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Dan Le Batard: Sports Television is Playing a Different Game Than Skip Bayless Is

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The spotlight has been on Shannon Sharpe as he prepares to exit FOX Sports and Undisputed with Skip Bayless, but there hasn’t been much talk about who will replace Sharpe on the debate show. On The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz on Monday, Dan Le Batard threw that very question out to his audience.

“If you liked that show in whatever incarnations that Bayless did it in, who do you put opposite him right now that you’d want to watch it the same way?” Le Batard said. He noted that there was just the right dynamic between Sharpe and Bayless before things started going south. “Because you’re hanging on to a 70-year-old star.”

Le Batard, who is 54, pointed out that there are examples of debate shows still chugging along with older hosts. Pardon The Interruption on ESPN came to Dan’s mind, but the point is that the landscape has evolved even in sports debate.

“Kornheiser and Wilbon are still doing it, but Shannon Sharpe is here to play a different game. Pat McAfee is here to play a different game,” Le Batard said. “There is a different game being played right now. ESPN is slashing costs, there are going to be fewer and fewer of these jobs.”

Suggestions of Emmanuel Acho and Chris Broussard for replacements were thrown out there, but ultimately Dan wondered who would subject themselves to the situation of having to constantly battle a guy like Bayless.

“Who wants to work next to someone every day that they don’t like so much that they would on their way out the door say ‘Shannon Sharpe would like your tweet,'” Dan asked.

Stephen A. Smith: I’m Thankful Pat McAfee is Getting Paid What He Is

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Stephen A. Smith is ESPN’s top personality, and for a while he has been paid like it. But that will soon change as Pat McAfee joins the network.

It’s been reported that McAfee’s contract with ESPN to bring his daily sports talk show to The Worldwide Leader is worth $84 million. But McAfee has refuted that number.

Regardless, McAfee will likely become the new highest-paid ESPN talent. And Stephen A. is totally fine with that.

“You have so many people that are looking at what he’s getting paid, it’s no secret that even though you don’t know the numbers I make, it’s clearly more than I’m making,” Smith said on his most recent episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show.

“Number one, I don’t give a damn,” Smith added. “He negotiated his deal a few weeks ago, I negotiated my deal a few years ago – the situation is not the same.”

Smith has appeared as a guest on McAfee’s show, and has made it very clear that he actually admires and respects Pat for rising to the level he has in sports media and still remained largely free of any corporate creative control. He also said he was inspired by McAfee to branch out and start his own non-sports-specific podcast K[no]w Mercy, which has since rebranded to The Stephen A. Smith Show.

“I appreciate Pat McAfee,” Smith said, noting that his current contract with ESPN is coming up in a couple years and that he’ll have a chance to negotiate a nicer deal for himself. “You think I’m looking at Pat McAfee and I’m upset? I’m thankful! Thank you! Appreciate it bro, thank you very, very much. Today is your turn. Tomorrow’s mine.”

Stephen A. also said he couldn’t believe some of the hate Pat has received. Smith said an opportunity like McAfee has only comes about if you bet on yourself. He respects that, and he’s not going to rain on or hate on Pat.

“Hate on him? I admire what he has done, I respect what he has done,” he said. “So much so that I’m doing it. Thank you for playing a part in showing the way and the wave of the future.”

Dave Portnoy Announces Jeffrey Nadu Exit From Barstool

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Dave Portnoy Announces Jeffrey Nadu Exit From Barstool

For the second time in the last couple months, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy publicly announced the departure of one of the brand’s personalities. Only this time Portnoy seemed more happy about the exit.

On the latest edition of Barstool Rundown on Monday, Portnoy broke the news that Jeff Nadu’s run with Barstool was over. The announcement surprised co-hosts Dan “Big Cat” Katz and Kevin “KFC” Clancy.

Portnoy explained that Barstool and Nadu had a disagreement over pay in the optional second year of his contract, and Portnoy said Nadu’s ask was too ridiculous to take seriously.

“I think we gave him about a $10,000 raise,” Portnoy said. “He says, ‘I expected my contract to be doubled.’ I think he wanted $200,000 a year.”

“I’m like, ‘You signed a contract. You fulfill your contract, and at the end of your contract we’ll discuss what you want,'” he added.

Dave went on to say that at the end of the day Barstool was happy to let Nadu walk a year early.

“We’re not doing 100 percent raises after a year,” he said.

Nadu confirmed on Monday evening on Twitter that he was done at Barstool.

Nadu elaborated a bit more in a statement that Portnoy read on the show, saying going solo was the best move for him. Portnoy said it’s always been about Nadu and Nadu only, and he’s glad to see him go.

“This guy, it’s all about the business, it’s all about the money, it’s all about this,” he said. “He’s the most ungrateful, selfish pig I’ve ever met probably, really.”

Scott Hastings: I Need Dan Patrick in My Life

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Denver Nuggets color analyst Scott Hastings has really appreciated his run of appearances on The Dan Patrick Show to talk about the team’s run to the NBA Finals.

Hastings joined DP on Monday ahead of Game 3 on Wednesday in Miami, and at the end of the conversation, Scott wanted to share his appreciation for Dan.

“I just wanted to say I miss you and I love you and I need you in my life,” Hastings said.

Patrick responded that the Nuggets just need to keep winning so they can keep checking in. Otherwise Dan said he’d be calling in to Polumbus, Hastings and Dover on Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM to talk NFL.

“I’m a frontrunner,” Patrick said. “If you guys don’t win, then I’ll be calling ya to talk about the Broncos.”

Hastings joked that he’d love to talk Broncos, because Lord knows they don’t talk enough Denver football on the show.

“I guarantee Fritzy has come to you a thousand times trying to get Broncos guests,” he said. “That ain’t gonna work.”

Saga Communications Tabs Pat Paxton As Senior Vice President of Content

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Saga Communications Tabs Pat Paxton As Senior Vice President of Content

Saga Communications has named broadcast veteran Pat Paxton as its new Senior Vice President of Content.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be named Sr. VP of Content for Saga Communications. The engaging culture that Chris Forgy has created at Saga reminds me of my days at Nationwide and Entercom,” Paxton said.

“At the heart of Saga’s mission statement lies a paramount focus on people. By placing a steadfast emphasis on people, we will undoubtedly attract and retain exceptional talent. It is the collective efforts of these individuals that have transformed this company into what it is today, and it is through their unwavering dedication that we will propel it to even greater heights.”

Paxton spent 22 years working for Audacy before departing in 2021. He has also worked for Cardinal Communications, Adventure Communications, Nationwide Communications, and Entercom in addition to his work at Audacy.

“Pat is a world-class broadcaster and an even better coach,” Saga CEO Chris Forgy said. “We are delighted to have Pat join our team at Saga, and having this be the last job Pat ever has.”

Paxton will begin his duties with the company on Monday, June 26th. Saga Communications Director of Group Programming Scott Chase will relocate to the company’s cluster in Ocala, Florida, and will serve as the group’s Operations Manager, while assisting Paxton in his new role.

Brendan Tobin: I Love Mark Jackson Admitting Heat Gave Him Goosebumps

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Brendan Tobin: I Love Mark Jackson Admitting Heat Gave Him Goosebumps

Who could have guessed that the moment that made the hair on the back of Heat fans’ arms stand up would be a pass that was never made? Maybe that isn’t true for everyone, but Mark Jackson said that the way Kevin Love reacted to realizing he missed the chance to hit Gabe Vincent in the corner for a wide open three pointer gave him goosebumps.

“I always like it when a person admits goosies and Mark Jackson yesterday, in front of millions on national television, admitted that when Kevin Love went over to hug Gabe Vincent for missing him wide open in the corner, he got the goosies,” Brendan Tobin said Monday afternoon on WQAM.

Jackson said that it stood out that Vincent didn’t pout and that Love did not get defensive. The pair hugged after the play. Jackson called it an example of the Miami Heat’s “winning mentality and outstanding culture”.

Jeff Van Gundy asked Jackson if he thought the Heat were overdoing it with the hug and if Jackson may have been being a little hyperbolic in his praise.

“No, it gave me goosebumps,” Jackson answered. “What is wrong with you?”

Brendan Tobin enjoyed seeing a member of the national media recognize that Heat Culture is about more than just winning games and series the team isn’t supposed to. It is built on recognizing how players up and down the roster can contribute all over the floor.

“You know what? I love it!” He said. “Gave me the goosies is too. Kevin Love – great locker room guy. Always there for support. I love Love.”

Chris Chelios Won’t Return to ESPN

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Chris Chelios will not be returning to ESPN next NHL season. Front Office Sports reports that the analyst has been told his contract is not being renewed. Chelios becomes the first name related to ESPN layoffs to become public.

Front Office Sports reports that ESPN was not dissatisfied with Chelios’s performance. He joined ESPN in 2022 ahead of the network reclaiming part of the NHL’s television rights.

The decision is directly tied to job cuts at the network. Chelios fit the archetype that ESPN is reportedly looking at as it decides where and who to cut. He is a well-compensated talent with an expiring contract.

Layoffs at ESPN are part of a larger effort to reduce costs at the Walt Disney Company by around $5.5 billion. More than 7,000 jobs are expected to be lost across all sectors of the company.

Chelios is a three-time Stanley Cup Champion, having won the title with the Montreal Canadiens in 1986 and twice with the Detroit Red Wings. He is also an eleven-time All-Star and three-time winner of the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman.

Spotify Lays Off 200 Employees

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Spotify Lays Off 200 Employees

Spotify has announced it is laying off around 200 employees, which equates to roughly 2% of its total workforce.

Spotify Vice President Sahar Elhabashi told employees in a memo that those departing the company would be given “generous severance packages”, according to CNBC. He added that the company will continue to see partnerships with “leading podcasters from across the globe”, but added that the reduction in force was a necessary development.

Of the 8,359 employees in the company, 4,332 of those work in the United States.

In recent years, Spotify has spent more than $500 million in acquisitions with prominent figures, including Meghan Markle and the Obamas. The company reportedly spent more than $100 million for The Joe Rogan Experience alone.

The announcement of layoffs comes after company CEO Daniel Ek admitted that some of the investments the company made last year can definitively be labeled a “mistake”.

Spotify Sports Producer and former sports radio program director Dan Zampillo was among the cuts. Zampillo has previously programmed 97.1 The Ticket in Detroit, ESPN LA 710 in Los Angeles, ESPN 980 in Washington DC, and SiriusXM in New York City. He has also served as the Assistant Program Director of WGN Radio in Chicago.

LA Kings Going With Radio/TV Simulcast, Alex Faust Out

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LA Kings Going With Radio/TV Simulcast, Alex Faust Out

Big changes are coming to the Los Angeles Kings next season. The team is shaking up its broadcast booth and the new lineup leaves popular play-by-play man Alex Faust without a job.

Faust announced on Twitter Monday that he was told his contract was not being renewed by the team. Instead, the team will adopt a single broadcast that will be simulcast across TV and radio.

Nick Nickson will handle play-by-play duties. Jim Fox will serve as the analyst. Daryl Evans will be part of the team as well.

Alex Faust was a popular young broadcaster. At just 34-years-old, he had already earned national work from FOX calling college football and basketball as well as Major League Baseball. 

Even people who didn’t like sports became interested in Faust’s work in 2018. That year, the late Alex Trebek mentioned to TMZ that he could see Faust taking over Jeopardy! when he was done.

“The LA Kings sincerely thank Alex Faust for representing the organization and our community with dignity and class over the last six years,” a statement from the Kings reads. “Alex is an extremely talented and passionate broadcaster with a bright future in the NHL and sports on the whole. We wish him the utmost success in the years ahead.”

Los Angeles now joins the Dallas Stars and Carolina Hurricanes as teams employing a simulcast on both television and radio.

The team currently does not have a TV rights holder. It anticipates naming one before the start of the 2023-2024 season. The team’s English language radio call is heard exclusively on the iHeartRadio app.

Mark Simone: Meet The Press Won’t Change After Chuck Todd Leaves

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Mark Simone: Meet The Press Won’t Change After Chuck Todd Leaves

Meet The Press host Chuck Todd announced he will exit the NBC News Sunday political affairs program later this year Sunday, and 710 WOR host Mark Simone celebrated the development.

“He ‘decided to leave’. This is just after they canned him. Apparently, they fired Chuck Todd. Good for them,” The Mark Simone Show host said Monday. “He made up the excuse that he wants to spend more time with his family. Have you seen his family? No one wants to spend more time with him. He doesn’t want to work too much and it’s important to be at home more with his kids. His are like 38.

“Whenever somebody gets fired, they’ve got all these excuses. ‘They wanted to go in a different direction’. Yeah, up. He’s taken the ratings down. He set all-time records for low ratings on Meet The Press.”

Simone then said Todd is getting the same treatment as another former network anchor that was pushed aside.

“Sometime when they fire someone, you’ll get a fake title. You know, ‘news ambassador’ or ‘election ambassador’. Walter Cronkite was great, he was the greatest anchor of all time, but they couldn’t just fire him, so they made up some fake title for him. They gave him an office and a desk, and a secretary. And once on election night, they’d let him come on for five minutes with Dan Rather, but they put him out to pasture. So that dirty, slimy, fake news weasel Chuck Todd is out.”

Meet The Press has long been viewed as the most consequential Sunday political affairs program, gaining popularity and notoriety under former moderator Tim Russert. However, Simone believes the addition of Kristen Welker, who will replace Todd and become just the second woman to anchor the show, won’t change under her direction.

“We’ll see how she does. I’m sure nothing will change. It’ll be the same fake news, fake nonsense.”

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