840 KXNT has left the Las Vegas airwaves after nearly four decades serving Southern Nevada. The Audacy news/talk station ceased operations Monday after launching in 1986.
What We Know: Audacy shut down 840 KXNT after losing access to its transmitter site. The Class B signal operated at 50,000 watts during the day and 25,000 watts at night. However, the company couldn’t continue operating the station without access to the tower site. Some of KXNT’s programming will continue elsewhere. Most notably, the morning show hosted by Alan Stock moved to sister station 101.5 K-DAWN on Tuesday. The move comes as Audacy reshapes its Las Vegas news/talk strategy around the FM signal.
What They Said: “For current KXNT listeners, we invite you to listen to 101.5 K-Dawn, which remains committed to conservative news/talk radio in Southern Nevada. The decision to cease operations on the 840 AM frequency is driven strictly by the fact KXNT’s transmitter site is no longer available.” -Audacy statement
What Remains Unclear: Audacy hasn’t outlined what led to the loss of access for the station’s transmitter site. Meanwhile, the loss of 840 KXNT ends a long-running presence on the Las Vegas radio dial. The station spent 40 years building familiarity with local listeners and competing in the market’s news/talk format.
What It Means: The shutdown highlights the growing challenges facing AM operators, particularly when infrastructure issues threaten a station’s viability. Still, Audacy isn’t abandoning conservative news/talk in Southern Nevada. Instead, the company is concentrating resources on 101.5 K-DAWN while moving selected KXNT programming to the FM signal. Therefore, listeners may hear familiar personalities, but they’ll no longer find them on 840 AM.
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Chris “Mad Dog” Russo opened up Tuesday on Evan & Tiki in reflection of his time building WFAN. He admitted he still misses parts of WFAN, even as SiriusXM’s Audacy tie-up excites him.
What We Know: Russo spent nearly two decades on WFAN’s Mike and the Mad Dog before leaving for SiriusXM in 2008. Today marks the debut of WFAN and many other Audacy sports stations on SiriusXM. Russo discussed the shift during a Tuesday appearance on WFAN’s Evan & Tiki program, and was also asked about his feelings being away from WFAN for nearly twenty years.
Chris “Mad Dog” Russo on missing the days of working for WFAN: “You do miss it. You miss the day to day. You also miss at times not having a partner. Where me and Mike [Francesa] could bounce back and forth ideas. Even though at times we didn’t love each other, we can bounce back ideas of the teams. We had the common denominator of a New York team. [I] definitely miss it.”
Chris “Mad Dog” Russo on what makes working for SirusXM special: “SiriusXM is a great form because you can do anything you want. Nobody’s going to get in the way of telling you how to do it. If you want to do you know a book author. If you want to go break down Normandy. Whether you want. That’s the big advantage of SiriusXM. You get a lot of freedom. But I think the synergy of having Audacy on with us with Sirius is a huge advantage.”
What Remains Unclear: Whether or not Russo will make more frequent appearances on WFAN because of the partnership with SiriusXM is unknown.
What It Means: Ultimately, the Audacy-SiriusXM deal blurs old lines between terrestrial and satellite radio. For Russo, it offers a bridge back to the New York audience he once dominated. Meanwhile, SiriusXM gains built-in local credibility, while Audacy expands its national footprint. Together, both companies seem poised to test whether nostalgia and synergy can coexist on air. While this wasn’t Russo’s first appearance on WFAN since his departure, the new partnership could open doors for more frequency.
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Skyview Networks is expanding its sales leadership with the addition of Liz Stillman as Vice President of Sales. Stillman will focus on network audio sales and new client development across agencies and advertisers.
What We Know: Skyview Networks has named Liz Stillman Vice President of Sales, as the company looks to expand its network audio business. Stillman brings more than 25 years of media and advertising experience to the role. Her career includes opening new categories and building long-term agency and advertiser partnerships. She also brings deep expertise in network audio sales and agency sales for national media brands. In her new position, Stillman will expand Skyview’s network audio sales portfolio and strengthen relationships with agencies and audio investment teams. Additionally, she’ll develop integrated solutions that pair Skyview’s network and affiliate reach with custom brand programs.
What They Said: “Network audio still does something no other medium does, putting a brand in front of a national audience at scale, in an environment people trust. Skyview has the reach, station partnerships and technology to deliver that, and I am looking forward to opening those conversations and building programs that deliver measurable results.” -Liz Stillman
“She knows the audio business, how agencies plan and how to open a door that has never been opened before. Bringing Liz to Skyview is an investment not only in revenue growth, but also in the long-term strength of the relationships that will continue to drive our business forward.” -Skyview Networks President, CEO, and Chairman Steve Jones
What Remains Unclear: Skyview hasn’t detailed specific revenue targets or new accounts tied to Stillman’s arrival. The company also hasn’t outlined which agencies or advertisers will become immediate priorities. Still, her focus suggests Skyview sees additional opportunity in national audio advertising.
What It Means: Stillman’s hiring gives Skyview another experienced sales executive as network audio competes for agency dollars. Moreover, her agency background could help the company position audio within broader media plans. Skyview has increasingly emphasized network reach, technology and custom advertising solutions. Now, Stillman will be tasked with turning those assets into deeper client relationships and additional revenue.
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Dan Le Batard raised a pointed question about NFL broadcasting Tuesday. He asked, on-air, whether networks intentionally favor white former players over Black ones when it comes to hiring.
What We Know: Networks have shuffled broadcast booths all offseason. Netflix named Luke Kuechly its lead NFL analyst for 2026. CBS elevated J.J. Watt to its number one booth after placing Tony Romo on leave. Meanwhile, ESPN reshaped its number one crew for NFL Network broadcasts with the addition on Jason Kelce. In turn, NBC Sports hired Mike Tomlin this offseason, while ESPN also resigned Jason McCourty and elevated him to ESPN Monday Night Countdown. CBS Sports also signed Russell Wilson to The NFL Today. While those hires are for the desk and not the broadcast booth, Le Batard posed the question during Tuesday’s Dan Le Batard Show.
Dan Le Batard believes networks who broadcast football games hire more white former players than black: “Luke Kuechly is now the up-and-coming broadcasting star that people like. When they look at Tony Romo and they put him on the bench for a while, they replace him with J.J. Watt. [Rob Gronkowski] has a job, even though Gronk is a notoriously bad talker. I just wonder if you guys notice that the sport is disproportionately black, and the broadcasters that get hired are disproportionately white, and it’s on purpose. I’m asking the question. It’s to make it palatable to the broadest section of people.”
Dan Le Batard isn’t sure if people notice the skew of white to minority hires in NFL broadcasting: “I’m just asking if you guys notice that all of the up-and-coming people are always the white guys. There aren’t that many white stars in football. There are plenty of black stars. Why are the white ones the only one who get the broadcasting jobs?… I’m just wondering whether people notice. It’s always JJ Watt. It’s always Luke Kuechly. As if there aren’t a bunch of Jonathan Vilmas out there that are available.”
What Remains Unclear: Le Batard did not name specific networks in his thoughts. Whether or not any networks will respond to his comments is unknown.
What It Means: Le Batard does have a point to an extent. FOX Sports has Jonathan Vilma, CBS Sports has Logan Ryan and Robert Turbin, while ESPN includes Louis Riddick in their number two booth for NFL Network broadcasts. The amount of diversity is something one could surely question with no representation in the top three booths for either of the network’s carrying multiple games. Still, the timing sharpens his point. Consequently, Le Batard’s question lands amid real personnel moves, not hypotheticals.
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Karl Ravech’s ESPN run has officially come to an end. He closed it out this week, calling his final Little League World Series weeks after being laid off. In reflection, former ESPN teammate Tim Kurkjian shared his memories of Ravech’s time with the network.
What We Know: ESPN laid off Ravech on July 22 amid a broader round of cuts that also swept up several colleagues, including Ryan Clark and Tom Pelissero. Still, Ravech honored the remainder of his contract. He called MLB games through August, including a Yankees-Mariners tilt, before wrapping the Little League World Series this weekend. Making an appearance on his podcast, Is This A Great Game, Or What, Kurkjian shared that Ravech will go down as one of the best ESPN ever had.
Tim Kurkjian on Karl Ravech: “He’s on the Mount Rushmore of the talent, as we call it, at ESPN. When you’ve been on the air since 1979, as ESPN has. To be in the Mount Rushmore on ESPN, I think is really impressive. I think [Ravech] in that four-man group.”
Tim Kurkjian excelled on being a host on ESPN: “The point guard, whether he is a show host or a play-by-play guy, is there to make sure that everyone is involved in the game. To get the ball to the shooter at the right time. The number of times on the set where I would just look at [Ravech], he knew exactly what I wanted to say and he would tee me up. Instead of taking the really good note or the really good take for himself, he always let the analyst have it.”
Tim Kurkjian was the ultimate teammate at ESPN: “Nobody was a better passer than [Ravech]. He could have scored 30 points any game, but most of the time he decided to be Steve Nash. He just wanted to make sure the shooter got the ball in the right spot.”
What Remains Unclear: Ravech hasn’t revealed his next move, though he’s said he’d like to keep calling games somewhere. Whether ESPN taps a permanent successor for the Little League World Series is still unknown.
What It Means: Kurkjian’s tribute went beyond nostalgia, though. He also compared Ravech to Steve Nash, describing a host who set up analysts instead of chasing the spotlight. That selflessness, Kurkjian suggested, is exactly why Ravech’s colleagues speak so highly of him now. Ultimately, his exit leaves a void ESPN will need time to fill. Whether or not ESPN could mend fences with Ravech’s suggestion he’d be willing to talk is unknown.
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What We Know: Locked On, the sports podcast network, launched Hit today. The format delivers four 2-minute and two 5-minute episodes daily, and content spans TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, YouTube Shorts, and audio apps. Founded in 2016, Locked On produces over 275 podcasts covering every NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL team, plus major college programs. The network topped 90 million monthly listens, views, and engagements, and its shows streamed 515 million times in 2025.
What They Said: David Locke, president, Locked On Podcast Network: “We’re building a new creator network for today’s sports fans using a new media model. Hit multiplies how fans connect with the analysts they trust throughout the day. It’s local team-first expertise designed for all the platforms where fans spend their time following their teams and connecting to those communities.”
What Remains Unclear: Hit currently covers every NFL team, and college coverage is coming next. However, the release doesn’t specify which 30-plus college programs will join first. Additionally, “more leagues to follow” remains undefined, so timing beyond this season stays open.
What It Means: Hit signals a shift toward micro-content as attention spans shrink. It will be fascinating to see which creators provide this level of content first to execute a successful launch. Consequently, Locked On is betting that frequency, not just depth, keeps fans engaged. If the rollout succeeds, expect rivals to follow suit quickly.
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Mike Couchman takes the helm at Pillar Media. He replaces outgoing CPO Matt Stockman.
What We Know Pillar Media appointed Mike Couchman as Chief Programming Officer, effective November 16. He oversees Star 99.1 New York, Star 93.3 Cincinnati, Star 101.5 Denver, The New FLO 107.1, and 910am Denver. Meanwhile, Couchman brings 30 years in broadcasting. He spent 26 years programming Christian radio stations. Currently, he works as Operations Manager at Gateway Creative Communications in St. Louis. There, he oversees BOOST Radio Network, 99.1 JOY FM, and 88.1 WorshipOne.
What They Said Art Garza, Pillar’s executive director, embraced the hire. “His experience, programming expertise, heart, and vision align with our mission,” Garza said. Couchman expressed equal enthusiasm about the opportunity. “I’m excited to see what He’s doing at Pillar Media,” he said. “I’m honored to be part of what He has in store next.” Outgoing CPO Matt Stockman also endorsed the decision. “I’m incredibly proud of the programming team here,” Stockman noted. “I’m so excited for the future with Mike Couchman at the helm.”
What Remains Unclear Industry watchers wonder if Couchman will shift programming strategy significantly. His BOOST experience—scaling from one signal to 25 stations nationally—raises questions about his approach. Also, specific staff retention details remain under wraps. Furthermore, Stockman’s consulting plans suggest potential ongoing industry involvement.
What It Means This move signals Pillar Media’s commitment to operational continuity. Couchman’s track record proves he can scale operations effectively. His appointment strengthens Pillar’s Christian radio portfolio considerably. Finally, the hire reflects industry demand for experienced format specialists.
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Chase Daniel is expanding his football media footprint. The ESPN analyst is joining Bussin’ With The Boys for a new weekly Sunday program.
What We Know: Daniel’s new show, The First Read, debuts this NFL season alongside hosts Taylor Lewan and Will Compton. Additionally, Daniel signed a multi-year ESPN extension in July, covering SEC Nation, Thursday Night Primetime college football, and NFL studio coverage. Meanwhile, Bussin’ With The Boys has stayed busy elsewhere, launching an ESPN2 Friday show with Josh Pate that debuts September 4. The new deal also makes Bussin’ the exclusive partner of Daniel’s existing YouTube program, The Breakdown.
What They Said:Chase Daniel (via X): “I’m officially teaming up with Bussin’ with The Boys this NFL season. Introducing THE FIRST READ: my brand-new Sunday NFL show with Bussin’ With The Boys. Every Sunday, we’re breaking down the biggest games, quarterbacks, storylines, and moments from around the league giving you a former QB’s perspective on everything that happened that weekend. Bussin’ With The Boys will also be the new exclusive partner of my show THE BREAKDOWN, where we’ll continue going inside the film & breaking down QB play at a level you won’t get anywhere else.”
What Remains Unclear: Details about the program as live or taped are unknown. Also, whether the show will be available in audio and/or video form is also unclear.
What It Means: This move fits a growing trend of media companies embracing and partnering on podcast-driven, player-led content. For Daniel, it adds another platform alongside his SEC Nation and Thursday night duties away from his growing digital platform. For Bussin’ With The Boys, landing Daniel adds credibility to their expanding football coverage. Ultimately, the partnership signals continued momentum for one of sports media’s fastest-growing independent brands.
🚨 BIG NEWS 🚨
I’m officially teaming up with @BussinWTB this NFL season.
Introducing THE FIRST READ: my brand-new Sunday NFL show with Bussin’ With The Boys.
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Samantha Blake exits 103.5 The Arrow/KRSP morning show. The co-host departs after six years in Salt Lake City.
What We Know Blake joined Bonneville Classic Rock in 2020 as a producer. Shortly after, she ascended to co-host alongside Jon Smith. She also managed social media for KRSP and sister AC station KSFI. Her final show airs Friday, September 4, before she relocates to Portland.
What They Said Smith opened up about losing his longtime partner across 1,792 broadcasts. “What can I say about a co-host that has stuck it out with me for 6 years?” Smith posted on Facebook. He emphasized: “Sam is my pal. I’m sad. But I’m also happy for her! Sam is moving to Portland and continuing on to be an amazing talent.” Smith added candidly: “I would be disappointed in her if she didn’t move on,” acknowledging her next chapter feels inevitable.
What Remains Unclear The station has not announced Blake’s replacement for the morning slot. Details about her Portland radio opportunity remain scarce at this time. Listeners wonder whether the show format or structure will shift during this transition period. Furthermore, no timeline exists for when a new co-host will debut.
What It Means Blake joins a growing number of on-air talent exiting the industry. While we’re assuming her Portland move involves radio, that’s not guaranteed. The reality? Some air talents who leave never return to broadcast. Whether Blake resurfaces on-air or shifts directions entirely remains to be seen.
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Welcome to September, and for Pat McAfee, the start of what could be the most consequential football media season of his career. We made it here after another busy college and NFL media offseason filled with signings, departures, extensions and enough headlines to keep the sports media industry occupied all summer.
Now that our annual football media signing period is over, it’s time to look back at what changed and, more importantly, who is positioned to make the biggest impact in 2026. There are plenty of candidates, from major talent moves to network shake-ups that could reshape the football media landscape. However, when we look back at the year, one addition has the potential to stand above the rest: McAfee joining Monday Night Countdown on ESPN.
Let’s start with the obvious.
This is a very different year for ESPN and NFL Network because the two are now practically kissing cousins. The worldwide leader took oversight of NFL Network as part of its agreement with the NFL for a 10% stake in ESPN earlier this year. With that oversight came significant changes to both network’s football rosters, including a round of layoffs last month.
Ryan Clark, Cam Newton, Tom Pelissero, Damien Woody and Bart Scott were among hundreds of names the network did not retain ahead of this season. At the same time, ESPN made plenty of additions and extensions to its football lineup.
Jason McCourty, Chase Daniel and Tim Tebow all earned multiyear extensions. Bussin’ with the Boys and Josh Pate now have their own ESPN programs every Friday. The Golics returned to ESPN Radio. Dave Pasch secured his place as the play-by-play voice of ESPN’s top NFL booth. Matt Barrie was named the new host of SEC Nation as Laura Rutledge takes on more work on the NFL side of the ledger.
He isn’t simply stepping into another chair. ESPN is giving one of the most recognizable personalities in sports media another prominent platform and asking him to help reshape the way viewers experience its biggest NFL night of the week.
Everything the man touches turns on ESPN to gold. College GameDay found a way to incorporate McAfee into its personality-driven approach, and now ESPN is betting that same energy can translate to Monday Night Football.
The strategy is easy to understand.
Attract a younger audience. Create moments that travel across social media. Give viewers a reason to engage with the program beyond the television broadcast. Most importantly, turn Monday Night Countdown into something people feel compelled to watch rather than simply another pregame show they have on in the background.
That is a significant opportunity for ESPN. It is also why McAfee could have a greater impact on football media in 2026 than any other offseason addition. The other networks certainly did their part to make noise.
Honorable Mentions
Gary Danielson departs as Charles Davis takes over CBS Sports’ top college football booth. Russell Wilson and Kyle Long join The NFL Today. J.J. Watt and Ross Tucker also received promotions to the number one and two booths, respectively. Brian Kelly and Doug Pederson made their CBS Sports debuts as college football welcomed Week Zero.
For CBS Sports, however, the cloud surrounding Tony Romo remains difficult to ignore.
If Romo departs, CBS saves money and creates more room for Watt and Tucker to grow. If he returns, the network gets another opportunity to maximize one of the most recognizable analysts in sports television. Either way, Romo remains part of the conversation.
NBC Sports made arguably the biggest splash by signing Mike Tomlin as Tony Dungy departed Football Night in America. Tomlin brings credibility, personality and a unique perspective from his years on an NFL sideline. But there is an obvious storyline that will follow him throughout the season.
Will television be his next career, or will another head coaching opportunity eventually pull him back to the sideline? That question will be part of the Tomlin conversation regardless of how well he performs behind the desk.
FOX Sports, meanwhile, is taking a different approach. Continuity is the network’s biggest selling point heading into the season. Much of its college and NFL roster remains intact. The most significant change comes with Jason Benetti, who left for NBC Sports following the conclusion of last college football season. Benetti’s chemistry with Robert Griffin III was infectious during some of the biggest college football games of the year. That balance will be sorely missed.
Still, FOX is largely betting that what worked before will continue to work.
And that brings us back to McAfee.
The McAfee Gamble
Every major network made a significant move during the football media offseason. CBS Sports reshaped parts of its NFL and college football coverage. NBC Sports added Tomlin. FOX Sports largely chose continuity while adjusting for the loss of Benetti. ESPN chose transformation.
The network is betting that McAfee can do more than contribute to Monday Night Countdown. It is betting he can change what the show represents. That distinction matters. McAfee has already demonstrated that he can turn himself into the story without necessarily allowing the program to become irrelevant to the sport it covers.
That is the gamble ESPN is making. The network has undergone significant change through its relationship with the NFL. Now it needs to turn those changes into audience growth, engagement and momentum. McAfee could be the person who makes that happen.
With a potential $60 million-$65 million annual extension reportedly waiting in the wings, ESPN is clearly wanting to make a significant investment in his future. Whether you love McAfee, tolerate him or cannot stand him, there is little denying his ability to generate attention.
And attention is exactly what ESPN needs. This isn’t about determining whether McAfee is the best analyst, host or personality in football media. It is about determining which move has the greatest potential to change the conversation.
Every network swung for the fences this offseason. McAfee, however, has a chance to hit the biggest home run. And if his track record is any indication, he may do it again.
When we look back at the 2026 football season, the biggest impact of the offseason may not be a new booth, a coaching legend behind a desk or a familiar voice in a different chair.
It may simply be the Pat McAfee effect taking over Monday nights on ESPN.
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