When you talk to industry people about successful brands in sports talk radio, most conversations include WFAN and 98.5 The Sports Hub. The New York and Boston sports radio brands are consistently recognized for their ability to deliver large audiences and revenues.
Helping to create that success is a mixture of strong play by play partnerships, skilled programmers and even more importantly, some of the most dynamic on-air personalities in the format. Fortunately for us, a few of those gamechangers will be present to share their opinions and insights on content matters in New York City at the 2022 BSM Summit.
Starting in New York, it’s an honor to welcome WFAN afternoon drive host Craig Carton to the 2022 BSM Summit. Heard daily on ‘Carton and Roberts‘ alongside Evan Roberts, which is also featured on TV on SNY, Carton has made his presence felt ever since returning to the airwaves in November 2020. Prior to taking on the challenge in afternoons, Craig spent a decade partnering with Boomer Esiason on ‘Boomer and Carton‘, forming one of the most successful sports radio morning shows in the country. In addition to enjoying success in New York, Craig has also experienced the ups and downs that come with performing in different markets. His radio travels have taken him to Philadelphia, Denver, Buffalo and Trenton, NJ. The Syracuse graduate and outspoken host is expected to join BSM President Jason Barrett for a one on one conversation at this year’s Summit.
Shipping up to Boston, it’s a pleasure to welcome two of the format’s highest rated performers to New York City. They’re heard on 98.5 The Sports Hub in morning and afternoon drive, and at the Summit, they’ll interact together during an in-depth content conversation with BSM President Jason Barrett.
Fred Toucher is one half of the Sports Hub’s popular morning show ‘Toucher & Rich‘, which recently added syndication. The Detroit native started his career in Georgia before moving to Boston in 2005. Toucher & Rich, which includes Rich Shertenlieb, officially moved into the sports talk format in 2009. Since making the format switch, the duo have consistently produced some of the best ratings in the entire format in mornings during the past fifteen years. Toucher & Rich have also been recognized by industry executives as one of the top two morning shows in the format each of the past three years in the BSM Top 20, including taking top honors in 2018.
Mike Felger on the other hand is heard on the ride home alongside Tony Massarotti on The Sports Hub. The Marconi Award-winning afternoon radio show has been a fixture in Boston since the station’s inception in 2009. During the past twelve years, Felger & Mazz have been a steady force atop the Men 25-54 ratings including recently delivering an impressive 18.9 share in the summer book to finish 1st. The Milwaukee native also hosts a show for NBC Boston, and has previously served as a columnist for the Boston Globe. Similar to Toucher & Rich, Felger & Mazz have earned high praise from format execs in the BSM Top 20. They’ve been voted one of the top 2 afternoon shows each of the past 2 years including grabbing the top spot in 2019.
We’re excited to add all three of these men to the lineup for the 2022 BSM Summit. As vital as it may be to spend time on business issues in order to stay ahead of a rapidly changing media climate, without great talent and content, the rest is irrelevant. Few understand what it takes to deliver success in this format consistently like Craig, Fred and Mike, and I’m glad they’re making the time to share their knowledge with us.
To reserve your hotel room, purchase tickets or learn more about the speakers we’ve lined up for the 2022 show, visit BSMSummit.com. We hope to see you online or in New York City this March.
Flipping through the pages of your high school yearbook often evokes feelings of nostalgia no matter your high school experience. Looking back at the photos of your fellow classmates from the days where everyone was just trying to find and establish their own identity can make you long for those days of simplistic chaos. As you look at each section of the book, usually the class valedictorian is highlighted, where you can learn more about the person with the highest grade point average considered to be at the top of your class.
The valedictorian of Lowell High School in San Francisco, CA would turn out to be a man who sports fans referred to as “Captain Midnight” on the other side of the country for 34 years. Underneath his yearbook photo, this kid’s ambition was listed as seeking to become a “New York Sportscaster,” and he certainly left no doubt that he achieved his goal, and then some, when he signed off the airwaves for the final time last week (for an excellent peak behind the scenes video of the final show click here).
Indeed, the maxim holds true that if you can make it in New York City, you can make it anywhere. For Steve Somers, that mantra held true starting from the moment his voice was broadcast over the airwaves of WFAN. He’d discuss the latest happenings across the world of New York Sports, and frequently take calls from listeners, giving them a chance to share their opinions.
Somers did not get to the city that never sleeps right away though. He worked in television for roughly 17 years prior to moving to the East Coast with various outlets and in different markets, including his hometown of San Francisco. He also spent time in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Sacramento.
The day Somers finally made it to New York City was emotional for him. At the time, Somers had not held a job for two and a half years, nor had he worked in radio since his foray in television had begun. None of that stopped him though from catalyzing an exciting career on the air in the number one media market in the country.
“I’ve often said to people that if you were to take an airplane flight from the [West] Coast to the [East] Coast, it would take about five and a half to six hours,” said Somers. “It took me 22 years to land in New York. And I cried — I was so happy joining a radio station in New York City that was going to be doing something 24/7.”
Somers, 74, was the last of the original voices from its 1987 launch as the pioneer of the sports talk radio format in New York City to depart the station,. Despite being from San Francisco, he helped the station establish its local sound. He did this not only by taking an innumerable amount of calls over his career, but also by being able to understand and relate to the passion and zeal New York sports fans had for their favorite teams: the Devils, Giants, Islanders, Jets, Knicks, Mets, Nets, Rangers, and Yankees.
“You can’t come into somebody else’s house and rearrange the furniture,” said Somers. “Maybe this is old school — and I’m old and I went to school — but it may be old school to be a please and thank you guy [on the phone]… I have a lot of respect for coming into this city and talking to what I consider to be the number one place for media and the number one place for sports.”
While it took several years for the station to find its audience, Somers never had a doubt that “New York’s FAN” would be able to find its sound and appeal to a local cohort of listeners, as well as its group of listeners from abroad.
“I never thought the radio station would not survive,” said Somers. “I had always thought that with nine professional teams in New York City — how could it not survive?”
When Somers was hired prior to the station’s July 1, 1987 launch, management at WFAN had to make decisions regarding the station’s programming lineup, specifically what it would do overnight.
“They weren’t sure whether they would have syndicated programming overnight, or a repeat of daytime programming overnight, or whether or not they would have a live person overnight,” said Somers. “To my good fortune, I was their last hire, and, of course, did a live program overnight for the very first time on the very first all-sports 24-hour station.”
Through his time on the air, Somers brought a unique on-air sound to listeners in the New York-Metropolitan area, with recurring bits, such as the Fearless Forecaster, and other production pieces. It all surrounded his famous monologue, which he notoriously prepared every night on a standard yellow stenography pad. Additionally, Somers would frequently take calls during his show while in the studio, or as he put it — “Me here, and you there.” His most famous caller? None other than comedy and television legend Jerry Seinfeld, who would often talk about his beloved New York Mets on the program yada, yada, yada.
“I don’t think I’m anywhere close to his talent, but he grew up listening to me and the radio station at night, and became a fan,” said Somers. “I’m not going to say we were the best of friends, [but] we had a very good radio listenership acquaintance kind of relationship.”
The cast of people Somers worked with “on the other side of the glass” included the likes of Evan Roberts, Sal Licata, Paul Rosenberg, and, of course, Eddie Scozzare, all of whom served in various roles for the program. Somers recognizes the effort they demonstrated in trying to make the program exciting, entertaining and engaging for the listeners.
“Being a producer is a thankless job,” said Somers. “As long as somebody gave an effort; that didn’t mean they were all 100 percent successful any more than anyone on the air has a brilliant show every time they are on. If you were to give effort, you were succeeding as far as I was concerned.”
Aside from the plethora of on-air talent, including Somers, Mike Francesca, Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo and Don Imus, those behind the scenes, such as former WFAN Vice President of Programming Mark Chernoff, helped institute and maintain the station’s upward trajectory throughout most of the years Somers was on the air.
“Chernoff was all-business,” Somers elucidated. “He was very strict. He wanted you to always follow the rules and be your best and go from there. A boss’s job is to boss, and some are easier to get along with than others. Chernoff and I got along okay. If you were honest, candid, direct matter-of-fact with him, you [would get] along.”
WFAN is now led by its new vice president of programming Spike Eskin, who joined the station this year, 34 years to the day of its launch, after he served in a similar role at SportsRadio 94WIP in Philadelphia.
Somers speaks fondly of Eskin and Senior Vice President and New York Market Manager for Audacy, Chris Oliviero, two influential voices at the radio station, the latter who infamously sent Somers a letter asking for an autograph as a high school student in 1993. “The Schmoozer” knows they are up to the task in continuing to lead the original home for sports talk radio further amid an oversaturated 21st-century media landscape.
“Radio is certainly not the same as it was 34 years ago. There are so many other ways that you can get information. Radio, to me, was always personal and intimate, and no matter how it goes into this next century with all the technical advancements and utilizing all the venues, all the platforms and social media, generally speaking what separates radio and really WFAN to this day from other radio stations is [that it’s] personal and intimate, and it can be both of those.”
Somers confirmed that he was offered a midnight to 5 a.m. time slot to stay on the air at WFAN, which he politely declined. While he had his final show Monday and left on good terms, he does not view it as the definitive end of his broadcasting career; indeed, he is leaving the possibility of “Schmoozing” again open for consideration.
“How do you really retire from talking?,” said Somers. “At this moment, I don’t feel like doing a podcast, but if WFAN wants to have me back someday [to fill] in, I would certainly listen and probably do it… The retirement was really going to be the best option for me at this time. Again, down the road, if they were to give [me] a call, I’d be flattered.”
Somers affirms it was the people around him that led him to his success, both in and out of the WFAN Studios, and a significant reason why he was able to stay there for 34 years in the number one media market in the country: New York, NY.
“The people, whether it was management then or management now, and all the calls and all the listeners that I might have had over the years, I owe everything to them… because they gave me a chance to realize my dream; to realize my goal; to realize my destination, and they gave me a chance — the audience gave me a chance; gave me a life; gave me a career. And I owe everything to them.”
Courtesy: NY Post
For now, Somers is retired, and content with his decision.
“If I have to go through a major withdrawal, so far so good. I’m at peace with everything and making whatever adjustment you have to make; just [moving] forward and [looking] forward to any new challenges that may come my way.”
Give the Devil his due. Speak of the Devil. Prospecting is the Devil’s work. And, now, thanks to sales author and speaker Phil M Jones, you have devilishly productive prospecting.
I ran across Jones after a recommendation from long-time radio sales trainer Chris Lytle. Jones has a smooth delivery complete with a British accent and focuses on training salespeople on what to say, when to say it, and even how. I have found him direct, simple to understand, and implement.
Recently, he deviated from our sales language and reminded us about his prospecting philosophy. So many of us relate cold calling with prospecting when, it could be reconnecting with orphan accounts, upselling current accounts, or approaching people you know but just haven’t done yet. And, yes, of course, it can involve approaching clients you don’t know.
When we first start as an AE, most of all we do is chase new prospects. Our list is anywhere from 60-100+ accounts, and our sales software can organize it a hundred different ways. As we progress, we get 20-30 accounts on the air with another 15-20 seasonal accounts, and then we have as many as 50 dead accounts. Here’s another way to do it. Cut it back to 18 total accounts. Jones thinks it is impossible to prospect more than 18 customers, and I agree with him.
After working with 2 million salespeople, Jones has found that there’s no way we can actively WORK more than eighteen accounts at a time. Jones says we should list 18 prospects who fit the descriptions of our perfect customer. It is easier to think about 18 prospects rather than 80. The list always stays at 18 as you drop off clients who say no or yes and replace them. The “devilish” tie-in here is that Jones organizes the prospects into three groups of six.
Get it? 6-6-6? Here they are:
Low Hanging Fruit
These six are ready to drop, and all you must do is line them up. These are prospects who can bill this month because it’s an easy decision for them. The billing number may not be that big, but it makes SENSE! The florist for a Valentine’s Day promo, a sporting goods store for a pro athlete remote, call-ins, referrals, or existing clients who are repeat business.
Perfect client
Gather six clients who fit the perfect description of a client. It could be one who listens to the station, sponsors a local team, or matches up with your personality well. One of the feelings that can overcome you is that YOU get to choose and are empowered when you invite them to do business with you.
BIG 6
These are dream clients. Think big budgets and big clients. Corporate clients, municipalities, or clients in high-rise office buildings, clients that it could take a year in your pipeline to even get an opportunity to present an annual budget. These accounts require you to get to know key decision-makers in that company, volunteer to be around them, whatever it takes. You can’t have 18 prospects like this BIG 6, or you won’t sell anything in the short term.
Your BIG 6 can move into a Low Hanging Fruit basket. Then, you need to replace them, and the Devil is in the details.
Brian Griese is the answer to a pretty cool NFL trivia question. Griese and his father, Bob Griese, are the only father/son quarterback combination in NFL history to both win Super Bowl titles. The elder Griese, a Hall of Fame quarterback, won back-to-back titles with Miami in Super Bowls VII and VIII and later served as a top college football analyst for ABC Sports from 1987-2005.
Courtesy: Getty Images
The younger Griese followed in his dad’s footsteps one more time, in becoming a college football, and eventually NFL, color commentator. Brian was named to the ESPN Monday Night Football booth in 2020, in a three-man booth featuring Steve Levy on play-by-play and Louis Riddick as the other analyst. The crew was basically given last season as an audition. They passed and were brought back for the 2021 Monday night schedule.
FOOTBALL CAREER
Griese played collegiately at Michigan from 1993-1997. He was a walk-on for the Wolverines after turning down scholarships at Purdue, where his dad played, and Kentucky.
He managed to piece together a pretty nice career for a non-scholarship player. In his career he went 17-5 as a starter. Oh yeah, the Wolverines won all three games against Ohio State in which he was the QB. Griese was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in December of 2012.
Griese led the Wolverines to the 1997 National Championship (as recognized by the Associated Press). After being selected in the third round by the Denver Broncos in the 1998 NFL Draft, he earned his Super Bowl ring with the Broncos in his rookie season, as John Elway led the Broncos to a victory in Super Bowl XXIII over the Falcons. Elway retired after the Super Bowl and Griese became the starting quarterback for the Broncos during the 1999 season. Griese made the Pro Bowl in 2000. After leaving the Broncos, Griese started games for the Dolphins, Bears and Buccaneers.
After his release in July of 2009, he decided to retire from the NFL.
ROAD TO ESPN MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Griese joined ESPN soon after his playing days were over in 2009. His rise to the MNF Booth was 11 years in the making. He was a leading analyst on college football for the network, calling big games on ABC and ESPN since his hiring. Griese teamed with Levy, field analyst Todd McShay and reporter Molly McGrath to call prominent games which included broadcasting New Year’s Day Bowls on television and the College Football Playoff games on ESPN Radio.
Griese previously called ESPN’s MNF doubleheader game in 2019 – with his current MNF booth mates Levy and Riddick, and 2018 with Beth Mowins. He also called Denver Broncos’ preseason games on TV (2018-19 with Levy) and regular season games on the radio (2010-12).
AS AN ANALYST
When Griese, Levy and Riddick took over the MNF booth, ESPN was looking to shake things up. Levy was a known commodity, handling many different roles at the network, including hockey. Riddick was more of a question mark from the start. He had the chops as a former player and front office guy, but he had never really served as a game analyst. Griese on the other hand, as I’ve denoted earlier, had plenty of game experience and the ability to break down a game. The risk though, was a three-man booth. These are never easy situations in any sport.
Courtesy: ESPN Images
“Obviously having three people in a booth versus two people in a booth is different,” Griese told The Athletic last year before the groups’ first season together. “It’s different structurally. The amount of time that you have to talk and how you organize that is something that you have to work through. It’s going to be a work in progress, but I think as time goes on, we’ll develop our rhythm.” he said.
The roles have been carved out nicely. Griese is a pro in the booth. He can break down what a quarterback sees or what an offensive coordinator is trying to accomplish on any given play, or in certain situations. Having been not only a starter in the NFL, but a backup too, really helps him in my opinion. Sometimes as a starter you get very comfortable with what you’re calling, because of the involvement play to play. As a backup, he had the ability to understand by listening to the offensive coordinator in ‘game situations’ and soaked up that knowledge. In turn now he’s able to present that information from both sides if you will. Yet, both Griese and Riddick can explain things to the casual fan. He knows his audience is far less familiar with the nuts and bolts of a game plan than he is.
I really feel like Riddick’s development into a top-flight analyst, comes from Griese’s understanding of the role. What do I mean by that? Last year, I felt like Riddick deferred a lot to Griese. In kind, I think the former QB nurtured Riddick, and allowed him to grow, because of how Griese handles his job. I’ve said it many times, there is a unique skill that only a few former athletes have mastered. That is simplifying the game of football down to its basic form and allowing everyone watching to understand the intricacies involved. All Griese had to do, was be himself and Riddick is doing the same. It really works, especially with an experienced ‘traffic cop’ in the booth.
“Ultimately, I don’t view our role as showing up every week and trying to show people how much football we know. That’s not the point.” Griese told the Athletic. “They will learn something new watching the show, and at the very minimum, they will know why the game was won or lost, whether that’s a decision by a player or a coach. They will be engaged emotionally because that’s always what the most interesting thing to me is when we watch a football game.”
There have been occasions where Griese has been questioned for some of the comments he makes. Most recently in the Bears/Steelers Monday Night game on November 8th. Late in the game the Bears tied the score at 26. With 1:46 on the clock, going for one point seemed like it would be the obvious thing to do. The Steelers were called for encroachment and Griese asked whether Matt Nagy would go for two.
“If this is offsides on the defense, now you have options,” Griese said. “Do you want to go for two here and potentially… (quick pause), well you’re going to kick this field goal either way. It’s a higher percentage to win the game.”
There was that pause. He was likely hearing from his producer reminding him of the situation and that it only made sense to kick the extra-point.
Everyone makes a mistake from time to time, even people that played the game at the highest level. I don’t hold that against Griese, considering, as a Bears’ fan, that game had no flow thanks to all the penalties that were called in that game. Tony Corrente and his crew made far more mistakes that night than the broadcast team did.
I’m sure, if Griese is like many, as soon as that commercial break hit, he probably took off his headsets and looked at his partners and said something like, “What did I just say?”. He also probably thanked the producer or whoever got in his ear for having his back.
This situation certainly doesn’t define Griese as a broadcaster or an analyst. I look at it as a blip on the radar and one that doesn’t happen very often.
Courtesy: ESPN Images
CONCLUSION
As a whole, I enjoy Griese’s work on ESPN and ABC. He’s become a household voice in football and now is a mainstay on MNF. His less is more approach works, I think it helps the casual fan understand the game better. It’s always nicer when the analyst doesn’t talk down to you, he/she talks to you and helps the fan to see what they are talking about. The Griese name surely carries some cache, with name recognition as well.
The 2022 BSM Summit continues to add firepower to the sports media industry’s premier conference. After previously announcing the first twenty one participants to take part in March’s event in New York City, another seven talented media professionals have been added to the speaker schedule.
Making his BSM Summit debut in 2022 will be the media industry’s leading business analyst Gordon Borrell. The well respected and accomplished CEO of Borrell Associates is featured frequently in the trades and mainstream publications for his insights on advertising trends and forecasts in local media. Borrell will join Amplifi Media CEO Steven Goldstein on stage at the Summit for an in-depth discussion on the advertising climate in 2022. The two men will offer insights and opinions on what advertisers value most, where they’re expected to invest future dollars, which categories will continue to rise and decline, and what brands can do to position themselves better to increase revenue. Additionally, Borrell will be hosting his local advertising conference in Miami a few days after the Summit. Those interested in heading to South Beach and learning more about the marketing world can learn more by clicking here.
Switching to the content end, the Summit is thrilled to welcome The Volume’s Jake Crain to New York City. The host of The JBoy Show will also be making his debut at the conference. Crain will be part of a talent panel along with John Jastremski and Kazeem Famuyide.
Also making his debut at the Summit will be Carl Scott. Meadowlark Media’s Executive Director of Audio will join our podcasting panel featuring Blue Wire CEO Kevin Jones and The Volume’s Head of Content Logan Swaim. Hubbard Radio’s Digital Content Director Phil Mackey will guide the conversation.
Not everyone participating at the Summit will be new to the audience though. Returning to the stage as part of our GM’s discussion will be newly appointed Audacy Boston Market Manager Mike Thomas. Thomas recently led ESPN 1000 in Chicago as the station’s GM after working with Mark Hannon to turn 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston into one of sports radio’s top performing stations. It should be noted that each time Thomas appears at the Summit it follows a recent promotion. We figure by 2023 or 2024 he’ll be running the entire industry.
A Summit isn’t complete without attention given to programming matters. To help us address some of those key issues, we’re excited to welcome back the Vice President of FOX Sports Radio & Podcasts Scott Shapiro. The passionate network executive who oversees many of the nation’s top national programs is always a great listen for folks interested in learning how programmer’s view and tackle the industry’s most important affairs.
Last but certainly not least, voice talent extraordinaire Jim Cutler will return to the stage to lead a session on storytelling. One of the industry’s prominent station voices and creative minds has a penchant for putting on entertaining and informative sessions. If you’ve attended the conference before, you’re already aware. To those planning to catch this one, you’re in for a treat.
Keep an eye out over the next two weeks. We’ll be making additional announcements involving a few high profile talents we’ve lined up for the 2022 BSM Summit. A reminder, the event is just 104 days away, so if you haven’t purchased your ticket yet, please do so. Half of the room is already full and seating for the conference is limited. I realize some folks may prefer to wait until the last minute to make sure the world is safe. If you’re not comfortable flying to NY for the show, we do have an option in place to enjoy the conference virtually thanks to NuVoodoo Media. For more information on tickets, click here.
That said, the in-person environment is excellent. If you haven’t attended the Summit before I think you’ll find the two days in New York City to be time well spent. This conference is not open to the general public. You must either presently work in an area of the media industry or be pursuing a degree in the broadcasting field.
One final note, airfare is low right now. There are roundtrip flights to and from New York from many major cities for less than $200.00. We’ve also secured a low hotel rate of $109.00 per night at Hotel Edison in NYC to help companies and individuals keep costs down. The sports media industry has endured two years of difficulty due to the pandemic, preventing many from networking, learning, celebrating, and growing. The two days we spend together in the big apple won’t solve every issue facing our business, but I promise you’ll leave the show more informed, more connected, and better prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.
The recently formed Audio Active Group publishes audio insights, advertiser case studies, and sales videos to benefit anybody who wants to study audio. Pierre Bouvard is the Chief Insights Officer of Cumulus Media and Westwood One and has done media research for years. In fact, over the last six years approximately, the AAG ordered eight consumer studies focusing specifically on the home improvement market.
Courtesy: Adobe Stock
The results were that radio continues to be effective, efficient, and often the most successful way of boosting brand awareness and bringing shoppers to a home improvement retailer, whether in person or online. I’ll give you a few ideas on how you can capitalize in a moment. And that should be no surprise to those of us who have spent hours listening to play-by-play or sports talk on the weekend while doing a DIY project or yard work. The studies showed that the heaviest users of audio are the biggest drivers of home improvement sales. When comparing three categories of heavy radio listeners, podcast listeners and heavy TV viewers (more than eight hours a week for radio and 24 hours a week for TV), you get exciting results.
Audio consumers, either radio or podcast listeners, turn out to be “massive spenders” in the home improvement category. Maybe those in front of a TV aren’t too motivated to do anything, let alone a DIY project. The studies also found that a home improvement retailer that increased spending by more than 100% on AM/FM radio in 21 local markets experienced a significant surge in-store traffic and sales.
Additionally, AM/FM radio ads that focus on sales events for different home improvement departments consistently created a halo effect that increased online shopping and store visits. That’s news you can use. And that explains why Lowes and Home Depot are back in the Top 10 in November radio spot buys. It also gives you some data to get busy selling this category. Start prospecting any product you see each week on College GameDay. Ladders, drills, stains, sealants, and paints. Go to Home Depot/Lowes and see what’s on display, who is spending money to be in store, and figure out how to reach that rep. Partner up with that company, do remotes from the store, co-sponsor DIY clinics, and get involved at the store level because your P-1’s are there. And, while we are at it, why not launch your own remodeling makeover at the radio station?
Work with a remodeling company and do a half cash/trade deal to remodel your studio, kitchen, or sales areas and give them the top-of-the-hour ID “Sports Radio 96.9, built by Jones Remodelers.” Get some new studio furniture like stand-up computer monitors and do a “stand up” segment brought to you by a retailer. Think of the social media you can get out of this. Great before and after photos of the kitchen or studio remodel. Videos of the remodeling work handled with materials from a sponsor and labor by the best DIY person at the station.
And, by the way, when you put DIY-oriented commercials together, the research says female voiceovers drove stronger brand awareness among both men and women. So start building it, and the sponsors will come.
Radio and television personalities have a few responsibilities to their viewers/listeners that are very critical. Yes, they need to inform you. Letting the audience know the latest information going on with the game they are covering. These folks also have a job to entertain, to keep an audience when a game is a blowout and to help the casual fan enjoy what they’re seeing or hearing. This applies to play-by-play announcers, booth analysts, studio hosts, and studio analysts. It takes a special skill to be able to keep tabs on a game and find ways to keep it light when the moment calls for it.
After careful consideration, I’ve constructed a list of the top 5 current personalities (play-by-play, game analyst, studio host and studio analyst) that are currently working. Entertaining can mean a few things among the people on this list. Humor is obviously one of the criteria. In the case of the play-by-play announcers here, the way they are able to work laughs into the broadcast without compromising it is critical. As far as the analysts go, it’s all about personality. I think you’ll understand better as we document the folks on this list. Remember also, this is a list of those currently working in the industry.
Kevin Harlan
He is perhaps one of the most enthusiastic of the play-by-play announcers out there. His voice screams excitement, without screaming at you. Harlan is a wordsmith. He can weave in some of his catchphrases, right in the flow of the broadcast, but the point still makes it across the airwaves.
Whether it’s LeBron James dunking on someone, “with no regard for human life” or a play in a Ravens game featuring Lamar Jackson, where he escaped trouble. For that escape he was rewarded with a patented OHHHHH and a “HE IS HOUDINI!” I love his calls because while they are up there in excitement, Harlan always, forgive the sports cliché here, stays within himself. It’s not over the top.
Another reason he’s on this list is his ability to improvise, overcome and adapt. Like this gem from a year or so ago, during a Monday Night Football radio broadcast, when a runaway cat got loose on the field.
“Oh, and there a cat, a cat black has taken the field. A black cat is running from the 20 to the nearside the 10, from the 39 of Dallas here is a short throw down the middle caught by Engram. Caught at the 35 to the 30, now the cat running the other way and so is Ingram at the 25 near the 24-yard line of the Dallas Cowboys. It’s a catch-run of 15. Now the cat is stopped at the 50 … he’s at the eight … now he is at the five … he’s walking to the three, he’s at the two… and the cat is in the CDW Red Zone… now a policeman, a state trooper is on the field- AND THE CAT RUNS IN THE END ZONE! THAT IS A TOUCHDOWN!”
Gold, I tell you, gold!
Bob Uecker
Uecker is as much a part of Brewers lore as Bernie Brewer, who goes down a slide into a beer mug when Milwaukee homers. The guy has had an extraordinary run, not just in baseball, but in movies and television as well.
For those too young to remember, Uecker made numerous appearances on ‘The Tonight Show’ with Johnny Carson, who nicknamed Uecker ‘Mr. Baseball”. He starred in his own sitcom in the 80’s called ‘Mr. Belvedere’ and appeared in memorable commercials for Miller Lite beer. In one ad he exclaimed, ‘I must be in the front row’ a line uttered by many at baseball games. Of course, he is well known for his role in the movie ‘Major League’ where he plays baseball announcer Harry Doyle.
Uecker’s announcing style is not much different than ‘Doyle’s’, in that he always seems up beat. But it’s the stories that he tells, most are self-deprecating in nature, referring mainly to his playing career which wasn’t as spectacular as his post-baseball career. Here’s one from his Hall of Fame induction speech on July 27, 2003.
“My two boys are just like me,” Uecker told a crowd. “In their championship Little League game, one of them struck out three times and the other one had an error allowing the winning run to score. They lost the championship, and I couldn’t have been more proud. I remember the people as we walked through the parking lot throwing eggs and rotten stuff at our car. What a beautiful day.”
Uecker is beloved in his hometown of Milwaukee where he was recently celebrated for 50 years behind the microphone. At the ceremony he did have a thought for the final giveaway that would include his likeness.
“My last bobblehead, this is what I want,” Uecker said. “It’s going to be a box, the top will open, I will get up, and do my get up, get up, get out of here, and back down, close the cover and that’s it. That’s the way I want to go.”
Uecker is a baseball treasure.
Charles Barkley
The debate has been raging now for about 20 years. Was Charles Barkley a better player or broadcaster? If you watch him regularly on ‘Inside the NBA’ on TNT, you’ll likely vote for the latter choice. He’s about as real and as entertaining as it gets on television. That statement isn’t just limited to basketball either.
The former Philadelphia 76er, Phoenix Sun and Houston Rocket, played for 16 seasons in the NBA. He was an NBA MVP, 11-time All-Star and a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, enshrined in 2006. While most know him for the career on the hardwood, some know him better for sitting behind the desk on set with, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal.
Barkley definitely keeps it real and entertaining. His opinions are without filter and his personality is endearing. He plays along well with everyone on the panel and even when he’s on a different show, hilarity usually ensues. Just like when he appeared on the inaugural Manningcast a few weeks ago.
When Peyton Manning asked, “Hey Charles, you ever get booed at home? Never happened to you, right?” Barkley quickly responded, “I played in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. That was a regularity.” “You were lucky, Peyton. Everybody liked you. Eli knows what it’s like to get booed at home.”
Barkley appeared on the debut edition of ‘The NHL on TNT’ pregame show with Wayne Gretzky. The former NBA star is a big NHL fan and threw shout-outs to ‘his’ Tampa Bay Lightning on the show. But nothing was better than watching ‘The Great One’ shoot hockey pucks and arguably one of the biggest goalies ever on live television. Barkley learned how to hold a goalie stick with his blocker hand and learned what the ‘5’ hole was. He was able to stop 1 of Gretzky’s five shots.
Later in the evening, video surfaced of Gretzky in a hockey fight with Minnesota’s Neil Broten. Upon seeing Gretzky beaten in the fight Barkley yelled, ‘you lost to a guy with a perm? Are you serious?’ Remember it was the 80’s so the hairstyle of choice for many was the ‘perm’. Great stuff.
Barkley on air is charming and acts like a big kid, which is a lot of fun for everyone.
Peyton Manning
Courtesy: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Who knew that Peyton Manning was such a fun-loving personality when he played in the NFL? We got a glimpse of it as he was getting ready to finish up his great career as a quarterback for the Colts and Broncos. Peyton became that ‘geeky guy next door’ spokesman for several companies and left us with some memorable lines from his commercials.
As a spokesman for Nationwide Insurance he had the ad where everything he said was in the tune of ‘Nationwide is on your side’. Like “Chicken Parm you taste so good…” or “that’s a first rate queso dip.” He was also known for a legendary Mastercard commercial where he plays a ‘fan’ of people doing every day tasks. Lines like ‘Cut that meat, cut that meat’ and ‘Charlie you’re my favorite accountant, come on you’re on my fantasy team’. Manning was seen leaning over a railing like some young fans that are seeking autographs from their favorite players.
The work he and his brother Eli are doing on the “Manning MegaCast” during some Monday Night Football games is fantastic. He and Eli are funny and play off of each other well. Peyton is genuinely entertaining and not afraid to put himself out there for ridicule. Eli continues to make fun of Peyton’s forehead and it’s all good. Peyton relies on his perceived personality to take advantage of most situations. People saw him as this, ‘buttoned up’ athlete, but now he’s a must-watch whenever he appears on his own show or any other for that matter.
Manning is almost like a ‘dad joke’ waiting to happen.
Bill Walton
Then there is the granddaddy of them all, Bill Walton. Half the time I’m not even sure what the heck he is talking about, but I guess that makes it entertaining, right? Walton can be a play-by-play announcer’s worst nightmare, except most of, if not all of them, get it. They understand that Walton stands out in the crowd. I guess, literally (6’10”) and figuratively.
His rants are epic. They usually have nothing to do with the game he’s calling, whether it be basketball or baseball. Yes, he got a chance to call a baseball game in August of 2019. The White Sox and the Angels played in Anaheim and what ensued was the stuff of legends.
After a James McCann grand slam, he exclaimed, ‘What a fantastic turn of events if you love the White Sox, and I’m falling in love by the breath.’ Then after Mike Trout took Lucas Giolito deep,
‘That’s Trout? Swimming upstream, avoiding all the flies and sending one ricocheting through the universe,’ Walton said. Then there was the Walton everybody knows and loves, just stringing together words. ‘Woodstock. 50 years. ’79. Full moon. Waterfall. Exploding volcanoes. Baseball. White Sox. Angels. Summertime. No rain on the horizon. Greg Gumbel. Sam Smith. David Axelrod. Wow.’ Walton exclaimed. Ok, sure.
During the typical game called by Walton, there will likely be just as much discussion about non-basketball topics than basketball topics. Walton’s rants can drive some fans crazy, but most viewers love them. Take for example a game between Colorado and Oregon in February of 2020. Mark Jackson joined Dave Pasch and Walton on the call. Going to break, Walton exclaimed, ‘Get me some grass!’. I mean Buffaloes do graze on grass, but the double entendre works so well here. It continued after the break.
Jackson politely asked, ‘You said ‘Get me some grass.’ What kind of grass do you want?’ Walton replied quickly ‘I want Oregon grass! In Oregon, when you live here… what you do all the time is you cut firewood & you cut the grass. And then you gotta get rid of both of those, so you use them all.’
That is just one example of MANY that are out there if you search the internet. It’s awesome that his bosses at ESPN let him be himself. Remember, it’s Walton’s World and we’re just living in it.
That’s my list, hope it entertained you, as much as these five people entertain you and me, every time they open their mics.
When you think about the best three-point shooters in NBA history, a surfeit of names that have very much transformed the game of basketball come to mind. Dražen Petrović, Kyle Korver, Steve Kerr, and Hubert Davis implemented the three-point shot regularly into their game when the shot was introduced in the 1979-80 season. Today though, shooting from distance is an art form in and of itself, with snipers such as Stephen Curry, Joe Harris, Klay Thompson, and Duncan Robinson consistently knocking down the near 24-foot shot from the top of the key. Sometimes, the high-arcing shot comes from distances even farther away behind the arc for purposes of creating space from defenders or taking advantage of an open look. Even occasional half- and full-court heaves result in a ‘swish,’ electrifying the team and their fans, and becoming moments played on highlight reels for years to come.
Through his 15-year playing career, JJ Redick was no stranger to the three-point basket, making 1,950 of them during his time in the league. In 2015 as the starting shooting guard for the LA Clippers, Redick began his first endeavor into the world of sports media, becoming the first active NBA player with a weekly show during the regular season. The original podcast, which was incorporated into a larger show hosted by current-ESPN NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski, evolved into The Old Man and the Three, hosted by Redick and Tommy Alter.
Courtesy: MSNBC
In August 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Redick and Alter co-founded ThreeFourTwo Productions, which “aims to give an inside look at the stories and personalities in the worlds of sports, business, politics and entertainment.” Additionally, the production company will explore ventures among many different focuses, ranging from film to food.
Redick recently announced his retirement as a player from the game of basketball; however, he will not be far from the court, continuing his journey in the world of sports media in his post-retirement career as an analyst for the NBA on ESPN.
“I pretty much knew last year was going to be my last year in the NBA,” said Redick during his media availability, “so I’ve been sort of preparing for this transition for a long time. I met with ESPN again this fall around the time I was getting ready to announce my retirement, and I just looked at this as sort of a perfect opportunity.”
In his quest for a job in sports media, Redick spoke to both ESPN and Turner Sports about working as an analyst. An aspect of post-retirement life in which he garners considerable value is being able to spend quality time with his two children, Knox and Kai. Being able to have the flexibility to be with his children, while also staying involved in the game of basketball, was a key factor that ultimately pushed Redick to go into broadcasting on television.
“I talked to a coach earlier this summer who had done TV and front office stuff… and one of the things that he impressed upon me was just the time that was available to spend with your young kids when you were doing television,” said Redick. “It’s one of the reasons that I retired, because I wanted to spend more time with my wife and my kids. This is perfect for me right now.”
Redick is excited to begin his journey with ESPN, and will initially serve primarily as a studio analyst. Additionally, he will serve as a color-commentator for select NBA contests, something that he feels comfortable doing with his experience in podcasting.
“I’ve never done a game before, and honestly if I’m being truthful, that’s probably the thing I’m most excited about. I would compare it to a live podcast because you’re just sort of reacting to what’s going on [out] on the court, you’re providing insight, providing analysis, hopefully a little bit of humor, and hopefully, there’s some chemistry with the play-by-play guys.”
The NBA veteran, who played for the Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, L.A. Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks, was always thinking about going into broadcasting during his NBA career. Prudential in his mindset both on- and off-the-court, Redick has always focused on “the next thing, not the end thing.”
“You’re always thinking about what kind of path you want to take post-career,” said Redick. “This was just a perfect opportunity. It was the right sort of work-life balance in year one.”
Courtesy: Getty Images
A standout college player at Duke University, Redick is the Blue Devils’ all-time leading scorer, and a protégé of Coach Mike Krzyzewski, a legend on the bench colloquially referred to as “Coach K.” Entering his final season at the helm of Duke University’s men’s basketball program, Redick is open to talking about his time at the school on-the-air. Other than that though, he does not have a genuine interest in covering college basketball for ESPN.
“I did a Zoom call with some folks on the college basketball side and the NBA side [this summer],” said Redick. “My agent and I expressed to ESPN that I was only interested in doing NBA basketball.”
Redick will not demur from criticizing his former teammates while behind the microphone. Something he does not look to be, though, is an on-air personality who relies on giving hot-takes; rather, he will provide his expertise and insight to give listeners a unique perspective during the broadcast.
“I’m looking to provide analysis,” said Redick. “I’m looking to provide the why, the how, all that stuff… I’ve got 30 years… of basketball knowledge in this brain, and I want to share it with the average fan. I want the average fan to come away from one of my appearances knowing [and understanding] the game a little bit better.”
Redick will also seek to incorporate analytics into the broadcast, synthesizing esoteric concepts to render them comprehendible to the viewing audience.
“This may come as a shock to some people, but although I’m a player, I’m also an analytics person, so I study analytics,” said Redick. “I know ESPN uses a lot of great stats, and I’m looking to impart some of those stats so that the average fan can understand [them].”
The spontaneity of the NBA is something Redick cherishes as a student of the game, and a part of his viewpoint as a player he feels he will be able to describe to basketball fans in his new role. He expounded on this component of the game by spotlighting an elementary math equation — with a twist.
“I always say this league is not two plus two equals four. Sometimes two plus two equals five and sometimes it equals seven. You never really know. That’s what makes our sport so beautiful, because it’s this sort-of organic mixture of personalities and skills and luck. You never know what the on-court product is going to result in.”
Working with a team of professionals is an element of the job Redick enters with years of prior experience from his time on the hardwood. He knows that being a team player is essential to sustained success, and will be something he focuses on as he enters this new chapter of his career.
“One of the things that I love about basketball is that it’s collaborative,” explained Redick. “It requires cooperation, and when you’re [part of] a really good group, there’s really good chemistry, and you just love going to work every day. I’m approaching this in the same way.”
Redick made his studio debut last Wednesday ahead of ESPN’s NBA doubleheader featuring matchups between the Atlanta Hawks and Brooklyn Nets, along with the Charlotte Hornets visiting the Golden State Warriors on the new studio show NBA Today, hosted by NBA reporter Malika Andrews.
Courtesy: GQ
“After 15 years in the NBA, I am excited to take what I have learned on the court and be able to provide my insight and strong opinions about the game I love,” said Redick in a press release from ESPN. “I am thrilled to have found a place on the biggest platform in sports, ESPN. I look forward to starting my post-playing career with such an incredible organization.”
A business trip to Nashville last week uncovered some industry news which gives radio operators another content consideration for improving their programming. It’s a move which Jonathan Hutton, Paul Kuharsky and Chad Withrow of OutKick 360 were very excited about, and it becomes official this morning
OutKick has tapped Skyview Networks to help them expand their radio presence, build market share, and maximize network advertising revenue opportunities for OutKick’s Sports talk network. The deal calls for OutKick to provide sports and pop culture commentary, headlines, interviews and entertainment, adding to Skyview Networks’ leading play-by-play sports and sports talk portfolio.
“We’re thrilled to work with Skyview to expand OutKick’s brand and reach,” said Clay Travis, founder of OutKick. “Beginning with the OutKick 360 show, we’re working with the best talent to bring authenticity, perspective and fun back to sports radio. Radio is at the core of OutKick, and we could not ask for better partners than Skyview to grow our network.”
Skyview Networks COO and President Steve Jones added, “We’re excited to be working with the OutKick team in launching a new sports network that provides radio stations dynamic and entertaining programming that will drive ratings and revenue. OutKick’s engaging and knowledgeable hosts with their fan-first sports perspective matched with sports wagering analysis to capture gaming revenue sponsorships fit perfectly with Skyview’s #1 local play-by-play sports position in network radio.”
The OutKick radio network launches with OutKick 360 featuring Jonathan Hutton, Chad Withrow and Paul Kuharsky. The trio spent years on 104.5 The Zone in Nashville delivering one of the highest-rated sports radio shows in the USA. OutKick 360 currently airs M-F 3p-6p ET and will be the first show offered by Skyview to potential radio affiliates. Stations looking to add the show to their airwaves can email affiliation@skyviewsat.com or visit www.skyviewnetworks.com/outkick for more information.
Additionally, OutKick recently hired Dan Dakich to host a new program for their network. The show is expected to debut today and air M-F 9a-11a ET. Dakich’s local show in Indianapolis has been one of the industry’s most recognized programs. Though Dan is just getting started on the network, this new deal with Skyview creates possibilities to expand the show’s reach in the future.
Now is the time to start selling the first quarter. And, the bigger the idea, the more lead time you need, so here is a whopper. Why not sell a weight loss challenge? After all, we all need to drop a few pounds, right?
Often, we get the inquiry from a weight loss product/supplement company soliciting on-air person people going on their diet to lose weight and then discuss it. Usually, one or two on-air people try it and lose weight, invite listeners to try it, and it is done by February.
Let’s try something different.
I feel it is best to go through the holidays knowing that come January 1, you are going on a diet. It also gives plenty of time for word of mouth to spread amongst your audience, and the promotion can build momentum. Go out now and find a weight loss company, clean meal service, supplement company, or medically supervised diet and pitch them. Why not get two sponsors and have them compete on air? Listeners can join in at a discounted price and interview each company to see if it’s what they want. I like the medically supervised vs. Jenny Craig or Nutri System battle or the Clean Food delivery service vs. folks who wish to follow a diet and prepare their own food fight. On-air people and station staff can also join in and pick a team. Talent fees should be paid to on-air people who do endorsements, and complementary or deep discounts should be offered to station personnel.
Commercials can invite listeners to sign up for the program starting on Monday, January 3, 2022. Then you can begin selling viewing parties for participants before then to get a before picture and create some group synergy. People want to be a part of a group and have support, and this is the perfect way to do it!
Have an official launch party complete with a Last Supper and unveil your incentive program. Get sponsors to provide prizes to the most weight loss, most weight loss by a couple, and most significant makeover. Clean eating certificates, clothing, photographers, and vacation spots are all good partners as incentives. I think this is best as a 12-week promotion, 1/3/22-3/27/22. You can have a Skinny Super Bowl party and get everybody together for clean eats and drinks during the diet. Get restaurants to offer Clean Eats Valentines Dinners or meal kits geared for those on a diet or anybody who wants a lighter Valentines meal. You can also invite listeners to a clean eats March Madness viewing party on Thursday, March 17, and Friday, March 18, during lunch or happy hour. Think veggie buffets, clean chicken, and steak all seasoned well. Skinny margaritas, Michelob Ultra, and vodka. Those who have been on this diet for ten weeks will love it!
Let your ideas go big and get behind this effort. Weight loss products and companies should be on the list of categories hotter to sell than gambling sites. This promo provides plenty of social media opportunities with food pictures. Before and after shots, blogs about turning down rice for veggies, and on-air testimony about a life lived lighter. This is a win-win idea and a moneymaker. On-air folks who don’t participate can run the other promos during the first quarter.
