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George Soros-Led Fund to Become Largest Shareholder of Audacy

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A management fund led by George Soros is set to become the leading shareholder of Audacy when the radio giant exits its Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring.

According to a report from Bloomberg, Soros Fund Management has acquired roughly $400 million of Audacy’s debt. The company will convert the debt into Audacy stock once it emerges from its pre-packaged bankruptcy proceedings.

The radio company would be one of a number of media investments made by the fund. In 2022, the George Soros-led fund helped lead the purchase of 18 television stations for Latino Media Network from Univision.

The fund also had ownership in Vice Media among hundreds of other companies.

Despite the plan for Soros Fund Management to become the largest shareholder of Audacy, some creditors are ready to file objections to the company’s plan to exit its bankruptcy. Some of the company’s landlords of its office spaces are looking for their debts to be paid, rather than convert the debt to stock, according to a report from RadioInsight.

FS1, NFL Network Crews Safe After Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl Victory Parade Shooting

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Three people were detained by Kansas City Police after shots were fired at Union Station in Kansas City at the conclusion of the Super Bowl victory parade rally for the Kansas City Chiefs. One person died, and at least 21 people were injured with gunshot wounds, police said.

KKFI 90.1 FM confirmed Wednesday night that DJ Lisa Lopez, host of Taste of Tejano, died in the shooting.

In a statement shared on the radio station’s Facebook page KKFI said “It is with sincere sadness and an extremely heavy and broken heart that we let our community know that KKFI DJ Lisa Lopez, host of Taste of Tejano lost her life today in the shooting at the KC Chiefs’ rally. Our hearts and prayers are with her family. We encourage anyone who feels they saw something to reach out to law enforcement at 816-234-5111.”

Attendees were directed to exit the area as quickly as possible by local police, and both Children’s Mercy Kansas City and the University of Kansas Health System confirmed they were treating patients from the rally. An estimated 1 million people were on hand in downtown Kansas City to celebrate the Chiefs’ second consecutive Super Bowl championship.

“I’m angry at what happened today,” Graves said in a news conference. “The people who came to this celebration should expect a safe environment. We had over 800 law enforcement officers – Kansas City and other agencies – at the location to keep everyone safe. Because of bad actors, which were very few, this tragedy occurred, even in the presence of uniformed law enforcement officers who, again, ran towards them and took them into custody.”

“We are truly saddened by the senseless act of violence that occurred outside of Union Station at the conclusion of today’s parade and rally,” the Kansas City Chiefs said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and all of Kansas City. We are in close communication with the Mayors’ office as well as the Kansas City Police Department. At this time, we have confirmed that all of our players, coaches, staff and their families are safe and accounted for. We thank the local law enforcement officials and first responders who were on-scene to assist.”

NFL Network correspondent James Palmer was in Kansas City hosting the parade and directed by law enforcement to move away from Union Station. In a series of posts to X, Palmer documented the scene and divulged that they were told to move under the stage after the parade. He confirmed that his crew was safe and commended law enforcement through the process, which was subsequently covered by several major news networks.

FOX Sports 1 commentator Nick Wright was in Kansas City to host First Things First from the parade and posted on X that the network’s team is safe and accounted for. Moreover, he shared that he is heartbroken for everyone that this action occurred. FS1 presented commercials for nearly 10 minutes before immediately broadcasting live special reporting coverage pertaining to the scene.

Several Kansas City Chiefs players and media members reacted to the parade shooting on X where they expressed their heartbreak and despair towards the situation:

Motor Racing Network Preps for the Daytona 500

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Motor Racing Network Preps for the Daytona 500

Prior to Sunday’s Daytona 500, Motor Racing Network is broadcasting live today from the “World Center of Racing.” MRN.com will have live coverage of Daytona 500 Media Day with representatives from the network talking to each driver in the race.

More in-depth features are planned with 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Ryan Blaney, 2020 Champion Chase Elliot and fan favorite Bubba Wallace. In total, MRN will have eight hours of coverage today alone.

The 2024 Daytona 500 is coming up on Sunday February 18th, with Motor Racing Network coverage beginning at 1:30 PM ET, which will be carried on 350 radio stations across the United States.

Blaney is the current favorite in the race, according to FoxSports.com, at +900, Denny Hamlin is next at +1100 with Brad Keselowski, Chase Elliott and Chris Buescher all at +1200.

Clay Travis: Nobody Tries to Gaslight Audiences More Than Joe Scarborough

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Earlier this week, Joe Scarborough claimed he didn’t know what year his mom died in an effort to defend President Joe Biden against charges of memory loss. Clay Travis believes Scarborough is lying through his teeth.

During The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show Tuesday, Travis argued that Scarborough went to a level of lying most will stop short of reaching with eyes on defending the President.

“They have gone all out now on the idea that it’s all in your head that Biden has mental and physical cognition issues,” said Travis. “Nobody is going harder on this than paid propagandist Joe Scarborough on MSNBC…Joe Biden is evidently obsessed with watching Morning Joe. He will watch it every morning He starts off his day there and he talks frequently about the topics that they have on that show. So this is basically when Joe Scarborough is like getting pervy. He doesn’t have a gag reflex because he knows Biden is watching him.”

After playing clips of Scarborough arguing he doesn’t know what year his mother died, Clay Travis continued his criticism of the MSNBC host.

“There is a level that even people who are liars look at and say ‘Yeah, I don’t think I can go to that level.’ To use your own mother’s death — if he truly doesn’t know when his mom died, I mean, Joe Scarborough is not that old. What is he? Like 60? 55? Something like that? He is a lying propagandist,” he continued. “If he truly doesn’t know what year his mom died, I would submit to you that he’s not that good of a human being. Because it’s not that hard to remember when your mother died.”

“If you look at his personal history, I don’t think ethics are super high on the list for Joe Scarborough,” added co-host Buck Sexton.

Mariluz Cook Joins San Diego Padres TV Network as Sideline Reporter and Host

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Mariluz Cook Joins San Diego Padres TV Network as Sideline Reporter and Host

The San Diego Padres have a new TV personality joining their roster. Today, sideline reporter and host Mariluz Cook announced she will be joining the Padres’ TV Network in those two positions for the 2024 season.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you to God, my family, my Montag Group team, and to everyone who has supported my work,” Cook said via a post on her X account. “Endlessly grateful, extremely excited.”

Cook is a sports broadcaster who has done hosting duties for a variety of sports teams and leagues in the Utah area, including the 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend, the NBA’s Utah Jazz, and the ECHL’s Utah Grizzlies. She previously worked as a sports anchor and sideline reporter for KSL 5 TV as a sideline reporter and halftime show host. She also worked as a producer for Athletes Unlimited’s 2023 Basketball Season in Dallas, Texas. Outside of sports, she is also the reigning and defending Miss Utah USA.

Cook will join returning play-by-play man Don Orsillo, who will call games alongside former Padre Mark Grant. Former MLB pitcher Bob Scanlan returns to provide analysis and reports. The Padres season begins on Mar. 20 against the rival Dodgers in South Korea. They return home on Mar. 28 to face the San Francisco Giants.

Ryan Clark Posts Cryptic Message About ESPN Future and Media Free Agency

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Could Ryan Clark be on the way out of ESPN? A cryptic message on his X account reveals that his last extension left him wanting more and that he could leave the Worldwide Leader after almost a decade with the company.

“This started three years ago,” Clark says in the video. “[Clark’s deal with ESPN] wasn’t what [he] wanted. I realized I had to do more. Honestly, I felt played. I felt like I deserved something that they didn’t feel like I deserved. And I said, ‘In three years, I’ll be the best in the world doing this, that there will be no stone left unturned, I’ll leave no doubt that there was nobody in the world that was like me.’ I went on every show they put me on and made sure I crushed. So now here we are again, the season’s over, Inside the NFL is finished, and someone’s gotta pay the piper.”

Like any good aggressive safety, ESPN puts Clark everywhere on the field, from focused appearances on NFL Live and SportsCenter to starring in variety shows like First Take and Get Up. He even co-hosts an MMA show alongside former UFC champion Daniel Cormier called DC & RC. Clark’s breadth of knowledge across multiple sports is apparent and something that he could lean into in his next deal at ESPN or elsewhere.

Among the many other duties on Clark’s plate includes the lead host role on The CW’s Inside the NFL, where he drives the show. Clark said in an interview with Dan Patrick that he was excited to break free of the analyst role and “do something different” with his broadcast career. Clark also hosts The Pivot Podcast with former NFL players Fred Taylor and Channing Crowder.

Near the end of his social media video, Clark discusses his original mindset that he would, “work harder than anyone else,” but that eventually, you just can’t do it anymore, and it certainly sounds like one of Clark’s many projects could be on the chopping block.

“What I realized is, you only got so much to give, and all you can give is all the energy that God gives you,” Clark said. “And I did that, but I also learned that you run out. And at some point, you don’t have nothing left. I’d do whatever it took to get what I want, and that I’d work harder and longer now to work less and make more then. And I felt like I put myself in that spot. So, the hope is the next time you see me, wherever that may be, that all the decisions I made turned into me getting everything I want and working a little less. If that happens, you’ll still be seeing me, maybe not as much, but probably a little more rested and happier.”

In closing, Clark looks into the camera and reaffirms his longtime career goal.

“But one thing don’t change — I still want to be the best doing it. That’s always the goal. And it should be yours, too.”

SiriusXM to Cover NBA All-Star Week in Indianapolis

BSM Staff
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SiriusXM to Cover NBA All-Star Week in Indianapolis

SiriusXM will broadcast live coverage of NBA All-Star Week festivities from Indianapolis, Ind. starting on Thursday, Feb. 15 that will celebrate the game of basketball. The satellite radio provider’s NBA Radio channel will consist of live shows hosted by former players Eddie Johnson and Greg Anthony and former executives Amin Elhassan and Ryan McDonough. Additionally, SiriusXM hosts Frank Isola, Jason Jackson and Justin Termine will host programming for the outlet. These shows will contain analysis of the players and teams around the Association, along with one-on-one interviews with current and former NBA players attending the events.

The live shows will emanate from the media center in Indianapolis on Thursday from 2 to 8 p.m. EST and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST. On Saturday, programming will take place live from NBA All-Star Practice and Media Day, being broadcast from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. EST. Upon the conclusion of that programming, SiriusXM NBA Radio will present the live play-by-play of the NBA HBCU Classic, which will feature a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) game between Virginia Union and Winston-Salem State. Jason Jackson will deliver the play-by-play with Amin Elhassan as the color commentator.

On Sunday, SiriusXM NBA Radio will air a special broadcast at 1 and 4 p.m. EST featuring Eddie Johnson, Justin Termine and Greg Anthony, recorded the day prior at the NBA Crossover fan event. The endeavor will dive into the history of Indiana basketball and contain interviews with players who have left a legacy in the state. The three hosts will broadcast live earlier on Sunday from the NBA Legends Brunch and Awards Event as well – occurring from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST – where they will interview several NBA legends.

SiriusXM subscribers will also be able to listen to the ESPN Radio broadcasts of NBA All-Star Week events, including All-Star Saturday night. Some of the contests set to occur include the Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest, Stephen vs. Sabrina 3-Point Challenge and the Slam Dunk competition, with the lineup beginning at 7 p.m. EST.

ESPN Radio will also broadcast the Rising Stars game on Friday, Feb. 16 at 9 p.m. EST featuring some of the most dynamic, young superstars in the game today. The weekend culminates with the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday at 8 p.m. EST, which is returning to the Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference format after several years of implementing a draft. All of these broadcasts will contain Marc Kestecher, P.J. Carlesimo and Jorge Sedano as the announcers and will air on ESPN Radio channel No. 80 and SiriusXM NBA Radio channel No. 86.

Ben Shulman Named Toronto Blue Jays Radio Play-by-Play Announcer

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Ben Shulman Named Toronto Blue Jays Radio Play-by-Play Announcer

Ben Shulman has been named the new radio play-by-play announcer for the Toronto Blue Jays, Sportsnet recently announced in a press release. Shulman’s responsibilities will begin in spring training as the team looks to qualify for the postseason for the third consecutive season and win its first World Series championship since 1993. He will step into the role for Ben Wagner, who was relieved of his responsibilities upon the expiration of his contract with Sportsnet.

Shulman made his Blue Jays broadcasting debut in 2022 when he filled in for Ben Wagner on Sportsnet 590 The FAN. The Syracuse University graduate worked alongside analyst Ben Nicholson-Smith for a series against the Los Angeles Angels and expressed his gratitude for the chance in a message posted to X, formerly known as Twitter. Shulman will now slot into the role on a full-time basis for the 2024 season and will be paired with analyst Chris Leroux. The radio team is expected to call its road games remotely, according to a report by the Toronto Sun.

“I can’t thank the people at Sportsnet enough,” Shulman said in a statement on X. “While many imagined hitting that big homer as a kid, this was my biggest dream, partly due to my crippling athleticism. SN made my dream a reality, and I hope to bring some of that excited kid on the air. Hope to see you there!”

Shulman’s father, Dan, will be back as the lead television play-by-play voice for the team and is slated to work alongside analysts Buck Martinez and Joe Siddall. Dan Shulman has been in the television play-by-play role for Sportsnet since 2016 and previously called Blue Jays games on The Sports Network in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Additionally, he is the former play-by-play voice of various marquee baseball properties for ESPN, most recently Sunday Night Baseball from 2011 until 2017.

“It is very special for me to have Ben going into the same field I’m in,” Dan Shulman wrote in an email to Sportsnet. “I really enjoy following his progress, and it’s fun to talk about things we’ve both experienced. Hopefully, he doesn’t mind old Dad poking his nose in every now and again :)”

Outside of his fill-in work with the Blue Jays, Ben Shulman was part of the broadcast team for the Fort Wayne TinCaps in the High-A Midwest League and Raptors 905 of the NBA G-League. Previous stops in his career include stints with the Barrie Baycats and Chatham Anglers baseball teams outside of the Minor League Baseball jurisdiction. He has called NCAA basketball games over the years as well.

Tucker Carlson: I Have the Right to Despise Ben Shapiro

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Tucker Carlson: I Have the Right to Despise Ben Shapiro

Tucker Carlson has been at the center of the news media world after his highly-anticipated interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin was released. That doesn’t mean he’s immune to media feuds, and he’s turned his attention to Ben Shapiro.

While appearing on the Awakened Wonders podcast with comedian Russell Brand, Carlson argued that any warmongers, like — in his eyes –Ben Shapiro and Nikki Haley, deserve to be chided for their stances. He said he reserves the right to hate that ideology.

“I’ve got four draft-age children, so if you’re playing recklessly, fast, and loose with their lives, then I have a right to despise you, and I do.

“So if you’re Nikki Haley, who’s running for president, or Ben Shapiro or half the people I see on television casually mentioning the possibility of nuclear war or sending Americans to fight in the Middle East, or in any way involving us in a war that has nothing to do with prosperity and peace at home — nothing, in other words, to do with us Americans — then I have a right to call you out and be really offended because it’s my family,” said Carlson. “They live here. It’s not a joke to me; there’s nothing abstract about it.”

Tucker Carlson continued by noting that those on the political right calling for laws against hate speech are deeply misguided in his view.

“I’m absolutely shocked by it. I can’t even believe what I’m watching. And I can’t overstate my rage or my contempt for them, because these are the people- and by the way, if they’re not defending free speech in my country, no one is, and we’re done. And we’re going to have hate speech laws, which, again, are just laws criminalizing speech that the people in charge hate, that they’re threatened by. That’s it, that’s all they are.

“They’re not on behalf of some oppressed group. Many of those groups are not actually oppressed, but leave that aside. Maybe they are oppressed, but it’s not on their behalf that these laws will be passed. It’s on behalf of the people in charge. And that’s completely wrong,” argued Carlson. “You don’t live in a free society. You don’t live in a society of citizens and human beings, you live in a slave state when you have that. And the right, the people on the right who are calling for it should be deeply ashamed of themselves.”

It isn’t the first time Tucker Carlson has publicly clashed with Ben Shapiro. Late last year when The Daily Wire co-founder was in a public spat with Candace Owens, Carlson welcomed the commentator on his X program to share her side of the story.

Bill Simmons Slyly Reponds to Pat McAfee Following FanDuel Parlay Comments

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Bill Simmons Slyly Reponds to Pat McAfee Following FanDuel Parlay Comments

While Bill Simmons kept Pat McAfee out of his mouth, it doesn’t take much to realize The Ringer CEO punched back at the ESPN host following controversial comments made after Super Bowl weekend. During the Feb. 14 edition of The Bill Simmons Podcast, Simmons discusses sports ratings and takes a subtle dig at McAfee’s, though he only refers to him as “whoever replaced the 12 p.m. SportsCenter.”

“Everybody’s ratings are basically up except for the NBA and whoever replaced the 12 p.m. SportsCenter,” said Simmons via The r/BillSimmons Podcast on X. If your ratings don’t go up it’s probably a bad sign.” For the uninitiated, Pat McAfee and The Pat McAfee Show replaced the noon SportsCenter in September 2023.

Simmons may be responding to McAfee’s latest sports media swipe, which was directed at him. McAfee mocked support of the former ESPNer’s FanDuel parlay, which “only” received 8,000 followers. McAfee says his show’s parlay received about 250,000 followers. It’s now McAfee’s turn with an open microphone to either retort or let water flow under the bridge. However, based on McAfee’s “me vs. the world” mentality, we wouldn’t be surprised to see some return fire.

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