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Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy Plots Lawsuit Over FCC Local TV Ownership Changes

Garrett Searight
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Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy Plots Lawsuit Over FCC Local TV Ownership Changes

Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy plans to sue the FCC over its decision to eliminate the national broadcast ownership cap. Ruddy has repeatedly opposed the agency’s effort, warning he’d pursue litigation if commissioners approved the change.

What We Know: The FCC voted 2-1 last week to eliminate the rule limiting broadcasters from reaching more than 39% of U.S. television households. The agency instead adopted a case-by-case approach for evaluating broadcast ownership transactions. Ruddy discussed his plans during an interview with The Desk’s Matthew Keys. Previously, he argued the FCC lacked authority to eliminate the ownership restriction because Congress established the framework requiring the agency to maintain a national cap. Ruddy has consistently pushed back against efforts to eliminate the broadcast ownership cap. Newsmax also urged the FCC to reject Nexstar’s proposed acquisition of TEGNA, arguing greater consolidation could increase retransmission fees and give large station groups more leverage over smaller networks.

What They Said: “It’s a blatant violation of federal law,” Ruddy said in response to the vote. “Congress set the cap. It didn’t want the FCC to set the cap. Almost every FCC chairman has agreed with that … It doesn’t make any sense, other than you want to circumvent Congressional law.” -Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy

What Remains Unclear: Ruddy has indicated he’ll pursue litigation, but the specific court, timing, and legal arguments behind Newsmax’s challenge remain unclear. The FCC maintains it has authority to modify its ownership rules, setting up a potentially significant legal fight.

What It Means: A Newsmax lawsuit could add another obstacle to broadcasters seeking greater consolidation. Meanwhile, the FCC’s decision could clear the way for larger station groups to expand their national reach, making the legal challenge one to watch across the television industry.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Sports Media Insider Jimmy Traina Announces Departure From Sports Illustrated

John Mamola
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Sports Media Insider Jimmy Traina Announces Departure From Sports Illustrated

Jimmy Traina is leaving Sports Illustrated. The sports media podcast host confirmed his exit Wednesday after more than 20 years.

What We Know: Traina spent over two decades at the publication, building a reputation across multiple formats. He created Hot Clicks from 2007 to 2013, then launched SI Media with Jimmy Traina, a podcast that became a go-to stop for the top names in sports media. Traina says he will write his final SI column Friday and discuss his departure on this week’s podcast episode.

What They Said: Jimmy Traina (via X): “After 20+ years, I have made the difficult decision to leave Sports Illustrated. It’s time for me to do something different & evolve with the changing sports media landscape. I will always be grateful to SI for all of the opportunities and a life-changing run. I will talk about my time at SI on this week’s “SI Media With Jimmy Traina” and write my final column on Friday. More to come very soon on what’s next (I’ll still be covering sports media) and I won’t be on the sidelines for long. Hopefully you will continue to support me the way you have during my many years at SI. Unfortunately, you will need to subscribe to a new podcast. Follow me on social media or send me an email to be kept up to date on details.”

What Remains Unclear: Traina’s next destination is unknown.

What It Means: Traina’s exit removes a major voice from sports media coverage for Sports Illustrated. In addition, it will be very difficult to find someone who could command attention and an audience that Traina has developed over two decades. Meanwhile, his promise to keep covering the industry signals a quick pivot elsewhere. Moreover, given his roster of A-list contacts, competitors will likely watch closely. Ultimately, his next move could reshape where sports media conversations happen next.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Charlotte Hornets Sign Over-The-Air Broadcast Agreement With COX Media For 2026-2027 Season

John Mamola
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Charlotte Hornets Sign Over-The-Air Broadcast Agreement With COX Media For 2026-2027 Season

The Charlotte Hornets have a new local broadcast partner. WSOC Channel 9 and TV64 will carry Hornets games starting this fall.

What We Know: Cox Media Group’s WSOC Channel 9 and TV64 become the new over-the-air home for Hornets basketball beginning in October. The stations will air all non-nationally televised regular-season games, plus pregame and postgame coverage. WSOC airs a 30-minute schedule release show Thursday night, following the league’s schedule announcement earlier that day. Games will also stream via Spectrum, the team’s preferred partner, and appear on several other carriage providers.

What They Said: Charlotte Hornets Sports & Entertainment President of Business Operations Shelly Cayette-Weston: “Our fans are the most passionate and loyal in the NBA. They deserve every opportunity to watch and connect with Hornets basketball. We’re very excited to be on WSOC Channel 9 and TV64 this upcoming season. Building on the tremendous success of last season’s simulcasts, which expanded our reach, increased viewership and made it easier for more fans to watch. This partnership with Cox Media Group is about serving our life-long Hornets fans, the many new fans that are moving to our market every day as well as developing the next generation of future Hornets fans.”

Cox Media Group Charlotte’s Vice President and General Manager Cedric Thomas: “The Hornets are one of our community’s most recognizable and beloved organizations. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to serving viewers across the Carolinas. Together, we’re giving more fans the opportunity to experience the excitement of Hornets basketball. Strengthening our connection with the communities we both serve.”

What Remains Unclear: The exact game-by-game broadcast schedule hasn’t been released yet. According to the release, a direct-to-consumer streaming platform is also upcoming. Though no launch date or details have surfaced so far. Sports Business Journal is reporting DAZN will be involved for a DTC option.

What It Means: This deal builds on two prior seasons of simulcast partnerships between the Hornets and Cox Media Group. Consequently, it signals a deeper investment in local visibility. Meanwhile, expanded access could strengthen fan engagement across the Carolinas ahead of further market announcements. This is only a one year agreement however. The one-year deal is purposeful because it allows the Hornets to join the league’s expected centralized broadcast hub for the 2027-28 season.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Former Disney CEO Bob Iger Buys Los Angeles Lakers in $12 Billion Deal

Garrett Searight
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Former Disney CEO Bob Iger Buys Los Angeles Lakers in $12 Billion Deal

Bob Iger is buying the Los Angeles Lakers with Josh Kushner in a record $12.5 billion deal. The sale marks the second ownership change for the NBA franchise in two years.

What We Know: Iger and Kushner are acquiring the Lakers from Mark Walter, who paid $10 billion for controlling interest in the franchise last year. The agreement gives the Lakers a new ownership group just over a year after Walter completed his purchase from the Buss family. Iger officially exited his role as Disney CEO in March, when Josh D’Amaro succeeded him. He remained a Disney senior advisor and board member, but his tenure as the company’s chief executive ended earlier this year.

What They Said: “As lifelong NBA fans, we are deeply honored for the opportunity to become stewards of the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most iconic sports franchises in the world. We have immense respect for the leadership and vision of Jerry and Jeanie Buss. Our long-term commitment is to build on that foundation, compete at the highest level, and serve this extraordinary team, its fans, and the city of Los Angeles.” -Bob Iger and Josh Kushner in a joint statement

What Remains Unclear: The precise ownership structure and how responsibilities will be divided between Iger and Kushner haven’t been fully detailed. Additionally, the NBA must complete its approval process before the transaction becomes official.

What It Means: The $12.5 billion valuation sets a new benchmark for professional sports franchises. Meanwhile, the rapid change in ownership highlights the extraordinary financial value attached to the Lakers brand and the NBA’s premier franchises.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Damien Woody Departing ESPN After 15 Years

John Mamola
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Damien Woody Departing ESPN After 15 Years

Damien Woody is out at ESPN. The network chose not to renew his contract according to a report by The Athletic.

What We Know: Woody spent 15 years at ESPN, becoming a fixture across Get Up, First Take, Fantasy Football Now and SportsCenter. According to reporting, Woody will stay on air through the end of the month, including Thursday, by his own choice. ESPN reportedly separated his exit from recent layoffs. Woody discussed his exit with the online outlet.

What They Said: Damien Woody (via The Athletic): “Being at ESPN for 15 years, it’s been an absolute joy.”

What Remains Unclear: Woody’s next destination hasn’t been determined. ESPN and Woody reportedly discussed a possible extension but nothing materialized.

What It Means: Woody’s exit adds to a wave of turnover across ESPN’s NFL coverage this year. Unlike Clark’s abrupt on-air removal, ESPN is allowing Woody a farewell stretch, suggesting the split remains amicable. With a big year ahead for the network and the added oversight over the NFL Network, choosing talent for this year is of heightened importance. For Woody, a two-time Super Bowl champion, it remains unknown where he could end up next.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

KNX News Loses 41% of Cume After Leaving 97.1 FM

Garrett Searight
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KNX News Loses 41% of Cume After Leaving 97.1 FM

KNX News continues to lose audience after returning to an AM-only brand. The July ratings show another decline since leaving 97.1 FM.

What We Know: Audacy moved KNX News off the 97.1 FM signal on Monday, May 18th, giving way to the new sports brand 97.1 The Fan. KNX News posted a 3.1 share and 582,400 cume in July, according to Nielsen’s 12+ ratings. The July numbers mark another step down for KNX News following the FM change. The station has now seen its cume decline in each month since May, while its share has fallen from 3.6 to 3.1. KNX News recorded a 4.6 share and 983,000 cume in July 2025, when it still had the 97.1 FM signal. One year later, the station posted a 3.1 share and 582,400 cume. That represents a 40.8% decline in cume and a 1.5-point drop in share. After leaving FM, KNX posted a 3.6 share and 806,300 cume in May, followed by a 3.4 share and 645,300 cume in June.

What the Numbers Show:

KNX News 12+ Ratings/Cume Comparison

MonthShareCume% Change
July 20254.6983,000—
July 20263.1582,400↓ -40.8%

KNX News 12+ Ratings/Cume Since Leaving 97.1 FM

MonthShareCume% Change
May 20263.6806,300—
June 20263.4645,300↓ -20.0%
July 20263.1582,400↓ -9.7%

What Remains Unclear: The Nielsen figures don’t establish how much of KNX News’ decline directly resulted from losing 97.1 FM. However, the timing is notable, with the station’s cume falling in each book following the transition.

What It Means: KNX News has lost more than 223,000 cume listeners since May and more than 400,000 compared with July 2025. Meanwhile, 97.1 The Fan recorded a 0.2 share and 137,000 cume in July, giving Audacy an early benchmark for its new sports brand.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Molly Robinson Departs 3 Man Front At WJOX 94.5

John Mamola
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Molly Robinson Departs 3 Man Front At WJOX 94.5

Barrett Media has learned that Molly Robinson is departing WJOX in Birmingham. Her exit ends a three-year run as midday co-host on 3-Man Front.

What We Know: Robinson joined WJOX in 2023, stepping into 3-Man Front after Matt McClearin’s departure and the show’s expansion from two hours to four. She worked alongside hosts Landrum Roberts and Pat Smith, plus producer and co-host Conrad Van Order. Beyond her radio role, Robinson built out a broader resume, adding stints as an ESPN sideline reporter, a Husky Fast Network reporter, and the in-game host for the Birmingham Barons. No other staff departures have been confirmed alongside hers at this time. WJOX is owned by Cumulus Media which has conducted layoffs around the country the past week.

What They Said: WJOX management have not responded to requests for comment. Robinson has not commented regarding her departure.

What Remains Unclear: Its unclear if Robinson’s role on the program will be replaced directly or if 3-Man Front will remain in tact.

What It Means: Robinson’s exit leaves a notable gap in Birmingham’s midday sports radio lineup, given her three years of continuity on the show. Her multimedia resume, spanning ESPN and Barons broadcasts, suggests she built a following beyond WJOX’s core audience. Therefore, her next stop will likely draw attention from both listeners and industry watchers. For now, though, 3-Man Front’s path forward remains an open question.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Jim Nantz on Recent Conversations With Tony Romo: “He’s a Great Friend, Always Will Be”

John Mamola
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Jim Nantz on Recent Conversations With Tony Romo: “He’s a Great Friend, Always Will Be”

Tony Romo remains on indefinite leave from CBS Sports. But Jim Nantz says their friendship hasn’t skipped a beat despite the distance between them.

What We Know: Nantz and Romo have called NFL games together since 2017, forming CBS’s top broadcast team alongside sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson. CBS placed Romo on leave “until further notice” after his July 23 OWI arrest in Wisconsin. J.J. Watt has since stepped in as the network’s top analyst alongside Nantz for the 2026 season. Meanwhile, CBS Sports president David Berson says no final decision has been made on Romo’s future.

What They Said: Jim Nantz (via Awful Announcing): “Tony is a great friend of mine and has been for years. He and I go back to 2011 when he got married, I was invited to his wedding. So, this was not someone in 2017 when he entered the booth I was just getting to know for the first time. So he’s a great friend, continues to be, always will be. I adore his family, his wife is awesome. They’re the ones that are on my mind right now. The contents of what we talked about, I’m just going to leave that private, and I think that’s the only way and the appropriate way for me to look at it.”

What Remains Unclear: Whether Romo returns to the booth this season is still up in the air. Berson called the situation “evolving” and declined to set a timetable. Additionally, Romo hasn’t publicly addressed the arrest, so his own plans remain a mystery.

What It Means: Nantz’s comments suggest CBS’s top broadcast voice isn’t distancing himself from Romo personally. However, that loyalty doesn’t guarantee Romo’s professional future at the network. With Watt already paired alongside Nantz for Week 1, CBS appears to be moving forward regardless. Ultimately, Romo’s next steps depend on decisions well beyond Nantz’s control.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Podcast Advertising Spending Jumps 23% in Q2, Magellan AI Finds

Garrett Searight
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Podcast Advertising Spending Jumps 23% in Q2, Magellan AI Finds

Podcast Advertising spending climbed 23% in the 2nd quarter, according to new data from Magellan AI. The increase came as advertisers expanded podcast campaigns and added thousands of new brand commitments.

What We Know: Advertising load also reached 8.75% of all podcast content during the quarter. Meanwhile, 1,297 brands advertised on podcasts for the first time, signaling continued interest in the medium. Quince led all advertisers with an estimated $19 million in spending. Insurance posted the fastest growth, while several other industries also accelerated their podcast investments. Podcast advertising continued its upward trajectory during the 2nd quarter. Magellan AI found that spending increased 23% from the previous quarter. Additionally, the number of brands entering podcast advertising for the first time points to a broader advertiser base. As more companies enter the space, podcasts are becoming a larger part of media strategies across multiple industries.

What the Numbers Show: Insurance spending jumped 60% quarter-over-quarter, making it the fastest-growing industry tracked by Magellan AI. Energy followed with a 52% increase, while jewelry spending rose 47%. VPN advertisers also increased spending by 42%. Meanwhile, Quince ranked as the quarter’s biggest podcast advertiser, spending $19 million. Advertising load reached 8.75% of total podcast content, showing that commercial inventory continues to expand alongside audience demand.

What Remains Unclear: The latest figures don’t indicate whether higher advertising loads will affect listener engagement or consumption. It’s also unclear whether the rapid growth across industries will continue through the second half of 2026. Additionally, the number of first-time advertisers could fluctuate as marketers evaluate campaign performance.

What It Means: Podcast advertising continues to attract larger budgets and a broader group of marketers. Moreover, growth across insurance, energy, jewelry, and VPNs suggests advertisers see podcasts as an effective way to reach targeted audiences. If spending momentum continues, podcasting could capture an even larger share of advertising budgets.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Skip Mahaffey Exits Pillar Media Creative Director Role

David Hill
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Skip Mahaffey Exits Pillar Media Creative Director Role

Pillar Media revamps lineups at three Christian AC stations. Skip Mahaffey exits as Creative Director and morning host.

What We Know Mahaffey’s departure triggers major format shifts across 93.3 WAKW (Cincinnati), 99.1 WAWZ (New Jersey), and 101.5 KSRC (Denver). Kristen James transitions to middays across all three outlets. The Brant Hanson Show returns to morning drive from its previous midday slot. Chad Mitchell continues afternoons (3–7 p.m.), while the Kevin & Amy Show anchors evenings. James started as an intern at WAWZ and climbed through promotions, weekends, and weekend hosting before co-hosting mornings in April 2020. Mahaffey spent seven years in mornings at K-Love, building a deep country radio pedigree across Dallas, Tampa, Columbus, and markets nationwide.

What’s at Stake The morning show restructure risks disrupting audience loyalty built since September 2024. Mahaffey told HisAir he took pride in “an incredible staff.” James’s move to middays positions her as a key afternoon voice. The Christian AC format increasingly depends on syndication, and reshuffling on-air talent creates temporary instability. Ratings continuity becomes critical as Brant Hanson’s return competes for listeners accustomed to Mahaffey’s approach.

What Remains Unclear The reason for Mahaffey’s exit remains unconfirmed. Whether Pillar will promote internally or recruit external talent for future leadership roles stays unknown. James’s Music Director responsibilities transition unanswered. Audience reaction to syndicated programming replacing locally-created content remains to be measured.

What It Means Pillar Media signals confidence in established syndicated content over unproven morning partnerships. Market stability depends on whether listeners follow James to middays. This shift reflects broader Christian radio’s reliance on proven talent and format consistency over experimental programming strategies.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

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