Christmas has come early for Bomani Jones. The talented ESPN Radio afternoon radio host, and television commentator who delivers strong opinions that resonate with a diverse audience, has signed a multi-year extension with the worldwide leader in sports.
Jones joined ESPN full time in 2013, and as part of his new agreement, will continue hosting The Right Time with Bomani Jones on ESPN Radio weekdays from 4p-7p ET. He’ll also continue to co-host Highly Questionable, with Dan Le Batard and Papi, weekdays on ESPN at 4:30p ET. Jones is expected to be involved in other ESPN projects as well.
“I’m really happy to continue my relationship with ESPN,” said Jones. “I’ve spent the last three-and-a-half years working with some of the best and brightest people in sports, and it’s great to know that will continue. More than that, I’m excited about everything that will be possible in the next few years on television and continuing to build The Right Time on ESPN Radio.”
Traug Keller, senior vice president, ESPN business divisions, added, “Bomani Jones is so much more than another sports radio and television host. He brings a depth and perspective to the conversation that is singularly unique. It is a privilege to announce we are extending and building our relationship with Bomani.”
The Nielsen gods were kind to sports radio stations this fall. Many of the format’s best programmers and personalities can now enjoy the holidays without feeling like they were punched in the gut right before taking a well deserved break.
Here’s what we learned about a number of the top stations and markets this fall. Enjoy!
In the big apple, WFAN and ESPN NY 98.7FM continue to perform in strong fashion. The Fan won bragging rights among Men 25-54 by finishing 1st M-F 6a-7p and M-SU 6a-Mid. Boomer and Carton and Mike Francesa each finished 1st, Joe and Evan were ranked 4th. Meanwhile at ESPN NY 98.7FM, a little bit of history was made. Each weekday show was rated in the Top 10. Michael Kay finished 7th. Mike and Mike were 9th, and Hahn and Humpty and Dan LeBatard both placed 10th. Congrats to Mark Chernoff and Justin Craig and each of their teams on the excellent news.
Moving to the windy city, Christmas came early for the staff at 670 The Score. The radio station capped off a strong year by finishing 1st with Men 25-54 M-SU 6a-Mid. Mully and Hanley were ranked 3rd in mornings, and Spiegel and Goff, and Boers and Bernstein finished 2nd in their respective timeslots. For local competitor ESPN 1000, they too had an impressive story to share. The station was 5th in both morning drive and M-SU 6a-Mid. Their big win came in afternoons, where Waddle and Silvy finished 1st, defeating The Score. 2017 figures to be even more interesting and competitive with the Cubs playing championship baseball, and longtime afternoon host Terry Boers exiting 670. Both Mitch Rosen and Adam Delevitt and their staffs should feel great about the way they closed out 2016.
A little further north, a round of drinks are in order for the crew at KFAN Minneapolis. The radio station finished 1st in the top three categories for the fall book, Men 25-54, Adults 25-54 and 6+. No station in the market, regardless of format, was stronger than KFAN during the past three months. As it pertains to sports radio brands, the Minneapolis sports radio station consistently delivers double digit ratings, making it one of the best rated sports stations in the entire country. An incredible job done by Chad Abbott and his team.
Heading west to the Bay Area, both KNBR and 95.7 The Game received positive news heading into the holidays. KNBR closed out the fall book finishing 1st overall with Men 25-54 M-F 6a-7p. The station delivered just under a 10 share in October and November, but experienced a two and a half point dip in the month of December, which still wasn’t enough to keep it out of the top spot in the market. KNBR held a half point lead over the 2nd highest rated station (KSOL) in December, and were two to four points higher than the next best rated brand in October and November. For The Game, the addition of the Golden State Warriors, combined with a strong Oakland Raiders season continued to fuel their progress. The station was tied for 9th M-F 6a-7p, but finished 2nd at night, which speaks to the power of airing Warriors games. The morning show with Joe, Lo and Dibs produced the best overall finish of the station’s key weekday programs, coming in 8th. Congrats to Lee Hammer and Don Kollins on the positive signs for their brands.
Next, we ship up to Boston, where both WEEI and 98.5 The Sports Hub are engaged in a fierce competition to be number one. Without question, this was the hottest sports radio market in America in 2016. The fall book concluded with The Hub finishing 1st with Men 25-54 M-F 6a-7p and M-SU 6a-Mid. WEEI was 2nd. However, Kirk and Callahan have closed the gap on Toucher and Rich and were in a dead heat in the December book. To illustrate how powerful the interest is during mornings in Boston, 1 out of 6 male listeners, ages 25-54, listens to sports talk. The Hub prevailed in middays and afternoons, with Felger and Massarotti earning bragging rights as the station’s top rated show. With WEEI recently adding Rich Keefe alongside Dale & Holley it’ll be interesting to see how that impacts the afternoon battle in future months. Both Mike Thomas, and new WEEI PD Joe Zarbano have to be very pleased with the current state of their brands, yet they can’t relax and enjoy the moment because one quarter hour could be the difference between finishing 1st or 2nd in the next book. None the less, they deserve a ton of credit for the way their brands performed in 2016.
Sliding down to the city of brotherly love, the strong battle between 97.5 The Fanatic and SportsRadio 94WIP continues.The Fanatic cruised to victory in afternoon drive, led by Mike Missanelli’s 3rd place finish. WIP came in 6th, although two of their three months in PM drive did not include the station’s new afternoon team of Chris Carlin and Ike Reese. In mornings, Angelo Cataldi led the way, recording a 2nd place finish for WIP. The Fanatic’s Anthony Gargano was also strong, registering a 5th place finish. Overall M-F 6a-7p WIP was 3rd, The Fanatic 5th. Both Spike Eskin and Matt Nahigian have reason to feel good about their brands heading into the holidays.
From the home of the Eagles, we shift to Dallas, Texas where the success of the Cowboys fueled the success of both local sports stations in the December book. Sports Radio 1310 The Ticket remained atop the ratings, finishing 1st M-F 6a-7p and M-SU 6a-Mid with Men 25-54. All three of the station’s weekday shows recorded 1st place finishes, led by The Musers who were once again in double digits. George Dunham, Craig Miller and Gordon Keith wrapped up 2016 by delivering double digit shares in 10 of 12 books. For 105.3 The Fan, they too had reason to be optimistic. Over the past two years the station has grown from 12th to 6th with Men 25-54 M-F 6a-7p. They’ve also become the brand of preference for Men 18-34. In December, The Fan received 7th place finishes from G-Bag Nation, and Shan and RJ, and Ben and Skin were slightly behind in 8th. A tip of the cap to Jeff Catlin, Gavin Spittle and both staffs for the great work they’ve done this year.
While a winning football team may be helpful in Dallas, the lack of one in St. Louis couldn’t slow down 101 ESPN. The station continued to dominate in the ratings, finishing 3rd in December with Men 25-54, and wrapping up the entire year as the 3rd highest rated station in the market. Each of the station’s four key weekday shows closed out the year ranked third in their respective dayparts. The cherry on top of the sundae for 101, was earning bragging rights as the top rated spoken word station in the market among Men and Persons 25-54 for 2016. Congrats to Hoss Neupert and his entire staff on their success.
We close things out in Columbus, where 97.1 The Fan continues to place a stranglehold on the rest of the market. The station finished the month of December in 1st with Men 25-54, with an astounding 13 share. They were also 3rd in the 12+ and Adults 25-54 categories. The Fan’s next closest competitor with Men 25-54 was WCOL who were three points behind. A great job by Jay Taylor and his crew.
Good news for Minnesota Wild fans this holiday season. The team has announced it’s agreed to a new three-year extension of its radio agreement with flagship station KFAN.
As part of the extension, all Wild preseason, regular season and Stanley Cup Playoff games will air on the radio station through the 2019-2020 season. That includes pre-game and postgame shows, and ancillary programming (Wild Weekly and Wild Fanline).
“In addition to being an outstanding partner, KFAN has proven to be a great fit for Wild fans,” said Wild Chief Operating Officer Matt Majka. “We’re excited to renew our partnership and continue delivering the extensive coverage Wild fans have enjoyed.”
We’re thrilled to continue our great partnership between KFAN and the Minnesota Wild,” said Jeff Tyler, president of the Western Great Lakes Region for iHeartMedia. “Listeners count on us to deliver the excitement of Wild hockey and it’s an important part of our day-to-day programming on KFAN and something all of our iHeartMedia radio station brands in the Twin Cities takes pride in.”
Many things stay the same in sports media. Especially when it involves a brand’s weekday lineup.
If you look around the sports radio format today, you’ll find the majority of radio stations feature the same on-air personalities in a weekday position for a lengthy period of time. That happens because most listeners prefer consistency, and companies are less likely to break up a show that is satisfying the demand of its audience and advertisers.
But if there’s one thing most executives will be forced to deal with at some point during their career, it’s a change to their roster. For every Mike Francesa who works for the same station for over twenty five years, there are many others who change companies multiple times.
A manager may have to part ways with an individual who’s not getting the job done. They may lose an employee because they’ve landed a bigger opportunity elsewhere. A worker could discover a passion to do a different line of work, or the company could downsize if business suffers. In each case, the manager is left to fill a void.
If you work in a management role in this industry for an extended period of time, you’ll not only experience this yourself, but you too will be placed in position to have to overcome a short term setback and create a long-term solution.
So who do you call when the problem pops up? Where do you look? What’s your process for ensuring that your brand won’t miss a beat and will continue to get better?
There is no blueprint for how to handle these situations. Each market, station, and individual operates differently. But as someone who’s gone through a few of these challenges in multiple cities and has experienced the good and the bad, I thought I’d share a few tips to help others who find themselves wrestling with uncertainty, and the difficulty of keeping a brand stable and in position to enjoy larger success.
Know What It Is You’re Seeking: Before you start sifting through resumes, airchecks, and exploring industry professionals who work for other brands, think about what it is that you want out of the next person you hire.
I know an executive or two who have taken the approach of “I don’t know exactly what it is I’m looking for but I’m sure it’ll stand out as the process unfolds“. In my opinion that’s a flawed strategy. It illustrates a lack of vision.
Do you think George Lucas just entered a studio and said “put a few actors on camera in costumes, give them a few weapons and play a few cool sound effects, and I’m sure good shit will happen” when he created Star Wars? It started in his head. Then he started the process to find the right people to help bring his vision to life.
When you’re looking to add someone to your roster, you should have a clear idea of what the audience expects from your brand and its on-air people. You should also know what qualities are necessary on-air and behind the scenes to make the fit right for all involved. Whether it’s an ability to deliver explosive opinions, produce consistent laughter, provide creative content, being active in the community, etc.
You should also have a regular list of talent in your market or outside of it who you think highly of. When a situation pops up and you’ve got a hole to fill, you can’t wait to then start figuring out who might be able to help. As the great Vince Lombardi once said, “The will to win is not nearly as important as the will to prepare to win“.
Understand that as you go through this process, you may not be able to immediately detect whether or not someone is a good teammate or if they have a strong work ethic, but you should be able to get an immediate read on how they sound and present themselves. That will play a key role in determining how they fit your brand and vision.
Research Each Legitimate Candidate Thoroughly: Many have the skills to sell a ketchup popsicle to an executive wearing white gloves on the telephone. That doesn’t mean though that they’ll win big for you on the air or be the right fit inside your workplace.
Before you engage in deeper discussions, listen to their work and ask around. Ask the candidate to email you their best material. This allows you to get a sense of their judgment. If they’re on the air someplace else, drop in unannounced. Otherwise you may receive a great edited sample but not a true reflection of what they deliver each day on the air.
The next part of the process is talking to people who know the candidate. Talk to folks who think favorably of them, but also to their critics. If an individual tells you they have no former bosses or colleagues who aren’t positive about them, your bullshit detector should immediately go up.
Let’s be honest, sports radio is full of passionate people with strong opinions. I don’t care which city or building you’re in, there are always one or two people in it who aren’t going to like or agree with your style, personality or the way you conduct yourself. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Talented and competitive people usually create mixed reactions.
The next phase is digging into their social media profiles, and running a Google search to see what pops up. Does the person live their life differently on social media? Do they make decisions on-air or off of it which could negatively impact your employer? Are they interactive with the audience? Do they possess other skills beyond hosting on the air (writing, video, podcasts, etc.)?
In the past this wasn’t necessary, but in 2016, we’re faced with different realities.
One thing I highly recommend is having the individual step foot into your building before any job is to be presented. In most big markets that’s common, but in some smaller cities it’s not always possible. That said, I believe there’s great value in seeing the body language of your staff and the individual when they come in contact with one another.
Furthermore, if I’m the individual and I’m considering joining your team, there’s risk for me too. I want to know who I’m working for and how the operation works. That’s even more important if it’s a relocation opportunity. Most talented people don’t move from one city to another without an idea of what they’re walking into.
Don’t Create An Artificial Deadline: The second an opening pops up inside your operation, people will ask “Now what?” “Who are you going to hire?” and “When will they start“? You may even hear that a slow response may hurt the station with its advertisers.
If you buckle under pressure, you may find yourself fixing the same problem a few months later. Nobody likes uncertainty, but you’re better off taking your time and working through the process to make a good decision, rather than rushing your judgement. That’s how you end up doing more damage to the business.
Granted, nothing in life is guaranteed. You could go through a lengthy process and still hire the wrong person. In that case, you’ll look worse inside the building. But, I find that more times than not, executives who do their homework and focus on a strong long-term solution instead of a quick alternative, end up making smart decisions.
The message to your internal team is simple, “we are working to identify someone who fits the culture of our brand, and possesses the talent to help us make a long-term impact. The goal is to hire them as soon as possible, but we will exhaust all options. I will keep you posted on the process and notify you as soon as we’ve found the right fit“.
Obviously your bosses aren’t going to give you a year to look at every person walking the planet, but if you’re bringing in candidates for conversations, and they hear and see some positive qualities out of the people you’re talking to, they’ll stand by your side, and trust that when the smoke clears you’ll have the brand in position to have even larger success.
In the end, nobody remembers how quickly you finalized a process, only who you hired. Make the right call, not a rushed call.
Manage Internal Short-Term and Long-Term Expectations: Once you’ve hired someone to join your team, it’s your job to outline what success will look like moving forward. This requires meeting with key members of your brand, and setting realistic expectations for both the short-term and long-term. Too often brands look to reverse course if things don’t happen quickly, but the reality is that it often takes time to build a winner. Just ask the Chicago Cubs.
The first step is laying out your vision for your corporate bosses, and the person you report to inside your operation. Make sure you identify your brand’s current standing, and explain what you believe is possible in the next 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and beyond.
One thing I’ve learned in my experiences is to always be candid. If you expect a short-term step backwards in the ratings, express it. If you anticipate a higher volume of negative emails to your management team or advertisers, say it. Nobody wants to be surprised and hear about it afterwards, especially when they gave you the floor to address them beforehand.
Be prepared to provide additional insight on why you feel confident about the expectations you’ve laid out, and don’t be surprised when you’re put in position to have to defend your plan. If you want the company to allow you to shop for the groceries, you have to be able to prepare a great meal and get them excited to come to the dinner table. If they get to the table and the meal isn’t good, they’re going to wonder if they have the right chef.
Once everyone is in agreement of the game plan, then it’s time to sell it internally to the programming and sales teams. This includes sitting down with the individual you’ve hired, and making sure they (and anyone else involved with their show) understand your expectations and how you plan to help them reach the level of success that you’re aiming for.
Once all parts of the operation are able to wrap their arms around your strategy, then it becomes a matter of executing it, and getting the audience and advertisers on board. Be sure to keep the high ranking officials in your company aware of your progress, and how the brand’s performance is matching up with the goals you set for it prior to making changes.
Conclusion: When you’re tasked with making decisions on behalf of a company, you’re going to feel pressure to be perfect anytime you hire someone. But you won’t be. You will swing and miss. When you do, be accountable, learn from the situation, and do everything in your power to avoid making the same mistake twice.
In baseball, if a hitter gets a hit 3 times out of 10, and does it for a sustained period of time, they have a chance to one day enter the hall of fame. In the sports media business, 3 out of 10 effective hires will earn you a pink slip. However, if you nail 8 or 9 out of 10 key decisions, and the brand continues improving its ratings and revenue, the group will continue to support you.
Each situation and company may be different, but I find that a few traits are necessary in anyone you consider hiring. If a person is competitive, coachable, curious, and professional, and possesses a strong work ethic, more times than not you’ll end up in a good place. That’s assuming of course they’re talented too.
The one challenge that can make things harder is when you identify a difference maker but they come with baggage. Then you have to trust your gut and the information you’ve gathered to determine if the risk is worth the reward. For example, Howard Stern came with a ton of red flags, but any smart executive would’ve put their career on the line to have him occupy their airwaves.
But not every host is Stern.
If you don’t passionately believe in someone enough to risk your own professional standing, then you should take a pass. You don’t hire an edgy host who stirs things up and then ask them to play nice and be someone else. If you’re going to dance with the devil, remember who you’ve asked to dance.
If you’re a personality, the one thing to understand is that it’s not always about who’s the most talented. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder (the PD/executive) and you wouldn’t be under consideration for an opening if you weren’t highly skilled. The way you fit the brand, its staff, and the hiring manager makes a bigger difference. If you don’t check all three boxes better than the others who are up for the job, you’ll be on the outside looking in, no matter how gifted of a performer you are.
For the person in the hiring chair, remember that the choices you make are a reflection of your decision making as a leader. The results will either make you look smart and earn the respect of your peers, or you’ll become the focus of daily gossip and carry an invisible bullseye on your back. You can’t be afraid to fail or be criticized, and you shouldn’t invest much energy in earning a pat on the back.
Instead, focus on making solid choices to grow your business. If you take that approach, people will know they’re in capable hands, even if they don’t take the time to tell you.
When employees feel good about the situations they’re in, receive regular feedback, and value the way they’re compensated and treated, they tend to go above and beyond to maintain that status. That’s how you end up on the winning side, instead of packing up your office and scheduling a future date at the unemployment office.
Strengthening your brand while weakening your competitor is a familiar strategy in sports talk radio. And WEEI is hoping it’s one that works in their favor.
The radio station announced today that Rich Keefe, an original member of 98.5 the Sports Hub since its inception in 2009, will join Dale and Holley in afternoon drive. Keefe confirmed the news via Twitter.
During the past seven years, Keefe had been used in a variety of roles at The Sports Hub. He most recently served as the co-host and update anchor on the station’s evening show.
In addition to joining Dale and Holley’s afternoon show, Keefe will co-host with Mike Mutnansky from 6p-7p, and contribute online content to WEEI.com. He’s expected to make his debut on WEEI next week.
The vacancy on the afternoon show was created when Jerry Thornton announced in early November that he was returning to Barstool Sports. Thornton had spent the past two years in afternoons on WEEI.
New WEEI Program Director Joe Zarbano added, “I’m thrilled to add Rich to our team. He’s a local guy with tons of experience and credibility. This is a great addition for WEEI.”
In recent months, Market Manager Phil Zachary and the Entercom Boston team have been on a mission to identify the right leadership to help maintain and grow WEEI’s position as one of America’s best sports media brands. Former PD Kevin Graham exited the station in July, and with WEEI locked in a competitive battle with 98.5 The Sports Hub, one misstep and bigger problems could’ve surfaced.
While identifying the right leadership for a storied brand such as WEEI is difficult enough, the station also had to tackle a few key on-air issues. Longtime morning host John Dennis left the morning show in August, and Jerry Thornton, who had been part of the afternoon show with Dale Arnold and Michael Holley, exited the afternoon show in November to return to Barstool Sports.
Despite those challenges, which would normally result in a brand taking a step backwards, WEEI actually improved. Strong internal leadership, and a great air staff contributed to a rise in ratings and revenue, and today that hard work has paid off for a few key members of WEEI’s internal staff.
Zachary has announced that after a six-month search for its next program director, WEEI will instead create a new program leadership team from its in-house talent bench.
Current WEEI Assistant Program Director Joe Zarbano has been elevated to Program Director. In his new role, Zarbano will assume direct oversight of all audio content for WEEI-FM, the WEEI Sports Radio Network, the Boston Red Sox Radio Network and ESPN 850. He is a nine-year station veteran who began with WEEI as an intern while a student at Emerson College. He has been overseeing all day to day programming matters for the radio station since July, playing an integral role in the radio station’s growth during that period.
Working in tandem with Zarbano as the station’s new Executive Producer is WEEI Senior Producer Ben Kichen. He joined the station in 2006 from iHeart Media’s WXKS and WJMN and has been lead producer for both the Glenn Ordway and Dale & Holley programs on WEEI. Kichen also produces the acclaimed “Enough About Me” podcast with Kirk Minihane as well as hosting “Soccercast” for WEEI.com.
Carlson Mozdiez, who is currently the Director of Integrated Marketing Strategies for Entercom’s Boston cluster, will assume the new title of Director of Operations for Entercom Boston, with a special emphasis on the company’s digital juggernaut WEEI.com. Mozdiez joined WEEI in 2002 immediately after graduating from Syracuse University, and has held a variety of positions in promotions, marketing and digital operations.
Entercom New England VP/Market Manager Phil Zachary says the search was necessarily long and intensive. “With its massive broadcast reach and associated digital assets, the WEEI brand is arguably among the most influential and complex in all of broadcasting. Many of our outside candidates simply couldn’t get their arms around all of it. As each month passed, it became clear to me that we had the talent right here in Joe, Ben, and Carlson. Plus they each have that inimitable DNA of the true Boston sports fan.”
Longtime 670 The Score host Terry Boers announced this evening that he’ll retire after twenty five years on the air in Chicago. Boers says his final show alongside his partner Dan Bernstein will take place on January 5, 2017.
In a column posted on the station’s website, Boers expressed his gratitude to his audience for sticking with him over the past two decades, including during the past year when health issues have taken a toll on him. He thanked the staff, management, and many who were previously part of the station’s rise, and acknowledged that he’d mentally reached the point where he knew it was time to say goodbye.
670 The Score will have an announcement at an appropriate time regarding the future of the afternoon show, but for now, this is Boers’ moment and he deserves to enjoy it until he signs off one final time on January 5th.
One of the rewarding parts of being a sports radio strategist and consultant, is having the time to observe different brands, markets and individuals. Finding the next diamond in the rough or highlighting the work of a talent who makes an impact in their region yet may not earn national attention based on their geographic location is something I enjoy doing.
Last year I scoured the nation listening to numerous sports radio brands and profiled 15 on-air talents who I thought were worthy of some additional exposure. There are hundreds of stations and on-air hosts occupying air time each day who I could easily draw attention to, but the goal with this annual column is to identify a few personalities who you might not be familiar with and explain what they do well, and why they are worthy of your time.
One thing I’ve learned since leaving the day to day grind inside of a radio station is how subjective this business is. Program directors, corporate executives, and on-air hosts have very different beliefs in what qualifies as “good radio”, and what may be appealing to me, may not be as interesting to someone else. The one difference is that I have this online forum to present my views, whereas many conversations of this magnitude are often discussed privately inside the walls of each radio station.
When it comes to the sports format, audiences know who the heavy hitters are. That’s due either to reputation, press coverage, market size or national platforms. Many of these hosts, whether it’s Colin Cowherd, Jim Rome, Mike and Mike, or Mike Francesa, deserve the attention because they not only perform on major outlets, but they bring a unique style and tremendous skill to the airwaves, which is essential in delivering positive results for their employers.
As you familiarize yourself with some of the individuals I profiled, I remind you that this column isn’t designed to suggest that they are better or stronger performers than those they compete against. These selections also aren’t influenced by any broadcast company. It’s simply a subjective exercise in recognizing a few people who I feel bring different qualities to the airwaves each day, and use those skills to connect with their listeners. Some of them I have previous familiarity with, others I’ve grown to enjoy and appreciate after listening to them perform in recent weeks and months.
When you tune into a sports radio station, it’s usually because you want to be entertained, informed, and emotionally moved. Some shows build their presentation around strong opinions and uncomfortable positions. Others use self-deprecation and humor. The rest may rely on smart analysis, relatable storytelling or a unique attribute that can’t be duplicated by anyone else. In each case, authenticity, relatability, content selection and a willingness to share one’s life on the air comes into play. Those are common threads in the success of most sports talk shows.
In listening to the 10 on-air personalities I’ve highlighted in this column, they possess many of those qualities. I encourage you to give them a listen when time allows to see if they suit your listening tastes too. Most of them provide fifteen to twenty hours of on-air content each week, and their ability to be the sports fan’s companion and tug on their emotions each day are a big reason why they’re enjoying success.
Mike Babchik – SiriusXM Mad Dog Sports Radio – He may not be the headline act on Mad Dog Sports Radio, but make no mistake about it, Mike Babchik is one of the most interesting and important personalities on the channel. He’s the train that’s gone off the track, lost it’s brakes, and you can’t help but watch to see where it ends up.
On a daily basis, you’ll discover that Babchik is a combination of funny, crazy, unafraid, and unfiltered. Everything in his life is fair game for the radio show. What I especially enjoy is how well the show connects to things that are topical and buzzworthy.
For example, the day after Draymond Green kicked Steven Adams in the groin during the Western Conference Finals, Babchik took a kick to the jewels on-air from update anchor Maria Marino. The morning after Laremy Tunsil and Ken Bone became the talk of the nation, the show was not only discussing it, but viral tweets were going out showing Babchik in a red sweater and the Tunsil gas mask.
During other shows, Babchik has been spanked by his personal trainer, shown off his underwhelming physique for attractive in-studio female guests, and shared the embarrassment of being crapped on by a bird. The best praise I can give the show is that it doesn’t matter if you listen in February, the dog days of summer, or on a Monday after the first NFL weekend, when the light goes on, Mike and his partner Evan Cohen are going to have fun and entertain you.
If you’re tuning into “The Morning Men” on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio, and expecting a hardcore sports conversation though, prepare to be disappointed. That’s not what they do. This is a morning show that blends sports, lifestyle, and real life events, while making their callers feel like they’re part of the family. They’ve even branded their hardcore fans as “FALS”, a term they adopted after Chris Russo uttered the word accidentally when attempting to refer to a caller as a pal.
One of Babchik’s other strong skills is the way he uses social media. He shares his most vulnerable moments with the audience and does a great job of being interactive, including retweeting their feedback. The show also films a number of funny short videos, most of them revolving around Babchik or something topical. For example, the day after David Ross homered for the Cubs in the World Series and celebrated by giving his teammates a cup bump, Babchik produced a quick video of what the post-show celebration would be like if the Morning Men adopted the same strategy.
In a nutshell, Mike Babchik is an entertainer. Nothing on-air or on social is off limits or too serious for him. But when he and Evan Cohen team up to host their show, the audience is going to be treated to a whole lot of laughter and disorganized chaos. That’s the secret sauce that makes “The Morning Men” a great listen and the type of show you want to start your day with. To hear the show click here.
Brad Thompson – 101 ESPN, St. Louis, MO – When athletes make the initial conversion to the broadcast business, they’re often utilized in a reactors role. They’re encouraged to share clubhouse stories, on the field experiences, and focus on the sport they’ve played. Many avoid venturing into discussions on other sports due to a lack of depth in those other areas.
In Brad’s case, he’s an exception. When you listen to him weekday afternoons on 101 ESPN, you hear a ton of energy, smart informed analysis, an ability to laugh and bust balls with his partner Randy Karraker, and it doesn’t matter if the conversation revolves around the St. Louis Cardinals (his former team) or the NFL, NHL or a mainstream national story. Regardless of the conversation, he’s invested in it. In many cases, he becomes an even better listen when the topic is not built around St. Louis baseball.
What impresses me even more is that Brad has also learned how to drive a show. Randy has been one of the market’s best drivers of a talk show for the past few decades. His clock management, interviewing, teasing, and topic setting are strong, and Brad has paid close attention because when Randy misses a day or takes a vacation, the show doesn’t miss a beat with Brad in the driver’s chair. That’s rare. In many cases, station’s have a glaring hole when a lead host is out and the number two guy has to move up to the number one position.
When I first heard Brad drive the show I thought it might impact his ability to provide analysis and opinion, the traits which he’s best known for. But to his credit, he’s learned how to use his positions to spark conversation and given his credibility as a former player, and his comfortability with sharing an opinion and providing evidence to support it, he’s become a destination listen for St. Louis sports fans during the afternoon commute home from work.
As of last check, the Fast Lane (101 ESPN’s afternoon show), was the highest rated spoken word program in the market. Listeners have responded favorably to Brad and Randy, and program director Chris “Hoss” Neupert has done an excellent job by surrounding them with a good cast, and giving them the freedom to explore new territory and challenge themselves as on-air personalities. To hear the show click here.
Steve “Sparky” Fifer – 105.7 The Fan, Milwaukee, WI – He’s been described as an igniter, and in observing “The Big Show” on 105.7 The Fan in Milwaukee, that description perfectly suits him. “Sparky” as listeners know him, is outspoken and firm in his beliefs, and his connection to the local market, combined with his energy, opinions, and willingness to tackle all subjects is what helps drive a lot of the conversation between himself, former Packer and Badger Gary Ellerson, and Ramie Makhlouf. Former Packer Leroy Butler also joins the mix a few times per week.
What I enjoy most about Steve’s presentation is his ability to deliver strong informed opinions. He doesn’t say things just to make the audience react. He thinks out his positions, explains them concisely and uses examples to validate his stances. Ellerson and Makhlouf aren’t afraid to challenge him, and their on-air show position of “keeping it 100” means that regardless of how they feel, they’re committed to being real, honest, and open to tackle any topic, regardless of its comfort level.
Most of the conversations on the show revolve around local or national subjects that are of importance to Milwaukee sports fans. While football dominates much of the fall discussion, Steve’s passion for the Milwaukee Bucks also is on display from time to time. As of last check, the ratings for Steve’s show were a full point higher year to year, and ahead of other spoken word stations in the market, including both sports stations and the powerful news talker WTMJ.
Collectively, The Big Show has a full sound. But what makes it work is the chemistry, comfortability and passionate discussions that take place between the group. In many instances, the spark that ignites the room comes from Steve, and when a host has an ability to cut through the clutter and penetrate the mind of a listener with strong provoking commentaries, that’s a quality you can’t teach. To get a feel for Sparky and his contributions to The Big Show on The Fan in Milwaukee, click here to listen.
Peter Rosenberg – 98.7 ESPN NY, New York, NY – When I first learned that Peter would be joining the Michael Kay Show on 98.7FM ESPN NY I applauded the station for taking a risk. I enjoyed listening to Michael Kay and Don LaGreca but recognized that a younger perspective with some bite and personality could add a new dimension to the program.
Not many on-air personalities with a track record of success on a hip-hop station make a successful transition to a sports talk show, especially one which includes a talent like Kay who was already established and well respected. It’s also difficult to develop chemistry when you’re joining a show that’s been in existence for over a decade, and offers a strong two-man nucleus.
To Rosenberg’s credit, he found his niche, and has become an attraction to the show. I compare it to a new character joining an already successful TV show (EX: Negan joining the Walking Dead). His success on the show is also a testament to Kay and LaGreca, who kept an open mind, welcomed his arrival, and worked hard to find a new energy for their program.
What I enjoy about Peter is that he’s a natural ball buster. His energy, snarkiness, cockiness, and comfortability with sharing his opinions, often generate good reactions out of Kay and LaGreca. If he flubs on the air, it gets addressed and often becomes funny. If he delivers a strong take, Kay and LaGreca pounce on it. He’s also not afraid to call them out either. As a trio they share different styles and views, but they present themselves as a family that you want to be part of.
One particular quality that helps Rosenberg stand out, especially with younger listeners, is that he’s relatable, funny, and sees the world through their eyes. His ENN (Evening Nightly News) segment has become a staple of the show, and because of his passion for professional wrestling (Rosenberg also hosts a popular podcast called “Cheap Heat”) it’s gotten the program to explore new territory that it may not have in year’s past. One specific example that jumps to mind is when Shane McMahon of the WWE appeared on the Kay show the day after he returned to Monday Night Raw after a seven year hiatus.
It’s no coincidence that since Rosenberg arrived on the show, the response among Men 18-34 has spiked significantly. The show has even beaten Mike Francesa head to head in that demographic, something that didn’t happen in the past. That’s a credit to all three hosts working together to find their collective voice, develop their timing, forming chemistry, and presenting a fun and informative program that’s different in approach from what New Yorkers are treated to elsewhere on the dial. To hear Peter’s contributions to the Michael Kay Show click here.
Chris Childers – SiriusXM College Sports Nation – When I think of the term “smile with your voice”, I can’t help but think of Chris. Although he can certainly have his moments on the air when he’s being analytical or offering a strong opinion, he also has a natural enthusiasm and genuine love for hosting a sports talk show. His charisma, energy, and joy for talking about sports topics is hard to ignore.
Paired daily with former college football head coach Rick Neuhiesel, Chris does a great job running point on SiriusXM College Sports Nation’s “The Full Ride”. He speaks from a fan’s point of view and understands and embraces his role on the show. He knows that he represents the voice of the fan when sharing opinions and talking to newsmakers from the world of college sports, but also has the responsibility of pulling out quality information, analysis and opinion from Coach Neuheisel, which is important given the experience he’s gained from years of leading multiple college sports programs.
Equally as impressive is Chris’ commitment to the craft of hosting. He tries to frame his topics and make them easy to play along with. He puts work into his teasing and interviewing, listens and follows up off of audio cuts and production, and dives into topics with a serious purpose but also recognizes when a moment has entertainment value and is willing to let it happen.
As an example, two weeks ago after the show bumped in with a song about the Bayou, which was being used to set up a discussion on whether or not Ed Orgeron deserved strong consideration to become the permanent head coach for LSU, Childers said that if Gumbo had a voice, it would sound like the guy singing the song. It was not only a fitting comment but it lightened the mood for a minute before the conversation turned serious about LSU’s future leadership.
Chris and Coach Neuheisel offer different life experience and perspectives, and their contrasting styles naturally make their conversations more interesting. If you haven’t had an opportunity to hear their show and enjoy listening to sports talk built around college sports, I recommend checking them out. You can hear a sample of their program by clicking here.
Jared Stillman – 102.5 The Game, Nashville, TN – When you draw the ire of many of the market’s local talents, it’s usually because you’ve tapped into something. In Jared Stillman’s case, he has a ton to say, and it isn’t often comfortable or popular, but it’s what makes him unique to Nashville sports listeners.
Every market has a villain, but not every talent is comfortable in that position. In listening from afar, Stillman seems at peace with his presentation and style, and it’s served him well, helping him make the transition from hosting middays solo on 102.5 The Game, to now teaming up with former Titans GM Floyd Reese in afternoon drive.
Some local folks who I’ve talked to have compared Stillman’s style to a Nashville version of Colin Cowherd. He uses analogies to shape some of his opinions. He welcomes conflict and doesn’t mind being the most unpopular man in the room. And despite being a homegrown talent, he speaks his mind and doesn’t drink the local Kool-Aid even if it might help him generate a few more fans.
As a broadcaster I can appreciate that skillset. Sports radio is a business that’s driven largely by strong opinion, supported evidence, and an ability to strike an emotional chord with an audience. Stillman checks many of those boxes. He may not be invited over to every local host and listener’s home for a Christmas party, but when the group gets together, it won’t be a surprise if the first words uttered are “can you believe what Stillman said today”. To hear Jared’s show click here.
Rich Ohrnberger – XTRA Sports 1360, San Diego, CA – Six years of NFL experience prepares most players to speak from an expert point of view on the sport they played professionally, but in Rich’s case there’s so much more to his daily performance. After being added to middays alongside radio veteran Mark Willard, the two men have not only formed immediate chemistry, but Ohrnberger’s natural personality has come to life. The show has been in existence for only 4+ months but it sounds like it’s been together for a lot longer.
On most days, you’re likely to be served a heavy dose of self-deprecation and laughter. The former Offensive Lineman and Willard strike the right balance in knowing when to extend the content and when to pull it back. I’ve listened to recent examples of Ohrnberger ad libbing his way into proclaiming himself as the “host with the most”, which then turned into a great back and forth good natured ribbing between the morning and midday shows. I’ve also heard Willard and Ohrnberger spontaneously roleplay as members of the Joey Bosa mob family, which was also great on-air content. That’s in addition to the serious conversations the two men have about the San Diego Chargers and other topical sports subjects which are also excellent.
Considering his playing experience, you’d expect Ohrnberger to speak intelligently and passionately on the NFL. He’s a good storyteller, who is open with his personal and professional life, and isn’t afraid to ruffle a few feathers with his opinions. But while all of those traits are part of his presentation, it’s his large personality and sense of humor that makes him a required daily listen.
At just thirty years old, Rich is relatively new to the sports radio world. He has a ton of upside and has already hit the ground running, but also has plenty of room to grow. What I noticed immediately is how comfortable he is on the air, regardless of the subject. He’s got great energy, an infectious attitude, and quick wit. Those are natural skills that most personalities need to be successful. I also like how he shapes and supports his positions and delivers them in a confident and precise manner. That tells me that he’s putting time into his preparation. But rather than take my word for it, click here and take a listen for yourself.
Drew Hoffar – KNBR 1050, San Francisco, CA – There are some voices you listen to that you instantly gravitate to or wish you could duplicate. For example, when sports radio fans hear Paul Turner on CBS Sports stations, his sound instantly grabs you. Well in Drew Hoffar’s case, he’s been blessed with a set of pipes that most personalities in their early thirties would kill for.
Although his voice jumps through the speakers, it’s the personality that goes with it that makes Hoffar a rising star in this format. He delivers his opinions with conviction and passion. He busts balls in a way that instantly gets your attention, and he utilizes descriptive and colorful vocabulary that sticks in the head of an audience (one of his old classic lines was “They’re going loco for Coco at Oco).
But while those are natural traits that he’s always possessed, it’s his maturation of growing into his the position as lead host of “The Audible” on KNBR 1050 that is making the biggest difference. His chemistry with on-air partners Kevin Frandsen (former MLB player) and Rudy Ortiz (Bay Area comedian) has been instant. I also hear a growing confidence in trusting his content decision making, and he’s searching for ways to get the group involved, rather than worrying about his own strengths and insecurities. That growth should not only give Hoffar reason to feel encouraged, but it should have folks at Cumulus San Francisco very optimistic about his future potential.
One area that I’ve especially been impressed with since Hoffar made the conversion from being a FT update anchor and PT host to the leader of KNBR 1050’s morning show is how he’s introduced lifestyle discussion into the daily plan. The show has the ability to debate and discuss sports topics, but it’s their ability to talk about movies, relationship issues, and real life experiences that makes them relatable to local listeners. To get familiar with Drew and his show The Audible, click here to listen.
Danny O’Neill – 710 ESPN, Seattle, WA – Running point on a three man show can be challenging but Danny makes it sound easy each day on the Seattle airwaves. He has a great sense of what’s relevant to the local audience, which is reflected in the show’s heavy focus on NFL and College Football conversation, and is an exceptional listener who’s focused on setting up his teammates and putting the group in position to succeed, rather than satisfying his own ego.
Another strength of Danny’s is his timing. He keeps the pace of the show moving and has a knack for knowing when to advance a conversation or stick with a subject that has deeper content potential. His positive and engaging demeanor is well received by his partners, and there’s a sense from listening that the boys in the room trust his decision making, and know that they’ll be consistently put in position to inform and entertain the audience.
If you tune into “Danny, Dave and Moore” on 710 ESPN Seattle, one thing that probably goes unnoticed by the audience, but is necessary for any good show to enjoy success, is solid execution of the show’s formatics, which Danny does well. He resets, teases, keeps the show’s benchmarks on track, and while those little things may not stand out as much as a brain jarring opinion, they often make a big difference on a talk show’s results.
If a Seattle sports radio listener driving home from work puts on Danny’s afternoon show, they’re likely to hear a good blend of laughs, information, opinion and locally focused content. That combination is a solid formula for success. To hear Danny, Dave and Moore, click here.
Lance Zierlein – SportsTalk 790, Houston, TX – I’ve long admired Lance’s work because he has an ability to make you think, react and laugh. Each day on his morning show “The Proper Gentlemen of Sports” where he works opposite Matt Thomas, Houston sports fans are treated to a blend of local sports topics, real life discussions, strong informed opinions, and spontaneous laughter.
From a content standpoint, the show places a strong emphasis on NFL conversation. Lance comes from a football family so it’s a sport he has natural interest in. He presents himself in an authoritative manner, and his preparation outside of the show and connections inside the game contribute to his ability to be seen as an informed source and opinion leader. One thing Lance is notorious for is watching a ton of football film. He shares his findings with his audience regularly, and the extra time he invests in studying players has earned him additional exposure on NFL.com and the NFL Network.
In addition to the serious side of his presentation, Lance is also gifted at creating characters. His Phillip Rivers, Stephen A. Smith and Jon Gruden, and original characters Bernie “The Wolf” Wolfson and SEC Guy Karol Kenton Kogslotter are laugh out loud funny. When introduced into a show, they’re impossible to turn off. He nails the cadence and personality of each person he imitates, yet brings a new dimension to each character which leaves you scratching your head and contemplating “is that really him”?
Although he’s been a mainstay on the Houston airwaves for the past two decades, Lance’s profile isn’t as familiar to industry folks outside of his market. However, it’s certainly not due to a lack of talent. He’s well rounded, opinionated, funny, and spontaneous, and those are the type of qualities most stations look for in a morning drive personality.
To hear his morning show on SportsTalk 790 click here. You can also watch a sample of one of his characters (SEC Guy) by clicking here.
OTHER HOSTS WORTH CHECKING OUT:
Mike Taylor – The Ticket 760, San Antonio, TX
Andrew Walker – 590 The Fan, Toronto, ON
Brett Kane – 93.7 The Ticket, Lincoln, NE
Mike Evans – 104.3 The Fan, Denver, CO
Joe Raineri – 640 Sports, Miami, FL
Andi Petrillo – TSN 1050, Toronto, ON
Zach Gelb – 920 The Jersey, Trenton, NJ
Beanie Wells – 97.1 The Fan, Columbus, OH
Josh Cohen – ESPN 106.3, West Palm Beach, FL
Nick Cattles – ESPN Radio 94.1, Virginia Beach, VA
ESPN New York 98.7FM is beefing up its weekday lineup with the addition of former New York Giant Chris Canty. The former defensive end will join Hahn & Humpty, featuring Alan Hahn and former NHL goaltender Rick DiPietro, weekdays from Noon to 3p ET. He’ll also remain involved as a host for NY’s Game Day on Sundays (8a-11:30a). Canty had appeared regularly on the radio station as a guest contributor since ending his playing career last season.
“I couldn’t be more excited to join the 98.7 ESPN team,” said Canty. “After spending my ‘first career’ on the field, I’m looking forward to sharing my experience and perspectives with New York sports fans.”
Tim McCarthy, senior vice president & general manager of ESPN New York, added: “Adding Chris — a former New York Giant and Super Bowl Champion who grew up in the Bronx — is a great addition to our lineup. Chris brings tremendous football credibility to the station.”
During the course of eleven seasons, Canty played for three franchises. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 2005 and played for America’s team for four seasons before joining the Giants in 2009. He spent four years in the big apple, contributing to Big Blue’s championship season in 2011, before wrapping up his career in Baltimore as a member of the Ravens from 2013-2015.
If only the Chicago Cubs could win the world series every month! That would make the personnel at both sports radio stations in Chicago very happy.
In the latest November book, the Cubs ability to rally from 3-1 down in the world series, to knock off the Cleveland Indians and bring a world championship to a city which had gone 108 years without one, had a massive impact on the ratings for both 670 The Score and ESPN 1000.
For The Score, the home of Cubs baseball, they led the market. The radio station was 1st with Men 25-54 M-F 6a-7p with a 6.5. They also came in 1st with Men 25-54 M-SU 6a-Mid with a 7.7.
Outside of the male demos, The Score was equally as powerful. The station finished 2nd among all listeners 6+ M-SU 6a-Mid, registering a 6.1. Their total cume in that demo was 1,774,400. Their 6+ number was also nearly two points higher month to month, and their cume climbed by 670,000. A huge tip of the cap to The Score’s program director Mitch Rosen and his entire team on a job well done.
As impressive as The Score’s performance was during the November book, ESPN 1000 also had plenty of reason to celebrate. Adam Delevitt and his team seized the moment and helped lift their brand’s performance despite not having the local rights to the Cubs.
To offset the local play by play disadvantage, ESPN 1000 aired the national broadcast of Cubs playoff games thanks to their affiliation with ESPN Radio. That decision coupled with a strong lineup propelled the brand to finish 2nd with Men 25-54 M-F 6a-7p with a 5.8. They also came in 3rd overall with Men 25-54 M-SU 6a-Mid with a 5.0. Their 6+ performance was also up by .8 and their cume grew by 350,000.
What stood out most though for ESPN 1000 was the performance of “Waddle and Silvy”. W&S defeated The Score’s “Boers and Bernstein” in afternoon drive, coming in 1st with a 6.4 among Men 25-54. B&B were 2nd with a 5.8. W&S also bested B&B among Men 18-34, Men 25-49 and Persons 25-54, and finished in the top 10 in the 6+ demographic.
In middays, The Score won the head to head battle as “Spiegel and Goff” came in 1st with a 6.5 among Men 25-54. ESPN 1000 was 3rd with a 5.9. The Score also won the matchup in mornings with “Mully and Hanley” turning in a 6.5 to finish 2nd. However, ESPN 1000 which airs ESPN Radio’s national show “Mike and Mike”, got a nice bump, and were 4th with a 5.6. Given the local vs. national argument that pops up in every city, this is a healthy story for both stations.
One other interesting note that stood out, during the final week of the book (October 27-November 2) when the World Series was as its peak, both morning shows saw higher gains and were tied for 1st in the market with a 7.5. In the December book we’ll get a better look at how sports radio performed in the city the morning after the Cubs won it all. We’ll also see how both brands benefitted on the day of the world championship parade.
What’s undeniable in this book is that both stations reaped the rewards of the Cubs lifting their city and delivering the ultimate euphoria to a starved fan base. Their title win also provided a much needed distraction from a difficult Bears season. Now the challenge for The Score and ESPN 1000 is figuring out how to take advantage of their increased exposure and listenership and use it to their benefit in the future.
