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Why The Tennessee Titans Pulling Jared Stillman’s Credential Needs More Specifics

John Mamola
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Why The Tennessee Titans Pulling Jared Stillman’s Credential Needs More Specifics

Credentialed access to cover professional sports teams is not a right. It’s a privilege. Franchises grant media access to those who actively cover the team or league in a professional manner and have an audience to serve. They have every right to grant access, just as they have the right to pull it. Yesterday, the Tennessee Titans decided to pull social commentator Jared Stillman’s credential, literally a day after Stillman said on his program that the organization was “not that stupid” to do so.

Whether you agree or disagree with the Titans’ decision is irrelevant. What matters most in situations like this is transparency.

This isn’t about whether Stillman should be credentialed. The Titans had already made that decision long ago. They granted him access after his departure from 102.5 The Game and his move to an independent platform. The question now is simple: Why specifically was Stillman’s credential pulled?

Because without transparency, the result is distrust and uncertainty.

Earning Your Coverage

Make no mistake about it, there haven’t been many great things to say about the Tennessee Titans over the past four seasons. Because of the team’s lack of success, there also isn’t much positivity surrounding the franchise at the moment. Stillman’s commentary serves as Exhibit A.

Stillman isn’t alone in his dissent. While his delivery may be more performative than some of his peers in Nashville, the Titans have faced plenty of criticism throughout the market. Following his firing by 102.5 The Game after 10 years with the station, Stillman built his own platform, Stillman and Company, hosting a live afternoon drive program on YouTube and across social platforms for the past year.

His voice never lost its impact. In many ways, his digital approach has amplified both his commentary and engagement.

Before the season began, Stillman applied for credentialed access like any other media organization and received approval. From there, it’s important to look at the other side of the equation.

Stillman was one of the loudest voices criticizing the Titans for hiring 104.5 The Zone host Ramon Foster as the team’s radio analyst. This followed the passing of Dave McGinnis. Stillman called the hire a slap in the face to former Titans players, arguing there were plenty of other options.

That’s a commentator sharing an opinion. He isn’t necessarily wrong, nor is he necessarily right. That’s the nature of commentary. Interpretation is in the eye of the beholder.

Then, last week, Stillman asked quarterback Cam Ward how he would assess his performance during the preseason. Ward threw the question back at him. Stillman responded by sharing his assessment that Ward’s performance had been “not well,” while the quarterback brushed off the critique. You can’t fault Stillman for giving an honest answer to a question the franchise’s quarterback essentially asked him to answer. Stillman delivered exactly that.

In both instances, criticism was shared. That’s no different from what a columnist at a newspaper would have done in a previous media era. That’s the role. To Stillman’s credit, he continued to show up and make himself available if the team had a rebuttal or concern about his actions or commentary.

On Monday, Stillman practically dared the organization to pull his credential, saying the Titans were “not that stupid” to do so.

Yet, here we are. So, the question remains: Why?

Demanding Details

Stillman said Tuesday that the organization told him a “YouTuber” didn’t require media access. Also that the totality of his coverage led to the decision. Stillman has been critical of the organization for many years, so why now? Was asking the quarterback about his own self assessment too much to handle?

The Titans have every right to grant or pull media access as they see fit. What they don’t get to control is how that decision is perceived when they refuse to explain it. If Stillman violated a credentialing policy, the Titans should say so. But be specific.

If the Titans remain silent or vague, the obvious conclusion is that Stillman’s criticism — and his willingness to say what the organization doesn’t want to hear — cost him his access. That’s where this moves beyond a credentialing decision and into something more concerning.

Professional franchises don’t have to agree with a media member. They don’t have to like the questions being asked or the opinions being offered. But when a credential is pulled immediately after pointed criticism and no explanation is provided, it creates the appearance that a dissenting voice is being punished for being dissenting.

The Titans can change that perception with one thing: transparency. Be specific.

Until the Titans explain their decision in more detail, they leave everyone else to decide for themselves why Stillman lost his access. And when an organization refuses to explain why a critical voice has lost access, it’s fair to ask whether this was really about a credential — or whether it was about censorship.

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.

Why The Conclave Wanted a Final Farewell After 45 Years

Garrett Searight
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Why The Conclave Wanted a Final Farewell After 45 Years

The Conclave, one of radio’s longest-running regional conferences, will hold its 45th and final gathering September 15th through 17th at the Crowne Plaza Aire MSP Airport – Mall of America. For decades, the event has drawn broadcasters from across the country to trade stories, honor industry veterans, and reconnect with old friends. This year, however, organizers are closing the book for good.

Bob Goff, chair of The Conclave and general manager of Heart of Wisconsin Media, remembers exactly how his relationship with the event began.

“My very first one was in 1989 — that was the first Conclave that I attended, and I ended up working in the Capitol Records promotion suite by accident because they couldn’t find any engineers who could put together a soundboard,” Goff said. He met Paul Shaffer and Billy Squier that night, and the experience shaped his connection to the event for the next three and a half decades.

Attendance wasn’t always guaranteed, though. COVID forced organizers to cancel back-to-back Conclaves, and for a while, it looked like the run might end quietly. Instead, broadcasters kept asking Goff when the next one would happen, and that persistence eventually convinced him it deserved a proper conclusion rather than a fade-out.

Why Goff Pushed for One Last Gathering

Goff didn’t need much convincing to stay involved once he got his start. “Getting involved in the Conclave was kind of a no-brainer,” Goff said. “It was mainly Midwest radio people that you could meet, pick your peers, and everything else.” Over time, the event expanded well beyond the Midwest, pulling in speakers and attendees from across the industry and turning a regional meetup into something closer to a national reunion.

That growth is part of why Goff felt an obligation to close things out the right way.

“A couple of things — we owed Herb Hoppe, from the St. Cloud, St. Anthony area, his Rockwell Award, which was richly deserved and which we missed giving to him,” Goff said.

Beyond settling that debt, he wanted one final chance to bring everyone back together. Consequently, organizers set a goal of maximizing turnout, and it’s already paying off with the guest list continuing to grow by the day.

Nostalgia runs through much of what excites Goff about the final agenda.

“I’m obviously a huge fan of M*A*S*H* and Frazier, so I’m looking forward to Ken Levine for sure, because he was a writer for both shows,” Goff said.

What to Expect and Why It’s Worth the Trip

Beyond the nostalgia, Goff frames the final Conclave as a practical opportunity for working broadcasters. Registration remains affordable, and the value proposition hasn’t changed even as the event winds down.

“Even at $199, it’s still the cheapest few days you’ll have with some of your peers, a better rate than anybody has had out there,” Goff said.

Logistics have been kept simple for anyone still deciding whether to attend. Hotel rooms are priced at $102 per night, and a free shuttle runs to and from the airport, so travel shouldn’t be a barrier.

“Just come to Minneapolis,” Goff said. “Remember the good times and bring in some new ones. That’s all I’m asking. Bring along your ideas.”

Whether attendees are chasing one last dose of radio history or simply want to reconnect with colleagues before the event disappears for good, Goff’s message is consistent: show up, share stories, and help send The Conclave off the way it deserves.

After 45 years, he’s hoping the final edition feels less like an ending and more like a celebration — and possibly, he admits, the spark for whatever comes next. To register to attend the event, click here.

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.

What Ratings? ROAS and Attribution: Radio’s New Accountability Standard

David Hill
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What Ratings? ROAS and Attribution: Radio’s New Accountability Standard

Radio’s audience didn’t evaporate. Instead, it moved — to podcasts, streaming music, satellite, YouTube, TikTok, social media. The appetite for audio remains strong. But the days when radio could command a concentrated audience and monetize that attention through scheduling commercials are over. That shift fundamentally changes how stations approach their sales conversations.

For decades, the pitch was simple: “We have listeners. We’ll put your spot in rotation. Customers will hear it.” It worked because alternatives were limited. Radio had scarcity. Additionally, radio had monopoly on mobile audio. Radio had reach nobody else could match.

Those conditions no longer exist. Yet that doesn’t make radio irrelevant — it makes radio accountable.

The Raw Materials Aren’t the Strategy

Radio still possesses attributes that streaming and social struggle to replicate: trusted personalities, local presence, immediacy, companionship of a familiar voice during your commute, cultural familiarity built over years, and the ability to reach people while they’re driving, working, or moving through their day.

However, those qualities no longer guarantee advertiser results. They’re raw materials. The strategy is what you build with them. Putting a 30-second commercial into rotation and hoping customers appear is a high-funnel exposure tactic. It creates awareness. Yet awareness alone is increasingly difficult to defend when advertisers have grown accustomed to targeting, testing, attribution, and measurable outcomes. They want to know: Did this drive a customer? Can you prove it? What was the return on my investment?

Radio has spent years answering these questions the same way: “Our ratings are up. Our audience is loyal. Trust the medium.” That’s not an answer anymore. It’s a deflection.

Attribution and ROAS Are No Longer Optional

When an advertiser walks into a radio station’s sales office today, they’re not asking the same questions they asked ten years ago. They’re not asking for impressions, reach, or time-spent-listening. Instead, they’re asking for attribution. They’re asking for ROAS — return on ad spend. And if you’re a radio program director and you don’t know what ROAS is, I suggest you Google it. That’s what you’re going to be judged on moving forward.

They want to know: How many customers did this drive? Can you track them? What was the conversion rate? How does that compare to digital, podcast, or direct mail?

Radio can’t answer those questions the way it used to. Not because the medium doesn’t work. Rather, radio spent decades selling on reach and frequency, not accountability. The pitch was always “trust us.” The evidence was always Nielsen ratings and cume numbers.

Advertisers trusted that when they had nowhere else to go. They don’t have nowhere to go anymore.

The Station That Can Show ROAS Wins

The reality is brutally simple. A station with loyal audience, strong talent, and authentic connection to its market can still move the needle for an advertiser. But only if the station is equipped to prove it through promo codes, landing pages, QR codes, direct response tracking, and attribution data tied to the sale.

A morning show can still influence a local decision-maker. However, the advertiser needs to see that decision translate into a customer. A music format can still reach the right demographic. Yet the demographic has to become a buyer.

Without that data, radio becomes a guessing game. Conversely, with it, radio becomes a strategic buy.

The Conversation That Matters

This isn’t about radio being better or worse than anything else. Rather, it’s about radio accepting the baseline requirement every other medium accepted years ago: prove the work. Show the results. Give the advertiser the metrics they need to justify the spend.

Stations that can do that — that have built the infrastructure, made the investments, and done the testing — will keep their business. Meanwhile, stations that still lead with reach and frequency will lose it to media that can deliver attribution.

That’s not preachy. That’s just the market.

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.

What Broadcast Insiders Really Want to Know But Aren’t Always Asking Out Loud

Bob Lawrence
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What Broadcast Insiders Really Want to Know But Aren’t Always Asking Out Loud

We recently celebrated another “National Radio Day,” but sadly, the fervor and excitement broadcast stations showcase on social media in past years has lost some of its luster. These days, regardless of corporate buzzwords, broadcasting insiders are no longer losing sleep over whether the industry can “leverage synergies” or “maximize strategic opportunities.”

If you’ve spent any time around executives, managers, programmers, sellers, engineers and talent, one thing quickly becomes clear. The biggest questions are no longer simply about ratings or revenue. The industry is trying to understand what broadcasting will become. Frankly, it’s asking a much more uncomfortable question.

Are we building the future of broadcasting or slowly dismantling it while managing its decline?

It’s a very real question being asked in executive offices, programming and sales meetings, and hallways. Of late, those questions are getting tougher. While I am certainly feeling some AI information overload, in reality, it’s been less than three years since we first considered its impact.

Question: Will AI make us more competitive or make us less valuable?

In every industry and in almost every home, we’re experimenting with artificial intelligence. However, the bigger issue is what happens when every media company has access to inexpensive content, automated production, AI voices, instant research and endless digital inventory. If we can all produce more content faster, has content itself become a commodity that supersedes people?

After all, I came up at a time when the industry believed its greatest assets went down the elevator and walked out the door every evening.

Broadcasters are wondering how many jobs AI will eliminate and whether the industry is replacing experienced, qualified people with technology. Even before we even know how to maintain the quality, creativity and local relationships with listeners those people provided.

Question: Where are the next dollars coming from, and will they replace the ones that disappeared?

This is very likely the most important question of all. We have witnessed our traditional revenue models come under immense pressure while new revenue streams are being tested. Digital advertising, streaming, video, events, sponsorships, podcasts and data services are all proving their value.

But we broadcasters don’t need another shiny new toy, or what my wife calls a “sparkly!”

We need predictable, scalable revenue. The industry has focused on hard realities. Shifting revenue streams through digital-first selling while trying to build diversified income fast enough to replace weakening legacy models. Is digital as profitable as radio revenue? Perhaps as a gross revenue stream. But its costs can be much greater, yielding lower margins.

Question: Are we cutting ourselves into a better future or eliminating the very things that made us valuable?

I have always held the position that you cannot cut your way to success. Lately, there has been a desire to “add by subtraction.” Broadcasting has become extraordinarily efficient at reducing expenses. However, there is a dangerous question few executives want to answer honestly:

How many more cuts can our product survive?

Radio personalities have been replaced by out-of-market trackers through automation. Local programming is becoming more centralized. Newsrooms have gotten smaller. Even salespeople are being asked to handle more. General managers are disappearing. Centralized personnel are supervising larger areas, while local programming increasingly focuses on content creation rather than on-air talent.

There’s no doubt our business continues to become leaner. But is it becoming better?

We don’t need another survey to show us that employees feel pressure to produce more with fewer resources. At the same time, concerns about even more consolidation and the long-term health of broadcast content remain high.

Question: Will consolidation save broadcasting or destroy its local advantage?

We have gone from a maximum of one AM and FM station per market to the duopoly structure established by the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and, eventually, to maximum percentages of a market’s revenue. Today, the industry fights to use larger scale as a necessary weapon. The goal is to compete against massive technology platforms.

But do bigger companies automatically translate to better broadcasting?

Consolidation may generate efficiency. But it can also produce more centralization, more layoffs and even less local differentiation.

This debate is only growing as ownership rules and major mergers continue to reshape the industry. I’m not sure the real question is whether broadcasters need scale. It is whether we can become bigger without becoming more generic.

Question: Are young audiences ever coming back, or are we chasing a generation that has already moved on?

Herein lies our most uncomfortable audience question. Younger consumers aren’t simply watching and listening less. They have built entirely different media habits around streaming, social media, YouTube, independent creators and on-demand content.

Over my half-century career, I have only recently come to believe that broadcasters can no longer assume young audiences will “age into” traditional habits. I hate to say it, but they may not.

And that leads to perhaps the biggest question of all.

Question: Why are we still defining ourselves by our delivery system?

Many of the larger broadcasters have stopped thinking of themselves as radio companies or television companies. They have morphed into local media, audience, content, and marketing companies. Using whatever platform connects them with consumers and advertisers.

iHeart was among the first when it tagged its name with “Media.” Saga Communications markets were formerly known by their respective market names followed by “Radio Group” and have now transitioned from “radio group” to “media group.” Then there’s Townsquare Media, Beasley Media and several others that have openly committed themselves as “digital-first” companies rather than “broadcast radio” groups.

The transition is never comfortable. It requires bold leadership. Fresh sales skills. Perhaps a willingness to destroy some of the industry’s cherished history.

We certainly don’t need or desire another lecture about disruption.

Industry leadership needs to know who is winning, and why they are winning. What is actually working, and what is wasting money. Also, what decisions they need to make before the rest of the industry forces their hand.

What we already know is that the future of broadcasting will not be decided by whether the industry changes. It will be decided by whether it changes fast enough and whether it remembers what was worth protecting in the first place.

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.

Jared Stillman “Disagrees” With Tennessee Titans’ Reasoning for Pulling Credential

John Mamola
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Jared Stillman “Disagrees” With Tennessee Titans’ Reasoning for Pulling Credential

Jared Stillman says the Tennessee Titans didn’t cite any specific incident for revoking his access. Instead, he says they pointed to his coverage as a whole.

What We Know: According to Stillman, the Titans told him his YouTube-based coverage doesn’t require the access given to daily beat writers and other media personnel. He isn’t on local radio anymore and only attends select practices and press conferences. The team framed the decision around the totality of his coverage, not the viral Cam Ward exchange alone from last Thursday. Stillman says he understands that reasoning, even though he disagrees with it.

What They Said: (All quotes from Stillman And Company):

Jared Stillman on why the Titans pulled his credential: “Their logic was what I do as a YouTuber does not require media access from the team. I’m not a daily beat writer, and I’m not on local radio anymore. So that was their position, and they are right about that. I’m not there every day. I’m not ever going to go every day. I go when there’s somebody worth talking to, or sometimes to be completely honest, somebody who maybe I’ve been critical of, and then that way that gives them a chance, whether it is during the actual media interaction or even if it’s off to the side, to say something if they’ve got something to say.”

Jared Stillman on the Titans using his content as reason to pull his credential: “The Titans told me that this wasn’t about one singular instance. I think a lot of people are going to assume that it’s about what happened on Thursday with Cam Ward. You can make those assumptions, I can make those assumptions, but they told me that it was not about one singular thing. It was the totality of my coverage that led them to make this decision. I understand their position. I disagree with it.”

Jared Stillman says his criticism is not an act: “What really bothers me, whether you’re the Titans, and I don’t know if they believe this or not, or whether you are somebody who hates me on Twitter, I hate when people say Jared Stillman acts in bad faith. I just don’t believe that to be true. Now, is my content provocative? Absolutely. It’s a show, but it’s not fake and it’s not done for clicks. I will not say something that I don’t believe. Period.”

Jared Stillman says he’s always been critical of the Tennessee Titans: “I don’t think I’ve changed since I left the radio station. I was hard on the Titans when I was at the radio station. I’m hard on them now. I should be hard. They’ve won three games two years in a row. They got smoked two weeks ago by Seattle’s backups. We all saw it. It was on national television. I do feel like on numerous occasions, the Titans have either misled the public or have outright lied.”

Jared Stillman believes the Titans are too focused on the wrong things: “The most disappointing aspect of this to me is that it does feel like once again, the Titans are focused on all the wrong things. This is how you go three and fourteen year after year.”

Jared Stillman on why he valued the opportunity to go to practices: “By not allowing to be there in that capacity, I’m disappointed. I value going there for practices and OTAs. I value being able to question something, and then going to the team and asking it myself.

Jared Stillman on the Titans using his presence on YouTube as reason for pulling his credential: “Granted, it’s not Joe Rogan’s audience. Understood. But it’s not some nothing audience either for a show that is going to be one year old tomorrow. So, I think it’s disappointing that instead of pointing to something and saying, ‘Jared, you can’t do that. We need to have a talk about this.’ That it is, ‘We do not feel like you have any reason to be in the building.’ But that’s fine. That’s their decision. I disagree with it.”

What Remains Unclear: The Titans haven’t released a public statement on the matter.

What It Means: Stillman’s account suggests teams may now weigh a critic’s full body of work over single incidents to cause reaction. Losing access won’t silence Stillman’s commentary, but it ends his ability to question team officials directly. Consequently, the dispute highlights how non-traditional media test evolving NFL credentialing standards. For Stillman, ten years of team access has given way to a YouTube-era standoff.

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.

KRMG Completes Move to 96.5 FM in Tulsa

Garrett Searight
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KRMG Completes Move to 96.5 FM in Tulsa

KRMG is officially moving to 96.5 FM in Tulsa, giving the news/talk station a stronger signal. The frequency change takes effect Tuesday as Zoellner Media Group reshapes its local FM lineup.

What We Know: KRMG previously aired on 102.3 FM, but the station is now moving to 96.5 FM. The new home delivers a more powerful 100,000-watt signal across the Tulsa market. Meanwhile, the move gives KRMG expanded coverage and accessibility as the station looks to strengthen its position. The frequency realignment also involves Mix, which will continue as part of Zoellner Media Group’s Tulsa operations. As a result, listeners will need to retune from 102.3 FM to continue hearing KRMG on the FM band.

What They Said: “We are always looking for ways to better serve our listeners and our community. This frequency realignment allows us to strengthen our signal presence and ensure that both Mix and KRMG are positioned for continued growth and long-term success. It’s an exciting step forward for our company and for the audiences we serve.” -Zoellner Media Group owner Dr. Robert Zoellner

“This move is about maximizing opportunity for both our listeners and our advertising partners. By enhancing coverage and accessibility, we’re making it easier than ever for audiences to connect with the content they rely on every day. We’re incredibly excited about what this means for the future of both brands.” -General Manager Steve Hunter

What Remains Unclear: Zoellner Media Group has not detailed whether the move will lead to additional programming changes for KRMG or Mix. It also remains unclear how the new signal will affect listening patterns across specific parts of the Tulsa market.

What It Means: The move puts KRMG on a significantly stronger FM signal while giving the station a new position on the dial. More importantly, the 100,000-watt signal could improve reach for listeners and advertisers. For KRMG, the change represents an opportunity to build on its established presence while making the station easier to receive throughout the market.

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.

iHeartMedia Names Tommy Castor Market President in Salt Lake City

Garrett Searight
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iHeartMedia Names Tommy Castor Market President in Salt Lake City

iHeartMedia has named Tommy Castor its new Market President in Salt Lake City. Castor takes over the role immediately as the company looks to grow its Utah operation.

What We Know: Castor will lead iHeartMedia’s Salt Lake City business strategy, revenue growth, client partnerships, and workplace culture. He’ll report to Glynn Alan, Area President for iHeartMedia Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. Castor joins the company’s Northwest Division after serving as Senior Vice President/Market Manager at Audacy Wichita. Previously, he served as Vice President of Sales there. Castor spent 10 years with iHeartMedia Wichita from 2008 to 2018. He began his career at Entercom and graduated from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas.

What They Said: “I’m honored to join the iHeartMedia team in Salt Lake City and lead such a talented group of professionals. This market has an incredible media landscape and strong community connections. I look forward to building on the SLC team’s success and positioning iHeartMedia as the premier media partner in the marketplace.” -Tommy Castor

“We are thrilled to have Tommy join the Salt Lake City team. His winning track record, industry expertise, and commitment to excellence make him a tremendous addition to iHeartMedia. Tommy’s leadership will inspire those around him and help position our team for even greater success in the years ahead.” -iHeartMedia Las Vegas/Salt Lake City Area President Glynn Alan

What Remains Unclear: iHeartMedia didn’t disclose specific revenue targets or immediate changes Castor plans to make across the Salt Lake City cluster. The company also hasn’t detailed how the transition will affect the market’s existing leadership structure.

What It Means: Castor’s return to iHeartMedia brings a familiar executive back into the company after eight years at Audacy. Meanwhile, his Wichita experience gives him recent market-management credentials. That combination could help iHeartMedia pursue stronger local revenue and advertiser relationships in Salt Lake City.

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.

Tennessee Titans Pull Jared Stillman’s Credential Following Commentary Saying They’re “Not That Stupid”

John Mamola
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Tennessee Titans Pull Jared Stillman’s Credential Following Commentary Saying They’re “Not That Stupid”

The Tennessee Titans pulled commentator Jared Stillman’s media credential on Tuesday. The move came one day after Stillman said the team would never take that step.

What We Know: Stillman, who formerly worked for 102.5 The Game, is not a traditional beat reporter. According to accounts from Paul Kuharsky, Stillman shows up more often during OTAs and camp than in-season. Still, his press conference appearances remain periodic and has been granted a full credential for many years. Stillman had his credential pulled Tuesday, days after his questioning of quarterback Cam Ward went viral. Stillman asked Ward how he would assess his level of play this preseason, in turn Ward asked Stillman his assessment. Still responded with “not well” leading to Ward thanking him for his opinion, then answering the question. Stillman then discussed the possibility of losing his credential on his Monday program.

What They Said: Jared Stillman (via Stillman and Co with Jared Stillman – Monday): “The Titans would not revoke my credentials. If they did, that would be a story. Not just a story here in town. That would be a ProFootballTalk story. That would be an Awful Announcing story, and would probably make its way to the NFL network with people debating it and discussing it. It would make its way to Ocho Cinco and Shannon Sharpe. It would make them look like the softest organization in the NFL. That is not a headline they want to be dealing with… When it comes to the Titans and you say they’re gonna do something bad to you, I don’t think that’s coming down the pipe. Because I don’t think they’re that stupid.”

What Remains Unclear: The Titans have not commented on the matter. The organization has not provided clarity on reasoning for pulling Stillman’s credential.

What It Means: The move shows the Titans are willing to restrict access despite the backlash Stillman predicted. Consequently, it raises fresh questions about credentialing standards for non-traditional media sources. Furthermore, national outlets may still pick up the story, just as Stillman suggested they would. Ultimately, the fallout could shape how the Titans handle similar situations going forward.

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.

MIX 100 Ends Jeremy, Katy & Josh Morning Show

David Hill
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MIX 100 Ends Jeremy, Katy & Josh Morning Show

MIX 100 has ended the Jeremy, Katy & Josh Morning Show. The Denver program aired its final broadcast Monday.

What We Know: KSE Radio announced the change as MIX 100 shifts its morning programming strategy. Meanwhile, the company offered no replacement lineup or launch date. Jeremy Padgett spent 23 years in Denver radio, including most of that tenure at MIX 100. Additionally, the move ends his run alongside Katy and Josh on the station’s weekday morning show.

What They Said: “We extend our sincere appreciation to Jeremy, Katy, and Josh for their contributions, their commitment to MIX 100, and the energy they brought to the morning show,” Joel Clary said. Clary serves as Senior Vice President and General Manager of MIX 100 KSE Radio. He also praised Padgett’s “professionalism, consistency, and connection with listeners.”

What Remains Unclear: However, MIX 100 has not revealed who will take over its morning schedule. The station also has not provided a timeline for its next announcement. For now, listeners must wait to learn whether MIX 100 will hire locally or pursue a syndicated program.

What It Means: The decision closes a significant chapter for both Padgett and MIX 100. Moreover, replacing an established local team creates an important test for the station. Morning shows often build daily habits and strong audience loyalty. Therefore, MIX 100’s next choice could shape its broader position within Denver’s competitive music-radio market.

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.

Tony Romo Pleads No Contest To OWI Charges Following Arrest Last Month

John Mamola
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Tony Romo Pleads No Contest To OWI Charges Following Arrest Last Month

Tony Romo has pleaded no contest to an OWI charge Tuesday. The CBS analyst also revealed a private battle with pain medication and alcohol.

What We Know: Milwaukee County deputies arrested Romo on July 23 near the Marquette Interchange. He reportedly performed poorly on field sobriety tests during the stop. Wisconsin treats first-offense OWI as a civil matter, not a criminal charge, so no jail time applies. CBS has since placed Romo on leave and promoted J.J. Watt into his seat alongside Jim Nantz. Romo released a lengthy statement announcing his no contest plea and also revealing his struggles dealing with substances.

What They Said: Tony Romo (via X):

“Football has shaped nearly every meaningful part of my life. I played for more than 20 years, including 14 in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys. After my retirement, CBS gave me the profound honor of staying close to the game through broadcasting.

Playing taught me the power of relationships, the strength of a team, and the toughness to face failure head-on with honesty, resilience, and the determination to do better. This is one of those moments when I am leaning on everything football taught me.

This morning, I faced a recent personal failure by pleading no contest to a civil offense for OWI in Wisconsin. I own this completely.

Multiple back surgeries ended my career earlier than I expected and left me with constant, debilitating pain. That pain led to a dependence on pain medication, and my efforts to get off those medications led to an over-reliance on alcohol.

As I have taught my three young sons: when you fall short, you stand up and take full responsibility. That is an important first step. The harder and more important step is examining the path that brought you here and making the changes necessary to move forward. That path requires honesty.

None of this is an excuse. These are my failures, and I take responsibility for them.

The past month has been difficult, but it has also been personally significant. It has required me to confront and own my mistakes fully—to the Lord, to myself, to my family, and now to the public. I am working closely with a team of doctors to address my health and make the necessary changes. I am deeply grateful for the support of my family, my friends, and the NFL community including players, coaches, and owners. Your encouragement has meant more to me than you know.

As I turn my attention to my health, my family, and, in time, my return to CBS, I kindly ask for privacy during this period.”

What Remains Unclear: CBS Sports president David Berson said in August that no final decision has been made on Romo’s status. Meanwhile, three additional citations, including open intoxicants and unsafe passing, are still pending in Wisconsin courts. Consequently, the exact financial penalties and any license restrictions remain unresolved. A firm timetable for his broadcast return, if any, has not been set.

What It Means: Romo’s candor reframes a scandal into a story about accountability and health. Instead of hiding behind representatives, he chose to speak directly to fans and colleagues. Still, the decision now shifts to CBS, which must balance sympathy against its own image. Watt’s rise in the booth, meanwhile, raises the stakes for whenever Romo does return.

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