Former 830 WCCO program director Paul Stagg has died at 83. Stagg spent more than six decades building a career in radio.
What We Know: Paul Stagg, whose real name was Paul Steigerwald, spent 18 years at WCCO Radio and TV in Minneapolis. During that time, he worked as a staff announcer, music director, and program director. He later became general manager of WCCO-FM, now known as 102.9 The Wolf. Stagg also worked at WDAY in Fargo and at WWTC and KLBB in the Twin Cities. He eventually returned to his hometown of Willmar, where he worked at KWLM until retiring in 2019. Stagg was 83 years old.
What He’s Remembered For: Throughout his career, Stagg became a familiar name across Minnesota broadcasting. His work at WCCO gave him an opportunity to hold several influential roles at one of the state’s most prominent radio operations. Meanwhile, his work at stations across Minnesota reflected a career that stretched well beyond the Twin Cities. In 2017, the Minnesota Broadcasting Hall of Fame recognized Stagg by inducting him into its ranks.
What Remains Unclear: Details surrounding Stagg’s death, including the cause and circumstances, weren’t immediately available. Additional information about services or memorial arrangements also hasn’t been announced.
What It Means: Stagg’s death marks the passing of a longtime Minnesota radio figure whose career spanned multiple generations of broadcasting. His six decades in the business connected him to both major-market radio and the smaller communities that helped shape his career. Ultimately, his legacy includes his contributions to WCCO and his lasting impact on Minnesota radio.
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Luminate will label AI-generated music by year’s end. The data giant powers Billboard’s charts and now drives industry accountability.
What We Know Luminate’s approach combines three key components. The company uses proprietary identification technology to detect AI content. Additionally, partnerships with major streamers and direct collaboration with AI music companies strengthen the effort. Luminate continuously analyzes streaming data, metadata, and audio identification. Meanwhile, Billboard, Spotify, Apple Music, and Deezer all committed to transparency. By contrast, iHeartRadio and Bandcamp removed AI-generated music from their libraries entirely.
What They Said CEO Rob Jonas stressed collaboration. “No single organization can address this challenge alone,” he said. He noted rapid AI growth outpaced industry identification abilities. Pietroluongo of Billboard emphasized transparency’s importance. “Ensuring transparency requires collaboration across the entire industry,” he stated. “Artists, labels, DSPs, tech companies, and organizations must work together.”
What Remains Unclear Smaller platforms haven’t announced implementation timelines yet. The effectiveness of Luminate’s technology against advancing AI production remains untested. Also unclear: how labels will impact chart eligibility and ranking mechanics.
What It Means This framework establishes accountability across the music industry. Consequently, artists, labels, and listeners gain transparency. Finally, Luminate reinforces its role as the business’s “source of truth.” The labeling standards now set precedent across the entire ecosystem.
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Riley Floerke joins “Morning Candy” on Candy 95, College Station TX . She transitions from WTAW’s sports operation after one year in the Bryan Broadcasting cluster.
What We Know The Texas A&M graduate arrived at Bryan Broadcasting last May. She started as a board operator at KZNE sports station. Later, she became co-host and sportscaster for “The Infomaniacs” on sister station WTAW. Since December, she held the cluster Sports Director role. Now Floerke moves to Candy 95 to co-host mornings with Ted Hallowell.
What They Said Cluster Operations Manager Rob Mackexplained the strategic thinking behind the move. “We have multiple brands, so we must think about where people fit best,” Mack said. He emphasized maximizing potential across the cluster’s portfolio. “Sports broadcasting is the career she wanted to pursue,” he added, noting her rapid progression. Floerke responded with enthusiasm: “Joining Candy 95 feels like a natural next step for my career.” She expressed gratitude for every opportunity Bryan Broadcasting provided. “She and Ted will gel in no time,” Mack predicted, citing her existing familiarity with cluster operations.
What Remains Unclear The specifics of Floerke’s Candy 95 role remain undisclosed beyond morning show hosting. Details about her ongoing sports duties remain vague. Her long-term path within the cluster remains to be seen.
What It Means Growing talent internally across multiple brands increasingly defines competitive radio clusters. Bryan Broadcasting leverages its portfolio to develop rising talent rather than hiring externally. This strategy reduces turnover and builds institutional knowledge. Clusters that nurture homegrown talent gain a distinct advantage in an industry facing chronic staffing challenges.
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Brian Kelly is expanding his media wings with a new weekly spot on SiriusXM College Sports Radio. The 297-win coach joins the channel as a weekly co-host this season.
What We Know: Kelly will co-host with Danny Kanell and Roy Philpott every Wednesday at 7 a.m. ET this season. He stepped away from LSU in 2025 after three decades of head coaching, including stops at Notre Dame, Cincinnati and Grand Valley State. His resume includes 297 wins, two College Football Playoff appearances and an SEC West title. Kelly will also be debuting this season as a college football analyst for CBS Sports. Coverage runs on SiriusXM College Sports Radio and the new Sports Pass plan, launching September 1.
What They Said: Brian Kelly: “I’m excited to bring what I’ve learned in my many years on the sidelines into the studio with the outstanding team at SiriusXM. Danny and Roy are two pros with great energy and a passion for the game that I share. I look forward to partnering with them every week. Giving fans an insider’s view of today’s game and the teams and players we’re watching every week.”
Jared Fox, SVP, Sports Programming, Content Marketing & Partnerships for SiriusXM: “Brian Kelly is one of the most successful coaches in modern college football history. We’re very excited to add him to our team as we continue to build on our sports offering. Adding his insights and experiences to SiriusXM College Sports Radio further solidifies the channel as a must listen for college football fans. We’re very proud of the team we’ve built and fans across the country won’t find a more informative and entertaining daily platform for following their favorite teams throughout the season.”
What Remains Unclear: The release doesn’t state is this commitment is for the entire football season including the College Football Playoff. Also, terms and length of the appearances is unknown.
What It Means: Kelly’s hire signals SiriusXM’s push to deepen its college football lineup before kickoff. Pairing a championship-caliber coach with veteran hosts adds instant credibility. Expecially with Kanell and Philpott beginning their journey together in mornings this week on the channel. The timing also lines up with the network’s cheaper Sports Pass tier.
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Turning Point USA is launching a new nationwide college tour for the fall 2026 semester. The six-stop America: Love It or Leave It Tour will feature several prominent conservative voices.
What We Know: The tour will visit the University of Arkansas, Grand Canyon University, the University of Nevada, the University of Texas, the University of Iowa, and Cal Poly. Michael Knowles, Brandon Tatum, Riley Gaines, and Ben Shapiro are among the high-profile speakers scheduled to participate. Each stop will feature live discussions and open Q&A sessions, giving students opportunities to engage directly with the speakers. Additionally, Turning Point USA says students who disagree with the speakers will receive an invitation to participate. The organization says the tour will focus on American pride, free speech, and the nation’s founding principles.
What They Said: “Charlie’s love for debate will always be in the DNA of Turning Point USA, because we believe in truth, and we believe in civil discourse, and we believe that truth can withstand scrutiny.” -Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk
What Remains Unclear: Turning Point USA hasn’t announced the specific on-campus locations for the tour stops. It is unclear if the stops will be in on-campus arenas, theaters, or a different location.
What It Means: The tour continues Turning Point USA’s push to engage directly with college students across the country. Meanwhile, its central message challenges students who criticize America to consider why they remain committed to living in the country. The format also reflects Charlie Kirk’s emphasis on debate and direct engagement with ideological opponents. As a result, the tour could generate significant attention on campuses where political and cultural debates remain highly contested.
We’re bringing the America: Love It or Leave It Tour to a campus near you this fall 🔥
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ESPN is pulling the live scores ticker from college football broadcasts this season. 97.1 The Ticket’s Mike Valenti wants to know why that, of all things.
What We Know: ESPN confirmed it’s removing the ticker that scrolls scores across the bottom of the screen during college football telecasts this season. The graphic has tracked out-of-market action for viewers for years. As it has already done away with for the College Football Playoff games and other big events like NBA and NHL postseason contests. In addition, ESPN will not feature the ticker for regular-season games that air on its host of networks. Moreover, Valenti addressed the change Wednesday on The Valenti Show w/Rico on 97.1 The Ticket. He called it one of ESPN’s worst calls yet.
Mike Valenti on ESPN removing the ticker from college football broadcasts: “What do you mean by taking the ticker away? On a Saturday when there’s 130 teams in action. What’s wrong with the ticker? You want to get rid of stuff? Get rid of Dan Orlovsky and Laura Rutledge. There’s a start. What are we talking about? The ticker’s quality. This is a worse decision than the glow puck.”
Mike Valenti says the ticker isn’t what he would have removed from ESPN: “Watching college football on a Saturday. That ticker is peanut butter and jelly. Taking that thing of all the things you could take away from ESPN. That’s what they chose?”
Mike Valenti doesn’t believe removing the ticker has anything to do with money: “They could save a lot of money. They keep platforming terrible people. Stephen A. [Smith] and [Pat] McAfee pay for themselves. If people are mad, they’re making that kind of money. What about who? We’re sad while Linda Cohn’s gone. It’s over, Linda. Pack your stuff. Ryan Clark? [The] guy cries if his sandwich isn’t aligned straight. It’s a network of goofballs. It’s a network of ridiculous.”
What Remains Unclear: ESPN hasn’t detailed why the ticker specifically got the ax this season. Whether cost played any role also remains unconfirmed, despite Valenti’s skepticism. Still, the network hasn’t addressed the criticism publicly.
What It Means: For viewers, tracking Saturday’s slate just got harder without the on-screen crutch. Meanwhile, Valenti’s reaction signals how alienating even small production changes can be to a loyal audience. Ultimately, ESPN risks fan frustration compounding if it stays silent on the reasoning. Either way, the ticker’s absence will be felt the moment kickoff hits.
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The social media platform X wants in on NFL season. The platform just launched a dedicated football feed built with the league.
What We Know: X and the NFL have partnered on various projects since 2013, testing audio features and sponsored Spaces along the way. Now, the two are launching NFL Gametime, a branded feed blending scores, news and creator content. Meanwhile, fans can add the stream next to “For You” and “Following.” It runs from kickoff through the 2027 Super Bowl and includes a “GameTime” hub with real-time stats.
What They Said: Monique Pintarelli, manager, global advertising, X, SpaceXAI (via Variety):“Advertisers can now reach highly passionate fans across the entire funnel, from awareness and cultural conversation to real-time engagement during live games, all on X. Together with the NFL, we’re giving brands a powerful, authentic way to show up throughout the season.”
Brent Lawton, NFL vice president of media strategy and business development: “For years, X has been a key platform for NFL fans to connect, react and engage around every NFL moment. We’re excited to deepen our partnership with NFL Gametime on X, allowing our fans to have official scores and stats, team content, and the conversation together in one place.”
What Remains Unclear: Still, how advertisers respond to the new feed remains to be seen. Also, which creators will be included still has not been fully revealed on how they are selected.
What It Means: Ultimately, the NFL feed signals X’s push to reclaim sports advertisers. Sports content, after all, offers a safer, less political entry point for brands. Moreover, the X platform has forever been a sports haven. The conversation surrounding the NFL is no secret that X is the desired platform for instant analysis and opinion. In turn, pairing real-time stats with creator voices could deepen fan engagement. If it works, expect X to expand similar sport-specific feeds beyond football.
X Launches 'NFL Gametime,' a Football Feed Placed Alongside 'For You' and 'Following' https://t.co/NYjrkYVKJv
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Chris Myers is stepping into podcasting alongside Amanda Casey. His new show launches September 9 on YouTube, social media, and wherever you find your podcasts.
What We Know: Myers, a longtime Fox Sports broadcaster known for NFL and college football coverage, is teaming with Amanda Casey Vance for Oh My-Ers Sports. The show debuts on the NFL’s 2026 opening day. According to Sports Business Journal, episodes will run 12-14 minutes, blending interviews and news for digital and social platforms. Meanwhile, StudioXD4 and M2 are handling production, and Urban Meyer is confirmed as an early guest.
What’s At Stake: This is Myers first venture into the podcast world hosting his own program. He’s Emmy Award winner and one of FOX Sports’ only three-sport broadcasters, he has spent more than 25 years covering the NFL, NASCAR, MLB, boxing, and some of the biggest events in sports. Vance is a partner with Polymarket and has built a successful subscription platform, earning a reputation for her authentic voice and unique blend of sports, betting, and internet culture.
What Remains Unclear: No sponsors have signed on yet, according to SBJ. Additionally, it’s also unclear how much promotional weight FOX Sports will lend the project.
What It Means: Myers joins a growing wave of veteran broadcasters building independent podcast platforms. Legacy voices increasingly chase digital-first audiences alongside their traditional roles. In additon, pairing with Vance, a sports-wagering influencer, further reflects the industry’s ongoing betting-content push. Ultimately, the early guest list suggests the show aims for broad crossover appeal.
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Super Hi-Fi names Nathan James as Manager, Station Operations. The radio technology company expands its Radio Services team with the veteran programmer.
What We Know: James arrives from DBC Radio in Savannah/Hilton Head, where he managed operations for six stations. His 20-year radio career includes SummitMedia, Adams Radio Group, iHeartMedia, Max Media and Entercom. Furthermore, he’ll report directly to Bo Matthews, Director of Radio Services. Consequently, James will drive station execution and programming excellence across Super Hi-Fi’s growing broadcast partner network.
What They Said: Bo Matthews highlighted James’ reputation for exceptional station sound and execution. “We used to joke that syndicated shows sounded better on Nathan’s stations than they did in their home markets,” Matthews explained. “That’s the standard he sets.” Additionally, Matthews noted that James combines creativity with technical command and meticulous attention to detail.
What Remains Unclear: However, the company hasn’t disclosed whether additional Radio Services hires are planned. Meanwhile, specific details about James’ formal start date remain absent. Yet the announcement doesn’t fully outline his day-to-day responsibilities beyond “station execution, programming excellence and operational performance.”
What It Means: Indeed, James’ appointment signals Super Hi-Fi’s recognition that broadcast technology requires experienced radio operators. Consequently, the hire demonstrates growing opportunities for veteran programmers at tech-focused radio companies. Moreover, this move suggests Super Hi-Fi plans significant expansion across its broadcast partner network.
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What was the point? When NBC Sports began its upfront as the NBA returned to the network last year, the first face seen was the biggest headline. His Airness. The GOAT. Michael Jordan welcomed everyone in attendance and sports media pundits everywhere to the NBA on NBC.
“I’m so excited to see the NBA back on NBC,” Jordan said. “I’m excited about being a special contributor to the project.”
Now, more than a year later, did Jordan expose the truth and we just didn’t realize it? Was the “project” literally what the plan was all along? That’s why yesterday’s news that Jordan is not expected to return to NBC Sports this season shouldn’t have been a surprise. It leads me to the question once again:
What was the point?
Over time, there have been some giant disappointments in sports media. Barstool Van Talk’s one-episode run at ESPN. Gus Johnson calling World Cup soccer on FOX Sports. Bob Knight providing commentary for college basketball games. An honorable mention in the non-sports media category goes to the David Lee Roth radio show following Howard Stern.
Michael Jordan’s singular interview series with NBC Sports is the biggest disappointment in sports media history.
To be fair, in the ramp-up to Jordan’s debut with the network last year, NBC Sports didn’t truly give away the plot. For months, there was silence. Plenty of conversation about what could be, but never any details.
But it was Jordan. The hero for an entire generation. The pinnacle of the greatest-of-all-time debate on hot-take shows around the world. The Last Dance exposed the world to a different side of Jordan. Motivated, hungry, transparent and cocky.
He represented the old guard from the greatest generation of superstars. If Charles Barkley is beloved, the world waited with bated breath to see how Jordan would perform and entertain.
It was a one-on-one sit-down with Jordan and lead network play-by-play voice Mike Tirico. The lone discussion touched on a number of topics. None of them truly current to what mattered to NBA fans, all providing a new definition of evergreen content. Then the discussion was sliced into five bite-sized moments that aired throughout the season.
The Reaction
The reaction was predictable. It was terrible. Not just from critics, but from the audience as well. Fans didn’t want “Insights to Excellence.”
Tracking views on YouTube alone, the debut gained more than 720,000 views. The next installment didn’t even eclipse 250,000. By the fourth installment, the number had fallen to just under 95,000 views.
Michael Jordan said signing up with NBC Sports was attempting to pay it forward as an obligation to the game that made him who he is. He also felt that as an entertainer, it’s his duty to entertain if people are paying to watch.
Isn’t the entire act of taping an interview to be dribbled out like it was its own version of “load management”?
That’s where the hypocrisy was with Jordan’s approach to his work with NBC Sports. Surely, if Jordan felt the obligation to give back to the game and be available to perform for the paying public on NBC and Peacock, wouldn’t he have done more with the platform he signed with?
NBC leaned into the nostalgia factor the NBA on NBC has always carried. The greatest moments for a generation lived on NBC Sports, with Jordan at the forefront. All the promotion, Roundball Rock and flashbacks to NBC Sports’ glory days continued to feed the hype machine, including Jordan’s role.
The problem was clear: The plotting, strategy and execution failed.
“I think it’s been positive for Michael and his team. He’s able to have an outlet that’s out there,” NBC Sports President Rick Cordella said to the Sports Media podcast in December of last year. “Certainly, it’s been positive for us. [He’s been able] to sit down with Mike Tirico and talk about various topics that interest him. It’s been fantastic.”
Was it? That’s the question NBC Sports should have to answer.
A First And Last Dance
Michael Jordan’s return to the NBA on NBC was supposed to be one of the network’s biggest weapons. Instead, it became a reminder that nostalgia only works when there’s something worth being nostalgic about. Jordan’s NBC Sports run was the biggest disappointment in sports media history because the expectations were unlike anything else. This was Michael Jordan. The face of the NBA’s greatest era. The man who helped make the original NBA on NBC a cultural phenomenon.
The opportunity to put him back in that environment should have been impossible to screw up. And somehow, NBC did.
The irony is that NBC Sports probably won’t feel much of an impact from Jordan’s departure. There won’t be a meaningful audience decline. There more than likely won’t be viewers wondering where his next interview is coming from. There’s no void to fill, because there wasn’t much interest to lose in the first place.
That may be the biggest indictment of all.
So, what was the point?
Perhaps that was the lesson all along. You can bring back the logo, play Roundball Rock, revisit the memories and put Michael Jordan at the front of the room. But nostalgia can’t carry a product forever. Especially when the greatest basketball player of all time has almost nothing to say.
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