Max Kellerman is set to launch a new video podcast in conjunction with Rich Paul and Bill Simmons, which The Ringer founder is clearly excited about.
Kellerman has been largely silent in the two years following his exit from ESPN. But in the announcement of his new program, he took shots at his former First Take co-host, Stephen A. Smith, which led to the ESPN analyst responding on his podcast.
However, Simmons is backing up his new colleague.
In a statement to Vanity Fair, Bill Simmons heaped praise on Max Kellerman while throwing shade at ESPN.
“It’s so rare to find unique, thoughtful sports voices who can thrive as a solo act or with someone else,” Simmons said. “They completely misunderstood why he’s good, which is par for the course for ESPN, by the way.”
Bill Simmons has a long history of criticizing ESPN. He worked at the network for 14 years before his high-profile 2015 exit from the organization.
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Mark Schlereth spent 12 years playing in the NFL. His analysis carries a little bit more weight than most, and he’s putting that on display while sparring with Skip Bayless.
After Bayless called for the firing of Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski for pulling Shedeur Sanders off the field during a pivotal two-point conversion on Sunday, Schlereth poked holes in the argument.
Schlereth began his critique of Bayless’ stance by saying “with all due respect” and calling the commentator “my brother”, before pointing out why the former FS1 and ESPN analyst was incorrect.
He concluded by pointing out that Skip Bayless has had plenty of incorrect opinions over the course of his career. Mark Schlereth said he required any opinion from Bayless to be taken “with a grain of salt.”
“When it comes to your football opinion, this is the issue I have – you thought Johnny Manziel was gonna be a superstar. You are on record saying he was gonna change the league,” Schlereth said. “You thought Tim Tebow was gonna change the league. You thought he was the answer at quarterback. So, when it comes to your quarterbacking opinions and your football opinions, I’m out. No, thank you. Because they have proven over the course of time to be ridiculous.”
Mark Schlereth had extra insight into the Cleveland Browns’ decision-making in the game, due to his serving as the color analyst on the NFL on FOX broadcast.
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Jay Weber has been with 1130 WISN for 35 years, hosting mornings for the past 18. That will end in 2026, however, as he’s moving to a new podcast format.
Weber will end his daily morning show at the end of the month. At a yet-to-be-determined date, only labeled as “Spring 2026” by the company, he’ll begin a twice-weekly iHeartPodcast.
Additionally, he’ll continue to serve as a contributor to WISN programming and initiatives.
“It has been an incredible honor to wake up Wisconsin for the past 35 years, and I’m grateful to every listener who has made this show part of their morning routine,” said Weber. “I’m not retiring — just shifting formats — and I’m excited to continue the conversation in a new twice-weekly podcast.”
“Jay Weber has been one of the best talk show hosts in America for a long time,” said 1130 WISN Program Director Jerry Bott. “He’s built a bond of trust and credibility with his listeners, and after 35 years on the daily morning clock, transitioning to a twice-weekly podcast is much-deserved while still delivering for his loyal listeners. We fully support Jay with his decision and are proud to help him continue his legacy on the iHeart podcast platform.”
Currently, Jay Weber hosts the highest-rated morning drive show in Wisconsin. The station did not announce who would replace Weber when he departs.
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KOLA 99.9 afternoon host Vic Slick is set to retire after 31 years with the Inland Empire classic hits station.
Slick joined KOLA in the early 1990s and has remained a consistent presence in afternoons, hosting from 2-7 PM.
His departure marks the end of a run that began when he first arrived at the station after years of listening to Inland Empire radio and pursuing a career that started as a childhood goal.
“Ever since I was 8, I’ve wanted to be on the radio,” said Slick. “Growing up in the Inland Empire, I listened to KMEN, KFXM, KRLA, and KHJ. My heroes growing up were Wolfman Jack, Casey Kasem, and the Real Don Steele. Working on the radio where I grew up? Totally a dream come true. And, combining my radio career with my love of classic car shows? Can’t get any better than that. The Inland Empire has been amazing to me, and I’m so thankful.”
Station leadership reflected on the career of Vic Slick and his tenure at KOLA.
“It has been an absolute pleasure and an honor to have worked side-by-side with Vic for the past thirty-one years,” said KOLA GM Jeff Parke. “He was already a legend when we hired him, and he has remained a legend the whole time he’s been with us at KOLA. It will be very hard to lose Vic, not just as a diligent, loyal broadcasting professional, but also a dear friend who I’ll miss every day. I wish Vic all the best in his retirement.”
“Vic has spent thirty-one incredible years doing what he does best, connecting with listeners in the Inland Empire,” KOLA 99.9 Program Director Gary Springfield said. “He is the best of all of what KOLA represents to the community. His impact is immeasurable, and his presence will be deeply missed by our team and our listeners.”
His final day on the air will be Friday, December 12th.
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ABC News correspondent Matt Gutman is departing the network to join rival CBS News as a Chief Correspondent.
As part of his new role, Gutman will have what the network is calling a “significant presence” on CBS Mornings and CBS Evening News, while also serving as lead correspondent for 48 Hours and contributing to future seasons of 60 Minutes.
“I am thrilled to be joining CBS, a network with TV news’ most storied past, and most exciting future,” said Gutman. “With Bari and Tom at the helm, our mission is to tell the most important news stories and bring our audience along with us to places they wouldn’t otherwise be able to go, to give a voice to those who might otherwise not be heard, and to tell it straight.”
Gutman has worked at ABC News since 2008. While originally working as a Miami-based correspondent, he was later elevated to the role of Chief National Correspondent in January 2018.
“Matt Gutman goes there,” said CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss. “He brings the audience along with him to whatever story he is covering, and he approaches his work with the qualities we look for in all our journalists: fearlessness, energy and relentlessness. I cannot wait for him to get started.”
“I have worked with Matt for decades and I have seen his innate ability to take viewers into a story,” added CBS News President Tom Cibrowski. “Whether he’s on the frontlines of a conflict or the scene of a rescue mission, he has the power to connect with people in a way that informs and engages. He has a sharp news sense, an acute ability to deliver immersive storytelling and a deep appreciation of history that will be an asset to all of us.”
Matt Gutman will begin his new role on Monday, January 5th. He’ll be based in Los Angeles.
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Glenn Beck has not been shy about the fact that he’s going to be utilizing AI going forward. That includes a conversation with the first President of the United States.
Beck shared that his AI technology has evolved enough to showcase an interview with President George Washington.
In a video published to YouTube, Glenn Beck shared a preview of his conversation with Washington and how advanced the technology has become.
Beck began the conversation by asking what the AI version of America’s first president viewed as the largest problem facing the nation today.
“If I may speak plainly,” what Beck calls “George AI” began, “My countrymen, the greatest danger to our republic lies not in foreign arms or political faction, but in–” before Beck interrupted the software by telling it to “dumb it down.”
After telling the AI bot to “speak in today’s language”, George AI continued again.
“Let me speak to Americans,” the AI said. “If I’m honest, America’s biggest problem isn’t political or economic. It’s all moral. You’ve drifted from the virtues that make liberty possible in the first place. Freedom. To be free, you have to have discipline; you have to have faith; you have to have character; and if you don’t have any of those things, laws can’t stop anything and they mean little. Government turns either weak or oppressive.”
Glenn Beck added that there will be a series of interviews with Washington about modern-day topics shared on his new educational endeavor — The Torch — beginning on Monday, January 5th.
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It has been a tumultuous year for the CBS Evening News. The network hopes to change that in 2026, as CBS News has picked Tony Dokoupil to serve as the new anchor of the nightly newscast.
According to a report from Oliver Darcy of Status, the network has informed Dokoupil that it has selected him to lead the program going forward. He’ll begin anchoring the newscast at the start of the new year.
Dokoupil will succeed John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois, who are both set to exit CBS News in the coming days. Those two replaced longtime anchor Norah O’Donnell after her January exit. However, the newscast took a ratings tumble in the wake of O’Donnell’s departure, dropping from more than 5 million viewers per evening to struggling to reach an audience of 4 million per night under Dickerson and DuBois’ tenure.
Currently, Tony Dokoupil serves as a co-host of CBS Mornings. The 44-year-old works with Gayle King and Nate Burleson on the show. A report from the New York Post suggests that with the elevation to Evening News, Dokoupil won’t be the only anchor leaving the morning show. It shared that it is expected that King will leave the network when her contract concludes in May. Previously, CBS News denied that it was preparing to exile King.
The 44-year-old Dokoupil joined CBS News in 2016. His appointment to the newscast comes after CBS News reportedly made runs at both Bret Baier of Fox News and Anderson Cooper of CNN and 60 Minutes to helm the nightly newscast. Both options failed to come to fruition, as Baier is in the midst of a multi-year contract, and Cooper decided to re-up his deal with CNN.
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The contract extension for Benson comes after he shared that he would leave his role at Townhall.com. He worked as a columnist for 18 years and served as the Political Editor for the brand for the past 15 years before departing last month.
In addition to his work on Fox News, Guy Benson — who was recently diagnosed with cancer and underwent a procedure to remove it — hosts a daily news/talk radio show for Fox News Radio. The Guy Benson Show airs live from 3-6 PM ET.
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In the world of sports, few things are as universally gut-wrenching as a “bad beat.” A last-second turnover, a blown lead, a missed kick—moments that transform triumph into despair in the blink of an eye, all in the name of wagering on games. Sports media has long recognized the inherent drama in these collapses, and audiences have always gravitated toward the high-stakes tension they produce.
But in the age of social media and 24/7 content cycles, the culture of celebrating—or exploiting—bad beats has grown more intense, raising questions about whether this trend is healthy for the future of sports coverage.
The latest example came from Barstool Sports founder and FS1 Big Noon Kickoff contributor Dave Portnoy. When the Las Vegas Raiders kicked a field goal that reduced their loss to the Denver Broncos to seven points, despite entering the game as an 8.5-point favorite, Portnoy lost his mind on social media. While Barstool and Portnoy often straddle the line between reality and parody, these comments struck a nerve. If the last decade has shown anything, it’s that words on social media can and do lead to action.
Traditionally, bad beats were fodder for postgame commentary, often confined to respectful, measured analysis. Scott Van Pelt on SportsCenter has done a masterful job of keeping the moment more playful than hostile—presenting the collapse, explaining what led to it, and occasionally sprinkling in slow motion or humorous timing coincidences. It was entertainment, not banishment.
The discussion was limited to the select few who gambled legally. Today is a different time.
The rise of legalization and digital platforms has shifted the dynamic. Now every misstep, shocking loss, or heartbreak becomes an instant shareable clip, viral meme, or provocative tweet.
Social media personalities and sports content creators have capitalized on this phenomenon. Platforms like TikTok and Twitter/X reward virality above all else, and bad beats are inherently viral. This environment contributed to Portnoy’s latest tirade after what happened in Las Vegas.
Where Portnoy Went Too Far
“That’s the worst beat of all time!” Portnoy said. “You have to investigate the Raiders! Investigate the Raiders! What are they doing? What the f**k? That’s the worst beat of all time! That is cheating! What the f**k? I gotta rewind this. That’s the worst f**king beat of all time! This is the worst beat of all time! Pete Carroll should be in f**king prison! Prison for Pete Carroll.”
It didn’t end there.
“This is prison! There’s 16 seconds left in the game. By the way, the play before this, there was f**king 20 seconds. They threw it. Prison! The spread’s eight-and-a-half. They spiked the ball, by the way! They ran up and spiked it as a tempo — Prison Pete Carroll! Murder Pete Carroll! I want Pete Carroll murdered!”
PRISON FOR EVERYBODY!! THAT’S THE BIGGEST RIG JOB IVE EVER SEEN. INVESTIGATE THE NFL. INVESTIGATE PETE CARROLL. IVESTIGATE THE RAIDERS!!! pic.twitter.com/hpEr1JOiqm
Now, do I actually think Dave Portnoy wants Pete Carroll murdered? Of course not. But the way I interpret Portnoy’s words is different from how some others will interpret them. That’s the problem, and it’s something personalities like Portnoy—with his massive following—should recognize.
Words matter. The blurring of reality and fantasy is bleaker than ever because gambling has become more normalized. Whether Portnoy knows it or not, he made what could be considered a threat against an NFL head coach.
Again, words matter. For the record, Portnoy did apologize for his comments on Monday’s Wake Up Barstool.
When the culture of bad beats prioritizes clicks over context, it creates a feedback loop that rewards hyperbolic, sensationalistic reactions. Social media personalities are incentivized to amplify the drama. This includes sometimes mocking athletes, fans, or in this case, head coaches.
In extreme cases, this amplification sparks waves of toxic behavior online. Threats, harassment, and vitriolic commentary have become increasingly common after high-profile sporting disappointments. The bar for “viral” content is now so high that creators may unintentionally—or even knowingly—fuel hostility among followers, with the algorithm ensuring it spreads further.
Portnoy’s “threat” toward Carroll wasn’t the only one yesterday. A simple search for Pete Carroll on social media reveals more than a few people following Portnoy’s example.
A Growing Problem
The consequences of this trend are not theoretical. In recent years, coaches, players, and referees have received death threats and harassment after mistakes amplified by social media. Fans losing money as gambling becomes more legal and easier than ever contributes significantly to this behavior.
The culture of bad beats, when exploited for content, is no longer harmless entertainment—it can be a catalyst for real-world danger. Sports-betting-related abuse remains one of the most common forms of online harassment directed at college athletes, coaches, and officials. It touches everyone from the college ranks to professional athletes around the world.
This raises an important question for the future of sports media: How do outlets and personalities balance the natural drama of bad beats with responsible coverage? Creators and journalists must stay mindful of the power of their platforms. Words have weight, and amplification can transform disappointment into danger.
Content that entertains should not come at the expense of safety or civility.
It’s also worth considering the long-term effects on content creators themselves. Relying on bad beats to drive engagement is a short-term strategy with diminishing returns. Audiences may grow fatigued by constant schadenfreude, and creators who thrive on negativity risk alienating partners, sponsors, or networks. A more sustainable approach blends excitement with insight, drama with context, and celebration with empathy. In other words, good sports storytelling can—and should—entertain without endangering.
Bad beats are a natural and compelling part of sports, but the way they are covered in today’s media ecosystem carries inherent risks. The instant, viral nature of social media has magnified the drama, sometimes crossing the line into exploitation and even danger.
Sports media and social content creators must recognize their influence, tempering sensationalism with responsible analysis and empathy. Even if there’s a personal cost to the formula.
In the end, the problem isn’t that Dave Portnoy was angry about a bad beat. Anyone who has ever sweated a point spread understands the impulse. The larger issue is the megaphone he—and many creators like him—now wields, and how casually he unleashes it without considering the consequences.
When outrage becomes a content strategy and hyperbole becomes a personality trait, creators can unintentionally incite harassment, pile-ons, and even threats toward the people they target.
That’s not passion for sports; that’s reckless amplification.
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Luck is when preparation meets opportunity. The combination has created some of the greatest names in sports and entertainment. No matter how hard someone grinds toward a goal, being in the right place at the right time is often the most crucial factor. Mike Mulligan of 670 The Score humbly admits he has benefitted from that idea as he enters his 18th year hosting mornings on Chicago’s top sports radio station.
“My career has been a lot of good luck,” says Mulligan. “When I started working on the radio, it was ancillary income at first. Then as other things opened up, I was very fortunate…I don’t know how it all happened to be honest with you. Very much being in the right place at the right time.”
An English major at Loyola University, the Chicago native began his career covering sports for the Chicago Sun-Times. His work covering public league sports grew into a role following the Chicago Bulls during Michael Jordan’s run in the 1990s. After that dynasty, Mulligan moved to covering the Chicago Bears and then the NFL at large.
Of all the transitions Mulligan made in his career, the pivot to becoming a host was the most challenging.
“When I first started, I was still working at the paper [Chicago Sun-Times], because I had a difficult time making that transition and leaving my identity behind,” explained Mulligan. “I had worked so long at the paper and was locked in to being a sportswriter. It was difficult to shift gears, even though there’s very complimentary role whether it’s covering a team or talking about it.”
Mulligan was elevated to morning drive in 2008 after the station failed to reach a new contract with Score original Mike North. He began his morning run with fellow Sun-Times teammate Brian Hanley. Together, they took over a daypart that competed with ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike.
The move received mixed reactions at the time from longtime Score listeners. However, Mulligan and Hanley’s years covering sports for the Sun-Times brought a strong sense of credibility to the show.
“The credibility factor is huge. People who do it professionally know what the rules are… You defend the content and information. You work hard and know people that you’ve used before to help you understand or give you some information about a story,” explained Mulligan, reflecting on how he applied the credibility he built at the Sun-Times to sports radio.
Rewarded By The Industry
A focused mindset and a reliance on that earned credibility have helped Mulligan lead one of the highest-rated morning shows in Chicago. That success was recognized last month when Mulligan and his team won the coveted “Best Morning Show Award” from the Illinois Association of Broadcasters.
Our @mullyhaugh crew: Mully, Brandon Fryer, Dustin Rhoades and me, who feel grateful for being recognized as “Best Morning Show" by the Illinois Broadcasters Association. Thanks to our boss, Mitch Rosen, and our audience for listening every day to @670TheScore. pic.twitter.com/iySJq1mAqP
“It was a stunner,” exclaimed Mulligan. “I really was blown away, and didn’t see it coming. It’s very difficult to get your mind wrapped around something like that. I’m very appreciative.”
That stunning moment may not have happened. On the morning of the awards show, Mulligan was still dealing with issues with his station email. He had no idea the morning show had even been nominated until he arrived at work.
“I was on the elevator that morning, and there was a woman that works for another radio station. We were just chatting, and she asked me if I was going to the awards tonight. I had no idea what she was talking about,” explained Mulligan. “She told me we were up for the best morning show, and I didn’t know that. I immediately went to Mitch Rosen [Vice President, 670 The Score and BetMGM Network] and asked what’s going on tonight… It was so dumb on my part.”
Once again, Mulligan found himself in the right place at the right time. A simple elevator ride with the right person led to his attending the event and receiving the award.
“I went from not knowing about it to winning it,” joked Mulligan.
Navigating Change
Although Mulligan says he never felt pressure when he took over mornings at 670 The Score, he understands the legacy he now represents. The path to success is rarely straight, yet Mulligan has been the constant in morning drive for 17 years on a station that has seen significant change.
A major change came in 2018 when 670 The Score chose not to renew the contract of Mulligan’s co-host of 13 years, Brian Hanley. A Score original for 25 years, Hanley’s departure was unexpected and difficult.
“That was really difficult, and that was hard. I had made a switch to radio and thought things were going fine, and then they made that call,” noted Mulligan. “I feel bad for the way things happened for Brian.”
As Mulligan navigated the loss of a teammate of two decades while keeping the show moving forward, 670 The Score moved quickly to add Chicago Tribune columnist David Haugh less than a month later.
“David [Haugh] and I were friends when we were covering the Chicago Bears. It’s been like strength to strength,” explained Mulligan. “Brian [Hanley] and I had a lot of fun together. David and I have a really good show going too. The show may have changed and become more content centric with a guy like David, but I always enjoyed working with Brian and always got a kick out of his personality.”
For the last seven years, Mully and Haugh have built on the foundation Mulligan and Hanley established. Appointment-driven features and an impressive guest list have elevated the program both traditionally and digitally. The morning show has led the way in transforming 670 The Score from a terrestrial sports radio giant into a modern content powerhouse. It stands as an example of reaching sports fans wherever they now consume content.
“Digital is as valuable as anything today,” said Mulligan. “I try to do whatever I can to be relevant and create good content to make sure our show is meeting all the coaching points… 670 The Score has a grip on Chicago from the first day of it… It’s amazing on a day like ‘football Monday.’ They [WMVP] got the team [Chicago Bears], we got the numbers. What does that tell you?”
Enriching The Legacy
Even as its main competitor no longer subscribes to traditional Nielsen ratings, 670 The Score’s legacy brand continues to thrive. The station’s longevity and credibility endures despite numerous lineup changes in nearly every daypart over the last decade.
“Your job is to play the hits. Talk about the Chicago sports teams, and approach it as the fans want to hear and understand it,” noted Mulligan. “It’s your responsibility, and I think everyone on 670 The Score understands this, to present information. To try and live up to the people who were there before you and are going to be there after you.”
Heading into 2026, Mulligan says he remains focused on improving in a role he never expected to have. With several years left on his agreement with 670 The Score, he is humbled by the continued opportunity.
“I am blessed to have been able to work in the Chicago media for as long as I have, and put my kids through college,” said Mulligan. “I don’t know if the business is going to hold up, or what have you. But I am a content individual, and love what I do.”
Without a clear endpoint and without the same ambition he had in his youth, Mulligan understands how rare his journey has been. It is a story built on hard work and plenty of luck.
“It is a blessing to do something you enjoy doing,” said Mulligan. “I’ll do this as long as they let me, and I’d probably do this volunteer-wise if had to.”
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