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Is First Take in Shannon Sharpe’s Future?

Demetri Ravanos
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Is First Take in Shannon Sharpe’s Future?

First Take may be trouncing Undisputed in the ratings, but even the most vocal critics of Skip Bayless would have to admit that the FS1 show did have one key an advantage between the two.

Every single day, we knew who was going to be on the show. We knew that there was star power. We knew that there would be fireworks. Like any of the 488 episodes of Law & Order, even if it wasn’t good, we knew the beats and it was comfortable.

Right now, First Take has a problem. Everyone not named Stephen A. Smith on that show is boring. It is time to rethink this Stephen A versus the world routine, because while Smith knows how to entertain, most of his “opponents” do not. 

Michael Irvin, the one reliable bright spot, hasn’t been back since the Super Bowl. JJ Redick is genuinely unlikable. Jay Williams doesn’t seem to be doing the same show as the other people on the panel. And frankly, I just don’t get Chris Russo. 

First Take feels a little lost. There is an answer to this problem. The question is, does everyone involved want it. 

Would Shannon Sharpe go from Skip to Stephen A? Stephen A. Smith doesn’t have a problem working with a guy that has seething disdain for his “brother from another mother”. Does ESPN want to take on another superstar-level salary?

With free agency in his not-at-all distant future, there will be plenty of interest in Shannon Sharpe. Between Smith, the heritage brand of SportsCenter, and the cult following of therecently acquired Pat McAfee, ESPN is the one network I wouldn’t blame for staying out of the sweepstakes. Sharpe wouldn’t add star power or prestige that the network does not already have.

But First Take is ESPN’s cultural touchstone. It is now what SportsCenter was in the 90s and early 2000s – the show that sets the tone and the topics for the rest of the day. 

What Sharpe offers ESPN is a chance to make that product better. If that product gets better, ESPN gets healthier. You do not have to like Smith or First Take to know that is true. 

However, things only improve if Smith and ESPN embrace real change for the show. Over the weekend, Michael McCarthy dismissed Smith’s endorsement of Sharpe on First Take. He called it a “self-serving attempt to manipulate the Sharpe vs. Bayless soap opera in his favor.” That is only true if Smith is so egomaniacal that is willing to derail a chance for First Take to get better.

This harkens back to something we have written about a lot lately. Disney is going through layoffs right now. That means people at ESPN are going to lose jobs. That doesn’t mean that Jimmy Pitaro stops doing his job or no longer has a business to run. If the goal of layoffs at any company is to spend smarter, then using the money saved to invest in returning First Take to must-see status amongst sports fans is a wise investment. 

Until Shannon Sharpe speaks publicly, this is all just fantasy roster moves. It is very possible that being burned out on Skip Bayless and Undisputed 100% about the off-air tension between the two men. We can’t dismiss the possibility that it means that he is also burned out on embracing debate. Who could blame Shannon Sharpe for wanting a little less shouting in his life, even if it would be with someone he likes a little bit more?

Sharpe will have to answer that question for himself. Then, he will have to answer it for his agent. Only after he has done that, will we know if there is a chance he is part of ESPN’s plans.

Every brand has its flagship product and it is the duty of every company to make sure the product that it has built its reputation on is in the best shape it can be. 

It’s why Nintendo keeps putting out Mario and Zelda games every year. They are the products most associated with the brand. If the Zelda franchise stays fresh and Mario is always up to something new, Nintendo doesn’t get stale in the minds of the public.

Shannon Sharpe would instantly improve First Take. If the Hall-of-Famer is still in a debating mood, First Take would instantly give him a bigger platform and louder voice. The match is easy for both sides to justify if they both want it to happen.

Nick Kayal Moved From Sports to News, And is Seeing Results at 1210 WPHT

BNM Staff
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During the pandemic, Nick Kayal, a former sports talk show host, fearlessly pivoted his career to news/talk. This bold move resulted in numerous changes, including his current role as the highly regarded host of 1210 WPHT’s Kayal and Company show in Philadelphia.

With his vibrant and impassioned approach to news/talk, he’s spearheading the evolution of radio to cater to the next generation’s needs.

1210 WPHT stands out for its dedication to connecting with audiences through a variety of platforms. Greg Stocker, the station’s brand manager and a popular personality on Kayal and Company, has led this effort. The station has become a favorite among listeners of all ages, thanks to its focus on live and local programming from 6:00 AM-7:00 PM. As a result, 1210 WPHT has established itself as a significant player in the Philadelphia radio market.

In a recent interview with Barrett News Media, Kayal shared essential perspectives on the advantages of AM radio and the powerful influence of talk radio on Philadelphia’s story. Kayal highlighted 1210 WPHT’s success in captivating audiences with exciting content and attracting diverse listeners.

Ryan Hedrick: Many listeners know you from your background in sports radio. What prompted your transition from sports to news/talk, and how has your experience been? Have there been any challenges or rewarding aspects in making this switch?

Nick Kayal: I was a political science major in college as a freshman back in 2002, so I’ve always had an interest in politics. Then, I got away from that and changed majors to criminal justice and pre-law. I started getting really into politics right around 2015 as [Donald] Trump announced that he was going to run for president, and a lot of my political views always seem to gradually slide from moderate Democrat, to moderate Republican or conservative Republican.

Many things during the pandemic opened my eyes, from the lack of freedom to the control of the government trying to restrict its citizens, and the imposed mask mandates. Equally important is the whole cancel culture movement. The woke aspect of society and people constantly being offended, trying to shut you down because they disagree. Much of that also drove me because I’m a big believer in the First Amendment and free speech, and I don’t believe in silencing opposing viewpoints.

RH: Did you encounter any difficulties or positive experiences when making this change?

NK: It has been gratifying because many great, talented individuals have surrounded me. The feedback has been mostly positive, and all of that has been rewarding. We hit the ground running from day one, and our audience has grown month-by-month against different demos and platforms.

The only challenge, initially, was once I got the job having to stay quiet about it for a few months and then make it public and expecting some pushback from a bunch of liberals that were going to be mad because I was doing so-called conservative talk. Other than a few people I have a good relationship with unfollowing me on Twitter because they didn’t want to see my political views, there haven’t been any challenges. I was put into a situation to succeed.

RH: WPHT has a long history in Philadelphia. What makes the station unique, and how do you strive to connect with the local audience?

NK: What makes WPHT unique right now is that this is the first time in the station’s history that we’ve been live and local 6:00 AM-7:00 PM. We have four different amazing shows. We don’t have four shows that all sound identical and are formatted the same. The hosts are not trying to be Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity.

In the morning, we do a modern-day news show for news talk. If you’ve ever watched (Fox News’) The Five, that’s what we do. We hit on the big stories; we have personalities; we talk about pop culture; it’s that kind of variety.

Dawn [Stensland] does her show; she’s also my news anchor and a TV legend in Philadelphia. She does more of what’s breaking and developing. Dom [Giordano] is on from noon-3:00 PM and really gets into the crime issues. Rich [Zeoli] does his thing in the afternoon almost like what he did in the morning, minus the supporting cast he once had, and of course, he’s a star in the industry.

As far as connecting with the locals in Philadelphia, it’s no secret. If you are a fraud, the audience will know it. I have a blueprint, and it’s called COPE. It stands for content, opinion, personality, and entertainment. If you check off those four each day, the results should come.

RH: As a morning host, what are the critical elements of a successful morning show? How do you keep the content engaging and relevant for your listeners?

NK: When you are doing mornings, you must be entertaining. How you define entertaining is up to each host. The last thing I want to do is do a 20-minute dissertation on the debt ceiling; my job is to wake my audience up, not to put them back to sleep. I don’t do anything long-winded.

In my opening segment, after we set the show-up and chit-chat, I do a piece at 6:10 called the “Big Take”. It’s five to seven minutes long, and that’s kind of my opening monologue. I used audio and video. After that, we hit on a couple of stories, and I get Dawn [Stensland] and Greg [Stocker] ‘s opinions on it, and whatever organically develops from that is how I keep the show moving.

We have a show sheet, but we are not beholden to it. It comes down to creating a game plan and letting your radio instincts take over.  

RH: What role does talk radio play in shaping public opinion and fostering community dialogue?

NK: I’ve always been torn on shaping the narrative. I go into a show with my opinion each day. I try not to watch other people’s shows too much or listen to others because I don’t want those opinions to corrupt my views. Regarding shaping narratives, I’m not sitting there telling you what to think. You can agree or disagree.

Still, one thing I promised I would never do is to be an apologist for the Republican party or conservatives in general or MAGA Republicans. My job is not to improve your feelings but to get ratings, and I take the approach of getting ratings and eff the feelings.

RH: Can you share any memorable experiences or interviews you’ve had as a morning host? Is there a particular moment that stands out to you in your career?

NK: We have not gone heavy on interviews because we have a three-mic show between Dawn, me, and Greg. I can not give one specific interview.

Indeed, in sports, there were prominent people that I spoke with. When I was in the South, I talked to Nick Saban. Things may be different in 2023-24 if we may have somebody like [Ron] DeSantis on the show or [Donald] Trump, Tim Scott, or whoever that will be.

But so far, we have steered clear of interviews. To this date, the one thing that I am most proud of is the money we raised for the Travis Manion Foundation. Every year we do an annual radiothon, and this year we set a record in the mornings when we raised $92,000 in four hours.

RH: How do you see the future of talk radio and morning shows evolving in an era of rapidly changing media consumption habits? What strategies are you implementing to adapt to these changes?

NK: The way we view it, we are no longer a talk radio station. We are an audio and video content distribution platform or network of platforms. People listen to us when they want or when they have the time. They might be listening 45 minutes behind on a delay on the app or just catching up. They might go to the website and download the podcasts. Or they may go to YouTube and watch all four hours live on our channel.

We’ve had people tweeting us pictures of their smart TV’s where they’ve had YouTube up, and they’re watching us in their living room on their 65-inch flat screen, and it looks like we are doing a TV show. We are a variety platform now.

RH: What are some key advantages of AM radio over other mediums, and how can stations effectively communicate these advantages to listeners and advertisers?

NK: As crucial as ratings are, you will only last long with the advertisers and the revenue. It’s a matter of selling people on the value of AM and, indeed, to the automakers. AM radio is still how people get weather alerts, travel advisories, etc. There’s a human safety element. AM radio reaches over 40 million Americans weekly, well over 10 percent of the country. We still get a massive amount of people.

The biggest challenge is attracting the Gen-Z listener. I wonder if you can. That’s another audience we can tap into. There will always be that demand for talk radio because you know you can never replace live and local personalities. News/talk is expensive to operate when you’re live and local, but the value remains.

RH: Lastly, are there any exciting upcoming projects or initiatives you’re working on that you’d like to share with your listeners and readers?

NK: More than anything, our brand, WPHT, is where free speech lives. We encourage dialogue, discourse, and discussions, and, indeed, debate. We have some people in our audience who are not conservatives. We have people that disagree with us. The great thing about WPHT is that we offer well-rounded conversations and various shows.

We have some other things in the works that our Brand Manager, Greg Stocker, has been pushing for, and hopefully, in the weeks and months, we can get some of this rolled out. A lot of people say the station has never sounded better. Greg Stocker has only been in his position as Brand Manager for over a year, and he’s taken the station to new heights.

Within our doors and walls at Audacy in Philadelphia, there are very happy with how things are going at the station.

AM Radio Still Has Challenges Despite Ford’s Reversal

Dr. Ed Cohen
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AM Radio Still Has Challenges Despite Ford’s Reversal

Ever since Ford’s announcement that they would cease including AM radio in most of their vehicles (commercial vehicles excepted) starting in 2024, it’s become de rigueur to comment and come to the defense of amplitude modulation. 

While Tesla, Polestar, and a few BMWs don’t have AM radios, when a large mainstream OEM like Ford made that announcement, the radio industry stood up and took notice. Even though Ford has now rescinded that decision, it’s not that anyone in the radio industry wasn’t aware that AM was in decline. 

The initial Ford bombshell was enough to sound the alarms and fight for the survival of AM radio even as the industry has tacitly given up on the band. A telling statistic is that in 1990, there were approximately 1,850 FM translators on the air. By 2021, that number had increased to 8,521. That’s strong evidence it’s a popular move to rebroadcast your AM station on an FM translator, even if the translator can’t exceed 250 watts of ERP. 

Nonetheless, the initial Ford news prompted several lawmakers to introduce a bill (The AM in Every Vehicle Act) that would require the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to issue a rule mandating AM radio in every vehicle sold in the United States. This being a research column, I’ll offer some background on how you can evaluate AM listening today.

If you’ve read my first few columns, you know that as an old guy, I enjoy history. Reading about The AM in Every Vehicle Act, I immediately thought of the All Channel Receiver Act of 1962, which required that the FCC mandate UHF receivers in all new televisions sold in the US. 

In the early days of TV, while channels 2-83 were originally assigned for television broadcasting, most sets could receive only VHF (analog channels 2-13). Unless you were in an all-UHF market (there were a handful such as Youngstown and Peoria), there wasn’t much incentive to buy a set with UHF or to get a UHF converter. 

From a personal standpoint, I had to borrow a neighbor’s 9-inch GE portable TV that had UHF to see Our World, the first multinational live program, in June 1967. The US participant was National Educational Television, the forerunner of PBS, and Rochester’s “educational” station (WXXI) was on channel 21. Why borrow a set? My family’s console Zenith didn’t have UHF and The Beatles were part of the show, performing “All You Need is Love” for the first time. I couldn’t miss that. 

Even with a federal law, UHF stations took decades to catch up with VHF channels. I presented a paper at an academic conference in 1986 entitled “The UHF Affiliate in the ‘80s: More Travels Down Parity Road” using regression analysis to show that, based on Nielsen data, UHF still lagged many years after the Act was implemented.

Pierre Bouvard, one of the best people in the business, recently put out a piece claiming 82 million people cume AM in a month. Like just about everyone else in the business, I love Pierre, but at least one-quarter hour in a four-week period doesn’t mean much and that number is subject to certain caveats regarding Nielsen edit rules as I’ll explain. 

During my time at the NAB in the late ‘80s, I put together a similar piece using RADAR, the Nielsen national radio network service. If memory serves, AM had a weekly P12+ national cume of around 90 million people. At that time, there was a lot of talk about the death of AM, but it had a weekly circulation that was bigger than US newspapers. Rush Limbaugh had just started his meteoric rise and with him, the rise of news/talk on AM. Streaming didn’t exist and translators couldn’t be used to rebroadcast an AM outlet. Now, we have a (likely inflated) figure that’s smaller, using a four-week instead of a one-week estimate.

It’s 2023 and while there are still some great AM stations out there, many outlets are programmed for religious audiences or people who primarily speak other languages, and usage of AM is low.

As a researcher who’s been looking at ratings for 40+ years, I’d place a small bet that if you were to run the persons 25-54 combined AM share in Nielsen for Monday-Friday 6 AM-7 PM in the 48 PPM markets, most markets would have trouble getting much past a 10-15 share, in other words, FM and other encoded listening would have the rest. 

And I’d place another bet that the market-level AM cume ratings for that demo/daypart combination would generally be in single digits. The same numbers for the diary markets would likely be a little higher and P55+ would look better, but keep in mind that FM translators cannot originate more than 30 seconds an hour of “programming” which means any listening to an AM station that simulcasts on an FM translator will be credited by Nielsen to the AM parent, in other words, inflating the AM listening percentage. 

If the station is total line only, streamed listening is included as well. You can run this in PPM Analysis Tool or Tapscan. RADAR allows you to look at national AM listening alone and the cume will be an impressive number of persons, but again, Nielsen edit rules will push some FM and online listening into the AM column, so a deflator is warranted.

Like many of you, I grew up on AM.  In Rochester, the big top 40 station was WBBF (950 AM) which later on had competition from WAXC (1460 AM) with The Greaseman at night and a young Tom Birch. Nighttime listening to clear channel AMs on “the skip” was fun with music stations like WABC, WLS, WCFL, CKLW, and others. 

I’d wake up in the middle of the night and spend a couple of quarter hours with Larry Glick on WBZ who was incredibly entertaining. That was the 1960s and early 1970s, but will requiring AM in cars in the mid-2020s mean much of anything when smartphone penetration is nearly 87 percent (per Statista) and almost any radio station or song a listener wants is available in excellent fidelity on demand? 

Further, a frightening number of people don’t own a radio in their homes. If you subscribe to Nielsen in a PPM metro, look at the latest quarterly panel characteristics report. Nielsen reports the number of radios in the household by demo. If you’ve never seen that particular statistic, you’ll want to have a stiff drink available before you look at your market or your company’s markets. Living in Kentucky, state law requires me to suggest bourbon.

The obvious question is “Are we trying to close the barn door after the horse has escaped?” Sticking with the equine theme (another Kentucky requirement), we can lead the horse (listeners) to water (AM), but we can’t make them drink (listen). 

An AM tuner in every car is good, but a new law won’t fix the underlying problems.

Let’s meet again next week.

Shannon Sharpe on His Future: Stay Tuned

BSM Staff
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Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe posted on social media over the weekend for the first time since news broke of his impending exit from FOX Sports and his role opposite Skip Bayless on the FS1 show Undisputed.

Sharpe reached an agreement with the network last week to buyout the remaining time on his contract.

While Sharpe’s future as a sports debate host remain unclear, the Super Bowl champion tweeted that his following should keep an eye out for what’s coming next. The tweet showed Shannon in front of a camera in a gardening setting.

Many in sports media have offered their support of Sharpe, as he exits what had become a strained relationship with Bayless. The two had a series of heated on-air exchanges in recent months before a national audience.

Multiple hosts involved with ESPN have voiced publicly that they’re rooting for Sharpe to join The Worldwide Leader. Pat McAfee last week said he was “hoping like hell” Sharpe would show up to ESPN when he and his show debut on the network in the coming months. First Take host Stephen A. Smith also said he would make room for Sharpe on his show if he wanted to appear.

Writers Strike Driving Advertisers to NBA, NHL Finals

BSM Staff
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As the writers strike carries on, the NBA and NHL and their broadcast partners have been pleasantly surprised by the steady flow of advertising as their championship series take center stage.

The NBA Finals began last Thursday, and the Stanley Cup Final in the NHL started on Saturday. With the writers strike impacting many in the entertainment industry, advertisers are flocking to these major sporting events.

“The Finals have historically been a high-demand area for the studio business based on time of year, but we have seen recent growth from the streaming services as well,” ESPN senior vice president of revenue and yield management, Jim Minnich, told Deadline He indicated that TV and cable networks have surpassed beer brands as the top buyers of ad time from the conference finals to now.

The hope is that both the NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Final will go the distance game wise, so both ESPN/ABC and Warner Bros. Discovery can maximize the spike in entertainment advertising. Both series are best-of-seven. The NBA Finals will go at least five games now, after the Miami Heat won Game 2 in Denver on Sunday night. The Vegas Golden Knights lead the Florida Panthers 1-0 in the Stanley Cup Final. Game 2 is Monday night in Las Vegas.

Nuggets Radio Voice: When Nikola Jokic is Done, So am I

BSM Staff
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Nuggets Radio Voice: When Nikola Jokic is Done, So am I

The Denver Nuggets are in the midst of their first ever appearance in the NBA Finals. It was a surreal moment for many on the team’s staff in addition to the players and coaches when the team hosted the first two games of the series this weekend.

Nuggets radio play-by-play voice Jason Kosmicki has been calling games the last 14 seasons, but has been a part of the team for going on three decades.

He told the Denver Gazette he got plenty of texts in the lead-up to Game 1 at Ball Arena in Denver serving as those sort of “Pinch me” moments.

“You get a lot of that these days,” Kosmicki, who goes by Koz, said. “People appreciate the journey it’s been for our franchise. It’s been a long time. There was a point when I didn’t think we’d ever get here.”

Koz even had to help pinch his broadcast partner Scott Hastings. Typically not one to get nervous before a Nuggets game, Koz said there were definitely butterflies before the tip of Game 1 last Thursday.

“I looked at Hastings: ‘Do we change anything in the Finals?'” he said. “We didn’t. You just keep doing the same thing. It’s just another game, except I’m nervous as hell as it starts.”

Koz has never found it hard to befriend Nuggets players, even though he tried to downplay his list of contacts. He said his friendship with superstar Nikola Jokic is special, and added that he’s putting the future of his career in the young Serbian’s hands.

“When Joker’s done, I’m done. That’s it,” he said. “It doesn’t get better than that. I’m out.”

Adam Silver: NBA Tried to Mediate Dispute Between Comcast & Altitude Sports

BSM Staff
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It has been a heated topic of discussion on Denver sports talk radio for several years. Now NBA commissioner Adam Silver has weighed in on the ongoing dispute between Comcast and Altitude TV.

The regional sports network is the home to the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche and the Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacross League, and issues between the cable provider to the vast majority of Coloradans and the network have dragged on for several years now.

Kroenke Sports and Entertainment owns Altitude TV as well as the three teams above, in addition to owning the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL and Arsenal in the Premier League. Altitude has taken Comcast to court over perceived violations of antitrust laws. Despite the two sides reaching a settlement in March, Altitude remained unavailable on Comcast.

It’s believed that over 90% of Denver residents don’t have access to Altitude as a result of the dispute, although that stat has been questioned.

Silver, ahead of the first two games of the NBA Finals in Denver this weekend, said the league did what they could to try and help the two sides reach an agreement.

“The league office has tried to mediate several times between the parties,” Silver said last week ahead of Game 1. “It’s a commercial dispute. There hasn’t been a simple resolution to it.”

“I know there’s no doubt it’s bad for fans, of course, and the team recognizes that,” he added. “It’s my hope, though, and one of the things that’s changed considerably since this dispute has started is the advent of many more streaming platforms, better digital streaming technology.”

Silver expressed frustration over the lack of access in the Denver market to the team outside of national broadcasts. He said the regional sports network model is broken.

“It makes no sense,” he said. “It’s on us to fix it.”

The league currently has two years left on its current media rights deal, and given the crumbling at the top of the RSN ladder with Bally Sports and AT&T Sportsnet, Silver sees an opportunity for the NBA in this next deal to shift how fans see games locally.

“As we are trying to design what a new approach should be to see NBA games, the part that is on us is taking into account how a local fan is able to watch as well,” he said. “As opposed to historically we’ve had local games and national games, to me, I think from a fan standpoint, they’re certainly not making those distinctions.”

Chuck Todd Leaving Meet The Press in September

BNM Staff
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Chuck Todd Leaving Meet The Press in September

Chuck Todd announced he would depart Meet The Press Sunday, ending a nine-year run anchoring the Sunday political affairs program.

To close Sunday’s program, Todd announced that he would leave the show in September, and will be replaced by Kristen Welker.

“It’s been an amazing nearly decadelong run. I am really proud of what this team and I have built over the last decade,” Todd said. “I’ve loved so much of this job, helping to explain America to Washington and explain Washington to America.” 

Todd has been the subject of criticism from both sides of the political aisle during his tenure but added he believes the show still holds an essential place in the media landscape.

“When I took over Meet the Press, it was a Sunday show that had a lot of people questioning whether it still could have a place in the modern media space,” Todd added. “Well, I think we’ve answered that question and then some.”

Welker will step into the role held by Todd since 2014. She becomes just the second woman to anchor the program after Martha Rountree was the show’s inaugural host more than 75 years ago.

“Meet the Press has sustained its historic role as the indispensable news program on Sunday mornings,” NBC News’ President of Editorial Rebecca Blumenstein and NBC News’ Senior Vice President of Politics Carrie Budoff Brown wrote in a memo to NBC News staffers.

“Through his penetrating interviews with many of the most important newsmakers, the show has played an essential role in politics and policy, routinely made front-page news, and framed the thinking in Washington and beyond.”

The announcement that Todd will step aside from hosting the program comes after scuttlebutt had mostly ceased about his future as the show’s moderator. Late last summer, The Daily Beast’s Confider reported Welker was in line to replace Todd should the ratings continue to decline.

Stephen A. Would Welcome Shannon Sharpe to First Take

BSM Staff
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Following a report of Shannon Sharpe leaving FOX Sports 1’s Undisputed at the conclusion of the NBA Finals, there may be a new landing spot for him in the future at ESPN on First Take. On Friday’s edition of The Stephen A. Smith Show, a digital podcast live streaming on YouTube, show host and executive producer Stephen A. Smith extended an open invitation to Sharpe to join him at ESPN.

“I don’t know what his plans are. I don’t know what he’s trying to pursue. I don’t know what he’s after, but if Shannon Sharpe needs me, I’m happy to be here for him. And if that included him wanting to come on First Take, the bosses at ESPN know that is something I would support. Not every day, but one of those days every week.”

The decision to publicly voice his support for Sharpe comes a day after incoming ESPN midday host Pat McAfee stated that he hopes Sharpe joins the network, as he feels he has a voice that can contribute to coverage. Sharpe has been working with Skip Bayless on Undisputed since 2016, but reports of tension between the two co-hosts presumably led to his purported exit. Front Office Sports reported that Bayless will have the final say on who replaces Sharpe and sits opposite him each morning.

“I’ve gotten to know Shannon Sharpe a little bit over the last few years,” Smith said. “I genuinely like him and respect him. He is a three-time Super Bowl champion; he is a Hall of Famer; he is one of the greatest tight ends in the history of the National Football League, and I personally think he’s done a hell of a job on television and with his podcast Club Shay Shay.”

Smith implored those listening that he will not speak against Skip Bayless, despite having contrary points of view on most topics. The duo previously worked together at ESPN on First Take for four years and elevated the morning show to new heights, attaining record ratings in sports television. When it was disseminated by the New York Post that Sharpe is leaving FS1, Smith recognized how big of a loss it would be for the network, but is content with the show’s current setup of having different panelists on the show throughout the week. Smith and co-host Molly Qerim are the only constants on the program at the moment on a day-to-day basis.

“I get to handpick who’s on First Take once they’re in-house for ESPN,” Smith said. “I don’t get to bring them from the outside in without the bosses’ okay. We have to be honest – I’m not the boss. That’s Dave Roberts; that’s Jimmy Pitaro; that’s Burke Magnus; that’s those dudes. I answer to them – it’s not the other way around when it comes to all matters pertaining to ESPN, but they know where I stand.”

Judge Rules Diamond Sports Must Pay MLB Teams in Full

BSM Staff
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Judge Rules Diamond Sports Must Pay MLB Teams in Full

A judge has made his ruling has been reached in the caustic bankruptcy trial between Major League Baseball and Diamond Sports Group. Diamond Sports Group must pay the full value of the contracts with the four teams that are involved in the legal proceedings. These teams include the Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Guardians, Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers.

There was an additional caveat to the final ruling. The judge urged both sides to talk to one another, perhaps realizing the level of contemptuousness evident throughout testimony from both sides in the trial.

“Maybe market forces change terms of deals, but market risk is always there [and] inherent in every contract,” U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez said in his ruling. “Knowing that I think the contract rate is the reasonable and the right rate, the way that teams are locked in [and] the evidence that’s presented before me, I’m going to find that the fees are the actual necessary cost of preserving the state. The teams can keep the 75% I believe they’ve already received and they should get the [other] 25%.”

Diamond Sports Group now has a decision to make regarding if it will oblige by the ruling and pay the four teams as directed. If not, they will be forced to relinquish the broadcast rights for those teams, just as the entity did for the San Diego Padres earlier this week.

Sources close to the situation have indicated that this represented somewhat of a breaking point between the two sides, and that the hostility will be too much to overcome for future deals. Diamond Sports Group is tasked with renewing rights for 28 teams across the NBA and NHL at the conclusion of next season, in addition to five Major League Baseball teams.

“MLB appreciates the ruling from the Federal Bankruptcy Court in Houston requiring Diamond to pay the full contractual rate to Clubs,” the league said in a statement. “As always, we hope Diamond will continue to broadcast games and meet its contractual obligations to Clubs. As with the Padres, MLB will stand ready to make games available to fans if Diamond fails to meet its obligations.”

Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. described a meeting he had with Diamond Sports Group’s management where the company threatened bankruptcy – despite having money in liquidity to pay the rights fees – in order to restructure itself and selectively reject contracts. He also divulged that the league will cover at least 80% of the payments the afflicted teams were supposed to receive from Diamond Sports Group, which operates as a subsidiary of Sinclair Broadcast Group. Major League Baseball says it is ready to take over production and dissemination of local broadcasts and prepared for this move in advance by strengthening its media division, including the hire of Billy Chambers as executive vice president of local media.

While Diamond Sports Group is technically a subsidiary of Sinclair Broadcast Group, the role of the latter has been diminished because of the former’s declaration of Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Creditors agreed to trade the debt they owe for equity in Sinclair Broadcast Group, rendering the management structure somewhat ambiguous. The company’s decision to engage in bankruptcy protection will aid in eliminating $8 billion of outstanding debt after Sinclair Broadcast Group acquired the regional sports networks from The Walt Disney Company in 2019 for $10.6 billion. Major League Baseball, in partnership with Liberty Media, bid nearly $9.6 billion for the networks ($3.5 billion in leverage), but ended up falling short. Diamond Sports Group has local broadcast rights for 28 teams across the National Basketball Association and National Hockey League, with all of those deals – along with five among Major League Baseball teams – set to expire at the conclusion of next season.

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