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How Daniel Cormier Is Approaching Calling UFC Freedom 250 as a Landmark Moment for the Sport of MMA

John Mamola
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How Daniel Cormier Is Approaching Calling UFC Freedom 250 as a Landmark Moment for the Sport of MMA

There’s nothing like a once-in-a-lifetime event. For the first time in American history, there will be a professional sporting event held on the grounds of the White House. What started as an idea in a random conversation between President Donald Trump and UFC CEO Dana White has taken shape in less than two years to become the most unique event in the promotion’s history. For Daniel Cormier, who will be on the call for the event on Paramount+, the opportunity to be part of it is personally fulfilling.

“We all had the same idea when we first heard about it. Impossible,” explained Cormier, who’s been a full-time member of the UFC’s top broadcasting team since 2020. “It happened very quickly where what once seemed impossible to this might actually happen.”

Cormier wasn’t alone in his initial feelings surrounding the concept. However, over the last year, momentum never seemed in doubt. After months of meetings between officials from TKO Holdings, the UFC, and the White House, the event was officially announced for June 14 on the South Lawn at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

A stacked card was later announced. The event features seven fights involving some of the promotion’s top fighters. An expected 4,300 people will watch from the White House lawn, while up to 100,000 others will gather at nearby Ellipse Park to view the action on large screens.

Cormier, who represented the United States in the Pan American Games and is a native of Lafayette, Louisiana, considers the event a celebration. Standing on the doorstep of the White House, with the country’s semi-quincentennial anniversary approaching and the eyes of the world watching, makes the moment even more meaningful.

“Honestly, it’s a dream,” said Cormier. “As a guy that’s represented the country in wrestling and the things that I’ve done, I’ve always wanted to go to the White House. Now, I have an opportunity to do it. Plus, to do it with fighting and representing the UFC. That’s crazy to me.”

A Milestone Moment

For the UFC, the event is just another milestone. In 2001, White’s friends bought the UFC for $2 million, gave him a 10% stake, and asked him to run the business. Through force of personality more than any traditional playbook, White turned the mixed martial arts league — now part of the TKO conglomerate — into a global phenomenon. Today, the UFC is worth north of $25 billion, with more than 600 fighters under contract, according to most estimates.

Cormier has seen that rise firsthand and views UFC Freedom 250 as the next step in that growth.

“Anyone that’s downplaying the significance of being on the south lawn of The White House is lying to you,” said Cormier. “Every UFC fan should be excited about the UFC doing this. MMA is doing well when the UFC is doing well. For the UFC to be on the cusp of such a significant event, that’s a victory for the entire sport.”

Cormier is no stranger to the Octagon. Following the 2008 Olympic Games, he fought for several MMA promotions before making his UFC debut in 2013. He went on to win the UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight championships in a career that culminated with induction into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2022.

In his approach to broadcasting each numbered UFC event, Cormier puts the focus on the fighters. He tells their stories and leans on personal experience and film study to guide viewers through the action. However, with the event being held at the White House amid the country’s current political climate, Cormier says his approach to the UFC Freedom 250 broadcast will remain the same.

“We’re going to call fights like we do every time. Our job hasn’t changed. Our job is to tell the story of the fighter. If I do anything different, that’s not doing right by the actual athletes competing,” explained Cormier. “The preparation will be the same and I’ll do the best job I can. This is only going to happen once, ever. That’s what is special about this. I get to call a fight that’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing.”

Preparing for a Global Audience

For the past few weeks, Cormier says he’s immersed himself in film study with the same approach he once used while training for a fight. He prefers to wait until an event draws closer before diving fully into preparation.

With a stacked card for UFC Freedom 250, Cormier is excited to see how the participants perform under the 92-foot-high structure known as “The Claw” on the South Lawn. However, when asked whether there was a particular fighter he wished had made the final card, he referenced perhaps his greatest rival missing the opportunity.

“I was hoping Jon “Bones” Jones would make the card,” said Cormier. “I believe in terms of American fighters, he’s the best one.”

UFC Freedom 250 will serve as the signature event of the UFC’s first year under a seven-year media rights agreement with Paramount Skydance. The landmark deal gives Paramount exclusive distribution rights to UFC’s full lineup of 13 marquee numbered events and 30 Fight Nights on Paramount+, with select numbered events also scheduled to simulcast on CBS.

The opportunity to broadcast on CBS hits home for Cormier. He understands the significance of the UFC appearing on traditional television and views it as a chance to expand its audience and reach unlike ever before.

“I grew up in Louisiana where cable television wasn’t always a thing. Now, to be on CBS, that was one of the free channels we got. To be talking about fighting on the free channel, that’s crazy to me,” said Cormier. “It can’t stop and can’t change, it has to continue growing. Paramount already is as big of a company as you can be associated with. It’s just getting bigger and bigger for the UFC.”

Remaining a Student

On Sunday night, Cormier will join UFC play-by-play voice Jon Anik and fellow commentator Joe Rogan on the call. The trio has become as synonymous with the UFC as any broadcast team in professional sports. From pay-per-view events to video games, Cormier remains a student of broadcasting as much as he once was a professional fighter.

“It’s more family than anything. I’ve been lucky to work so close with Jon and Joe, but especially with Jon Anik. He’s one of the best broadcasters across the globe in any sport,” explained Cormier. “I’ve been able to soak in all that knowledge with all these opportunities to sit right next to him… It’s been a masterclass, I am so lucky.”

Joe Rogan has also been instrumental in Cormier’s media career. The comedian, television host, podcaster, and UFC commentator has grown The Joe Rogan Experience into an influential force in pop culture.

As Cormier watched his teammate’s success over the years, Rogan shared his unique advice. Discussions that ultimately led Cormier to launch his own independent podcasting projects, including The Daniel Cormier Show.

“Joe told me to do what I want to do. Focus on doing the things that make you happy, then it doesn’t feel like you’re working,” said Cormier.

Leaning on that advice and receiving help along the way, The Daniel Cormier Show has become one of the sport’s most successful digital programs. That success led Cormier to partner with Colin Cowherd’s The Volume in 2022. The partnership provided him with additional resources, support, and opportunities for growth.

“The Volume has been a great network that helps me with sponsorship, production and everything I need,” said Cormier. “I never could have imagined that this is what my third act would have looked like. This has been a dream come true, and I’m doing everything that I want.”

Desire For More

Cormier’s approach to creating content is simple. He takes a commonsense approach and avoids issues that could spark division. He never holds back in a critique. Often finding himself coaching fighters from afar without even realizing it, based on the knowledge he’s gained throughout his career.

Over the past couple of years, Cormier has placed greater emphasis on long-form interviews. Focusing on the stories that shape the person rather than simply the participant. He believes a good interview requires a compelling guest, engaging questions, and an opportunity to learn. It’s an approach he’s developed by studying others in the industry and applying those lessons to refine his own style.

The hope for Cormier moving forward centers on continued growth. He says he has ambitious goals while keeping a close eye on an industry that continues to evolve.

“If you aren’t keeping your eyes on everything going on in the industry, you’re doing yourself a disservice,” explained Cormier. “Every athlete has a goal of being on a show every single day that doesn’t just go with MMA. That takes work and time. I think we’re on the right path to go in that direction, but ultimately it’s that. To be on one of the bigger shows in the world and be ever present.”

For most athletes, the dream ends when the fighting stops. For Daniel Cormier, it keeps evolving.

On Sunday night, he’ll stand on the South Lawn of the White House. Microphone in hand, helping tell the story of an event that once sounded too improbable to be real. It’s a moment that reflects not only how far the UFC has come from its fringe beginnings, but also how far Cormier has traveled since first representing the United States on a wrestling mat decades ago.

The Hall of Fame fighter has become one of the sport’s most trusted voices — a broadcaster, podcaster, and media personality with aspirations that extend well beyond mixed martial arts.

Yet even as he looks ahead to bigger platforms and broader audiences, Cormier remains grounded in the same philosophy that guided him through championship fights: prepare relentlessly, stay curious, and embrace the opportunity in front of you.

And on this night, the opportunity is unlike anything combat sports has ever seen. For a fighter who built a career on making history, it seems fitting that his next chapter includes calling it.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

What Does the Future of OutKick Look Like Without Clay Travis

John Mamola
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What Does the Future of OutKick Look Like Without Clay Travis

What is OutKick without Clay Travis? It’s a fair question to ask following the announcement that Travis is officially leaving the digital media outlet he created. The vision was simple. Build a sports content website and brand that served a conservative audience. The site grew, the brand expanded, Travis became a star, and here we are. Fifteen years after its creation, Clay Travis is leaving OutKick by his own choosing.

So, what now for the sports and culture brand? Five years after selling the website to Fox News Media, it’s now without its biggest star. Travis will continue to work for Fox, yet his duties at OutKick have come to an end. That leaves a number of questions for a brand that once dominated a space where many copycats have chipped away at its impact.

Don’t be fooled. OutKick maintains a strong footprint by delivering content with a particular political lean. It’s invested in talent such as Dan Dakich, who recently signed a multi-year extension with the company. However, with Fox News now assuming full oversight, should that create concern about the business model moving forward?

Since Fox purchased OutKick in 2021, the website has continued to operate as a standalone property within the Fox News ecosystem. However, OutKick.com now directs visitors to a FoxNews.com splash page featuring the latest content. According to Travis’ final OutKick The Show on Monday, the site recorded strong traffic and unique visitor numbers in May.

Going out on a high note seems logical rather than running away from a burning house.

However, what’s puzzling is why leave if the brand remains so successful? Also, why announce plans to launch another company alongside former OutKick talent Chad Withrow in the very same announcement?

A Massive Loss for Outkick

Love him or hate him, Clay Travis is the star of his own brand. OutKick is, and forever will be, tied to Travis’ talents. Oftentimes, the question becomes whether the talent is bigger than the brand. In this case, Travis is a bigger brand than the company he founded.

He always has been and always will be.

We’ve seen this play out in sports media time and time again. Imagine if Colin Cowherd left The Volume or Bill Simmons departed The Ringer. Would either brand be the same or have the same impact without those key figures? Probably not.

Now take those hypotheticals a step further. What if Cowherd or Simmons launched another company after leaving? What if they used the platform they built to introduce their next venture? In an era when consumers attach themselves to personalities as much as brands, what’s to say that audience wouldn’t follow where the talent goes?

More than likely, it would.

Especially if Travis remains in the same lane as the company he built provided. With the experience of operating OutKick under Fox News ownership, could he be preparing another venture designed to rival his former brand? Could he have seen signs that OutKick’s current business model has a shorter shelf life than what he described Monday as his “new mousetrap”?

Would Travis create an entity to compete against his current employer? Likely not, but could there be a gap in the current OutKick model that he believes the company cannot effectively address? Possibly so.

A New Challenge

However, the new challenge for OutKick isn’t whether it can continue generating traffic. Under the Fox News umbrella, it almost certainly can. The bigger question is whether it can continue generating relevance without its biggest star.

In today’s media landscape, audiences don’t simply follow websites. They follow people. They invest in personalities, perspectives, and voices they trust. That’s why Pat McAfee can move platforms and bring an audience with him. It’s why Dave Portnoy remains synonymous with Barstool Sports. It’s why Bill Simmons and Colin Cowherd have built media empires around themselves rather than around logos.

For 15 years, Clay Travis wasn’t just OutKick’s founder. He was its engine. He was the face, the voice, the chief promoter, and the personality that gave the brand its identity. When consumers thought of OutKick, they thought of Clay Travis.

That’s what makes this moment so consequential.

OutKick may continue to produce content. It may continue to benefit from Fox’s enormous distribution machine. It may even continue to post impressive traffic numbers. But traffic and relevance aren’t the same thing. One measures clicks. The other measures cultural impact.

The attention economy has never been more dependent on star power. Without Travis, OutKick doesn’t have a star. It failed for years to ever develop another one outside of its own founder. Brands that fail to develop recognizable personalities eventually become interchangeable with countless other outlets competing for the same audience. If consumers begin following Travis to whatever comes next, OutKick could discover that the biggest asset it ever possessed wasn’t its website, its name, or even its business model.

It was Clay Travis.

And if that proves true, then OutKick’s biggest challenge isn’t replacing its founder. It’s proving that it still matters without him.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

America 250 Imaging, Digital, and On-Air Ideas For News/Talk Radio Stations

Garrett Searight
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America 250 Imaging, Digital, and On-Air Ideas For News/Talk Radio Stations

As the 250th anniversary of our great country’s founding approaches, I can’t help but be a little bit excited. Like you, I assume, I love this country. I love what it means to be an American, what living in this country provides, and the America 250 celebration has me bursting with pride.

To be frank, however, I’m a bit disappointed by the response from the news/talk radio space. This should feel like a momentous occasion.

But I don’t know that you’d feel that reflected by the medium as a whole.

Sure, it’s probably too late to get much done for the coming weeks and have it ready by the 4th of July. I don’t believe, though, that the America 250 celebration has to end on Independence Day. It can carry all the way through the end of 2026. Heck, if you commit to it hard enough, you could really argue that it should roll all the way through July 3rd, 2027.

Below, I’ve crafted some easy — and some not-so-easy — ideas for news/talk radio hosts, producers, leaders, and sales managers to execute over the coming days, weeks, and months to help spark some ideas on how the format can own this event.

Imaging

  • Legal IDs

This is perhaps the simplest way to “own” the celebration. I know your legal ID is probably already crammed full with a sponsor, positioning statement, the actual ID, and promotion for something else on the station. But slapping in a “(Insert City/Region Here)’s Official Home for the America 250 Celebration”, or something similar, is easy. Now, should you have been doing this for the past six months? Absolutely.

I’ll give credit to one station I know has been on top of the ball: WOWO in Fort Wayne. I think I heard the first piece of “America 250” imaging the first week of January. Having your ducks in a row that early sure makes it much easier to monetize than thinking about it now.

  • Local Heros

If you look hard enough, you can find local connections in major stories. They’re not all this simple, but, for instance, Neil Armstrong’s hometown was in my old radio market. Additionally, every tank used by the American military was built in that market. Not every story like that is going to be that easy to find/well-known. But they’re out there. Honoring the local heroes in both the past and present is a fun, easy way to connect deeper with your community and sound like the local authority.

  • Listener-Driven Imaging

It’s never been easier to get audio from listeners. Whether it’s phone calls, talkbacks on your app, having listeners record voice memos, or setting up a recording station at your remotes, if you want listener audio, you can get it. But ask listeners what freedoms they value most. What makes them proud to be an American? What does it mean to be an American? They’ll answer. Truthfully. Honestly. And most importantly, passionately. Harness that for an “America 250 Minute…powered by (insert advertiser here).”

Social Media/Digital

  • Special Logos

Similar to the Legal ID space, this is also easy to pull off. Even if you don’t have an on-staff graphic designer, with the rise of AI, it’s simple to create graphics for social media.

For instance, I changed the 1210 WPHT logo from its usual branding to be more “American flag themed.” Drop it in as your logo on your social media channels, use it as your branding from Flag Day through Sunday, July 5th, and look like you’re owning the topic.

A photo of the 1210 WPHT logo with an American flag theme
(Photo: Generated by Google Gemini)
  • “My American Story”

There is probably a strong crossover between news/talk radio listeners and those interested in family genealogy. Creating a place for listeners to submit their own personal stories about family history in the country, as well as the opportunities, service, and sacrifices they and their family members have experienced, will draw plenty of submissions and attention on social media. People like seeing themselves. Show them, then. It is also a great chance for listeners to share their or their relatives’ military history. It’s never a bad time to honor our veterans. No one is going to look down upon it. Take the opening and run with it.

  • Polls/Question of the Day

If polls aren’t already a part of your social media strategy, they should be. You know who listens to news/talk radio? Boomers. You know who loves to tell you how they feel about everything? Boomers. Have an America 250 question of the day on social media. Slap a sponsor logo on it. Tag their business in the post.

Furthermore, theme questions of the day are good social media options. Easy things like: “Who’s the greatest President in American history? What’s the greatest American invention? Who gave the greatest speech in American history?” Then, use the answers as a short segment on a show. Cross promotion. Everyone wins.

On-Air Content/Promotions

  • 250 Acts of Service

This is perhaps the most difficult to pull off. But it is also the most impactful. Think about your city or market. There are always places to help. Similarly, there are always people to thank. You wouldn’t believe how appreciative a local fire or police station is when you bring them pizza, donuts, or a catered meal. You have those connections within your community. If one of the tent poles of great radio is the local component, harness it. Bring people together in your community. Help create volunteer projects, food drives, blood donations, and veteran support causes. It makes you look good, it helps the community, and listeners will remember that you were there. It’s a triple-win.

  • The Presidential Series

I loved what WJR 760 in Detroit rolled out last week with its Founding Fathers Friday series. Each Friday in its morning show, the station will speak to a historian or an expert on a given Founding Father. A good solid 8-10 minutes with an expert about the men who helped shape the foundation of the country. It’s informative and educational. If you find the right interview subject, it’s also entertaining. The possibilities are endless. You can create a sales package around the series. You can continue the series for a really long time. Combine the conversations into speciality or “best of” programs to air on weekends, holidays, or other occasions. Again, the possibilities are endless.

  • Local Landmark Campaign

We all have and know local landmarks. Famous buildings. Natural wonders. I could go on, but you get the point. Highlight those things that make your market — and America, by proxy — special. It’s never been easier to broadcast on location. Use it to your advantage. Take the show out of the studio and on the road. Even if you can’t fit gobs of listeners into the space, you have the ability to create theater of the mind and bring them there with you.

The America 250 celebration doesn’t have to end on July 4th. In fact, I think you could argue that the appetite from local advertisers to tie their brands to the event is probably just now reaching its apex. Capitalize on both the programming opportunities and the non-traditional revenue chances. There is no other format better positioned than news/talk radio to capture listenership and revenue with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Greg Beharrell’s GREG FM Format Debuts in East Tennessee

David Hill
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Greg Beharrell’s GREG FM Format Debuts in East Tennessee

*Editor’s Note: Sometimes you write the news. Sometimes the news writes itself. Greg FM sent us a press release. We made the editorial decision to run it as is. Creativity wins, and normal press releases suck…please take note.

LOUD MEDIA LAUNCHES 105.9 GREG FM IN KNOXVILLE, ON PURPOSE 

After months of questioning the decision, Loud Media is now proud to announce the launch of 105.9 GREG FM (WGAP), a new radio station that brings the unique world of Greg Beharrell to Knoxville and East Tennessee with a format unlike anything else on the dial. 

GREG FM is the innovative format from YEA Media Group, built around the humor, storytelling, observations, and offbeat perspective of internationally syndicated radio personality Greg Beharrell. Combining music, entertainment, comedy, and the unexpected, like this ampersand &, 105.9 GREG FM delivers a 24-hour listening experience designed for audiences looking for something refreshingly different, apology cards will be mailed the sixth Wednesday of every month.

“Radio works best when it surprises people,” said Aaron Ishmael, owner of Loud Media. “Greg has built a tremendous following by doing exactly that. His ability to connect with listeners through humor, storytelling, and a genuinely unique perspective makes him a perfect fit for our vision. When we learned about the GREG FM format from YEA Media Group, we knew Knoxville deserved to hear it. Greg is himself every day, and I envy the courage that must take.” 

“Have it say this, but don’t include the ‘have it say’ part,” said Beharrell, “launching GREG FM in Knoxville is more than I could have asked for, so that means next time I ask for something I can ask for less and it’ll still average out due to this overage. I’ve long been in awe of Knoxville, specifically, the rarity of the letter x being followed by the letter v which, like Greg FM, seems as though it shouldn’t work, yet, somehow…” 

105.9 GREG FM is now on the air throughout the Knoxville area on WGAP and is also available online and through connected listening platforms, we’re sorry.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

iHeart Media Reshuffles Hot 99.5 and Z104.3 Lineups After Fred Show Launch

David Hill
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iHeart Media Reshuffles Hot 99.5 and Z104.3 Lineups After Fred Show Launch

Two iHeartMedia CHR stations are reshuffling their lineups. The moves follow the April launch of “The Fred Show” on Hot 99.5 WIHT Washington and Z104.3 WZFT Baltimore.

What We Know Nick Gomez moves from evenings to middays at WIHT. He has been on nights since July 2022 and took on Music Director duties the following January. Gomez also programs iHeart’s TikTok Radio. Before WIHT, he served as student PD at William Paterson University’s WPSC-FM and hosted overnights at Z100 in New York.

What’s At Stake Gomez’s shift to middays triggers a cascade of changes across both stations. Premiere Networks’ “On Air with Ryan Seacrest” moves to nights at WIHT, airing 7-11pm. Seacrest’s show also picks up a new midday slot at WZFT from 10am to 2pm. Meanwhile, Elizabethany slides to 2-4pm at WZFT while continuing her APD/afternoon role at WIHT.

What Remains Unclear No announcement has addressed who fills evenings at WIHT following Gomez’s departure from that slot. It’s also unclear whether additional programming adjustments are planned at either station. The long-term scheduling strategy beyond these moves hasn’t been disclosed.

What It Means These changes carry extra weight in Baltimore, where the shuffle is significant. Z104.3’s lineup now leans heavily on non-local and syndicated talent.

The ripple effect is hard to ignore. One programming decision at WIHT reshaped dayparts across two markets. iHeart is clearly investing in Gomez, moving him into a higher-profile slot — a vote of confidence in his growing company role.

Yet the Baltimore picture raises questions. Adding Seacrest’s syndicated show to middays means less local voice on Z104.3. For a station serving a distinct market, that tradeoff matters. Listeners notice when familiar local personalities give way to national programming.

For both stations, the puzzle pieces are still settling. Whether this lineup holds or prompts further adjustments remains to be seen. What’s clear is that the Fred Show launch set off a chain reaction — and Baltimore felt it most.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Provident Entertainment Promotes Josie Hardin and Reagan Hughes to Director Roles

David Hill
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Provident Entertainment Promotes Josie Hardin and Reagan Hughes to Director Roles

Provident Entertainment has elevated two rising executives within its digital marketing ranks. Josie Hardin and Reagan Hughes each move into director-level roles effective immediately.

What We Know: Hardin advances to Director of Digital Strategy after joining Provident in 2024 as Associate Director of Digital Marketing. She previously spent three and a half years at Big Machine Label Group and began her career at WME. Her roster includes Brandon Lake, Zach Williams, and Leanna Crawford. Hughes, meanwhile, rises to Director of Marketing after starting at Provident in February 2024. She built her foundation at Capitol CMG, where she supported DSP relationships with Spotify and Apple Music before moving into a digital marketing manager role in 2021.

What They Said: Todd Stepp, SVP of Provident Entertainment, praised both promotions. Of Hardin, he said she “has a great instinct for digital strategy and audience engagement” and consistently turns ideas into results. On Hughes, Stepp noted she brings “a unique combination of strategic thinking, marketing expertise, and genuine passion for both our artists and industry.” He added that her leadership and work ethic have made a significant difference for the team.

What Remains Unclear: The specific scope of each director’s expanded responsibilities has not been fully detailed. It is also unclear whether additional staffing moves will follow these promotions. Provident has not announced changes to the broader digital marketing team structure.

What It Means: These promotions signal that Provident Entertainment is investing heavily in digital leadership. Both Hardin and Hughes arrived in 2024 and quickly earned elevated roles — a strong indicator of organizational momentum. Hughes will now oversee a roster that includes Seph Schlueter, KB, bodie, Aaron Cole, and others. Together, these moves reinforce Provident’s commitment to growing artist audiences through dedicated, senior-level digital strategy.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

‘Move the Sticks’ Podcast Officially Comes to an End

John Mamola
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‘Move the Sticks’ Podcast Officially Comes to an End

The NFL’s long-running Move The Sticks podcast has officially come to an end. Hosts Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks announced the news separately on social media.

What We Know” Move The Sticks launched over a decade ago as an NFL Media production. Jeremiah and Brooks hosted the show together, publishing more than 1,000 episodes over that span. The podcast focused heavily on scouting and NFL analysis, building a loyal audience among fans and aspiring scouts alike. It became one of the more respected football podcasts in the sports media landscape.

What They Said: Daniel Jeremiah (via X): “I want to thank everyone who’s listened to Move The Sticks over the last decade. It’s been a blast to create shows with Bucky Brooks (over 1k of them). He’s a fantastic partner & will always remain a close friend. We’ve had amazing producers & I appreciate them all so much. I’ll let you guys know when I finalize my new podcast home.”

Bucky Books (via X): “It’s been a fantastic run for the MTS podcast. Partnering with a respected colleague and friend on 1K+ episodes has been a career milestone. While I will miss our on-air banter, discussions, and debates, I know our professional paths will cross again in the near future. To the fans and aspiring scouts who have enjoyed our work, I hope you will continue to support our individual projects at NFL Media, NFL Network, and ESPN. Although this chapter is closed, I’m excited about the future chapters that will be written down the road.”

What Remains Unclear: Jeremiah confirmed he is exploring a new podcast home but has yet to finalize details. Brooks, meanwhile, did not specify any upcoming podcast plans.

What It Means: The end of Move The Sticks closes a significant chapter in NFL podcast history. Few shows in the space reached the 1,000-episode milestone. Both hosts remain active at major networks — Jeremiah at NFL Network and Brooks split between NFL Media and ESPN. Whether a new project could involve a reunion could be a possibility. The duo captured the attention of the NFL fan in need of in depth coverage regarding scouting and draft news. ESPN, who now oversees the NFL Network, could navigate a path for both talents to be involved in a project together. Especially with the network’s longstanding relationship with Omaha Productions.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Five ESPN Studio Programs Earn Best May Viewership Ever

John Mamola
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Five ESPN Studio Programs Earn Best May Viewership Ever

ESPN’s studio programming delivered a banner month in May. Combined studio shows jumped 27% in viewership over May 2025 and rose 11% year-over-year among adults 18-49.

What We Know: Five shows recorded their best May ever. Get Up averaged 487K viewers, up 38% YOY. First Take drew 564K, up 18%. The Pat McAfee Show pulled 412K across linear and digital, up 25%. NBA Today surged 42% to 398K, fueled by the NBA Playoffs. The 6 p.m. SportsCenter averaged 546K, up 40%. PTI led all studio shows with 703K viewers, its best May since 2019. NFL Live posted its most-watched May since 2014, averaging 436K, up 32%.

What The Numbers Show: (May 2026 is considered by Nielsen as April 27 – May 31, and May, 2026, was a five-week month while May, 2025, was a four-week month. Year-over-year comparisons are to the full month of May, 2025. All metrics are based on Nielsen Big Data + Panel and YouTube Analytics)

Show/ProgramAverage Viewership (May 2026)% Lift Year Over Year
Get Up487K+38%
First Take564K+18%
The Pat McAfee Show412K (Linear + Digital)+25%
NBA Today (M-F 3pm)398K+42%
SportsCenter (6pm)546K+40%
NFL Live (M-F 4pm)436K+32%
Pardon the Interruption703K+17%
SportsCenter (7am)326K+41%
SportsCenter (2pm)342K+55%
SportsCenter (5pm)454K+20%
SportsCenter (1am)418K+9%
SportsCenter AM (Saturday)500K+29%
SportsCenter AM (Sunday)471K+52%
SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt626K+10%

Notable Milestones

Show/ProgramAchievement
SportsCenter (6pm)Best May viewership ever
NFL LiveMost-watched May since 2014
Pardon the InterruptionMost-watched May since 2019

What Remains Unclear: As the NBA playoffs took center stage in May, key shows that saw rises month to month include Get Up, First Take, NBA Today and the 6pm SportsCenter. Pardon the Interruption and NFL Live saw slight declines month to month but still saw year over year growth. Moreover, as the calendar creeps closer to the one-year installment of Big Data + Panel, it’s remains a mystery how the numbers will compare year over year at that time.

What It Means: ESPN’s studio programming is on a sustained upward trajectory compared to figures last year that did not include the Nielsen Big Data + Panel figures. It is interesting to see a dip in PTI viewership month to month during the time of the NBA playoffs. Also, the network has not released any viewership data of Inside the NBA and how it compares year over year to the network’s NBA Countdown programming last year airing during the NBA postseason.

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Clay Travis: OutKick Now ‘Fully Grown’, Time to Build Something New

Garrett Searight
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Clay Travis: OutKick Now ‘Fully Grown’, Time to Build Something New

Clay Travis is moving on from OutKick. He teased what’s next in his final episode.

What We Know: It was announced Monday that Travis will leave OutKick as part of a new deal with Fox News. He’s spent the past 15 years with the brand since founding it. He sold OutKick to FOX in 2021. During his final YouTube episode with the show, he shared his thinking behind the exit and what’s next.

What They Said: “I feel like I’m getting to go out on my own terms at OutKick with it being at its absolute apex. It’s fully grown. I’ve been thinking about this a lot because my oldest son graduated from high school just a couple weeks ago, and he’s now off to college. He’s an adult. I feel like OutKick is a fully grown site that’s an adult. I’m looking forward to building something new. I’m going to share more details about that going forward.” -Clay Travis

What Remains Unclear: What Travis’ future endeavors entail. He has teased a new company that he looks forward to building. However, he has not shared any inkling of what it will be.

What It Means: Travis and OutKick have become synonymous over the past decade and a half. He wasn’t shy about his willingness to leave what he built behind. Now he’ll have the opportunity to build something new. We’ll see how closely it will resemble OutKick once he announces his future plans.

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Glenn Beck’s ‘The American Story’ to Air As Independence Day Special

Garrett Searight
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Glenn Beck’s ‘The American Story’ to Air As Independence Day Special

Glenn Beck has a new Independence Day special for news/talk radio stations to air as the America 250 celebration approaches.

What We Know: Beck’s “The American Story” is a three-hour special for news/talk radio stations. The special was originally produced as a 10-part series for Glenn Beck’s Torch platform. The show is available as early as Friday, July 3rd. It is also available to air multiple times throughout the 4th of July holiday weekend. The special will air on 350 affiliates nationwide as the official version of The Glenn Beck Weekend Program. Those interested in carrying the special program can email Premiere Networks to inquire about its availability.

What’s At Stake: This is an opportunity for both Glenn Beck and Premiere Networks to create new relationships in the news/talk radio space. It also allows Beck to showcase his Torch platform to an engaged and interested audience.

What Remains Unclear: Market exclusivity is currently unknown. With the special airing as the version of Beck’s weekend show, that should be a tell to those interested in carrying the program.

What It Means: Glenn Beck has built his Torch platform for situations like this. While focusing on history and the founding of the nation, his storytelling will likely render this special as a must-listen program around the nation.

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