinos?
Innovate Change evaluates casinos based on licensing, game variety, bonuses, payment methods, and customer support to ensure a safe and rewarding experience for players.
Can I play live casino games on mobile devices?
Yes, most live casinos are optimized for mobile devices, allowing players to enjoy games on smartphones and tablets with the same high-quality streaming and gameplay as on desktops.
What payment methods are available at live casinos for real money?
Live casinos support various payment options, including credit/debit cards, e-wallets like PayPal and Skrill, and cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Transactions are secure and processed quickly.
Are live dealers real people?
Yes, live dealers are professional individuals who host games in real-time from a studio or casino setting. Players can interact with them via chat during the game.
What is the difference between live casino games and RNG games?
Live casino games are streamed in real-time and involve human dealers, creating an interactive experience. RNG (Random Number Generator) games are automated and rely on algorithms to determine outcomes.
Freedom 96.9 in Oklahoma City is adding market veteran Lee Matthews to host afternoon drive on the Champlin Broadcasting news/talk station.
Matthews joins the station after previously working as the Director of Talk Programming for iHeartMedia Oklahoma City. He programmed and hosted afternoons at 1000 KTOK in Oklahoma City and 1300 The Patriot in Tulsa. He departed the cluster late last year as part of the widespread cuts enacted by iHeartMedia, which ended all local programming on two Oklahoma news/talk outlets.
In a video published to social media, Matthews revealed the news, stating “As of today, I am going to inaugurate an all-new version of The Drive with Lee Matthews.”
“We’re going to continue with some of the great guests that we have. All of them talking about what’s going on in the area, here in Oklahoma, whereas many of the other stations, many of the other companies, have given up on local radio and local talk, we have not,” he concluded.
Matthews’ first day with Freedom 96.9 will be Monday, January 20th. His show will replace the final hour of The Dana Show from Dana Loesch, and the first two hours of The Joe Pags Show.
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Bruce “Cousin Brucie” Morrow’s “Cousin Brucie’s Rock & Roll Party” has entered into a syndication agreement with Red Apple Audio Networks.
The show comes from flagship 77 WABC, New York, where the 89-year-old Morrow started his career in rock’s early years.
Morrow said, “Being on radio again, playing the best music, and connecting with listeners is as exciting for me now as it was in 1964. The magic of radio, the beauty of theater of the mind, is unduplicated. I’m looking forward to the fun we’re going to have on radio stations across America.”
Chad Lopez, President of Red Apple Media and WABC Radio, said, “The goal with our networks is to deliver top-quality programming and nationally recognizable talent like Cousin Brucie to radio stations across the country. Brucie has unparalleled access to the artists who performed the biggest hits of the 50s and 60s, bringing listeners closer to the music they love.”
“Cousin Brucie’s Rock & Roll Party” is currently heard from 6 – 10 pm on WABC.
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Timothy Boell has been promoted by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment to serve as the executive vice president of content distribution and affiliate marketing for KSE Media Ventures. Under his new role, Bell is going to have responsibilities leading the strategic direction of both business areas, which will help shape the vision for the company’s content partnerships. Moreover, he will catalyze the negotiation and management of content agreements taking place across domestic and international distribution platforms.
“We are thrilled to have Tim Boell step into this new role,” Steve Smith, president of KSE Media Ventures, said in a statement. “His deep understanding of the media landscape and proven track record of success make him the ideal leader to drive our content distribution and affiliate marketing efforts forward.”
Boell formerly worked as the vice president of content distribution and affiliate marketing at KSE Media Ventures for the last decade. Throughout his tenure, he was responsible for leading a team that managed distribution opportunities and partnerships in the eastern United States and Canada. Before joining Kroenke Sports & Entertainment and Outdoor Sportsman Group, Boell had leadership roles at Paramount Global, Sundance Channel and Showtime Networks where he worked in these related subject areas.
“I am excited to take on this expanded role at KSE and continue to build on the strong foundation we have established,” Boell said. “I look forward to working closely with our talented team to develop innovative strategies and strengthen our content partnerships worldwide.”
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Earlier in the month, The Walt Disney Company agreed to a merger in which it would combine its Hulu + Live TV service with Fubo operations in a joint venture. Disney will be slated to own 70% of this venture, and the combined businesses would operate under the Fubo company name while the streaming services remain separate in sales and marketing. At the same time, Fubo agreed to drop its antitrust lawsuit to block the launch of Venu Sports, the joint streaming venture from Disney, FOX Corporation and Warner Bros. Discovery. Yet days after this announcement, DirecTV and EchoStar filed briefs to the court and signaled potential interest in litigation, and Venu Sports was shuttered for good shortly thereafter.
John Skipper, the former president of ESPN, had been skeptical that Venu Sports would be successful in the marketplace from the time it was announced last February. On the latest edition of The Sporting Class, David Samson reminded listeners that Skipper believed that Venu Sports represented a ridiculous announcement and did not offer anything new. Upon explaining the situation, Skipper elaborated on his thoughts surrounding the now-defunct streaming endeavor from his vantage point.
“They don’t need it now, right?,” Skipper said. “It was always a temporary stopgap before [ESPN] launched Flagship…. This was always a Disney-led effort in my opinion. I thought that Disney always got the preponderance of benefit.”
DirecTV recently announced a new skinny bundle of sports channels, titled “MySports,” that includes networks and broadcast entities available in 24 metropolitan areas. The plan is launching with distribution rights from the three media conglomerates involved in Venu Sports, along with Comcast-owned NBCUniversal. The bundle will also add regional sports networks later in the year, granting a broad array of local and national coverage. Skipper presumed that EchoStar, the parent company of Dish Network, will also receive the same package and that consumers no longer need Venu Sports. DirecTV previously tried to acquire Dish Network, but the talks were halted last November after being unable to reach a deal.
“My view is they wanted to give the consumer another mirage of a choice of efficiency, and that is what these companies are trying to give consumers time and time again,” Samson said. “After they started cutting the cord, they want to be savior, except really all they’re doing is making you pay the same or more, but to different platforms.”
Torre acknowledged that Venu Sports was a thought when Skipper was the president of ESPN, but it has turned into a priority amid a media landscape moving towards digital distribution amid cord cutting. Skipper followed up by saying that the longer Flagship waits to launch, which is reportedly expected to occur this fall, the more there will be leakage of live sports rights. More companies are becoming involved in the sports media space, such as Netflix, which recently broadcast an NFL Christmas Day doubleheader, commenced a deal with WWE for Raw and landed U.S. rights for the FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments in 2027 and 2031.
“ESPN is still going to have more rights than anybody else for a long, long time, so they have managed to be smart and prevail, but I think Flagship in some way is less and less attractive because there’s less and less that’s not on there,” Skipper explained. “There’s stuff on Paramount and there’s stuff on Max and there’s stuff on TNT, and you’re still going to have to – I guess if you buy Flagship, the question is what you get from Flagship that you don’t get from MySports.”
One area surrounding the Flagship launch Skipper believes ESPN has not provided much detail is what would set it apart for the consumer as other bundles offer sports networks. Samson also expressed concern that ESPN would one day consider taking everything off of its linear television network to drive subscriptions, something Skipper does not think will happen. Nonetheless, he remains skeptical about the value propositions of features and personalization in getting people to subscribe to the service.
“Remember how many times people have talked about, ‘Oh, you’re going to get to pick your own camera angles,’?,” Skipper said. “Nobody wants to. Even the ManningCast, which by the way I watch Monday night instead of the regular feed – quite fun, quite fun – most people don’t watch it… and if you add the two together, they’re probably not getting new people.”
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As the basketball season continues, Sarah Kustok is voyaging around the country for months on end contributing to a wide array of broadcast properties. This coming Monday, she will be on hand at Prudential Center in Newark to call the Coretta Scott King Classic on FOX alongside play-by-play announcer Dave Sims. In order to arrive for the women’s college basketball doubleheader on time, she will be taking a redeye flight from Oklahoma City after the matchup between the Brooklyn Nets and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Yet traveling on the road is nothing anomalous for Kustok, who provides analysis on basketball games at the collegiate and professional levels. Being on the air is something she considers a privilege, and she possesses mindfulness that guides her quotidian routine surrounding her packed calendar. Even though the schedule gauntlet can seem exhausting from an outside perspective, Kustok remains exhilarated through her love and passion for her occupation and seeks to execute her role with aplomb.
“There is not a second that passes – and I really mean this – that I do not think about how grateful I am to call this work because it is not work,” Kustok said. “It is what I love most, and it’s the people I’m around, it’s the stories I get to tell, it’s watching individuals chase down their dreams, and so I am chasing down a feeling of that type of energy of what I get to do.”
Kustok has been able to thrive in a multifarious media ecosystem as live sports broadcasts prove invaluable to linear television amid the expansion of digital media verticals. Whereas her analysis on YES Network has elements of familiarity since she follows the Nets organization and calls most of its games, college basketball contests render more ambiguity and an occasional learning curve surrounding players and coaches. Aside from reviewing statistics and game film, Kustok also converses with personnel to glean insights and other background to better inform her commentary.
“Through the course of our schedule, sometimes you get more or less time with the teams or what you’re watching or just kind of how that works and ebbs and flows,” Kustok said, “but I think you’re always trying to keep your finger on the pulse of what’s happening in these leagues.”
Consumption of regular-season games in women’s college basketball proliferated on FOX and FS1, accruing a 66% year-over-year increase with an average of 436,000 viewers. The company also earned the most-watched women’s regular-season game on any network with 3.39 million viewers when Iowa guard Caitlin Clark became the NCAA Division I all-time scoring leader. The momentum has continued throughout this season, with FOX averaging 513,000 viewers for the Shark Beauty Women’s Champions Classic doubleheader last month.
“You see the interest, you see the buy-in, you see the enthusiasm, and again, that’s where I’ll flicker back to FOX Sports,” Kustok said. “You show these games, you show these individuals and the attention continues to grow, and so I think that’s what it’s all about.”
Kustok recognizes the growth of women’s sports and aspires to highlight the talent and personalities of the athletes. As the former captain of the DePaul University women’s basketball team, she attributes her experience as teaching her how to adapt and handle any situation with both poise and composure. Heading into the doubleheader on Monday, she is keeping track of the participating teams while balancing her obligations with Nets telecasts all while on the road.
“When you’re getting set for a game, I think that’s where you’ll lock in a little bit more of watching their last game but still looking at the numbers,” Kustok said. “The same type of prep I do for my boards – going and watching a practice or shootaround and getting a chance to talk to the coaches, talk to the players – I think a lot of that translates and is similar.”
Regardless of the league, Kustok always remembers that there are things she can learn about basketball from viewers, fans, coaches and players. When she is delivering analysis to the audience, she seeks to convey her evaluations with clarity and precision in vernacular that is discerned by all. On top of that, she exhibits personality and character while occasionally utilizing her playing skills, such as when she saved YES Network broadcaster Ian Eagle from a basketball coming in his general vicinity.
“It’s as simplified as play-by-play is going to say, ‘What?,’ and I’m going to say, ‘Why?,’” Kustok said, “and so I want to do my best throughout the course of a game to try and explain, ‘Why are we seeing these things happen? Why are we seeing the score discrepancy the way it is? Why are we seeing a team get a ton of three-point looks?’”
Kustok departed the Chicago metropolitan area in 2012 to join YES Network as the courtside reporter for Nets broadcasts, the incipience of its relocation in Brooklyn, N.Y. For the first few seasons, she was living in someone else’s apartment out of a suitcase and had her belongings stored at an office. Nonetheless, the chance to be associated with an NBA team and cover the games was invaluable, especially at a seminal point in the history of the organization replete with enthusiasm.
“It was one of those typical New York stories – but the energy, the diversity, the culture, so many things about the city, and the love of sports, similar to Chicago, I couldn’t get enough of,” Kustok said. “And so it was a tremendous time, I think, with that move, and again, just kind of being entrenched with the NBA and reuniting with the league that I grew up watching [and] grew up caring about so much.”
When a scheduling conflict left YES Network searching for an analyst to fill in, the company offered Kustok the opportunity since she prepared commensurate to the role. The one-game assignment elicited national headlines, and she remembers feeling energized and developing a penchant for the job. Two years later, Kustok was making history as the first full-time solo female analyst for an NBA team in league history, a fortuitous circumstance she did not initially perceive as being possible.
“It was a dream come true, and I think for a lot of reasons, it was one of those situations that if you would’ve asked me three years prior to that [or] five years prior to that, I never would’ve imagined that this would be an opportunity,” Kustok said. “At the time, Doris Burke [and] Ann Meyers Drysdale, that was kind of it, and they felt like more just they were so incredible, and I still, every time I see them, thank them for laying the foundation, paving the way to have those type of opportunities.”
Kustok seeks to denote observations that are scholastic and entertaining, and she is frequently considering how to satisfy both concentrations. At the same time, viewers need to maintain awareness of the time and score, descriptions of which take place amid a descant that is premised on camaraderie and revelry. Kustok recognizes that people care about the nuances of the game, and she remains mindful of witnessing the action develop in its natural cadence and providing a soundtrack apropos to the situation.
“I think every game has a life of its own, and it lends itself to sometimes games are a little tighter in the way that you are relying more on the insight and the analysis and the education and breaking down things, and then there’s some games that give way to maybe having a little bit more fun or adding more color and stories than others,” Kustok said. “There’s never a perfect formula. Again, that’s what makes each broadcaster their own, but I think you learn what works for you.”
Aside from working on live game broadcasts, Kustok has also starred on We Need to Talk, the CBS Sports studio program featuring women discussing issues about all sports. The show recently celebrated its 10th year on the air with a reunion episode featuring current and former contributors. Kustok is honored to work alongside a deep roster of industry luminaries, including Lesley Visser, Andrea Kremer and Swin Cash, and she values the conversations and perspectives everyone brings to the show.
“When anything happens in the world of sports, and whether that’s just about the performance or whether that’s issues outside of it, I think it allows us a platform to be able to share our opinions,” Kustok said. “That, to me, I think it is just – for me in the work that I do on a day-to-day basis – a very unique opportunity and one that I cherish.”
In addition to her Nets and college basketball responsibilities, Kustok will be on the call throughout the debut season of Unrivaled Basketball on TNT Sports, a three-on-three league created by WNBA stars Naphessa Collier and Breanna Stewart. Adding this new responsibility further augments her workload, but it aligns with her ambition to surmount difficulties while also being a good person. Kustok looks to ensure people are heard and seen, and it brings her joy to make a positive impact on others and change the proverbial temperature in a room. Moving forward in the industry, she hopes to contribute to everyone achieving success and fueling growth.
“I want to see the WNBA keep growing in ways that they are because they deserve it,” Kustok said. “I want to see the NBA keep growing in ways that they’re already where they’re at, but I watch these players in the moments that are not under the bright lights – the ones [in] the offseason and when they’re showing up for shootarounds or in the gym themselves – and so I want to see growth for all of that. And again, for me personally, I want to be challenged and I want to be happy, and where I’m at right now, I have both those things, so I count my lucky stars every day.”
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Los Angeles is a unique market for several reasons. One of them — especially from a news/talk radio perspective — is because of the weather and natural disasters the region can experience. So stations like KFI-AM 640 and 790 KABC need to be ready for anything.
This happened as the area saw virtually unprecedented wildfires stir, with hundreds of thousands of residents being asked to evacuate and hundreds upon hundreds of buildings being destroyed as hurricane-force winds pushed the fires around the region.
Barrett Media spoke with Luis Segura, Program Director for Cumulus Media’s 790 KABC, as well as Chris Berry, iHeartMedia Executive Vice President of News, Talk, and Sports — who is currently serving as interim program director of KFI-AM 640 — to discuss how they were able to cover the event in such a difficult situation.
Barrett Media: What did your coverage of the LA Wildfire contain?
Luis Segura: Our live shows — The John Phillips Show, Mottek on Money, and The KABC News Blitz with Randy Wang — hosted the people closest to these tragic fires; victims, taxpayers, and decision-makers: newly elected LA DA Nathan Hochman, representatives from the LAFD, coordinators from the Red Cross, having an insurance adjuster answering questions, etc…
More importantly, we gave listeners a place to call and tell us not just what was happening but a space to vent their fears and frustration- the phones were ringing so hard they were practically buzzing. We utilized live coverage from our TV partners at KABC-TV and featured expert guest hosts like respected Meteorologist Rick Dickert. We leaned on the great relationships we have with our syndicated shows like Armstrong & Getty, Dan Bongino, and Guy Benson who provided exceptional ongoing coverage and perspectives. Total TEAM effort.
BM: How much different is covering a wildfire from covering other natural disasters?
Chris Berry: I think there are a couple of things about it. First of all, you have to remember that Mother Nature does not discriminate. So whether it’s a hurricane or a tornado or something like a wildfire or earthquake, it covers the entire region. And I think that what is unusual about it.
One of the differences is really between a wildfire and a hurricane is, we know a few days in advance. We do know that there are conditions that arrive for a fire, but you never know exactly where it might hit and what we saw with the devastation — especially in the Palisades area and also the Eaton Canyon fire — what we saw there was such a fast-moving event. At one point in the Palisades that fire was moving, they said at five football fields a minute.
So, a hurricane comes in fast, but you have the warning and these people had no warning at all. They lost power, they lost internet, they lost their cell service in many cases. But once again radio was there.
LS: The disaster of an earthquake is so fast that you’re mostly dealing with the aftermath. These fires were so devastating, unique, and so widespread — and the highly controversial way they were handled — made this really an unprecedented, unfolding-in-real-time news event.
BM: What challenges did you face?
LS: The biggest challenge was the environmental unknown of where the winds or potential arson could take these fires next. Everything changed from moment to moment. Our tower was in a safe location, far away from any threat.
CB: I think that one of the biggest challenges that anybody has in a situation like this, whether they are a television station or radio station, is the fact that you have to be able to deliver accurate information as quickly as possible. And you have to stay on the air 24 hours a day. There’s no there’s no getting out of it. Once you’re into it, you’re into it, because the story is so fast changing. I think that making sure that you’re providing the most up-to-date, accurate information and doing it whether it’s 2:00 in the morning on a Sunday morning or 2:00 in the afternoon on a Wednesday, you’ve gotta be there to provide that content.
We were fortunate in that we have a staff that lives for this type of story, being able to provide that kind of public service. So they really turned out, all hands on deck.
BM: How important is having a plan ahead of time to pulling off coverage when it’s time to enact that plan?
KFI-AM 640 afternoon host Tim Conway Jr. — who was recently named the top major market afternoon host in the Barrett News Media Top 20 — was an integral part of the station’s coverage of the wildfires in Los Angeles. (Photo: Chris Berry)
CB: I think that every radio station has to have their disaster plan. A lot of times it’s tied to the weather or mother nature because of the fact it might be a hurricane or tornado depending on where you are.
But we talk about things like making sure that that plan is printed up because a lot of times, if you lose electricity, you’re not gonna have a computer. You’re not gonna be able to print out the plan or even look up the phone numbers you need to have. You have to have everybody’s phone number there whether it’s your own staff or whether it is the power company, the fire department, and so forth that you can reach out to.
That’s one of the things that is really important, too, to the emergency plan. And then the other thing that I think is that that should be conveyed to the entire radio station. When the big story happens, it is all hands on deck and they should be prepared to turn into reporters.
You have to be prepared to react, to react quickly, and everybody needs to understand that broadcasting — especially news broadcasting — is a 24/7 business. There really isn’t time to take off when you have the big story because of the public responsibility that you have to the audience.
LS: My mentor always reminded me to do my best thinking ahead of time. So, a plan is essential, but it just can’t sit on a shelf and dusted off when needed. You can’t just keep it to yourself. Share it with everyone, board ops, talent, producers, and even traffic. And always be ready to pivot, stay flexible.
Berry shared that KFI-AM 640 was likely to be the first outlet to report on the fires after a listener called the station to say they saw smoke in the Pacific Palisades area that was so widely damaged from the blaze. The call came to the station before firetrucks were even on the scene battling the fire.
For Luis Segura and 790 KABC, he added that finding answers to important questions has been and will continue to be the station’s goal going forward.
“KABC’s focus is always to candidly and compassionately drill down to the root cause of events and issues,” he shared. “Balance the tragedy with finding solutions that invoke optimism and chart a path to the best outcomes. Be honest and ‘bring the receipts,’ as Dan Bongino says. That is what listeners expect from fast-paced, fact-based 790 KABC.”
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.
