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David Haugh: Cubs Fans Gave Pat Hughes ‘Real Cool’ Sendoff to Hall of Fame

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Pat Hughes is on the way to Cooperstown, N.Y. to receive the Ford C. Frick Award and be enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Hughes has been the radio voice of the Cubs.

670 The Score serves as the flagship radio home of Chicago Cubs baseball, and its hosts have discussed the impact Hughes has had on baseball broadcasting. The station will be airing a documentary special this Friday night titled Pat’s Call to the Hall, which features interviews with Bob Uecker, Jon Miller and Bob Costas among others. Listeners can find the special on the air from 6 to 9 p.m. CST or on the Audacy app.

Last night, the Cubs routed the Washington Nationals by a final score of 17-3, an offensive explosion for a team trying to claw its way back into the playoff picture. Yet the most memorable moment of the night might have taken place between innings when the team spotlighted Hughes in his final home game before receiving the sport’s ultimate broadcasting honor.

“It was real cool last night to see the crowd at Wrigley Field acknowledge Pat in his last game before heading out to Cooperstown for the big weekend,” David Haugh said Wednesday morning on 670 The Score. “It will be memorable, it will be special and Pat will give a terrific speech, I’m sure, when he is as gracious as ever in accepting the award.”

When Hughes received the call informing him that he had won the award, he was somewhat incredulous but incredibly humbled. As he makes the trip to upstate New York to savor baseball glory, he will keep the Chicago Cubs and its fans affixed in the front of his mind. Baseball fans in the city of Chicago and 670 The Score will be watching as Hughes accepts the award and joins the esteemed list of Ford C. Frick Award winners.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s induction ceremony will be televised this Sunday, July 23 at 1:30 p.m. EST/10:30 a.m. PST exclusively on MLB Network. Other inductees within the Hall of Fame Class of 2023 include Fred McGriff and Scott Rolen, and there will be a litany of returning inductees on hand for the festivities.

Jim Rome Signs With Range Sports

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Jim Rome has a new agency that will be representing him in all aspects of his media career. The legendary sports talker is now part of the Range Sports roster.

Rome is seeking to expand his media footprint and intends to add more TV, radio and podcasting properties to his plate. He also has his eye on creating film projects according to Variety.

Will Funk runs Range Sports as a division of Range Media Partners. The sports brand’s goal is to leverage intellectual property owned by its clients into projects for Range Media Partners’ production unit.

Currently, Jim Rome hosts his daily radio show for CBS Sports Radio and his podcast The Reinvention Project. He has a long history in television as well and could use relationships with athletes, coaches, and other members of the media to create content for Range.

The new deal does not effect Rome’s other representation. He continues to work with attorney Dave Feldman at Brecheen Feldman Breimer Silver & Thompson and Kraig Kitchin will continue to serve as the Radio Hall of Famer’s business manager.

WWE’s Megan Morant Discusses Donating Kidney to Boss’s Wife

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WWE personality Megan Morant recently entered a new role with the promotion as the host of various digital and international shows. One day while working on Friday Night Smackdown, she remembers having a conversation with a co-worker who told her that his kidneys were functioning at a 5% capability. Morant felt compelled to help and after researching the process, decided to test to see if she was a match, but unfortunately was not.

A few weeks later in a group chat with former co-workers at the New England Patriots, the topic of kidney stones came up and Morant shared that she had recently been tested. In a somewhat sarcastic manner, she said that if anyone needed a kidney to let her know, which prompted her former boss saying that he would take the kidney. After finding out that he was serious and that it was for his wife, Morant decided to oblige.

Akin to the previous situation, Morant was not a match; however, a chain process gave her the ability to donate her kidney to an anonymous recipient and her former boss’ wife to receive the type she needed. Morant recently underwent the procedure at Massachusetts General Hospital and shared an update on her status. In Instagram posts, she divulged that everything was successful and that she was slowly walking laps around the hospital floor. After returning home from the hospital this week, Morant discovered that her kidney had made it to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) where the recipient was doing well.

In an interview with Steve Fall on Ten Count, Morant shared the story and discussed the process of the donation. The entire experience was transformative for her, and she ended up being discharged from the hospital after just one night.

“I feel really good,” Morant said. “I’m very lucky. When I found out about all this after I did reading about it, I found out I was really the perfect candidate to do this. I’m young; I’m healthy [and] in shape; I run marathons. I said, ‘Listen, I could do this and bounce back,’ and the two questions I had for the doctors were, ‘Can I have kids?’ and ‘Can I run marathons?,’ and the answers to both of those were, ‘Yes.’”

As for her former boss’ wife, she is eagerly awaiting the arrival of a matching kidney to undergo the transplant. The entire process would have been considerably more difficult had it not been for the courage of Morant, who expects to be back on WWE broadcasts next week.

“She doesn’t have it yet, but we’re hoping hopefully by the end of summer,” Morant said. “They say up to six months, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed that it will be sooner.”

Boomer & Gio: Quarterback is Giving Fans More Access Than Hard Knocks

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As the anticipation for the start of the 2023 National Football League regular season builds, viewers are being granted more all-access coverage than ever before. The new Netflix docuseries, Quarterback, has been a massive success for Omaha Productions and has already been renewed for a second season. The first iteration of the program featuring Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins and Marcus Mariota, showcases three professional football players at different stages in their careers. As a former NFL quarterback himself, WFAN morning co-host Boomer Esiason appreciates the perspectives consumers are gaining regarding the complexities and nuance of the position.

“Peyton Manning and his group have done a great job,” Esiason said Wednesday morning. “They’re getting these access points to these players, and if you don’t have Peyton behind it, I don’t necessarily know that you could pull something like this off.”

Conversely, the New York Jets are limiting what HBO Sports and NFL Films documentary series, Hard Knocks, will be able to capture while at training camp in Florham Park, N.J. Deviating from the tradition of the show, the Jets reportedly plan to restrict HBO cameras from filming players being cut. This aligns with the resistant attitude the team has demonstrated towards being selected for the series, with quarterback Aaron Rodgers affirming it was “forced down their throats“. Despite the widespread disappointment, Gregg Giannotti does not believe viewers will be missing all that much.

“Every one of those scenes is exactly the same because generally, it is not a player of significance,” Giannotti explained. “It’s someone that when they pare the roster down from 90 players to 70 players, and 70 to 53 and all that, these guys have an idea it’s coming.”

Even so, Esiason wonders why the team believes it is “demeaning” to the players and wishes that the team would solely focus on football. Giannotti concurred.

“Just go about your business and the cameras are going to be there,” Giannotti said. “There’s going to be some creative license from the Jets where they’re going to be able to say, ‘Don’t put this out there; don’t put that out there,’ and they’ll be able to do some of that. If Aaron Rodgers is focusing on trying to not give content to the HBO cameras, to me that’s a waste of time. Just do it; just go out there and be you.”

Martha Maurer Named Program Director of KTAR News

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KTAR News has announced Martha Maurer will serve as the station’s new program director.

Maurer has been with the station since 2012, ascending from the role of Editor to Assistant Program Director and News Director.

“It is an honor to continue supporting the mission of Bonneville Phoenix and the heritage brand that is KTAR News,” said Maurer. “I’m thrilled for this new opportunity to work with the best team in broadcasting and grow our news and talk content across multiple distribution channels.”

“There is no one more passionate about KTAR News and its talented content teams than Martha,” added Bonneville Phoenix Senior Vice President and Market Manager Ryan Hatch of Maurer. “We have watched her grow and achieve great success for 11 years and couldn’t be more excited for her to lead this legendary brand into the future.” 

Additionally, Bonneville Phoenix has announced Brian Long will serve as Director of Programming Operations. In his new role, Long will oversee KTAR News as well as Arizona Sports 98.7 and ESPN 620. Long comes to Bonneville Phoenix after serving as the Program Director of San Diego Sports 760 and Newsradio 600 KOGO for iHeartMedia in San Diego.

“Getting the chance to return to Bonneville after such a great run in San Diego and being part of the evolution for such iconic brands as Arizona Sports and KTAR News is humbling,” Long said in a press release. “I look forward to getting to work alongside some of the best talent in the country.” 

Bonneville Names Brian Long Director of Programming Operations, Promotes Martha Maurer to PD of KTAR-FM

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Bonneville Phoenix is making moves in order to strengthen its programming department. The company has lured Brian Long to Phoenix, and is promoting Martha Maurer from within to position Arizona Sports and KTAR-FM for future success.

Long joins the group from iHeart San Diego where he was previously programming San Diego Sports 760 and Newsradio 600 KOGO. His official title will be Director of Programming Operations. In his new role, Long will oversee Arizona Sports 98.7, ESPN 620 and KTAR News. He will also serve as program director of Arizona Sports 98.7 and ESPN 620.

“We are thrilled to welcome Brian back to the Bonneville family,” Ryan Hatch, Bonneville Phoenix’s SVP/Market Manager, said of Long. “He is a proven leader who will bring strategic thinking and an innovative spirit that will grow our market leading news and sports brands.” 

This is a reunion for Long and Bonneville. He was with the company’s Seattle station 710 ESPN from 2010 until 2014. Prior to that, he spent years working in Los Angeles at 710 ESPN.

“Getting the chance to return to Bonneville after such a great run in San Diego and being part of the evolution for such iconic brands as Arizona Sports and KTAR News is humbling,” Long said in a press release. “I look forward to getting to work alongside some of the best talent in the country.” 

Erin Maloney will remain the assistant program director of Arizona Sports 98.7.

For KTAR-FM, Martha Maurer will lead the charge as the station’s program director. Maurer has been with the station since 2012 holding various positions including Editor, Breaking News Editor, Assistant News Director, and most recently, Assistant Program Director and News Director.

“It is an honor to continue supporting the mission of Bonneville Phoenix and the heritage brand that is KTAR News,” said Maurer. “I’m thrilled for this new opportunity to work with the best team in broadcasting and grow our news and talk content across multiple distribution channels.” 

“There is no one more passionate about KTAR News and its talented content teams than Martha,” Hatch said of Maurer. “We have watched her grow and achieve great success for 11 years and couldn’t be more excited for her to lead this legendary brand into the future.” 

Geraldo Rivera Claims He Was ‘Muzzled’ By Fox News

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Since departing Fox News last month, Geraldo Rivera has become outspoken about his time with the cable news outlet.

Rivera has made several appearances on television shows, and joined CNN Tonight’s Alisyn Camerota to discuss his exit. The 80-year-old went on to allege that Fox News kept him from appearing on other programs when presented the opportunity.

“We were muzzled,” Rivera claimed. “Corporate discipline muzzles people. They denied me permission to go on many shows over the course of my long career there. They have a very rigid, very controlled kind of discipline.”

He went on to say Fox News is “a very rigid, very controlled atmosphere where everyone answers to management and management doesn’t allow freewheeling.”

Rivera added that the company was “embarrassed” by the settlement it made with Dominion Voting Systems and “had to apologize in a way that only corporations apologize: with money.”

The comments come after Rivera had previously exclaimed “I love Fox” on his final day with the network. However, during a recent interview on The View, Rivera maintained he departed due to a “very toxic relationship” with a The Five co-host, widely believed to be Greg Gutfeld.

105.7 The Fan Tops Baltimore Spring Ratings Book in All Dayparts

Sports radio is very healthy in Baltimore. That is clear from one look at the spring ratings book, which shows 105.7 The Fan on top of every daypart for men 25-54. 

In morning drive, The Big Bad Morning Show tops the market with a 7.6 share. Vinny & Haynie are on top in middays with a 12.1. Afternoons are no different. Inside Access pulled a 9.8.

With the strong performance across its primetime shows, it should come as no surprise that weekday prime (M-F 6A-7P) numbers were also kind to The Fan. The station was on top of that category too with a 9.3 share.

Plenty of sports topics have been on the minds of people in Baltimore. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens stretched their negotiations through the first month of the book and the Orioles are off to a strong start. While those factors surely helped The Fan, a look back to the winter book shows that the station has remained at the top of the target demo.

95.5 WSB Anchor/Reporter Sandra Parrish to Retire

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Longtime 95.5 WSB anchor/reporter Sandra Parrish has announced she will retire from the Atlanta news/talk station later this month.

Parrish joined the station in 1995.

“It’s been an incredible run at the best and most celebrated radio station in the country,” Parrish said in a post to Facebook announcing the move. “I’ve spent most of my 32 years in radio here. My co-workers have become my family members, and I will miss them greatly.”

She told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that she and her husband — former WSB-TV reporter Doug Rink — have been living in their North Georgia mountain cabin full-time since 2019. Parrish had been making the hour-and-a-half one-way trip to Atlanta to cover the Georgia statehouse but is now content to call it a career.

The retirement of Parrish is the latest in a string of those departing 95.5 WSB. Earlier this year both morning host Scott Slade and reporter Marcy Williams announced they would also retire from the Cox Media Group station after more than 30 years.

Parrish’s final day at 95.5 WSB will be Friday, July 28th.

Former ABC News Reporter to Plead Guilty to Sex Crimes

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According to The New York Post, James Gordon Meek, a former ABC News reporter, is set to enter a guilty plea later this week in a case where he is accused of engaging in the exchange of child pornography and sending disturbing messages.

According to court records, the 53-year-old Meek is scheduled to appear in a federal court in Virginia on Friday to modify his plea.

Had Meek been found guilty after trial, he would have been subject to a prison term ranging from a minimum of five years to a maximum of 20 years. However, he may face a considerably lighter sentence by accepting a plea agreement.

Federal agents raided his Arlington home and seized his electronics on April 27, 2022. The investigation kicked off when officials discovered child porn on Meek’s laptop. Authorities also discovered Meek’s intentions to abuse children sexually. 

Meek also allegedly talked about his fantasy of “abducting, drugging, and raping” a user posing as a 12-year-old girl.

According to federal authorities, Meek was found to have amassed a collection of child pornography images and videos on his other electronic devices and engaging in conversations with minors on various chat platforms.

Meek joined ABC News in 2013, following his tenure at The New York Daily News, where he gained recognition for breaking the news in 2006 that Al-Qaeda’s plot to bomb New York City’s tunnels had been thwarted.

In light of the raid on his residence, Meek promptly resigned from his position at the network.