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Consultant’s Corner: Paul Jacobs, Jacobs Media

Jeff Lynn
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Consultant’s Corner: Paul Jacobs, Jacobs Media

Paul Jacobs is the Vice President/General Manager of Detroit-based Jacobs Media. He manages the day-to-day operations and leads the sales consulting services.

Jacobs graduated from Michigan State University and rose through the sales ranks to become a Major Market GM at the age of 28.

He has created campaigns for Phillip Morris and Seagram’s. And aided Ford Motor Company and Procter & Gamble in understanding their youth market.

To date, most Consultant’s Corners have focused on Programming. Today, we take a look under the sales hood.

Jeff Lynn: How do you view the current state of radio? 

Paul Jacobs: It’s partly cloudy. The general mood is pretty down despite it being an election year.  But the fundamentals of the business aren’t bad. Cume is high, and stations that have strong talent and a sound local footprint can make things happen. However, the industry is facing some strong headwinds – generational shift, consumption shift, and competition outside of radio. Not insurmountable, but they require a different operating philosophy that most stations have.

They can no longer operate like they are in the radio business. To succeed, they need to be so much more than that.

Two areas of optimism:

First, medium/smaller market stations are doing pretty well. I often speak at State Broadcaster Association conventions which are populated with a lot of independent stations. In general, most are happy. They are “doing radio” and are important in their local communities. They have talent who are stars in their market and haven’t experienced the drop-off we are seeing in the major markets. It’s not a story frequently told but a bright light.

The other thing we tend to ignore is how the barriers of entry to growth have really fallen. It used to be that to grow, you had to either spend a ton on marketing or buy another station. Today, you can buy an app, create an Alexa skill, shoot a video and post it on YouTube, livestream on Twitch, or create a newsletter for a very low cost and begin to not only service existing audiences but to grow new ones. To me, that’s the most exciting thing the industry has going for it currently.

JL: What are the biggest challenges facing radio sellers? 

PJ: We are in a period where the economy is generally good, but we are in a traditional advertising recession. Dollars are leaving linear media for digital, and many stations (and salespeople) don’t have the capability or content to compete properly. They are still relying on Nielsen numbers, driving their revenue potential, calling on the same advertisers, and selling the same old stuff. 

The one thing that drives me crazy is salespeople who are unwilling to stop thinking they are just radio sellers. The dollars have shifted, and new opportunities in digital and different forms of content are where the growth is. In other words, the biggest challenge they face is themselves, and honestly, those who can’t adapt should consider another line of work.

JL: How do you coach them to overcome the objection that “radio is dead” or ” no one listens to the radio anymore?” 

PJ: That is so easy – first of all, they have to be believers and champions of radio and not apologists. Second, stop quoting Nielsen numbers and start telling stories. Radio has so many stories where we demonstrate every day that people are actually listening, but many sellers don’t bother to share them until a buy is up, and by then, it’s too late.

A lot of sellers also don’t understand that we are sort of in the entertainment business, right?  In many local markets (including here in Detroit), personalities have a certain level of recognition and celebrity. Clients pay extra for endorsements from them.  People love visiting stations to see how things work. We throw promotions where hundreds or more show up. We do radiothons and other charity work and raise hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Is radio dead?  C’mon. Now newspapers – unfortunately, way too many of them are dead!

JL: Many stations still use digital in a way that I call “do you want fries with that?” or as a toss-in. What do you say to that? 

PJ: We are in the audience delivery business. Clients pay us to deliver bodies to them. Who cares if they come from a :60 or banner ad or a pre-roll?  And digital provides many benefits that commercials on the radio don’t, including the ability to track behaviors and actions.

Digital ads aren’t stuck as the fifth unit in a cluster—they can stand apart, be attached to relevant content, and be pushed out to listeners instead of being passive exercises like commercials.

If you think about it logically, you could make a case that they should be charging more for digital than commercials, but that probably isn’t going to happen anytime soon.

JL: How can radio attract the next generation of sellers? Most stations I have worked at had two or three senior AEs and a revolving cast in the remaining staff spots.

PJ: This is a real problem. We recently developed a strategic plan for a State Broadcaster Association and, in the process, interviewed leaders of radio and television GMs across that state. One TV GM told us she faces the same challenge hiring young people – she’s had recent college graduates apply for a weekend anchor position, BUT THEY’VE NEVER WATCHED LOCAL TV NEWS! Radio faces some of the same challenges.

However, there is a fairly large community of young adults working in college and community radio right now. We work with many of them, and they are terrific. They love the medium, the creativity, the intimacy. Tap into that (and support them).

But most of them aren’t salespeople, and this is a problem that’s much bigger than radio. Sales has a stigma. It’s not perceived as cool. Colleges and high schools don’t provide training and education for it, so this is a real concern.

We work with the Michigan Association of Broadcasters – two years ago, they invested heavily in attracting young adults to the industry and created the “Be There” campaign.  This ran on radio and television stations throughout the state. Check it out and watch the video – these are the kinds of efforts we need to take to effectively sell the industry to the next generation – Home – betheremichigan.com. They aren’t just going to come to us naturally.

JL: How can a cluster combat the group across town that won’t maintain rate integrity and will lowball the market or toss in two or three of their underperforming station to make the buy appear attractive? 

PJ: The first proven evidence of a radio salesperson dropping their pants happened ten days after Marconi invented the radio. This is nothing new – radio has been famous for its circular firing squad activity when it comes to rate integrity.

Seriously, this is not an easy question to answer. It takes a sales team (and senior management) dedicated to investing in sales marketing, elevating their image, and staying away from rates and ratings.  I’ve got nothing against Nielsen, but it’s the great equalizer. In other words, if everyone is selling based on ratings and price, everyone becomes a commodity, and when that happens, prices go down. The cluster that invests in building up its value and impact and creates quality sales opportunities (think sports sponsorships) can move beyond this.

But only to a point. We are our own worst enemies.

JL: On average, what is a healthy percentage of transactional business for a station vs. local direct? 

PJ: I can’t quote you a percentage, but as I said, dollars allocated to linear media are falling, and those are mostly the transactional dollars targeting 25-54.

I’ve been on a mission lately with our Classic Rock and public radio clients to promote their strengths and get out of the 25-54 transactional box.  In both of these cases, they have a large number of listeners, 50+, which have been devalued by the transactional advertisers. So I’m advising them to allocate resources to promote and own the 50+ market. If you look at the qualitative of this group, it’s huge. And they listen to the radio. However, because they are mostly outside of the 25-54 construct the agencies have set up to devalue the audience, they are deemed worthless.

Another thing we have been doing lately is fielding “sales surveys” of the audience—learning a lot about their hobbies, products, and services, business ownership, and more—and then arming the sales team with a qualitative profile and approach that will take them beyond the B to C and into some very interesting B 2 B opportunities.

So, I don’t think it’s “local direct.” I think the strategy is identifying a station’s demographic strengths, developing a detailed “map” of what the audience is into, and then going out and, instead of asking, “do you have a radio budget?” talking about the opportunities a station can provide to connect that client with their audience in new and innovative ways, supported by the research.

JL: One complaint consistently heard about radio is the long stop sets. Since most stations won’t pressure the inventory and drive rate, what can be done about 10-minute stop sets?

PJ: I tune them out. Seriously. I realize stations have debt to pay, but we must create innovative ways of generating revenue well outside of harming the product.

Radio revenue is on a slow decline—like a leaky balloon—while the number of stations or inventory available isn’t changing. You don’t have to take an Econ 101 course to know what this is going to do to rates, thus necessitating adding inventory.

We are working with some clients who recognize this and have invested in non-radio divisions that are adjacent to radio and fit together well. Hubbard created the 2060 Digital agency years ago, and it’s a real success. The same thing is happening in Baton Rouge with Guarantee Media. Others have built events divisions that create non-station, major events in their markets—and even outside of their existing markets. Then, they use their stations to promote them.

This is a nice way of saying that the current reality of 10-spot stop sets is unsustainable, and smart broadcasters are developing alternative revenue sources. They have to.

JL: What was the best career advice you ever received? 

PJ: Read. I know that sounds mundane and old school, but I was advised to read anything and everything, whether related to my station/career or not. It expands your mind, and as a seller, you become much more of a resource for ideas and solutions when you get your head out of the rating book and out into the world.

For example, early in my career, I worked for an AC station. I’m a rock guy, so I wasn’t exactly a perfect fit. So, I started subscribing to Cosmo and other female-targeted magazines. I can’t tell you how much audience insight and ideas I was able to generate by doing that.

Every day, I start by reading three newspapers. Then, I listen to a couple of podcasts and newsletters—all before 7 a.m. I drive my staff crazy because I email them before they are awake with new ideas and thought starters. Great salespeople should do the same.

I have Google keywords that feed my email each day on specific topics. This isn’t hard; it just requires a little bit of energy, right?

Contact Paul by email here.

Jacobs Media

30300 Telegraph Road
Suite 240
Bingham Farms, MI 48025

248.353.9030 Phone

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.

Ryan Fitzpatrick and Andrew Whitworth Share 33 Years of NFL Experience on ‘Fitz & Whit’ Podcast

Dave Greene
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Ryan Fitzpatrick and Andrew Whitworth Share 33 Years of NFL Experience on ‘Fitz & Whit’ Podcast

If you watch Thursday Night Football on Amazon’s Prime Video or have at least ever caught a part of its pregame, halftime or postgame shows, you already know. You’ve already seen and heard the great chemistry former NFL players Ryan Fitzpatrick and Andrew Whitworth have with one another. Their Wave Sports + Entertainment Original series, Fitz & Whit, which has only been out since the week of Halloween, is simply an extension of what we see when they are together on Thursday nights. As someone who enjoys what the two bring to the table for Prime Video, I was excited to eavesdrop in on last week’s fifth episode of the podcast.

The podcast is recorded on Sunday evenings and the two recap the NFL action along with anything else going on in their lives. The two use their combined 33 years of NFL experience to break down the games, inform and entertain the listeners in about sixty minutes per episode.

Fitzpatrick, known as ‘Fitzmagic’, played for 17 seasons in the NFL and played for nine different teams. He played his college football at Harvard and was a seventh-round draft pick of the then St. Louis Rams, the 14th and last quarterback taken in the 2005 draft.

Whitworth had a distinguished 16-season career with the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams. He earned multiple Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors and won Super Bowl LVI with the Rams. 

“Whit and I have the best time working on Thursday Night Football each week, so it was a no-brainer to do this show together,” Fitzpatrick said in a release when the new podcast was announced. “We are excited to give fans a behind-the-scenes look at our lives, friendship, and maybe even interview some of our fellow athletes. We look forward to working with the team at Wave to bring this show to life each week.”

Whitworth added, “I am excited to make this show with my longtime friend and NFL brother, Ryan Fitzpatrick. We’ve had countless moments on the field and off, and now we get to bring those stories and experiences to fans in a whole new way.”

This particular episode started in a way I am guessing no other football podcast has ever started – talking about college cross country. Fitzpatrick wanted to make sure he slid in how well his alma mater did in the NCAA Championships with a Harvard runner taking home the individual honors. After that, it was mostly all about the TNF team and football.

Fitz and Whit were coming off what they said was the best game they had on TNF in three years, a 24-19 Cleveland Browns win over the Pittsburgh Steelers which was played in heavy snow making for a fun game and broadcast. “What an awesome game,” Whitworth said. “What an electric atmosphere, it was sick.”

Fitzpatrick compared the game to the movie Rocky 4 with all of the back and forth. He and Whitworth also talked about what it was like in the green room as they watched together. He explained normally everyone is rooting for the team they picked on the pregame show, however, this particular game, everyone wanted the Browns to win so they could have time with Jameis Winston on the postgame show. With the Browns pulling out the win, the crew got their wish.

After the interview with Winston, Whitworth said he had asked the producer if it would be ok to dive off the desk into the snow and was told, “Don’t ask, just do it.” So, he did, and Winston joined him. That was followed by a snowball fight where Whitworth nailed Winston ‘below the belt’. When Fitzpatrick brought up where the throw landed, Whitworth followed with, “I never claimed to be a quarterback.”

The two talked about their time in Cleveland, how they had over 10,000 steps as they walked around the city and toured the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Additionally, the stories told about how they traveled to Cleveland on Al Michaels’ private jet were amazing.

Fitzpatrick said he thought he did well on the plane and Whitworth said if he believes that he must have a bad memory. Whit described Fitz making multiple trips to the food line and pointed out that when Michaels came back to where the two were sitting (what they called the coach section versus the first-class area where Michaels sits) Fitzpatrick would keep talking to him even when he clearly was ready to return to his seat.

Next, Whitworth described what he called “by far the most amateur move I’ve ever seen,” which took place as the plane started to land. With the bad weather, the landing was far from smooth, and Whitworth said in classic Al Michaels fashion, he started “saying some ‘Whoa Nelly’s’ and being entertaining.” Whitworth said Fitz pulled out his phone and started recording Michaels, but the flash came on and shined in his face. Whit said when Michaels noticed he was being recorded, he gave a look to Fitz who then threw his phone as to act like it wasn’t him doing the recording with the flash.

Next it was a look at games played over the weekend. This is obviously where these guys and their experience playing the game takes the podcast to a different level. The way Fitzpatrick and Whitworth look at the game comes from their perspectives as players, specifically as a former quarterback and offensive lineman.

One area where this came into play was with a couple of quarterbacks, specifically Bryce Young of the Panthers and former Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. With the career Fitz had, he was able to speak firsthand about the situations those guys were in. For Young, it was about being benched and then returning to start. With Jones, it was about the rough start to his career, being released and what to do next.

Fitz said based on the way Young played against the Chiefs he was doing what needed to be done in a case like this. “You use it as a good thing, use it as a reset,” Fitzpatrick said.

As for Jones, who had not signed with the Vikings when the show was recorded, Fitzpatrick suggested unless a playoff bound team has an injury, he should sit out the rest of the year, use it as a reset and choose his next team wisely. Fitz said he believed some time off could be the difference in saving Jones’ career.

Whitworth took a strong stance against any fans who wanted to overly blame Jones. He pointed out the Giants made the mistake, not Jones, saying he didn’t demand the money and then plan to not do well. “He owned it and took accountability and if you have a problem with someone who says, ‘I’m sorry’ and takes accountability, you got issues,” Whitworth said. He then compared this situation to other quarterbacks who just didn’t work with one team but found success elsewhere and said he expects the same for Jones.

As they talk about the games, you can tell the two analysts love talking with one another about the game, about its nuances and yet they don’t lose the audience in the discussion. Just two former players talking ball with a lot of insider knowledge.

Next, it was a segment called ‘Judge Whit’ where Fitzpatrick throws a couple options at Whitworth, and he has to decide which side wins. In this case it started with Dan Orlovsky saying the Steelers are not a Top 3 team because they tend to kick a lot of field goals versus scoring touchdowns. JJ Watt chimed in and pointed out the Steelers had just beaten the Ravens by kicking 6 field goals in an 18-16 win. Greg Olsen, however, disagreed with Watt pointing out what the statistics say.

During the segment, Fitzpatrick threw to a ‘guest’ who was imitating ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin breaking down the ‘tale of the tape’ between JJ Watt and Greg Olsen if they were involved in a cage match. Fitzpatrick had a lot of fun at JJ Watt’s expense saying he is soft now and with his slim figure, he thinks Olsen would have the advantage. Judge Whit ended up ruling in favor of JJ Watt, due to an injury Olsen had suffered playing tennis, so he believed if the match happened today, that is who would win.

To finish out the show, with Thanksgiving coming up the two talked about what they look forward to about the holiday. Whitworth went in on the food and how he likes to make sandwiches with all of his Thanksgiving favorites in one and said his holiday can be best described as, “sitting around with the family, eating until absolute misery and watching NFL football.”

Fitzpatrick said he likes the escape of being outside and frying up a turkey. “I have to man the station, it’s dangerous…and I avoid a lot of the politics and the family fighting and the conversation that happens inside.”

He explained people will come and visit him, have five-minute conversations and leave. Both said those are conversations they prefer, and Fitz called his routine “the cheat code” for a successful Thanksgiving.

Lastly, the two said what they were thankful for and mentioned their families and talked about their football family at Prime Video. They mentioned reconnecting over the last few years since having played together more than 15 years ago.

Both men feel blessed to get to do what they do and have as much fun as they have doing it. And that is exactly what comes shining through when you listen to the Fitz & Whit podcast.

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.

Peacock to Exclusively Stream ‘EA SPORTS Madden NFL Cast’ on Dec. 21

BSM Staff
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Peacock to Exclusively Stream ‘EA SPORTS Madden NFL Cast’ on Dec. 21

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.

NBC Sports and Peacock will work with the National Football League, EA SPORTS and Genius Sports on a new alternate broadcast on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 1 p.m. EST when the Houston Texans face the Kansas City Chiefs. Streaming exclusively on Peacock, the EA SPORTS Madden NFL Cast will showcase a blend between the iconic football video game and live action, bringing fans an immersive viewing experience in this distinctive domain. Utilizing data from NFL Next Gen Stats and Genius IQ, along with graphics, play cards and ratings from EA SPORTS Madden NFL 25, the broadcast will implement quantitative insights and developments within the overall presentation.

The live stream will feature play-by-play announcer Paul Burmeister, who has called matchups and hosted studio coverage for NBC Sports across multiple properties. Former NFL quarterback and YouTube personality Kurt Benkert will be on the call discussing the graphic overlays and predicting play options. Moreover, former wide receiver and six-time Pro Bowl selection Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson will be a real-time “ratings adjuster” on the broadcast. Professional Madden NFL player Henry Leverette will also take part in the production after winning the Ultimate Madden Bowl championship earlier in the year. Additionally, Leverette is the first player in the history of the Madden NFL Championship Series to surpass $1 million in career earnings.

“We are excited to work with the NFL, EA SPORTS, and Genius Sports to offer fans the ability to watch Madden NFL come to life like never before exclusively on Peacock, which has established itself as a home for premium live sports and innovative viewing experiences,” Fred Gaudelli, NBC Sports executive producer of NFL, said in a statement.

“This first-ever Madden NFL Cast marks a new milestone as Peacock’s first sports alt-cast. Not only are the Texans and Chiefs in first place in their respective divisions, but they have star players at multiple positions whose avatars will help us analyze the game’s biggest plays through the Madden NFL 25 lens. It has long been a point of pride for John and the Madden family that their video game has helped generations of fans and gamers learn and enjoy football, and we are thrilled to continue that tradition.”

Steve Greenberg will produce the Madden NFL Cast with director Geoff Butler showcasing two teams with 13 players between both teams possessing a Madden rating of “90” or better. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce were two of six players to begin the NFL season with a Madden rating of “99” overall. The game will be presented in accordance with the traditional broadcast on NBC, Peacock and Universo airing on NBC, Peacock and Universo.

NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast, is currently in the second season of a 10-year media rights deal with the National Football League reportedly worth $2 billion per annum. The company will present Super Bowl LX from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. to conclude next season.

“We are constantly looking for exciting and innovative ways to present our game, and we are incredibly excited about the opportunity to bring together the Madden game, our Next Gen Stats platform and NBC Sports’ incredible production to create an entirely new way to experience an NFL game on Peacock,” Hans Schroeder, NFL executive vice president of media distribution, said in a statement. “The Madden game franchise has had an indelible impact on generations of football fans and gamers alike, and we look forward to honoring that legacy with this unique broadcast of a crucial matchup with postseason implications.”

This broadcast follows several groundbreaking presentations on Peacock this year, including Gold Zone and “Your Daily Olympic Recap” surrounding the Olympic Games Paris 2024, the Peacock Exclusive AFC Wild Card Game broadcast in January and the 2024 NFL São Paulo game in Week 1 of the season. Successful execution of the broadcast is weather dependent based on the visibility required for the venture.

“At EA SPORTS, we’re always exploring innovative ways to bring fans closer to the game they love, and the Madden NFL Cast is a groundbreaking step in that direction,” Andrea Hoeplain, general manager and senior vice president of publishing at EA SPORTS, said in a statement. “By merging the excitement of live NFL action with the immersive possibilities of augmented reality, we’re redefining how fans experience football. Partnering with NBC Sports, Peacock, the NFL, and Genius Sports on this initiative allows us to deliver a dynamic broadcast that showcases the power of Madden NFL in a whole new way outside the game.”

“We’re delighted to be working alongside the NFL, NBC Sports, Peacock and EA Sports to help deliver the first-of-its-kind Madden branded alternate broadcast,” Steve Bornstein, president of the North American division at Genius Sports, said in a statement. “Leveraging GeniusIQ’s groundbreaking technology and the NFL’s Next Gen Stats, the Madden NFL Cast is a fully immersive viewing experience designed to engage a whole new generation of fans.”

Sports Facility Accidents: Legal Rights for Injured Fans in Texas

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Sports Facility Accidents: Legal Rights for Injured Fans in Texas

Sports facilities in Texas host a variety of events, drawing enthusiastic fans eager to enjoy the thrill of live action. While these venues are a hub of excitement, accidents can occur, sometimes leading to serious injuries for spectators. Whether it’s a stray ball or an unsafe stadium condition, fans might wonder about their legal options if they get hurt.

In Texas, injured fans have legal rights and may pursue compensation if their injury results from negligence by the venue or event organizers. This includes situations where the property owner failed to maintain a safe environment. Understanding these rights can empower fans to hold parties accountable and seek justice.

Those injured at a sports facility may benefit from consulting with legal professionals to assess their situation. Personal injury attorneys can assist in exploring legal actions against the responsible parties. For instance, fans injured in Texas can reach out for guidance and case reviews from experienced professionals, like those available in Garland.

Understanding Legal Concepts in Sports Injuries

When injuries occur at sports facilities, understanding legal principles like negligence, premises liability, and risk assumptions is important. These concepts shape how injury claims are pursued and resolved. Below are key legal aspects often involved in sports injury scenarios.

The Role of Negligence in Personal Injury Claims

Negligence is central to many personal injury claims. It involves proving that a party failed to exercise a level of care that a reasonably prudent person would have under similar circumstances. In the context of sports injuries, demonstrating negligence can mean showing a breach of reasonable care by the facility or event organizers. This could include instances where safety measures are not adequately enforced, leading to accidents or injuries.

Premises Liability and the Duty of Care Owed by Sports Venues

Premises liability refers to the legal responsibility of property owners to maintain safe conditions. Sports venues owe a duty of care to ensure the safety of spectators. This duty includes regular maintenance, prompt repair of hazards, and clear warning of potential dangers. If injuries occur due to unsafe conditions, the venue may be liable, especially if it can be shown they did not exercise reasonable care in maintaining the facility.

The Assumption of Risk Doctrine and Spectator Injuries

The assumption of risk doctrine acknowledges that individuals are aware of and accept inherent risks associated with certain activities. In sports, this doctrine applies to both athletes and spectators. For spectators, it’s recognized that injuries can occur from normal activities such as foul balls or flying pucks. Legal claims can become complex when determining if the injured party effectively knew and consented to these risks.

Comparative and Contributory Negligence in Texas

Texas uses comparative negligence in assessing liability, which considers the degree of fault of each party involved in an incident. If an injured party is partly responsible for their own injury, their compensation may be reduced by their percentage of fault. Unlike some states with contributory negligence, where any fault could bar recovery, Texas allows recovery as long as the plaintiff’s responsibility is less than 51%.

Evaluating the Enforceability of Liability Releases

Liability releases are agreements where individuals waive their rights to sue for injuries sustained at sports venues. The enforceability of these releases depends on how clearly and conspicuously they are presented and whether they adhere to state laws. In Texas, courts scrutinize these documents to ensure they don’t violate public policy and that all signing parties fully comprehend the rights they are waiving. This involves clear language and a fair opportunity for the signer to review the terms.

Navigating Personal Injury Lawsuits for Injured Fans

In Texas, injured fans seeking compensation from sports facility accidents must understand the legal landscape governing personal injury lawsuits. Key aspects include initiating a lawsuit, gathering evidence, determining damages, and selecting a suitable attorney.

Initiating a Personal Injury Lawsuit: Basics for Texas Residents

When pursuing a personal injury lawsuit for accidents at sports facilities, residents of Texas need to be aware of the specific legal procedures. The process typically begins with filing a complaint against the responsible party, which might be the facility owner or event organizer. This complaint outlines the details of the incident, the injuries sustained, and the damages being sought. Texas law generally requires the filing of such lawsuits within two years of the incident.

Plaintiffs must establish jurisdiction and venue, which typically depends on where the accident occurred or where the defendant resides. Understanding these initial steps sets a solid foundation for the lawsuit. Knowing the statute of limitations helps injured fans ensure their claims are timely filed.

The Importance of Gathering Evidence and Proving Negligence

Proving negligence is critical in personal injury claims involving sports facility accidents. Evidence collection is a crucial task and may include obtaining witness statements, reviewing surveillance footage, or securing photographs of the accident scene. Medical records detailing injuries and treatments are also essential components.

A successful claim hinges on demonstrating that the facility had a duty of care, breached this duty, and caused the plaintiff’s injuries as a direct result of this breach. Documented evidence supporting these points strengthens the case considerably, explaining how aspects like faulty equipment or inadequate security measures contributed to incidents such as slips, trips, and falls.

Types of Compensation Available for Sports Facility Accidents

Injured fans can seek various forms of compensation following an accident. These typically cover economic damages like medical bills, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs. Non-economic damages also play a role, compensating for pain and suffering or emotional distress endured due to the incident.

Compensation aims to restore the injured party to their pre-accident conditions to the greatest extent possible. Special circumstances may allow for punitive damages if egregious negligence is a factor. Understanding these categories ensures injured fans can fully articulate their compensation needs.

Selecting the Right Personal Injury Attorney for Your Case

Choosing the right personal injury attorney is vital for navigating the complexities of a lawsuit. Potential clients should consider factors such as the attorney’s experience with similar cases, their reputation, and their familiarity with Texas personal injury laws.

An attorney who has successfully managed personal injury claims involving sports facilities can offer valuable insight and increase the chances of a favorable outcome. Resources like client testimonials and initial consultations are useful tools in the selection process. An informed choice empowers plaintiffs to navigate their legal rights effectively.

What to Expect in a Free Consultation Session

A free consultation with a personal injury lawyer provides an opportunity to discuss case details without financial commitment. During this meeting, clients can present the facts of their case and receive a preliminary assessment from the attorney. It’s also a chance to ask questions regarding the legal process, potential strategies, and possible outcomes.

The lawyer may evaluate the strength of the evidence and offer advice on the next steps, such as evidence gathering or discussing settlement options. This session helps injured fans make informed decisions about pursuing their lawsuit, and understanding their potential claim’s strengths and weaknesses.

Warner Bros. Discovery Investor Sues Company in Class Action Complaint After Loss of NBA U.S. Media Rights for Live Game Broadcasts

BSM Staff
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Warner Bros. Discovery Investor Sues Company in Class Action Complaint After Loss of NBA U.S. Media Rights for Live Game Broadcasts

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.

Warner Bros. Discovery and the National Basketball Association recently reached a settlement to end legal disputes pertaining to the 11-year media rights deal that will place games on platforms owned by The Walt Disney Company, Comcast Corporation’s NBCUniversal and Amazon’s Prime Video. Yet an investor of Warner Bros. Discovery is now suing the media conglomerate, alleging that it lied about potential fallout that could be associated with losing NBA rights.

The investor complaint, which was filed in New York federal court on Monday and requesting class action status, accuses Warner Bros. Discovery of “making public misrepresentations or failing to disclose material facts during the Class Period.” Furthermore, this lawsuit implicates an issue with Warner Bros. Discovery failing to disclose the consequences of losing the NBA, such as having to “significantly reevaluate its business and goodwill.”

Following the fiscal second quarter, Warner Bros. Discovery took a $9.1 billion non-cash goodwill impairment charge that was related to the depreciation of the value of its television networks. This decision was announced as the company fell short of expected revenue and loss per share metrics during the period.

At the moment, the class-action certification has yet to be granted, leading the lawsuit to be attributed to one Plaintiff. Warner Bros. Discovery chief executive officer David Zaslav and chief financial officer Gunnar Wiedenfels are listed as Defendants, in addition to the media conglomerate as a whole. The lawsuit contends that the Defendants took part in business that “operated as a fraud and deceit upon Plaintiff and the other members of the Class.”

Moreover, it claims that the scheme was intended to deceive the investing public, artificially inflate and maintain the market price of its securities and “cause Plaintiff and other members of the Class to purchase or otherwise acquire WBD securities and options at artificially inflated prices.” The lawsuit states that the Plaintiff and members within the Class “are entitled to a presumption of reliance upon the integrity of the market.”

Warner Bros. Discovery is currently in the midst of its final season with NBA U.S. live game broadcast rights, but it will continue to work with the league under content and licensing deals, including rights to NBA highlights and select international NBA broadcasts. The company’s Turner Sports division had been in business with the league since 1984 when it started to air live game broadcasts on TBS.

The award-winning studio program, Inside the NBA, will continue to be produced by TNT Sports next season but instead air on ESPN surrounding marquee NBA matchups as part of an agreement between both companies. Additionally, the company is reportedly exploring an Inside Sports show that would broaden the conversation beyond the NBA with Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny “The Jet” Smith.

106.7 The Bull Denver’s Denise Plante Adds Co-Hosting on ‘Great Day Colorado’

BMM Staff
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106.7 The Bull Denver’s Denise Plante Adds Co-Hosting on ‘Great Day Colorado’

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106.7 The Bull Denver‘s midday host, Denise Plante, will expand her role in the Denver media landscape starting Monday. Plante will co-host “Great Day Colorado” on Nexstar Media Group’s KWGN-TV (“Channel 2”) and will also team up with Chris Tomer for “Weekend Vibe” on co-owned FOX31 KDVR-TV.

I’ll still be rockin’ Colorado’s New Country,” she said on Facebook. “I’m blessed to do what I love in life!”

Plante has a long history in broadcasting, having dedicated 15 years to hosting “Colorado & Company,” a newsmagazine talk show airing on “9News” KUSA-TV in Denver.

Jon ‘Stugotz’ Weiner: ‘I Paused the Audiobook’ for New Record Book Since it Did Not Meet Standards Show Has Set to Entertain Audience

BSM Staff
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Jon ‘Stugotz’ Weiner: ‘I Paused the Audiobook’ for New Record Book Since it Did Not Meet Standards Show Has Set to Entertain Audience

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Earlier in the week, Jon “Stugotz” Weiner released a new book detailing his theories on several occurrences in the world of sports. Weiner has been promoting the book over the last month, compelling members of the audience to pre-order the copy in an effort to land him on The New York Times Best Seller list. On Wednesday’s edition of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz preceding the Thanksgiving holiday, Le Batard explained that Weiner has been distracted over the last two days and that he saw him counting the numbers from his book sales. Weiner explained that he was reviewing the author portal, conveying to Le Batard that he too would have one if he wrote a book.

Le Batard proceeded to explain that Stugotz’s Personal Record Book was No. 7 on the Best Seller list through Amazon within its sports and outdoors category. At the time of the show, the written work was trailing other books such as The Backyard Bird Chronicles, Hockey Romance and How To Survive A Freakin’ Bear Attack: And 127 Other Survival Hacks You’ll Hopefully Never Need. Weiner articulated that he does not care what the category is and that he would be satisfied with his book being No. 1 in any genre.

“Yeah, we’ll take care of them, we will,” Weiner said of his competition. “We’re No. 1 in many, many places. Sports Essays, Sports Sociology. We’re top 500 in all books, which is insane. I am super grateful and thankful to the audience, to everyone, who helped with the book and to the audience who came through and purchased the book during presale and [Tuesday]. It was really cool to see, so thank you to everyone.”

After reviewing some of the numbers, Le Batard said that there is no means by which the achievement of Weiner being an accomplished author can be undercut. Leading up to the book release, there had been genuine surprise that Weiner was able to complete this work, sentiments voiced during an interview with co-author and ESPN podcast producer Dan Stanczyk.

“Our audience, as we’ve known for a long time, is like super, super loyal, and so he sold tens of thousands of books in an industry where it’s hard to do that these days because that’s not how it generally works,” Le Batard said, “and he’s just getting started.”

Le Batard recently tried to have someone from Random House publishing onto the program to discuss what it was like to work with Weiner. In reply to his request, he said that the company said it was “a bridge too far,” an expression to which he did not know the exact meaning. Show producer Billy Gil noticed on Tuesday’s episode that Weiner had not released the audiobook edition of his work concurrent with the written version, and Le Batard stated that the company is mad with Weiner, who disputed the claim. Gil articulated that after doing some digging, he found out that this was the first time an author did not release an audiobook at the same time as the print and digital copies.

“I paused the audiobook because as I was doing it, I said to myself, ‘This doesn’t meet any standards that we have as a show to entertain our audience,’ and so I just figured there was a better way to do it,” Weiner said, “and I asked them politely, ‘Can we pause the production of it and release it later because I would like to do something a little bit different?’ That’s all.”

Weiner disclosed that he wanted everyone on the show involved in the project and that he would pay them for their work. Before this avowal, show producer Mike Ryan Ruiz was perplexed that Weiner suddenly had standards for the book.

“Unintentionally, this is going to work out great for you, because six months from now or whenever it comes out, then people are going to be like, ‘I want to buy that. I should pay for this new [book],’” Gil hypothesized. “Here’s the thing – you’re saying too much because now you’re promising you’re not just reading the book, you’re promising some other show-involved thing.”

“I’m not saying too much,” Weiner replied. “I got a plan, I’m okay. I mean, I appreciate what you’re saying, Billy.”

“Random House has dealt with massive personalities in every facet of life and entertainment, and you’re the first person that didn’t deliver an audiobook when it was expected,” Ryan added. “That’s not a badge of honor.”

96-5 Live Free Country Collects 18 Tons Of Turkeys

BMM Staff
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96-5 Live Free Country Collects 18 Tons Of Turkeys

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96-5 Live Free Country, Hannaford Supermarkets, and the Manchester Media Group successfully conducted their annual “Tons of Turkeys” event on Saturday, November 23rd, benefiting the New Hampshire Food Bank.

This year, six Hannaford locations collected 18 tons of turkeys, significantly exceeding last year.

Laura Stelchook, Promotions and Events Director and morning host for Live Free Country, expressed her appreciation for the strong support from the Southern New Hampshire community. “Year after year, it is amazing to watch how we all find a way to make it out to help our neighbors in need. We even had one family from Londonderry donate $1,000 worth of turkeys.”

Market President Lucy Lange commented on the event’s success: “This year’s 96.5 Live Free Country Tons of Turkeys event highlights our community’s incredible generosity. Together, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of those who need support, especially during the holiday season.”

96.5 Live Free Country Program Director Michael Czarnecki added, “I could not be prouder of our team and the Southern New Hampshire community. The engagement of our listeners to help is incredible, and this event truly reflects the spirit of giving.”

Wendy Williams Former Music Radio And Talk Host ‘Permanently Incapacited’

BMM Staff
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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.

Former radio and television personality Wendy Williams has been declared permanently incapacitated following a diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia in 2023.

Her guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, disclosed in a court filing that the 60-year-old Williams “has become cognitively impaired, permanently disabled, and incapacitated,” as reported by the New York Post.

Morrissey is currently engaged in a legal dispute with Lifetime over the release of the documentary “Where Is Wendy Williams?” which premiered in February.

The lawsuit alleges that the defendants—including Lifetime’s parent company, A&E Television Networks, Lifetime Entertainment Services, EOne Productions, Creature Films, and the documentary’s executive producer, Mark Ford—exploited Williams’ cognitive and physical decline.

The filing asserts that they created and released a documentary when Williams was particularly vulnerable and unable to give informed consent for filming.

In 2023, Williams was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia, conditions similar to those affecting actor Bruce Willis.

Since May 2022, she has been placed under a court-ordered guardianship that manages her health and finances, following claims from her bank, Wells Fargo, that she was “incapacitated.”

Lifetime

Jim Lachey to Miss Ohio State-Michigan Broadcast, Snapping 357-Game Streak; Bobby Carpenter Filling In

BSM Staff
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Jim Lachey to Miss Ohio State-Michigan Broadcast, Snapping 357-Game Streak; Bobby Carpenter Filling In

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.

As the Ohio State Buckeyes face the Michigan Wolverines in a Big Ten Conference rivalry game, Jim Lachey will be absent from the team’s radio booth. Lachey, a former offensive lineman for Ohio State, will be attending senior day at Iowa University for his son, Luke, who serves as a captain for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Lachey’s absence will snap his streak of 357 consecutive game broadcasts for Ohio State amid his 28th season as a color commentator. Bob Carpenter, who is a co-host of Morning Juice on 97.1 The Fan with Brandon Beam and Mark Howell, will be filling in on the broadcast alongside play-by-play announcer Paul Keels. Coverage of the matchup, which takes place at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, begins at 6:30 a.m. EST on 97.1 The Fan.

“Obviously my heart pulls me both directions, but for the good of my family, I gotta go see Luke and be a parent for this weekend and get a chance to walk out there with my wife Ann and it’ll be Luke’s final [home game at Iowa] Friday night,” Lachey said during the Ohio State football postgame show last Saturday. “I wish it was a noon start [on Friday], but it’s not, it’s a night game against Nebraska. But I’m excited… It’s gonna be special. The whole family’s gonna be there. It’ll be a lot of fun.”

Lachey’s son is a senior tight end at Iowa University who is putting together a stellar campaign with 25 receptions and 218 yards. The team’s senior day game against Nebraska will be televised at 7:30 p.m. EST on NBC. Ohio State kicks off against Michigan at noon on Saturday and will air live on 97.1 The Fan and other radio stations across Ohio. FOX Sports is televising the matchup with play-by-play announcer Gus Johnson, analyst Joel Klatt and sideline reporter Jenny Taft calling the action.

Lachey became a radio analyst for Ohio State Buckeyes football in the 1997 season after a collegiate football career that contributed to his being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. During his 11 seasons in the NFL as an offensive tackle, he won a Super Bowl championship with Washington and was a three-time Pro Bowl selection. In addition to his work during the live game broadcasts, Lachey is also the co-host of The Ryan Day Show and takes part in the Buckeye Roundtable, both of which air on 97.1 The Fan throughout the season.

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