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Ice Cube: I Thought Sports Media Would Love The Big 3 but We’re Ignored

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The Big 3 returns this weekend, and league co-founder Ice Cube is excited about the future. But the legendary rapper/actor/businessman knows it hasn’t come without challenges.

Appearing on The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz on Wednesday, Ice Cube said the COVID pandemic and navigating choppy financial waters in the first five years of The Big 3 made for some tough situations.

“We invented this like from scratch, but it’s so dope,” Ice said of what he and league co-founder Jeff Kwatinetz have put together. “It’s been one of the most fulfilling things I’ve done in my career, because it’s been so hard. But we’re getting over the hump which is great.”

The whole goal for Ice Cube wasn’t to create a rival league to the NBA akin to how LIV Golf launched to go to war with the PGA Tour. He said one of the biggest hurdles has been the fact that the league doesn’t get the media coverage he thinks it deserves.

“We knew this wasn’t gonna be an easy lift,” he said. “We thought we were gonna get a lot more love from the overall sports media community.”

“To really virtually ignore a league that’s this great, that’s this dope in the summer, when there’s nothing else as far as hoops…The Big 3 is where it’s at,” Ice Cube added.

The resistance from the NBA was really eye-opening for Ice Cube. He had hoped the league would’ve been more embracing, but that just hasn’t been the case.

“A lot of owners loved us. I just think it really comes down to Adam Silver,” Ice Cube said. “I just don’t think he really digs what we’re doing personally.”

Paul Allen: Fans Have More to Say About Vikings Right Now Than I Do

BSM Staff
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Minnesota Vikings radio play-by-play announcer Paul Allen loves talking Vikes football with fans in public, but at this point in the year there isn’t exactly a ton to discuss.

On his KFAN show on Wednesday, Allen talked about how in the lull between the end of mini-camp and the start to training camp vocal rest days are essential. But no matter where he goes or where he’s at, Allen said people will always want to pick his brain about the Vikings even when there’s nothing going on.

“I’ll get peppered with Vikings conversation, and that’s cool and I really, really enjoy it,” Allen said. “But there are just no epiphanies that are hitting your boy at this moment that are straight from the gridiron gospel.”

Paul acknowledged that the passion from fans for the team is admirable, especially considering the team was very good in the regular season last year and is expected to be playoff bound again in 2023. But he just found it interesting how some fans will talk to him thinking Allen isn’t already in the know.

“In fact, I’m having to defend challenges of people telling me exactly what is transpiring with this covenant and some of the bigger names that have departed,” he said.

Allen returns for his 21st season calling Vikings games in 2023. His calls have made him a star outside of Minnesota with even Jim Rome commenting that he doesn’t like seeing the team let Paul Allen down.

Mike Francesa: ‘Nothing Good’ Comes of Me Commenting on WFAN Lineup

BSM Staff
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Mike Francesa: ‘Nothing Good’ Comes of Me Commenting on WFAN Lineup

What does one the most legendary voices in WFAN history think about the recent lineup changes at the station? He will never tell you.

On his Wednesday podcast, Mike Francesa read an email from a listener that commented on the amount of turnover in the WFAN lineup since his retirement. In the email, the listener noted that he did not expect Francesa to respond.

“You were right,” the Sports Pope answered.

Craig Carton will leave WFAN at the end of next week to focus exclusively on his FS1 show. That move has triggered some serious deck shuffling. Tiki Barber will replace Carton in afternoon drive with Evan Roberts. Sal Licata will replace Tiki Barber in middays with Brandon Tierney. Chris McGonigal will replace Licata on the overnight show.

Francesca’s message is simple. He wishes WFAN much success.

“You know I will always be part of FAN,” he said. “FAN was my home for 35 years. You know, I have a great history there. I have wonderful memories about the place. I accomplished more than I could have ever dreamed of.”

He went on to say that “nothing good comes of” him commenting on WFAN’s moves. 

“If I say something good, people say, ‘Oh, he’s just saying that,’ and if I say something bad, it gets huge headlines. So, there’s no reason for me to say anything.”

Glenn Beck Under Fire For Saying ‘My N-Word’ During Ad Read

BNM Staff
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Conservative radio host Glenn Beck is under fire for his phrasing at the end of an ad read during The Glenn Beck Program earlier this week.

While promoting an advertisement for Goldline, Beck gave the phone number for the company before reiterating “866-Goldline, my n-word”. He then admitted “that didn’t really” work, before abruptly sending the show to a commercial break.

A Twitter user shared a video clip of the moment captioning it “Companies love it when you end an ad read like this”.

The clip has gone viral. It has garnered more than 60,000 views, with many respondents sharing their displeasure with Beck’s choice of words.

It is not the first time Beck has been criticized for his language. In 2009, several advertisers departed his Fox News program after he called President Barack Obama a racist. In 2016, he was suspended by SiriusXM after comparing Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler.

He has previously stated that he is aware that he has “made an awful lot of mistakes” in his career.

Beck has yet to comment publicly on the situation.

Stephen A. Smith: Chris Russo’s Career Doesn’t Say ‘Satisfaction’

BSM Staff
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Wednesday morning on First Take, Chris Russo bristled at the idea that Damian Lillard would want out of Portland if the Trail Blazers cannot compete for a title. He wondered why Lillard wouldn’t be content with his current situation and his status as one of the league’s true superstars.

It wasn’t something Stephen A. Smith was going to let go unchallenged. In fact, he wondered why Russo was not acknowledging how familiar Lillard’s situation is.

“I just want to remind the audience, you know, talk radio had this show that was a super show really,” Smith said. “Started in New York. I mean, it was in New York period. But I mean, its impact was so phenomenal. It spread nationwide. It really jumpstarts sports talk radio. I mean, it was Mike and the Mad Dog. Somebody left to go to their own channel. They could have stayed. They could have made money. The audience would have never faded. You’d still be number one in a lot of people’s eyes and a lot of people’s minds.”

Russo and Mike Francesa were partnered for 19 years on WFAN in New York. That ended in 2008 when Russo left the station to launch Mad Dog Sports Radio on SiriusXM. 

That gave Russo a national profile he didn’t have before. It was an opportunity that Smith pointed out led to other opportunities. First it was a show on MLB Network. That led to his weekly appearances on First Take, which Smith said are what most people want to talk to him about now.

“I’m traveling all over the country. I approach in the treets of Denver, Colorado, 5280 feet above sea level. People are walking up to me and say ‘Mad Dog! Is he going to be on today? Is he going to be on today?”

Stephen A. Smith knows that more people know know the name Chris “Mad Dog” Russo. He reminded Russo that that did not happen on accident. It required a plan to get there, so wondering what Damian Lillard wouldn’t be satisfied in Portland is silly.

“I don’t see anything that says satisfaction. ‘I’m just going to stay in this one situation and I’m going to be fine with that.’ I see mobility. I see progression. I see vertical movement. That’s what I see.”

When Smith relented, host Molly Qerim wanted Russo to respond. He took it back to the comments about his WFAN show. He had a simple answer for Smith.

“My contract was up,” Russo said.

Todd Schnitt Ending The Schnitt Show Next Month

BNM Staff
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After more than 20 years, Todd Schnitt has decided to end The Schnitt Show.

Friday, July 28th will mark the final edition of The Schnitt Show. He will turn his attention to The MJ Morning Show on Beasley Media Group’s WRBQ in Tampa.

“For over 20 years, I have been working two daily jobs,” said Todd Schnitt. “This is bittersweet as it has been a joy and privilege to host The Schnitt Show and I am forever grateful to our affiliates, sponsors, partners, and most importantly our listeners for supporting the show for so many years.”

After debuting on Miami’s WIOD in October 2001, The Schnitt Show grew to WFLA in January 2002 before launching in full national syndication with Compass Media Networks.

“How many people in the history of radio have hosted two-daily, drive time shows, targeting two completely different audiences, and doing it successfully for over two decades? The answer is virtually no one else,” said Peter Kosann, Founder/CEO of Compass Media Networks. “Kudos to Todd for his work ethic, creativity, ingenuity, and talent. It has been an honor to serve as Todd’s syndication partner all these years and we look forward to working with him on this next chapter.”

At the show’s peak, it was heard on more than 75 stations nationwide.

ESPN Radio Reportedly Drops Keyshawn, JWill and Max

BSM Staff
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More change is on the way at ESPN Radio. Andrew Marchand reports that the network is scrapping Keyshawn, JWill & Max as it prepares for layoffs across the company.

No word is available yet on the futures of Max Kellerman, Keyshawn Johnson or Jay Williams. They are not out, but talent layoffs are expected to start as early as next week.

The move is not necessarily a surprise. Earlier this month, Williams revealed to Patrick Beverley that there are just three months left on his ESPN contract. 

A new national morning show is on the way for the network. Marchand reports that the hosts are expected to see significantly smaller paychecks for the role.

Many programmers of ESPN affiliates have openly wondered why the network would not make the Pat McAfee Show available as a radio simulcast when it joins the ESPN portfolio in the fall. Perhaps this creates an opening to move pieces around and make that a reality. However, no names have been floated as potential successors to Keyshawn, JWill and Max in morning drive.

YES Network Launches Single Screen Stats Experience

BSM Staff
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YES Network has become the first sports network to create a single-screen interactive stats experience on connected devices. The live stats feature debuted during Tuesday’s matchup between the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners. At the moment, the experience is available on Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Google TV, and follows a model similar to Thursday Night Football and other sports programming on Amazon Prime Video.

The YES Live Stats package updates information in real-time to keep fans informed about their favorite teams and players. Live batter and pitcher stats, play-by-play and pitch-by-pitch features are integrated into the viewing experience. Additionally, viewers can toggle between viewing the batting order, defensive alignment and available bench and bullpen arms. The technology is powered by Ease Live, an Everetz company, and the YES App has a similar feature for Brooklyn Nets live game broadcasts.

This new experience can be controlled through a mobile device or with a television remote. YES Network also expects to launch two features for its app as second-screen experiences on connected devices in the next few months. Pick-N-Play Live is a real-time prediction game accompanying the broadcast and keeps fans engaged and consumed in the action through the ability to make their voice heard. Watch Party connects friends with one another as the game is going on and provides video chat capabilities in conjunction with the game broadcast.

Dan Rather: Joe Rogan, Elon Musk ‘Robbing Us of a Better Future’

BNM Staff
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The controversial appearance by prospective 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on The Joe Rogan Experience continues to reverberate around the news media world. Former CBS News anchor Dan Rather has opined on what he believes is a sad situation Wednesday.

In a story published to his Substack, Rather argued that the views espoused by RFK Jr. on Rogan’s podcast are dangerous.

“Joe Rogan, the right-wing podcast host and frequent amplifier of conspiracy theories, welcomed notorious anti-vaxxer Robert Kennedy Jr. to his show. Kennedy is running for president as a Democratic challenger to President Biden, even though he sounds more like a MAGA Republican. Not surprisingly, he spouted his usual nonsense about the alleged dangers of vaccines, and Rogan ate it up.”

The former newsman then aimed his criticism at Twitter owner Elon Musk, arguing that his actions are causing many to leave the platform he owns.

“The idea that this is a matter of free speech is undercut when Musk uses the platform he bought to intimidate responsible voices by unleashing the mob (not to mention that we aren’t talking about government prosecution),” Rather wrote. “In the wake of this episode, reports indicate scientists are (understandably) leaving Twitter in greater numbers because it has become an increasingly vile environment for mainstreaming anti-science harassment.”

Rather concluded that people who balked at the views aired by Rogan and RFK Jr., like Dr. Peter Hotez, should be inspired rather than mocked.

“The likes of Kennedy, Rogan, and Musk are robbing us of this better future. By sowing discord and confusion, they are turning science and medicine into political footballs they toss back and forth at the public’s expense. But ultimately, the truth often wins out. Dr. Hotez and those who support him are standing up to the destructive bullying. In their courage and commitment, we can find reasons for hope.”

48th Annual Gracie Awards Luncheon Held Tuesday

BNM Staff
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The 48th annual Gracie Awards Luncheon was held Tuesday at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation.

The event was hosted by NewsNation anchor Elizabeth Vargas. She led the program alongside New Jersey 101.5 host Judi Franco, The View co-host Sara Haines, Z100 personality Maxwell, and 1010 WINS Newsline host Brigitte Quinn.

The Gracie Awards were presented to those previously announced in recognition of individual achievement and outstanding programming by women in local television, radio, and digital media.

The National Gracie Award winners were recognized at the Gracies Gala late last month in Beverly Hills.

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