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Which Network Has the Best NFL Pregame Show?

Andy Masur
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Which Network Has the Best NFL Pregame Show?

It’s far too early to start handing out awards in the NFL, with a few weeks left in the season. But it’s never too early to rank the various NFL pregame shows on the main and cable networks.

Talented people coming together to get the viewer ready for that week’s slate of games. Human interest stories, fantasy football news, and reports from the “insiders” make for standard Thursday/Sunday/Monday viewing.

Who does it all best on Sunday specifically? Last Sunday, I was able to get a good look at the shows. I watched for chemistry on the panel, the personality of the group as a whole, and the value of the information the show provided to get me ready for the game.

The shows are listed in ranked order from the best to the sixth best.

#1 – FOX NFL Sunday

The current crew is led by Curt Menefee, who is the host and moderator. Terry Bradshaw, Jimmy Johnson, Howie Long, and Michael Strahan make up the main ensemble. Rob Gronkowski has made a few appearances this season. The FOX NFL Sunday insider is Jay Glazer.

This show is celebrating 30 years on the air this season and while there are only a few of the original members still on the show, it remains the cream of the crop. I just like the personality of the collective group. Johnson, Long, and Bradshaw have been there from the beginning and the seamless addition of Strahan makes it work even better. The show comes across as so natural. The conversations seem to flow like they are just football fans sitting around talking about the game they all love and either played or coached at the highest level.

Menefee is the perfect, “referee/moderator/traffic cop” for the show. He is really smooth making transitions from topic to topic and keeping things rolling. A ringmaster is needed from time to time when Bradshaw starts playing with his panel mates. He is the ultimate teammate, and isn’t afraid to make fun of himself or join in on a “bit”.

Glazer is a polarizing figure, coming off as “brash” at times, but there’s no arguing his sources and information. Usually, Glazer breaks his news on the show, as opposed to social media. Most of the time the info he provides is first seen on the show. It’s top-notch.

Each panelist is strong in opinion without shouting it and getting into heated arguments about the point. As I mentioned these are all guys that have major personalities, but they seem to understand the dynamic. They look at their show as something greater than the sum of their parts. It really works and is the gold standard amongst the national studio shows. 

FOX NFL Sunday is a clear choice for the top spot.

#2 The NFL Today (CBS)

Today’s cast includes James Brown, Nate Burleson, Bill Cowher, Boomer Esiason, and Phil Simms. JJ Watt will make a few appearances this season. The “insider” is Jonathan Jones.

Back in the day, this was my go-to show. My brother and I would mimic the music all the time. We couldn’t wait for a “You are looking live” from Brent Musburger. But the show has changed since its time in the mid-1970s.

The NFL Today returned to CBS after the network acquired the broadcast rights to AFC games in 1998. The current format of this pregame show began in 1975 with Musburger hosting, with Phyllis George, and Irv Cross. Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder joined in 1976. The NFL Today was, for 18 years, the highest-rated program in its time slot.

The latest iteration of The NFL Today is hosted by James Brown. He’s been in the lead chair since leaving Fox after the 2005 season. Brown has a smoothness about his delivery that really works. He never tries to be the center of attention, deferring to his esteemed colleagues on the set. Brown really sets the tone for the show, infusing a little humor into the situation when needed.

Esiason has been with the show since 2002 and is the longest-tenured current member of the panel. Esiason and Simms, the two former quarterbacks, like to get after each other once in a while, but sometimes it seems a bit forced. Esiason exudes personality, Simms does not.

Bill Cowher adds credibility having been a highly successful NFL coach with the Steelers. His opinions are usually strong and from time to time, that scowl he was famous for on the field, comes across on the set. Burleson has become somewhat of a rising star at CBS, bursting on the scene in 2017. In addition to his NFL Today duties, he co-hosts CBS Mornings and appears on Nickelodeon as well.

While this show is certainly a good watch, it doesn’t feel as “unrehearsed” to me as the show on FOX. Some of the commentary and subsequent arguments feel staged and not as organic as I’d like to see. The panel looks like they’re having fun, with Esiason usually driving the boat. Simms gives off a different type of vibe, almost like he’s still angry at not being in a booth calling games. I get it, I would be too, but you have to steer into the skid and join in on the fun or you stand out for the wrong reasons. Cowher is solid and gives great insight and I like Burleson too.

The NFL Today is a solid show, but solid only gets you second place in these rankings.

#3 – NFL GameDay Morning (NFL Network)

This show includes Rich Eisen as host, with panelists Steve Mariucci, Kurt Warner, and Michael Irvin. Ian Rapaport is the “insider” and we get info on analytics from Cynthia Frelund.

Eisen is such a great host. His demeanor is perfect for sports and this show as well. It’s a perfect blend of substance and sarcasm that keeps NFL GameDay Morning entertaining and informative.

Eisen works very well with his assembled cast on the set. Mariucci provides a nice blend of comedic timing with quality information and analysis. He’s always seemed at home in front of the camera and is an easy view. Warner also seems like a natural on the air. His story of course is a great one. He played at a very high level, and I like how he comes across as an everyday guy and isn’t pompous about analyzing today’s NFL. Irvin is good in doses for me. I find him yelling at me more than providing me with excellent information.

Rapaport is very good as an insider, but most of what he ‘breaks’ on the show has already been posted on social media. Still great information.

NFL GameDay Morning is a good show, I feel like sometimes it loses out because it’s on cable and isn’t a regular home for NFL games. You have to hunt for it, but the effort is worth it.

#4 – Sunday NFL Countdown (ESPN)

Now hosted by Sam Ponder, along with panelists Tedy Bruschi, Randy Moss, Rex Ryan, and newcomer Alex Smith. The “Insider” is Adam Schefter.

ESPN’s pregame show used to be appointment watching when a then-funny Chris Berman and Tom Jackson anchored the show. It once featured Mike Ditka and Ron Jaworski and was a very fun and insightful show. Sam Ponder does a nice job as the host of the latest iteration of the show. She runs the broadcast well, and tries to keep the panelists in check. Moss and Ryan provide the personality of the show, with each possessing larger-than-life personas. Bruschi provides good information, but kind of gets lost in the shuffle. Smith is learning the ropes as a first-year guy.

Schefter is one of the best “insiders” in the business, but as previously stated, most of what we see has already been reported, several times on social media.

This show has lost some of its previous luster but still has a good amount of value in the pregame show mix. It’s a tradition for some who remember the glory days and have become used to watching it every Sunday.

#5 – Football Night in America (NBC)

There have been a few changes over the last couple of years at FNIA since Mike Tirico took over as the main play-by-play guy of Sunday Night Football. Maria Taylor has stepped in as the host, with panelists, Tony Dungy, Jason Garrett, Rodney Harrison, Devin McCourty, and Chris Simms. Jac Collinsworth is a contributor. Mike Florio serves as the “insider” and Matthew Berry is the Fantasy Football guy.

Taylor is a very good host, she’s knowledgeable and asks insightful questions of her panelists. That’s where the show takes a turn for me. Dungy’s soft-spoken takes don’t really hit the mark much anymore. Garrett is still growing into his role and I’m still trying to decide whether or not I am a fan. He’s loud, but green in the game of broadcasting. The jury is still out.

I like Harrison for his edge and realism. McCourty has been a nice addition as well, adding another player perspective to things. Simms is all about the hot take and it gets annoying at times.

Collinsworth’s role is kind of weird to me. It seems like the network just put him in there, to, well, put him in there. Not much added by him. Florio provides good inside information and Berry might be the most important guy since basically the whole world plays Fantasy Football.

The NBC show seems the most sterile of the bunch and highly scripted. Many have said they do a good job of creating hype for the Sunday Night game, but I don’t see it. Just my humble opinion.

#6 – TNF Tonight (Amazon Prime Video)

The new kid on the block is Amazon Prime Video and its Thursday Night Football broadcasts. Charissa Thompson, who’s been in the news for all the wrong reasons lately, is the host. She’s joined by a veteran and some relative newcomers. Tony Gonzalez has the most experience of the bunch, which also includes, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Richard Sherman, and Andrew Whitworth.

Thompson has always been a more than capable host, despite her recent revelation that she made up sideline reports. She has a good sense of each of her co-host’s strengths and weaknesses and tries to put each in the best light.

Gonzalez has deep knowledge of the game and a good presence in front of the camera, but he’s a little on the bland side. Fitzpatrick and Sherman are the flamboyant ones. Fitz-magic is trying to find his niche in the broadcasting game. The beard and humor are working for him, but he still has to learn about timing.

Sherman isn’t afraid to voice an opinion which is great and offers some levity to the show as well. Whitworth’s grade is incomplete. He’s very new to the studio show world and is trying to find his way.

The group will eventually create chemistry, but it’s lacking a bit now.

Bob Iger: ESPN Could ‘Go It Alone’ and Not Take Financial Partners

BSM Staff
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As Disney continues to consider selling an ownership stake in ESPN, Disney CEO Bob Iger told employees he’s not ruling out the possibility of not bringing in new financial partners.

Front Office Sports reported Wednesday that Iger spoke at a Disney town hall on Tuesday and there’s no requirement in place that says Disney must seek out new investors to maintain ESPN’s financial future.

“We could go it alone,” he said. “We are fully prepared to do that. It would be a little more challenging if we did.”

Disney has already had some level of conversations with potential partners including pro sports leagues and big tech companies.

KNBR Cuts Staff, Including Hosts Paul McCaffrey and F.P. Santangelo

BSM Staff
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KNBR Cuts Staff, Including Hosts Paul McCaffrey and F.P. Santangelo

KNBR has undergone a series of cuts, which have eliminated the positions of a pair of on-air hosts.

Morning co-host Paul McCaffrey was one of the hosts affected by the reductions. He had hosted Murph and Mac alongside Brian Murphy since 2005. He joined the station after previously working at 1050 KTCT as a weekend host at classic rock station 107.7 The Bone. The morning show’s producer — Erik Engle — also confirmed on X that he was let go as part of the station’s cuts.

Additionally, former MLB outfielder F.P. Santangelo was let go. He was hosting KNBR Tonight in the 6-10 PM timeslot.

“I was informed today that due to budget cuts there will no longer be a 6-10pm show,” Santangelo wrote on X. “That said I’m super grateful for the time spent bonding with all the amazing Bay.”

According to SFGate.com, the live nighttime call-in show hosted by Santangelo had been heard on the station for more than 50 years. The station aired nationally syndicated programming from CBS Sports Radio on Wednesday night during the timeslot previously helmed by the MLB veteran.

In addition to the departures of McCaffrey and Santangelo, former programmer Lee Hammer also exited. Hammer had been with the station since 1998. He programmed 1050 KTCT from 1998 to 2016, and KNBR from 2005 to 2017. He also spent time programming talk stations 560 KSFO and 810 KGO.

Adam Copeland, who was tabbed as Program Director of KNBR earlier this month, revealed the cuts at the end of his program co-hosted by Tom Tolbert Wednesday afternoon.

“It’s been a really difficult day. I love this building, I love this station, I love working with you, Tom, and I’ve listened to you for years. I love a lot of people, and I love the guys we let go of today,” Copeland said, according to RadioInsight. “I’m looking forward to the future, but I really think we need to tip our cap and applaud the work that those guys have done.”

During the summer ratings period, KNBR finished with its best book of the year. However, the station remained behind competitor 95.7 The Game in every daypart except mornings, which will now undergo a change with the departure of McCaffrey. In the overall prime ratings in the men 25-54 demographic, KNBR finished 15th with a 2.6 share behind The Game’s 11th-place 3.2 share.

NASCAR to Announce $1.1B Rights Deal with FOX, NBC, Prime Video, TNT

BSM Staff
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NASCAR to Announce $1.1B Rights Deal with FOX, NBC, Prime Video, TNT

NASCAR is on the verge of announcing a new TV rights deal that will see the racing organization bring in $1.1 billion annually from five TV partners.

The $1.1 billion figure represents a nearly 40% increase in what the organization receives from its current deals.

Beginning in 2025 and running through the 2031 season, NASCAR will air its first 14 Cup Series events with FOX and FS1. The next five events will air on Amazon Prime Video, making the first time a NASCAR event will be shown exclusively on a streaming service.

Following Amazon’s portion of the schedule, another five events will be broadcast on both TNT and the B/R Sports tier of the Max streaming service. The final 14 races of the year will be broadcast with NBC, USA Network, and Peacock, according to reporting from Sports Business Journal’s Adam Stern.

Previously, FOX Sports aired 18 races, while NBC aired 20, which includes two exhibition events.

In addition to its new deals with Amazon Prime Video and TNT for the Cup Series, NASCAR also has a previously announced new broadcast agreement with The CW to air each race of the Xfinity Series.

The upcoming announcement, which is expected either Wednesday or Thursday, comes on the heels of NASCAR President Steve Phelps admitting new TV partners would be entering the fray in the next contract.

“We are going to have an additional partner and we may have two additional partners,” Phelps told NBC Sports. “That’s kind of where we’re trying to figure out in these last few weeks — what that’s going to look like, but we already know we’re going to have more partners.”

First Take Has Its Most-Watched Month Ever

BSM Staff
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First Take is in the midst of an all-time hot streak — and it just had its most-watched month ever.

According to a tweet posted by ESPN PR, First Take achieved its most-watched month ever in November 2023 with an average of 614,000 viewers. This marked the 16th consecutive month of growth for one of ESPN’s flagship programs.

Just last month, First Take hit its second-highest viewership numbers at an average of 544,000 viewers, and the entirety of 2023 has been marked by record highs for seemingly every month of the year.

The show has evolved from a debate show with two equal “combatants” into a show starring Stephen A. Smith that features a rotating group of analysts, including Shannon Sharpe, Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo, Marcus Spears and Pat McAfee, as they debate the day’s most pressing sports topics. Sharpe left Undisputed and joined First Take in August, while “Mad Dog” turned sporadic appearances on the program into a weekly gig starting in March 2022.

Smith and Russo worked together on the latter’s Mad Dog Radio radio station on SiriusXM from 2013-17 and remained close after Smith returned to ESPN.

Dan Patrick to Appear in December Episode of The Simpsons

BSM Staff
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Dan Patrick to Appear in December Episode of The Simpsons

For a sports radio host, Dan Patrick has quite an impressive list of IMDb credits. He will add a new one next month, when he appears on The Simpsons.

During The Dan Patrick Show Tuesday, the legendary sportscaster mentioned that several of the voices for the show are reaching senior citizen status, putting future seasons in question. Patrick joked that the show’s guest booker, Todd Fritz, could be a natural replacement for Julie Kavner as the voice of Marge Simpson.

After joking that Fritz would want to change the script too often, Patrick revealed he would appear in an upcoming episode, and changing the script wouldn’t be an easy proposition.

“I’m on an episode that — I think — comes out on Christmas Eve (of) The Simpsons” Patrick admitted. “I’ve had a couple of sessions, and I only had like four lines, five lines. They wanna hear what they wanna hear.”

Patrick continued by noting that when he worked at ESPN, former co-worker Kenny Mayne was notorious for wanting to change the scripts of commercials during the “This is SportsCenter” campaigns.

“Kenny would always go ‘Hey, how about this?’ or ‘What about this?’, and I’d say ‘Let’s just stick to the script. They really have a good track record here.'”

He added that the voiceover artists on the program have deserved the millions they’ve made during the show’s long-running tenure.

“They’re extremely talented. They do a variety of voices there…that show has been on for how many decades? (It’s) still funny (and) relevant,” Patrick said.

On his IMDb page, Dan Patrick has 36 acting credits to his name, with the majority coming from projects with Adam Sandler.

Matt Jones: ‘I’m Not Ashamed to Have Epilepsy’

BSM Staff
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Matt Jones: ‘I’m Not Ashamed to Have Epilepsy’

In a Netflix documentary series released in September, Kentucky Sports Radio host Matt Jones is seen having an epileptic seizure. He has shared why he allowed the video to be shown.

In an interview with Lexington TV station WKYT, Jones says he wants others with epilepsy to know they’re not alone.

“I think the world is a better place when people realize they are not the only ones feeling whatever it is they are feeling,” Jones said.

He shared that talking about the effects the condition has on him breaks down the stigma.

“You know I’m not ashamed to have epilepsy; it’s a medical condition, and there is nothing I can do about it. I take medication, and that helps, and I wanted to show people that you can have a condition like that and still succeed and still go through life, and you should not be ashamed of it,” he said.

The Kentucky Sports Radio host said his first seizure happened when he was 22, which is rare because most people with epilepsy suffer it at an earlier age. He said the seizure he suffered while filming the Netflix series Wrestlers — which features a behind-the-scenes look at Ohio Valley Wrestling and attempts to save the promotion in which Jones is a partner — was one of the worst he’s ever experienced.

Matt Jones told the TV station his only hesitation in showing the footage was he didn’t want his mother to see it.

“The director talked to me about airing it. He basically said are you okay with airing it? My initial inclination was no, not because of me, but because of my mother, and I didn’t want her to have to see it. She had never seen me have one,” Jones concluded.

November is Epilepsy Awareness Month. 1 in 26 people in the United States suffer from the condition.

Diamond Sports Group Files Motion for 120-Day Extension in Ch. 11 Bankruptcy

BSM Staff
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Diamond Sports Group Files Motion for 120-Day Extension in Ch. 11 Bankruptcy

Diamond Sports Group recently participated in a hearing regarding the status of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier in November upon reaching a cooperation agreement with its stakeholders. A term of this agreement, however, is that it does not become effective unless a management services agreement between Diamond and its parent company, Sinclair, Inc., is assumed or rejected by Nov. 30, 2023.

In late July, Diamond filed a lawsuit against Sinclair and alleged it received around $1.5 billion because of misconduct related to the “fraudulent transfer of assets, unlawful distributions and payments, breaches of contracts, unjust enrichment and breaches of fiduciary duties.” This remains a pending lawsuit and is resulting in an in-person mediation session that is currently slated to occur on Dec. 7, 2023. Should these issues be unable to reach a resolution, Diamond Sports Group debtors say they are prepared to continue litigating these proceedings to a conclusion. Sinclair counsel prognosticated that Diamond’s business will “go away” during the hearing with the bankruptcy court.

Debtors from Diamond Sports Group have requested a 120-day extension to file a Ch. 11 bankruptcy plan, the third such motion to grant an extension during the bankruptcy case. If approved, it would move the filing deadline through and including March 28, 2024, and solicit acceptances up to and including May 28, 2024. Within its rationale, the regional sports network operator claimed that more than 81% of first lien claim holders are in support of the cooperation agreement, along with “certain large holders of second lien claims.” The current filing exclusivity period runs through and includes Nov. 29, 2023, while the solicitation exclusivity period runs through and includes Jan. 29, 2023.

“It has taken months of painstaking negotiations to break the logjam in these cases and reach the settlements and resolutions embodied in the Cooperation Agreement and the NBA agreement,” Diamond Sports Group said in a court filing. “This is primarily because of headwinds that the Debtors’ linear television business has faced leading up to and during these chapter 11 cases. Moreover, the Debtors’ wide array of active stakeholders have held differing views regarding the Debtors’ go-forward business and resolution of these chapter 11 cases in the context of these systemic industry changes.”

The NBA approves this cooperation agreement as well, which was approved by the court on Nov. 15 and allowed Diamond to enter into agreements with the NBA and NHL to modify their media rights contracts. As it pertains to MLB, the debtors conveyed that they have communicated with the league about which teams Diamond intends to keep broadcasting. MLB previously declared that “time is up” for Diamond to determine its plan, leading it to file a motion to compel that is set for a hearing on Dec. 15, 2023.

Last season, Diamond Sports Group selectively rejected broadcast contracts of the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks, resulting in the league stepping in to broadcast and disseminate the games independently. Prior to the season’s start, the league created a local media department, headed by former regional sports network executive Billy Chambers, and also provided at least 80% of remuneration that teams would have received under their previous deals with Diamond. The league also recently hired Josh Clark in a newly-created role of senior vice president of content distribution, serving a pivotal role in distribution agreements for local media live game rights and other media interests.

The filing refers to the cooperation agreement as a “significant breakthrough,” but it does acknowledge that there are two key tasks within the case as a whole. Depending on the outcome of the Dec. 15 hearing on the motion to compel filed by MLB and another motion to compel filed by Sinclair, the effectiveness of the cooperation agreement is said to potentially be impacted.

This agreement was reached on condition of a beneficial resolution therein, along with reaching a deal with the NHL, which it is in the midst of finalizing the terms of with the league. Diamond Sports Group debtors are also continuing to work with multichannel virtual programming distributors (MVPD) to ensure games will continue to be accessible with the fans.

If the motions to compel from both entities are denied, along with the NHL agreement being approved and an amendment to a cash collateral order to include certain terms in the cooperation agreement, Diamond Sports Group debtors intend to file a Ch. 11 plan within 10 business days or within another timeframe to be agreed on. These obligations are imposed on the Debtors under the cooperation agreement, which entails that it must implement the intercreditor settlement within the Ch. 11 plan.

“Once that plan is filed, the Debtors expect to prosecute it on a reasonable timeline,” the motion reads, “with confirmation likely to be scheduled for early spring following approval of a disclosure statement and completion of plan solicitation.”

At the moment, the Debtors continue to work with a judicial mediator to attain concordance among creditor groups, the UCC and commercial counterparties on the best path forward. The intent to operate the Diamond Sports Group business through the 2024 MLB season is a path that it believes will maximize distributable value for creditors. Utilizing the cooperation agreement as a baseline, the parties within reached settlement on intercreditor issues that will diminish and/or eliminate costs associated with additional litigation.

“The Debtors’ entry into the Cooperation Agreement was a critical step in these chapter 11 cases that provides the Debtors, their creditors, and team, league, and distributor partners with clarity and visibility over the course of the 2023-24 Seasons,” Diamond Sports Group said, “and a pathway to confirming a chapter 11 plan while minimizing further administrative costs.”

Diamond Sports Group debtors have currently been granted a cumulative 140 days worth of extensions to file a Ch. 11 plan. Within its motion, the debtors express that they are not seeking an extension to pressure stakeholders, but rather to safeguard and build upon the progress made under exclusivity and protect optionality.

“The Debtors believe they have more than earned this extension through their hard work, diligence, and accomplishments to date,” Diamond Sports Group said in the filing. “Moreover, it is difficult even to conceive of any other party competently filing a plan of its own. But the mere possibility of other parties filing competing over the next few months would, at minimum, be a needless and costly distraction.”

Ben Wagner Out As Blue Jays Radio Voice After Sportsnet Contract Not Renewed

BSM Staff
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Ben Wagner Out As Blue Jays Radio Voice After Sportsnet Contract Not Renewed

Toronto Blue Jays radio play-by-play announcer Ben Wagner will not be on the team’s broadcasts next season, Sportsnet announced on Wednesday morning.

The company posted a statement on X that divulged that it decided not to renew his contract for the next season. The new radio broadcast booth for the team will be announced prior to the start of the 2024 Blue Jays season.

“Thank you, Ben, for sharing your voice and expertise with listeners across Canada,” the statement read. “We wish you the very best.”

Wagner had served as the radio voice of the team for the last six seasons and called road games remotely for the last several years following the COVID-19 pandemic. He was briefly taken off the radio broadcasts when Sportsnet decided to simulcast its television broadcast on radio; however, that move was expeditiously reversed.

During this past season, Wagner worked alongside color commentator Chris Leroux and had the opportunity to travel to call the team’s Wild Card Series against the Tampa Bay Rays, which ended in a 2-0 loss. The Blue Jays and Los Angeles Angels were the only two MLB teams not to send their broadcasters on the road during the 2023 MLB regular season.

Upon graduating from Indiana State University with a degree in radio and television, Ben Wagner worked as the director of media and public relations for the Lakewood BlueClaws, a Class-A Minor League Baseball team for which he also served as its play-by-play announcer.

Three years later, he called games for the Buffalo Bisons in Triple-A for the next 11 seasons before replacing Jerry Howarth as the radio play-by-play voice of the Blue Jays.

Jake Gutierrez Returning to 810 Border Patrol

BSM Staff
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Jake Gutierrez Returning to 810 Border Patrol

810 WHB announced that former host Jake Gutierrez is returning to the station’s morning show 810 Border Patrol.

Gutierrez was a member of the show — alongside current hosts Nate Bukaty and Steven St. John — before departing in February of last year.

He joined 810 WHB in October August 2002 as a producer, engineer, and host. He also worked at sister station 38 The Spot KCMI-TV as an Executive Producer, Director, and Technical Director.

Current Border Patrol producer Marco Marquez is departing the station after serving in the role since March 2022. Marquez’s final day will be Friday.

“Jake is back,” said St. John. “This isn’t a case where Jake came back and forced Marco out. We found out Marco wanted to move on to greener pastures, and then it just so happened that Jake had reached out and indicated…he wanted to come back. You may like it, you may love, and you may hate it, but the Border Patrol lives on.”

“I’m so happy,” Gutierrez said. “(Marco) was my intern, and now it’s like ‘What’s the sponsor element for this? And ‘How’s that streaming channel work?’…The young man is thoroughly impressive. The guy’s great, he will be missed, and I have to fill big shoes that filled mine.”

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