Cumulus Media has named Joyce Wirthlin as Vice President and Market Manager for its Salt Lake City cluster, the company announced Wednesday. The move places a seasoned market leader at the helm of one of the company’s key Western operations.
In her new role, Wirthlin will oversee a portfolio of five stations serving the Salt Lake City area. Those brands include B98.7 (KBEE-FM), KBER 101 (KBER-FM), Power 94.9/101.9 (KENZ-FM/KHTB-FM), 860 KKAT (KKAT-AM), and 93.3 The Bull (KUBL-FM).
Along with its broadcast footprint, Cumulus Media delivers digital marketing solutions designed to support local advertisers.
Wirthlin arrives with extensive experience in the market. She most recently served as Market President for iHeartMedia in Salt Lake City. Before that, she held the position of Senior Vice President of Sales for the same cluster. Her background includes building revenue strategies and strengthening client partnerships across both radio and digital platforms.
Cumulus leadership emphasized Wirthlin’s local expertise and ability to connect with advertisers. Dave Milner, President of Operations for Cumulus Media, pointed to her track record of delivering results through integrated campaigns.
“Joyce is an experienced market leader with deep relationships across Salt Lake City,” Milner said in the company’s announcement. “She brings sharp local insight and credibility to client partnerships and understands how to maximize the combined power of audio and digital.”
He added that her leadership will help accelerate growth for both the stations and their advertising partners. Milner also noted her ability to craft multi-platform strategies that align with evolving client needs.
For Wirthlin, the appointment marks a return to familiar ground. She began her career working with several of the very brands she will now oversee. That connection, she said, makes the opportunity especially meaningful.
“I am honored to lead the talented team at Cumulus Media Salt Lake City,” Wirthlin said. “This is a full-circle moment for me, as my roots in this market trace back to the early days of KBER, The Bull, and B98.7.”
She also highlighted the company’s ability to combine traditional audio reach with digital marketing tools. That blend, she said, positions the cluster to deliver strong returns for clients in an increasingly competitive media landscape.
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On the latest episode of BT Unleashed, Stephen A. Smith caught up with longtime friend Brandon Tierney. The two went deep. What followed was one of the more candid conversations Smith has ever had on record. He covered his health, his career, his politics, and the real mechanics behind First Take. He also touched on public feuds, media instincts, and his complicated relationship with legacy.
The Moment He Knew He’d Made It
For Smith, the defining milestone had nothing to do with television. It wasn’t a viral clip or a big contract. Instead, it was a newspaper byline that changed everything.
Being named the 21st African-American general sports columnist at the Philadelphia Inquirer was his true turning point. “Once it was confirmed that I was licensed to do that, you couldn’t stop me in radio or television,” Smith told Tierney.
That credential mattered enormously. Before the digital era, opinion-making in sports media was tightly controlled. Only columnists could editorialize freely. Smith recognized immediately what that title unlocked. Earning it meant no one could silence him again, regardless of the platform.
This Generation’s Howard Cosell
Tierney introduced Smith early in the conversation with a striking comparison. He called him this generation’s Howard Cosell. It wasn’t flattery for flattery’s sake. Tierney argued that Smith’s digital reach may have actually surpassed what Cosell achieved in his era.
Cosell dominated sports media when there were three television networks and a handful of major radio outlets. Smith operates in a completely fragmented landscape. Yet he still manages to cut through all of it.
Smith revealed that he averages over two and a half billion views annually across First Take, SiriusXM, and YouTube. Furthermore, he achieves it without the monopoly on attention that Cosell enjoyed. Instead, Smith earns it daily against thousands of competing voices.
The comparison highlighted how Cosell and Smith had an ability to be polarizing and offer candid opinions. Both were impossible to ignore. Each understood that sports media was never really just about sports.
How First Take Really Runs
Smith was remarkably candid about the inner workings of First Take. Specifically, he addressed a persistent and damaging misconception — that he controls all personnel decisions on the show.
He acknowledged pushing out former co-host Max Kellerman. That decision he claims was his as he felt the two lacked authentic friction. A debate show lives or dies on genuine disagreement. However, most other departures were not his calls.
“There are certain things above your head,” Smith said bluntly. His bosses — Dave Roberts, Burke Magnus, and Jimmy Pitaro — hold final authority. Smith answers to that chain without exception.
Molly Qerim’s departure hit differently for Smith. He was emphatic that her exit was not his decision, and he made clear that his feelings for her extend well beyond the professional. “We worked together for 10 years,” he said. “Nobody’s going to ever come and say something negative to me about Molly Qerim.”
Nevertheless, content is squarely his domain. As executive producer, Smith shapes every discussion on a two-hour program. The show covers roughly 15 subjects daily and approximately 75 topics every single week.
“It’s an effort for me to avoid topics,” he explained. “Doing it comes very naturally to me. Not doing it — that’s where the effort comes in.” He also pushed back on critics who claim he over-covers certain athletes. When you’re generating 75 subjects a week, he argued, the math simply doesn’t support that narrative.
The Skip Bayless Blueprint
One of the most instructive media conversations in the interview centered on chemistry. Specifically, Smith explained why his partnership with Skip Bayless worked when so many others haven’t.
The answer was simple and unambiguous. He and Skip were genuinely, authentically opposed on almost everything. They didn’t need morning meetings to find disagreement. It was already there. “We are diametrically opposed on most things,” Smith said. “It was hard with Max. That’s all.”
Smith was careful not to diminish Kellerman personally. He called him brilliant and talented. The issue was never ability. It was fit. Finding the right debate partner, Smith suggested, matters as much as finding the right host. Without that authentic opposition, even the most talented personalities can’t consistently deliver what the format demands.
Editorial Instinct as a Competitive Advantage
Smith made a point during the conversation that deserves particular attention from anyone working in media. His newspaper background didn’t just teach him facts. It rewired how he thinks every single morning.
As a beat writer and then a columnist, Smith woke up daily with one urgent question: ‘what story will resonate today?’ That habit never left him. Consequently, what feels like work to most media personalities feels entirely natural to him.
“What folks are trying to manufacture and create to swell interest is what I’ve been doing for 30 years,” he said directly. Every competitor chasing viral moments is doing deliberately what Smith does instinctively. That gap, he argued, is almost impossible to close.
He extended that thinking to his public feuds as well. When someone comes at him, he doesn’t scramble. He doesn’t strategize. He simply responds the way a columnist always has — by identifying the story and telling it. “Oh, thank you,” he said of critics. “You actually gave me something. I have to look for it. You just handed it to me.”
Handling Public Mistakes
Fame at Smith’s level means every error becomes a headline. He addressed that reality with more nuance than most would expect.
First, he drew a clear and important distinction. What bothers him about mistakes is making them — not that someone noticed.
Beyond that, he pushed back firmly on petty criticism. “If I said we met in 2008 and it was actually 2004, damn it, I forgot in a moment,” he said. Making a minor factual slip during four hours of daily live programming is not the same as being uninformed. Conflating the two, he argued, reveals more about the critic than the mistake.
Nevertheless, Smith holds himself to a clear standard when errors are legitimate. He corrects them quickly, says so plainly, and moves forward without deflection. “I messed up. My bad. Period,” he said. No spin. No lengthy explanation. Just accountability and forward motion.
The Jason Whitlock Feud
Smith candidly addressed his very public and ongoing feud with media personality Jason Whitlock. His explanation reframed what many assumed was simply personal animosity.
He argued that he uses his platform deliberately to defend colleagues who lack the reach to defend themselves. Whitlock, in his view, has caused real damage to people in the industry who couldn’t fight back effectively. Smith decided he could. So he did.
“I do it on behalf of the people he’s attacked,” Smith said plainly.
The intensity of Smith’s reaction, stems from something deeply personal. When Smith called Whitlock out publicly over a year ago, he didn’t just throw general accusations. He named bosses at various networks by name and dared anyone to challenge his account. He came with receipts, and said no one disputed them.
Smith made clear that the two were never particularly close. They knew each other, existed in the same industry circles but weren’t friends though they were ok. However, Whitlock’s pattern of behavior according to Smith genuinely hurt good people in the business and it changed his view of him.
He also made a sharp media ethics point in the process, explaining how Whitlock has used damaging personal information about many people in the industry. Smith says he chooses not to do that. That restraint, he suggested, is what makes crossing that line with Whitlock meaningful rather than routine. “I might disagree with what you say, but I don’t disagree with who you are,” he explained. Whitlock, in his telling, crossed a different line entirely.
As for where things stand today, Smith was blunt. He has no interest in keeping the feud alive for sport. He doesn’t find it entertaining or professionally useful. However, he was equally clear that he isn’t finished. “Trust me, I’m just getting started,” Smith said. “Because it’s personal.” The door to escalation remains open — not out of obsession, but out of principle. Smith believes some things in this industry are simply worth fighting for, even when the fight gets ugly.
Separating Stephen A. from the Man
Tierney has known Smith since 2004. Because of that history, he pressed him on the gap between the on-air persona and the real man.
Smith confirmed without hesitation that two minutes before showtime, he’s quiet. Then the light comes on, and everything shifts. Still, he was clear that the transition isn’t fake. It’s professional responsibility in action.
“You asked them to watch you,” Smith said. “You asked them to have these expectations. You’ve got to answer the call.”
Away from cameras, Smith is a different person entirely. He doesn’t party. He doesn’t chase celebrity circles. Instead, he gravitates toward family — his sisters, his daughters, the people who ground him. “A party to me is being with my family,” he said simply. “Just being around the right people is good enough for me.”
Additionally, Smith credits the gym as his primary reset. He works out five to six days a week. That discipline, he explained, keeps his mind sharp and his energy sustainable across an extraordinarily demanding schedule.
The COVID Scare That Changed His Life
Nothing in the conversation landed harder than Smith’s account of nearly dying during the pandemic. A COVID infection complicated by a routine medical procedure left his lungs devastated. Doctors described them as looking like clouds — almost completely white. He visited the hospital three separate times.
On New Year’s Eve, a doctor delivered a stark ultimatum. If a specific steroid and antibiotic combination failed within three hours, they would call his family. Smith admitted he had mentally surrendered. His girlfriend broke down in tears because she saw it on his face.
“I really thought I was on my way out of here,” he said quietly.
Three hours later, the medication worked. He survived. That experience, consequently, became a hard reset on his entire lifestyle.
Through UFC president Dana White, Smith connected with wellness expert Gary Brecka. Together they overhauled everything. Smith eliminated sugar — his dominant vice for decades. He rebuilt his body from the ground up. His body fat dropped from nearly 30 percent to 10.5 percent. He hasn’t looked back since.
The Political Road — and Why He’s Leaning In
Smith exclaimed that his interest in politics is not new. Tierney confirmed it by sharing with viewers that Smith used to talk about issues back when they worked together over 20 years ago. He also pointed out that after ESPN let him go years ago, Smith resurfaced doing political commentary on 77 WABC. Politics has always lived inside of him.
His core frustration is specific. He resents the assumption that Black Americans must vote Democratic without question or consequence. “If I’m supposed to be Democrat no matter what, you have a license to take me for granted,” he said forcefully.
Smith calls himself a fiscal conservative and social liberal. He has voted Democratic consistently. Yet he refuses to do so blindly or without accountability from the party.
That independent stance attracted attention beyond media circles. Elected officials and clergy approached him directly about running for office. He took it seriously. The sole obstacle is the FCC’s equal-time rule. The moment he formally announces a candidacy, he leaves the air — with zero guarantee of winning.
“Don’t let them come up with a way for me to be on that debate stage and still keep my check,” he said. “If that happens, I will be on that debate stage.” The one opponent he’d genuinely worry about? Marco Rubio.
Beyond winning, though, Smith made his real motivation clear. He wants to stand on that stage and hold politicians accountable for what they’ve done to the country. “I would come for them like nobody has ever come for them before,” he said with unmistakable conviction.
The Friendship That Started It All
The relationship between Smith and Tierney began when Tierney delivered updates at 1050 ESPN Radio in New York during Smith’s show. Stephen A. was simultaneously hosting television, covering the NBA as an insider, and writing for the Inquirer. He was trying to juggle a number of responsibilities and connected with Tierney.
Smith recognized Tierney’s baseball knowledge immediately and saw something worth fighting for. He lobbied management to give Tierney more airtime and a bigger role. “I need him,” Smith recalled thinking. “Let him be my partner.”
That instinct — using his platform to elevate people he believes in — sits at the center of how Smith defines his legacy. Money and titles matter far less to him now. Instead, he talks about building something closer to a coaching tree. He wants to look back and see people he helped along the way actually thriving.
When Tierney jokingly suggested coming on First Take and mixing it up, Smith didn’t deflect or laugh it off. He took him up on it immediately and on the record added, “I’ll make it happen.” He offered Tierney genuine encouragement for his new platform beyond the First Take promise and said, “You’re going to blow up. Don’t even worry about it.”
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Radio overall continues to have mixed messaging, and it’s not helping. We hear that the industry is healthy, followed by layoffs. We see research projects from every company (Audacyincluded) that show the power of radio, then more layoffs. Earnings calls spin in a cycle, always attempting to showcase the positives, no matter the negatives. Radio has been, and continues to be, terrible with messaging.
Not just to the audience and clients, but more importantly, internally to the people who drive the industry—talent, producers, imaging, and digital teams.
For the second time in just over a year, Audacy has held another round of layoffs, lumped in with a leadership change. The regional presidents roster increases while the market manager role disappears. Some become SVPs of Sales or Programming or remain on temporarily as “advisors.” Yet, what is the message? For those on the front lines of content and business, the messaging is mixed once again.
It’s been an interesting 15 months for Audacy CEO Kelli Turner. She became interim President and CEO in January 2025, and officially stepped into the role just two months later. The year brought both positives and negatives. Anyone who works in radio knows nothing is all roses and butterflies all the time.
Since she took over, the company has formed partnerships with iHeartMedia and Townsquare Media, moved The Score in Chicago and WGR in Buffalo to full FM signals, and launched the Audacy Creator Lab. She has also led the company with a fresh perspective and energy. I’m looking forward to her appearance coming up later this year at the annual Barrett Media Summit. (Purchase tickets here)
In February, Turner was a guest with Gordon Borrell on the Local Marketing Trends Podcast. During the conversation, she admitted that Audacy could do a better job of telling its story.
“I think we have a great story. It’s just one that we don’t always do a great job of telling, or we don’t always have the ears of the people that should be listening,” said Turner. “The amount of data and research, the case studies, and the story are very compelling.”
I don’t doubt that Audacy has positive stories to tell, but the time to tell them is now—especially when making the toughest decisions that impact people’s livelihoods.
Jobs mean more today than they have at any point in the past thirty years. Rising everyday costs are forcing families to make tougher decisions than ever before. Meanwhile, jobs continue to vanish. Technology evolves. AI adoption and “work smarter, not harder” practices continue.
“These decisions are never easy or made lightly, and we are handling this process as respectfully and professionally as possible,” said Turner in a memo obtained by Barrett Media Wednesday. “There is a lot of change inside our company, in our industry, and in the world. And I know that can be unsettling. I am grateful for everyone’s continued dedication and focus. Together, we are accomplishing a lot, and I’m confident we have a clearer, more effective structure and path to continue to win. Thank you for all your amazing work.”
Change isn’t easy, and progress requires it. I’ve been on the front lines of progress and significant change. There’s a lot of pressure in both aspects. As a manager, you have to take the worst days of the year and use them to guide your team to continue the mission. It’s not easy for anyone in any line of work to accomplish.
However, Audacy is a company with a long history of layoffs—nearly annually—and leadership changes almost as frequently. As one of the top three radio broadcasters in the country, the level of turnover leaves those still inside the company on the ground floor more concerned than ever.
Yesterday, Turner announced ten regional vice presidents to join the five regional presidents already in place. That’s fifteen people contributing in overseeing more than 230 broadcast brands, with 90% coverage in the top 45 markets and over 165 million monthly listeners.
For the employees who remain, questions linger. The first, which many shared with me over the past few days, was simple: “Who’s my boss now?” The second centered on the company’s stability as it shifts from a market-by-market structure to a regional one. The third—and perhaps most telling—wasn’t a question at all, but a statement:
“I’m just waiting for my name to be called.”
Granted, feedback during layoffs often skews negative. However, that statement provides no confidence in tomorrow from many who shared it (or something like it) with me. It suggests employees feel resigned to the fate that their time may be limited. Some may read that and laugh, wondering what took me so long to recognize it.
However, that’s exactly where messaging matters most.
🎙️ A popular Houston morning show just vanished without warning.
“Frito & Katy” is off the air at 100.3 The Bull after only about 15 months, with reports tying the move to broader Audacy layoffs impacting radio stations nationwide
If the story is truly that strong, then it’s time to start telling it to the people who matter most—Audacy’s employees. Turner and her leadership team should find ways to reinforce that better days are ahead. Not through press releases or internal memos, but through real engagement. In the spirit of an election year, this should resemble a market-to-market campaign to share that story.
When new ownership takes over a baseball team, it markets itself directly to the fan base. First pitch is long gone. If Audacy is only in the bottom of the second inning, then show employees the path to the ninth.
Employees want confidence, not more roster cuts. Workers want stability, not constant reshuffling. If Audacy wants the best from its people, it must reinvest in them—not by adding headcount, but by giving time and attention. That’s the kind of messaging that builds belief and drives a better future.
Radio doesn’t have a product problem. It has a clarity problem.
Clarity isn’t built in boardrooms or buried in earnings calls. It’s built through conversations—honest, consistent, human ones.
If Audacy truly believes its story is as strong as it claims, now is the time to prove it—not externally, but internally. Culture doesn’t follow strategy. It follows trust. And trust is earned through communication that doesn’t leave people guessing where they stand or what comes next.
Right now, too many are guessing. Far too many feel the end may be near.
The industry has spent years talking about connection—how powerful, intimate, and unmatched it is. But that same connection must exist inside the building, not just over the airwaves. Otherwise, the message rings hollow.
There is still time to fix that, and I hope Audacy’s leadership takes the opportunity to do so. There is still time to align the message with the mission. But it won’t happen through another memo or restructuring chart. It will happen when leadership shows up, listens, and communicates with the same authenticity the medium prides itself on every day.
Because in the end, the strongest signal any company can send isn’t on FM or digital. It’s the one its own people believe.
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.
When Molly Qerim announced she would step away from ESPN and her role on First Take, shockwaves reverberated throughout sports media. After 20 years with the network, and as a highly regarded presence on the flagship morning debate program, her departure created an opportunity. One that found Shae Cornette.
“It’s been a transition for me, but one that I was ready for,” said Cornette. “I feel like I’m starting to find my groove on First Take. So far, it’s been great.”
Cornette served as a longstanding anchor on SportsCenter and became a mainstay across ESPN studio programming after joining the network in 2020. She also filled in for Qerim many times before her departure, leaving strong impressions on ESPN executives as they weighed who would take over the role.
It has been six months since Qerim’s departure and four months since Cornette was named the new host of First Take. Her experience in both television and radio provided a wide-ranging skill set, allowing her to adapt to the show’s fast-paced environment. She moves fluidly between topics while setting up high-profile commentators—beginning with Stephen A. Smith—to elevate the conversation.
“On SportsCenter or other shows, we get to breaks quicker. On First Take, this is longer form similar to sports radio. There’s more room to breathe and debate,” explained Cornette. “I have this internal clock in my head. But this show eliminates that to a degree. That’s something I’ve had to get used to understanding there’s room to breathe with two hours.”
As Cornette continues to adapt to her new role, she admits she is still navigating some nerves. Her debut as the full-time host came in front of a raucous live audience in Dallas, ahead of the Cowboys’ Monday Night Football matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.
“It’s a high-profile show, but something that was new to me with ESPN was live shows with live audiences. I never did that on SportsCenter,” said Cornette. “That has been the best kind of challenge for me in terms of nerves. When you have a live show in front of a live audience, you don’t stick to a script and feed off their energy.”
After years of working in various roles at ESPN, the structured schedule that First Take provides has also required adjustment. With the new opportunity, she said her goal is to build on what was already established while adding her own imprint to the role.
“There were quite a few times during the interim process [following Qerim’s departure] where they would ask me to host and analyze… I always welcomed doing that, especially coming from a radio background,” explained Cornette. “Now, as a full-time host, I’m not an analyst. That’s why we have guests on the show. But I’m the host and still want to interject some of my own points. So, I’m trying to find that happy medium now.”
Cornette said the opportunity to become the full-time host of First Take was never something she expected. She credited Qerim’s tenure—one she never envisioned ending when it did.
However, when the position opened, her interest immediately peaked as she considered pursuing the role.
“I enjoy hosting. That has become my niche, and I love it. I enjoy it and can show my knowledge and personality,” said Cornette. “Hosting a premiere show on ESPN of course was a goal of mine. But did I think that First Take would come available, and I’d be first in line? I didn’t know anything. It just sort of worked out that way.”
Working With Stephen A. Smith
Each morning, Cornette shares the stage with Smith, who has been part of the debate program since 2012. One of sports media’s most dynamic—and controversial—figures, his voice carries across the industry. His presence has helped First Take remain the top-rated morning sports program for 14 years and counting.
Smith also balances a daily SiriusXM show, a weekly political program, and regular contributions to his Straight Shooter Media platforms.
“I have never worked with someone who has a busier schedule in my life,” said Cornette about her working relationship with Smith. “I don’t know how he does it. I’m tired after a debate show that runs two hours with some social media obligations that follow… He goes all day. His work ethic is unmatched. He’ll travel time zones and you’ll never know it.”
Cornette said she tries to match Smith’s energy every day. The work begins with a morning meeting two hours before each show, where the cast and crew map out the program. She noted that Smith is deeply involved in shaping the subject matter and guiding how the show flows.
“We work together in terms of questioning. For instance, the way we can truly embrace debate. What line of questioning will really pull that out,” said Cornette. “There are times where I disagree with a take that I know our analysts are going to say, I’ll call our producer. I don’t want to always tell him everything, because then I can push back on him a little. Then I’ll say on the call that I’ll push back on that to get more [out of the debate]. We work on that the most during our morning meeting.”
When asked what people may misunderstand about Smith, Cornette reinforced the level of attention and effort he puts into his work.
“He takes his work seriously, and he cares. He cares about every segment of First Take. The subject manner and the people on that show. He takes every part of his work seriously,” explained Cornette. “I know some of it is performative, and he’s mastered that. But there’s a lot more to him than just that.”
With a background in sports radio, Cornette approaches the show as a student of “playing the hits”—crafting content that aligns with what the majority of the audience wants to hear. That same philosophy carries over to First Take, where discussions center on timely and widely relevant topics.
We have two amazing young HC’s in the Super Bowl that both seem set up for long term success… so let’s instead talk about the only NFC team that hasn’t been the conference championship game in 30 years https://t.co/5do5vhmpT2
Although some in sports media have publicly criticized the show’s topic selection, Cornette believes the approach reflects any mainstream debate program.
“First Take is also very reactionary. ESPN is a 24-hour sports channel. We’re on all the time, so you must be reactionary to what happens the night before,” explained Cornette. “Are we just one day going to talk about the Dallas Cowboys? No. There’s going to be a jumping off point. If Dak Prescott talks yesterday, a new contract, or Jerry Jones spoke on a radio show. Then it becomes timely. But if we’re going to pick Cowboys and people talking about the Cowboys or the Lions, we’re going to lean where we’re most passionate. Especially at ESPN, being reactionary must be at the front of the list.”
Work/Life Balance
As Cornette continues to navigate the layers of her role, she does so with the full support of her husband, Jordan Cornette. Both have spent their careers in sports media, even co-hosting a program on ESPN Radio together.
When Cornette received the news that she had been selected for the role, he celebrated the accomplishment, regardless of the challenges ahead.
“This is a challenge to do this job while he’s on the road for many days. However, we knew when we got married that we’d have these seasons of life that we would have to navigate together. He’s been supportive of me, and I’ve been supportive of him. We make it work,” explained Cornette. “It comes with challenges, but having two people with odd schedules in television is a challenge in itself. Honestly, he’s really helped me navigate those challenges.”
After several months in her new role, Cornette continues to find balance—between host and participant, structure and spontaneity, preparation and instinct. In many ways, that’s the point.
First Take has never been built on comfort. It thrives on energy, tension, and the ability to evolve in real time. Now, so does its new host.
For all the pressure that comes with stepping into a role once held by a steady presence like Qerim, Cornette is not trying to replicate what came before. Instead, she leans into what got her here—her versatility, her radio-honed pacing, and her willingness to engage rather than simply guide.
In a format driven by voices as strong as Smith’s, that balance is everything.
And while the show remains familiar to its audience, the voice steering it forward is still taking shape in real time. That’s not a weakness. It’s evolution.
Because for Shae Cornette, this isn’t about replacing a fixture—it’s about growing into one.
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You would think that we would have to wait at least until the NFL Draft next month to talk about CBS’s Nate Burleson. However, there are no limitations or constraints on this news and sports personality.
Burleson is a television sensation. He is the media version of Sir Thomas More, and like the name of the play in which More was the lead character, Burleson truly is a ‘Man for All Seasons.’ The comparisons with this historic figure do not end there. More was a man of integrity, unwilling to compromise or fit into a societal mode.
Burleson has followed that same path.
In 2021, the former Vikings, Seahawks, and Lions wide receiver joined the CBS Mornings news program. There have been many regional and local sportscasters who have made the move to news, but let’s face it. Burleson was not only making the move from sports to news. He was also making the move from being an ex-player to sports to news.
Despite that leap, the chameleon that is Nate Burleson seamlessly transitioned into the role of journalist, filing reports on mental health as well as other hard news topics. The ability to get beyond the screen and truly speak to viewers goes a long way in television.
Nate Burleson has this ability, bringing integrity and heart to every story.
Former New York Giants standouts Tiki Barber and Michael Strahan made the move from player to sportscasting to news with quite different results. Barber’s run on NBC’s Today was relatively brief, while Strahan has become this generation’s Dick Clark, thriving in numerous roles across multiple networks.
The difference is that both Barber and Strahan were top-flight NFL players. Moreover, Strahan is a Hall of Famer who won a ring in Super Bowl XLII as the Giants downed the then-undefeated Patriots in that memorable game. In addition, both Barber and Strahan played in New York, the world’s media capital. They lived in the Big Apple limelight, making it easier to transition from sports to sportscasting to news to entertainment.
Burleson had none of these advantages. He played in smaller NFL media markets like Minneapolis, Seattle, and Detroit, and never won a Super Bowl in his 11-year career. Burleson had some nice moments as a receiver and returner, but you would not have put him at the top of your list as a player destined for TV stardom.
Still, on the air, he is confident, prepared, and always ready to offer unique insight into any discussion—a dude who is equal parts flash and facts.
Burleson is obviously serious about his work, but he does not take himself too seriously. This has been evident in many of his assignments, including serving as the host of Nickelodeon’s NFL Slime Time, a program directed at a younger audience with a fun, kid-friendly style.
In fact, most networks and shows are now trying to appeal to a younger audience. The men ages 25 to 54 target days are done. It’s more like diapers to diploma now. Burleson is tailor-made for this trend, and not just because of his impeccably tailored suits. He looks cool, acts cool, and communicates cool. He can take a punch as well as throw one and does not mind being the butt of a joke if it’s good for the show.
An Emmy Award-winning studio analyst for CBS’s The NFL Today pregame, halftime, and postgame shows, Burleson has added a chic yet edgy players’ mentality since joining CBS Sports in 2017. He is not your typical player-turned-broadcaster. Armed with a degree in communications from the University of Nevada, he has been training for this position for a long time, and it shows.
Despite his growing stardom, Burleson strikes me as a guy who does not forget from whence he came. He made his TV bones as part of a terrific cast on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football (GMFB). Although he left that show for a higher-profile and higher-paying gig, Burleson still makes periodic guest appearances on GMFB.
His love of NFL Network is apparent, as is his legacy. On NFL GameDay Highlights and NFL GameDay Final, host Chris Rose often uses Burleson’s signature line “toe drag swag” when a receiver makes a great sideline catch. Rose always credits and pays homage to Burleson as well.
It is always a treat to see Burleson back with his GMFB mates because, when he was there, the chemistry on that program was unmatched.
In addition to sports and news, Burleson has also ventured into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment field. He was a correspondent for Extra, interviewing the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Chris Rock, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Lady Gaga, among others.
Currently, he is the host of the latest incarnation of the classic game show Hollywood Squares, following in the footsteps of TV icons Peter Marshall, John Davidson, and Tom Bergeron. On the show, he smoothly banters with the Hollywood likes of Drew Barrymore, Anthony Anderson, Tiffany Haddish, and others.
According to his CBS bio, Burleson also creates art, poetry, and music, is in the restaurant business, and has his own clothing line. While Burleson was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, he is the definitive American success story.
He grew up in Seattle and was drafted in the third round by the Vikings. He worked himself into a reliable possession receiver whose lightning-fast speed also made him a dangerous kick returner around whom special teams coaches had to game plan. Today, this versatility continues.
This past weekend, Burleson served as host of Road to the Final Four, CBS’s preeminent March Madness pregame show. There, he sat alongside veteran college basketball experts like Clark Kellogg, Bruce Pearl, Kenny “The Jet” Smith, and Charles Barkley.
Burleson did not just hold his own, he held court. He was an ideal host for this show—asking questions, moving topics along, coming in and out of video and breaks, and letting the quartet of basketball heavyweights do the heavy lifting.
In short, Burleson did what he has done at almost every turn in his broadcasting career: he flourished. There is no doubt that Burleson is on a very unique roll. Good for him, he has earned it.
As an NFL player, Burleson was unafraid to catch passes over the middle and return punts through a rash of rabid would-be tacklers. He still has that mindset, boldly breaking molds and smashing typecasts. There is no ceiling in sight for this guy. He is constantly creating his own launching pads and soaring into new stratospheres.
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Morgan Brennan has a new alarm time: 1:30 AM. The CNBC anchor is the driving force behind the network’s revived Morning Call, a rebuilt 5 AM ET program she describes as destination television for a growing community of early risers.
“It’s a new show, it’s a new name, it’s a new vision, it’s new graphics, it’s a new studio. And it’s a new panel lineup,” Brennan said. “It’s a new lens, a new way of approaching the news — in terms of how we’re covering the headlines, how we’re analyzing them, how we’re offering insight, and how we’re offering nuance and context to the conversation, which sometimes I think is missed.”
Building a show from scratch isn’t simple. It takes, as Morgan Brennan puts it, “a lot of coffee, a lot of teamwork, some experimentation, and trial by fire.”
But she’s drawing on more than a decade of experience to make it work.
“I’ve worked at CNBC for 12 years now,” she shared. “I started as a general assignment reporter and somebody who spent a lot of time doing field reporting, which is still something that I love to do. Before that I was in magazines — I worked for Forbes. So I’ve learned the ropes in terms of what it is to report out a story, tell a story, but also to actually show a story.”
That background shapes the show’s core mission. Brennan and her team want Morning Call to feel different from the business news programs that came before it.
“How do we make business news on television captivating and smart and fun and welcoming?” Brennan said. “Especially at this time of the day, where you have a blue chip audience — decision makers and go-getters and power players and CEOs and policymakers — tuning in and getting an early start on the day.”
The 5 AM ET hour might seem like an afterthought to some. Morgan Brennan doesn’t see it that way. She argues it’s one of the most consequential slots in all of business news — and she’s got a compelling case.
“We’re prime time in Asia. We’re late morning in Europe,” said Brennan. “What’s special about this hour is that you’re bridging international markets coverage with US coverage. You’re bridging geopolitics with domestic policy, and you’re getting to take a holistic approach to all of that — set the tone around it, contextualize it, and offer insights to the headlines of the weekend and of the morning.”
That bridging role comes with real pressure. Markets move fast, and the 5 AM window is often where the day’s narrative first takes shape. Brennan has seen it happen repeatedly during the show’s soft launch period.
“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve started the hour and stock futures have been trading one way, and 30 minutes later it’s a completely different story because something has moved the markets,” the Morning Call host said. “Next thing you know, stock futures have turned negative, treasury yields have started moving higher, and the narrative has changed course. So how do we change course with that? How do we bring those insights to our viewers in real time?”
It’s a challenge she welcomes. Staying current, though, demands relentless effort. Brennan describes the pace of the news cycle using a vivid analogy.
“It reminds me of Red Queen syndrome, where you’re running to stay in place,” said Brennan. “The news flow is so big, so never-ending, so fast-moving. You can have multiple news cycles in a day.” She added that managing it all requires “a lot of reading, a lot of talking to people both on camera and off camera, a lot of digging through data — and constantly staying on top of and monitoring information as it’s coming across my desk in all of its forms.”
The schedule is demanding, too. Still, Brennan’s embraced it.
“My 25-year-old self was probably going to bed at the time I’m waking up now,” the CNBC host shared. “I like hitting the ground running — and I think our viewers like hitting the ground running too, which is why they’re tuning in at this time of day. I think there’s a very big and growing community — the ecosystem, if you will, of early risers — and we’re looking to tap into that ecosystem and build it out.”
On Morning Call, one element Morgan Brennan is especially excited about is a rotating panel of regular contributors she’s assembling to analyze headlines each morning.
“We’re building out a panel of trusted experts who’ll be regular contributors to the show,” said Brennan. “That’s really special to CNBC, and I think it’s special to this show.”
Ultimately, she sees the program as more than just a timeslot. It’s a launchpad.
“Would you rather set the agenda or react to it?” Brennan said. “We’re building an early riser community here. It starts with the show — but that’s where it starts. That’s the launchpad for a bigger ecosystem that we intend to leverage and support.”
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The world of media is built on moments. Sometimes those moments fall into your lap. Other times, you have to go out and create them. Either way, broadcasters who recognize a big moment — and maximize it — separate themselves from the competition.
The recent news that Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy landed the first interview with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu got me thinking. What should stations and networks actually do when they secure a major interview?
The answer seems obvious. But based on what I’ve seen throughout the industry, it’s worth spelling out.
Promote the Hell Out Of It
You’ve got the goods. Now tell everybody.
Securing a major interview is only half the battle. The moment you lock it in, your promotional machine needs to kick into overdrive.
Every platform you own — radio, television, social media, email newsletters, your website — should be screaming about it. Let your audience know who you’ve got, when it airs, and how they can watch or listen.
Don’t assume your audience will stumble across it. They won’t. You have to bring it to them. Push notifications. Social posts. On-air teases. Cross-promote it across every show on your station leading up to airtime.
If you’ve got a morning show, they should be talking about your afternoon interview. If you’ve got an afternoon drive host, they should be pointing listeners toward the evening broadcast.
Promotion isn’t a one-time announcement. It’s a sustained drumbeat. You’ve earned the right to make noise — so make it.
Tease the Hell Out Of It
Clips are currency. Spend them wisely.
Before your interview ever airs, you should already be releasing pieces of it. Pull a compelling 60-second clip and push it to social media. Find the sharpest exchange, one of the most newsworthy soundbites, or the most surprising moment — and let people see it early. Give your audience a reason — outside of sheer name recognition — to tune in.
Smart broadcasters don’t just promote an interview in the abstract. They show people what’s coming. There’s a big difference between saying, “We’ve got an exclusive interview airing tonight,” and actually showing 45 seconds of a leader making news. One is a promise. The other is proof.
Use a snippet in a morning show tease. Drop a clip on Instagram. Post a short preview on YouTube. Each piece of content you release before airtime is another hook.
Not everyone will see every post — so don’t be afraid to tease it more than once. The goal is to create anticipation.
Make your audience feel like they can’t afford to miss it.
Portion the Hell Out Of It
The interview airing isn’t the finish line. It’s the starting gun, really.
After it airs, your job isn’t done — it’s just entering a new phase. Have clips ready to go for the shows that follow. If the interview didn’t air during drivetime or primetime, that’s especially critical. Most of your audience may have missed it live. They need another entry point.
Turn your station into an echo chamber. Have hosts react to the biggest moments. Dissect the conversation. Replay the most newsworthy exchange in your next newscast. Post the full conversation on your website and YouTube channel. Break it into shareable segments for social media.
Every show that follows the interview is an opportunity to extend its shelf life. Don’t waste those hours. Use them to drive continued engagement and remind your audience why your station is the place where news gets made.
These steps might sound obvious. But they’re not always followed. Too many stations land a solid interview and then treat it like any other piece of content.
That’s a mistake.
Wasted promotional opportunities aren’t easily replicated. When the moment presents itself, you have to be ready to squeeze every last drop out of it. Capitalize — or watch someone else do it instead.
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FCC Chair Brendan Carr is facing Bipartisan pressure over the agency’s approval of Nexstar’s $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna. Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-WA) sent Carr a strongly worded letter on March 30th. They want answers — and fast.
The senators are questioning why the FCC‘s Media Bureau, rather than the full commission, signed off on the deal. The merger would create the largest local broadcast television group in U.S. history, combining 259 full-power television stations across 44 states and reaching nearly 80% of American TV households.
Cruz and Cantwell argue that a transaction this massive demanded a full commission vote. Approving it at the bureau level, they warn, risks making any future commission review “largely procedural.” That’s not oversight — that’s rubber-stamping.
The deal’s most controversial element is an expansive waiver of the 39% national audience reach cap, a limit Congress set to curb broadcast consolidation. The FCC also granted exemptions from local ownership rules, allowing Nexstar to hold three major full-power stations in certain markets. Critics say both moves stretch regulatory authority well beyond precedent.
The legal challenges are already piling up. DirecTV secured a temporary restraining order in federal court last week, arguing the merger distorts retransmission consent negotiations. Eight states, led by California, are pursuing antitrust and consumer protection reviews. Newsmax filed a separate federal court action alongside six cable industry associations, contending the approval violates the national ownership cap.
Conservative organizations — including CPAC, the National Religious Broadcasters, and the Zionist Organization of America — have filed amicus briefs supporting Newsmax’s suit. Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy didn’t mince words, calling the approval “perhaps one of the biggest TV merger approvals ever contemplated.”
Cruz and Cantwell also flagged a serious procedural problem. Because the bureau — not the full commission — issued the decision, challengers must petition the commission before heading to court. That delay could allow integration to advance so far that unwinding the deal becomes impossible.
The senators are demanding a response from Carr by April 13th. The clock is ticking, and the broadcast industry is watching closely.
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K104 in the Hudson Valley knows how to make noise. The radio station grabbed attention Tuesday with a clever April Fool’s Day stunt — and the audience responded.
K104 launched a satirical blog styled as a breaking national story. It introduced the fictional “Freedom Flag Project.” The feature presented four bold flag redesign concepts ahead of America’s 250th anniversary. Each concept pushed tradition to its limits
The ideas ranged from expanded star arrangements to continent-wide symbolism. Listeners were invited to vote on their favorite design and jump into the social conversation, which they did.
Hudson Valley listeners quickly took sides, debating designs, and sharing opinions. The stunt generated exactly the kind of organic engagement every local station chases.
“This was all about creating a moment,” the station said. “We wanted something that felt real, got people talking, and brought a little fun and creativity to an important milestone like America250.”
Pamal Broadcasting COO Chuck Benfer made clear this effort reflects something bigger than one stunt. “One of our missions is to bring radio back to the fun, irreverent and unpredictable days that made our industry great,” shared Benfer. “Live, local, relevant and relatable are how we will cut through the noise and capture attention. I am so happy that our team is embracing our movement to making local radio amazing again.”
Local radio faces pressure from streaming, podcasting, and digital platforms. The stations that win are the ones creating moments listeners can’t get anywhere else.
K104 did that Tuesday. A fictional flag, real conversation, and community engaged.
The America250 milestone arrives this July. Expect more stations to chase cultural tie-ins between now and then.
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Mike Wickett did not stay off the air for long. Just days after signing off from Lazer 103.3 in Des Moines, the former morning host has announced his next move. Wickett revealed on social media that he is joining Westwood One Sports as a weekend host, marking his return to broadcasting on a national stage.
“I’ve been waiting to let the cat out of the bag and now it’s time!” Wickett wrote. “Very proud to join the Westwood One Sports Network as a weekend host!”
The new role begins immediately. Wickett said he will be heard Saturday and Sunday nights from 6-10 p.m. CT on stations across the country.
The announcement follows Wickett’s departure from Lazer 103.3, where he spent the last five years as co-host of Heather & Wickett closing a run that helped him build a strong connection with listeners in Des Moines.
During his farewell post following news of departing Lazer 103.3, Wickett thanked the audience and reflected on his time in local radio.
“Local radio is truly special, especially in a city like Des Moines, Iowa,” he wrote, while also expressing appreciation for his co-host, Heather Lee.
Now, he turns the page to a broader platform. Westwood One Sports provides national audio coverage of major sporting events and reaches hundreds of affiliates. The network’s weekend programming often blends analysis, opinion and guest interviews, which should align with Wickett’s strengths.
“I can’t tell you how excited I am to be back doing my favorite thing: talking sports! I’m very excited for the NOW and I can’t wait for the future,” wrote Wickett. “Special thanks to Ryan Maguire & the entire Westwood One team for making this happen!”
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