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Audacy Rock Format VP Vince Richards to Exit

BMM Staff
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Audacy Rock Format VP Vince Richards to Exit

After eight years at the company and the past four as Audacy Rock Format Vice President, Vince Richards is exiting the organization.

Richards will depart the company at the end of November, closing a chapter with the radio group.

“After eight personally and professionally rewarding years at Audacy, I’ll be moving on to my next opportunity,” Richards said in a memo to staffers.

“I am incredibly proud of the work I’ve accomplished with our teams here in Dallas and across the country, driving ratings and revenue while connecting with our listeners,” Richards added. “I look forward to continuing to build on the legacy I’ve created throughout my career in radio.”

During his tenure with Audacy, Richards worked in both Dallas and Sacramento, helping lead the company’s strategy in the format. Previous stops before working with the company include time at KSHE 95 in St. Louis, as well as in locations like Buffalo, New Orleans, Kansas City, and Houston, among others.

Vince Richards ascended to the role of Format Vice President in 2021 after the elevation of Dave Richards to Senior Vice President of Programming for the company.

Audacy has not announced who will step into the role vacated by Richards’ departure. He, also, has not shared any details on what the next steps are in his career.

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Erika Kirk Thanks Fox News, Suzanne Scott for Creation of Charlie Kirk Legacy Award at Patriot Awards

BNM Staff
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Erika Kirk Thanks Fox News, Suzanne Scott for Creation of Charlie Kirk Legacy Award at Patriot Awards

The FOX Nation Patriot Awards were held on Thursday evening, and the ceremony bestowed the inaugural Charlie Kirk Legacy Award to his widow, Erika Kirk.

Kirk, who was named Turning Point USA in the days following her husband’s assassination, was welcomed to the stage to accept the award named after her late husband by Fox News primetime host Jesse Watters, country music star Jason Aldean, and his wife.

As she began her acceptance speech, Erika Kirk thanked those who made the award possible.

“Thank you so much, (Fox News Media CEO) Suzanne (Scott),” Kirk shared. “Thank you so much to the FOX News family, and thank you so much to Jesse (Watters) and everyone that loved my husband so well.”

Charlie Kirk was killed by an assassin while speaking at Utah Valley University during a Turning Point USA event on September 10th.

After receiving a standing ovation from the crowd at the FOX Nation Patriot Awards, Erika Kirk continued her speech by challenging those in attendance and those watching to continue to live by the ideals that defined her late husband.

“I know this award is about legacy. It’s about my legacy, our children’s legacy, my husband’s legacy, but it’s also about your legacy,” Kirk said. “And I really want you to take a minute tonight to think about what that is. What are you leaving behind for your children? What are you standing for, for your family? Will you be proud of that when you get to heaven and stand before the Lord?

“Just think on that and pray on that, because I want to encourage you to know and understand something that Charlie knew and understood so deeply,” she continued. “He knew that evil wins when good people stay silent. And so for the rest of my life, I will make sure that I don’t stay silent. I will keep speaking the truth, no matter the cost.”

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Tucker Carlson Tells Megyn Kelly: I Agreed to Not Attack Ben Shapiro, Mark Levin After Charlie Kirk’s Death, They Didn’t Abide By It

BNM Staff
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Tucker Carlson Tells Megyn Kelly: I Agreed to Not Attack Ben Shapiro, Mark Levin After Charlie Kirk’s Death, They Didn’t Abide By It

Tucker Carlson has been the subject of criticism from many on the political right recently, including Mark Levin and Ben Shapiro. He told Megyn Kelly he attempted to bury the hatchet with those two after the death of Charlie Kirk.

While appearing with Kelly at a stop on her live stage tour, Carlson revealed that he had called both Shapiro and Levin in the aftermath of Kirk’s assassination, arguing that they should stop attacking one another.

“I called them two days after Charlie was killed — from my backyard, because I was really thinking about it and praying about it — and I was like, ‘We agree on a lot, like a lot, actually,'” Carlson shared. “We agree on a lot, so let’s not attack each other. They didn’t abide by those terms. But that’s fine, they were under no obligation.”

Carlson’s comments came after he stated Mark Levin was an “obvious lunatic”, with Kelly chiming in that she’s been labeled an anti-Semite by Levin in recent weeks.

When Megyn Kelly asked Tucker Carlson if he believed that he and Ben Shapiro could ultimately move past their differences, Carlson said he doesn’t believe the onus is on him.

“I’m not against Ben Shapiro,” he stated. “I don’t consider him the world’s greatest force for evil, I don’t feel that way at all. I don’t actually think about him ever. So I’m not attacking him. I saw him at Charlie’s memorial service backstage. Totally nice, and he looked a little uncomfortable, but I wasn’t uncomfortable … I don’t want to have a war with Ben Shapiro.

“Does he really think that me doing an interview in which I explained that anti-semitism is wrong to one of the lead purveyors of anti-semitism, that somehow makes me a Nazi? What is the argument here? I don’t even understand that argument here.”

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Mark Shapiro: Infiltration of Sports Betting Into ESPN Programming a “Total Turnoff”

BSM Staff
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Mark Shapiro: Infiltration of Sports Betting Into ESPN Programming a “Total Turnoff”

TKO Group Holdings President Mark Shapiro, a former ESPN veteran, didn’t hide his satisfaction after hearing ESPN’s sports betting partnership with PENN Entertainment had officially come to an end.

PENN and ESPN announced early Thursday morning that they had mutually agreed to terminate their 10-year, $1.5 billion deal just two years after launching ESPN Bet. The breakup frees PENN from a $150 million annual advertising commitment to the network, while ESPN moves on to a new exclusive sponsorship and promotion deal with DraftKings.

For Shapiro — who began at ESPN as a production assistant before rising to executive vice president of programming and production — the news brought a sense of relief.

“I just hope this means we will not have to endure sports betting conversation infiltrating ESPN’s programming in the way it has, especially this football season,” Shapiro told Sports Business Journal. “It’s just bad programming. Of course, young sports fans are betting. But they are not tuning in from an appointment perspective to see non-stop conversation on every game with props and parlays and over-unders. It’s just not the case. In fact, it’s a total turnoff.”

The former ESPN executive singled out the network’s morning show Get Up, hosted by Mike Greenberg, as an example of how ESPN’s content strategy had drifted too far into wagering talk.

“[For Greenberg] to have to sit next to a sports betting expert and talk about props and betting non-stop just so they can truly accomplish what they’re really trying to do, which is push people to ESPN Bet, is abysmal,” Shapiro said. “I just hope this new DraftKings arrangement doesn’t call for this to continue.”

Meanwhile, PENN Entertainment CEO Jay Snowden told analysts the companies chose to end the deal now rather than wait until next summer’s option window. He said it became evident ESPN Bet wasn’t on pace to meet performance targets, despite improvements across several areas.

“We could see through the first couple of months of football season that we weren’t on a trajectory to get to that level of market share,” Snowden said on a conference call. “Why string this along? Let’s get together and figure out the best path forward for both companies.”

Recent state data showed ESPN Bet held only a 3.2% market share across 14 states that report sportsbook-specific figures — tied for sixth with Bet365.

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Warner Bros. Discovery Reportedly Have Received Bids From Paramount, Comcast, Amazon, Netflix

BNM Staff
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Warner Bros. Discovery Reportedly Have Received Bids From Paramount, Comcast, Amazon, Netflix

Warner Bros. Discovery’s potential restructuring is gaining momentum, as CEO David Zaslav confirmed the company’s “exploration of a possible sale of some or all of its holdings is briskly moving ahead.” The remarks come amid ongoing reports that several major media players are eyeing the company’s assets.

According to multiple sources to the Wall Street Journal, Paramount has already made three formal bids for Warner Bros. Discovery, all of which have been turned down. Other potential suitors reportedly include Comcast, Amazon, and Netflix, signaling that interest in WBD’s wide-ranging portfolio remains high despite the company’s recent financial turbulence.

While speculation around a sale continues to swirl, company leadership appears to be leaning toward a different direction. WBD Chair Samuel DiPiazza Jr. said last month that the company believes a split — dividing its entertainment and news/sports holdings — is the best path forward for both the company and its shareholders.

Sources close to Zaslav echoed that sentiment to WSJ, noting he has expressed a preference for a split rather than an outright sale.

Financially, Warner Bros. Discovery remains in a challenging position. The company reported total revenue of $9 billion in its most recent quarter, down 6% from the same period last year. WBD also posted a net loss of $148 million, a reflection of ongoing struggles in linear television and what Zaslav described as “a flat performance in streaming.”

The company’s streaming division generated $2.6 billion in revenue, essentially unchanged from last year. However, ad revenue within streaming grew by 15%, suggesting progress in monetizing the platform’s growing global footprint.

Executives told investors they expect HBO Max distribution revenue to “reaccelerate” early next year, though near-term challenges remain.

Those headwinds include the absence of NBA games on Max following the expiration of the company’s current broadcast rights, as well as expenses tied to international rollouts. Meanwhile, linear networks — still WBD’s most significant cash generator — produced $3.9 billion in revenue, but that figure was down 22% from a year ago. Distribution revenue declined 8%, driven by continued cord-cutting, while advertising revenue fell 20% as ratings and viewership softened.

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National Championship Odds Update: Who’s Trending and Who’s Falling Behind

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National Championship Odds Update: Who’s Trending and Who’s Falling Behind

As the 2025 college football season barrels toward its climax, the race for the national title is heating up, and the NCAAF power rankings are shifting by the week.

While the elite programs continue to separate themselves, several mid-tier contenders are struggling to maintain traction. With playoff implications intensifying, fans are watching every score, every upset, and every injury that might tilt the balance.

From Ohio State’s dominant reign at No. 1 to the surprising rise of Indiana, and the stumbles of Oklahoma and USC, the landscape is evolving fast. Let’s break down who’s trending upward, who’s slipping, and what it all means for those tracking the championship picture.

Ohio State Buckeyes: Still the Standard at No. 1

The Ohio State Buckeyes remain the gold standard of college football. They continue to dominate opponents with a mix of balance, discipline, and raw athleticism that no other program can quite match. Sitting comfortably atop the NCAAF power rankings, Ohio State’s formula for success looks nearly foolproof right now.

Their quarterback is commanding the offense with precision, combining poise in the pocket with an ability to stretch the field. His connection with wide receivers and other offensive weapons has been electric, consistently creating matchup nightmares for opposing secondaries.

What separates Ohio State from the rest is consistency. Even when challenged, they find a way to impose their style, a hallmark of championship-caliber teams. As long as the Buckeyes keep executing at this level, their grip on the No. 1 spot looks unshakable, and their title aspirations remain as strong as ever.

Indiana Hoosiers: Holding Strong at No. 2

If there’s a surprise story in the NCAAF power rankings, it’s Indiana. The Hoosiers’ meteoric rise to No. 2 has been one of the most talked-about developments of the 2025 season, and staying there is even more impressive.

Indiana’s success stems from its dynamic offense, which is displaying poise and finesse. The Hoosiers have built a system that prioritizes efficiency and tempo, allowing them to dictate the flow of games. Their ability to execute under pressure has turned skeptics into believers, especially after big wins over Michigan State and Illinois.

Defensively, Indiana continues to play opportunistic football. Their secondary thrives on turnovers, while the front seven consistently generates pressure. Head coach Curt Cignetti has this team playing with the confidence and composure of top-tier programs.

If Indiana keeps executing like this, it could transform from a feel-good story into a legitimate playoff threat, something few would have predicted at the season’s start.

Oklahoma Sooners: Slipping from No. 13 to No. 19

The Oklahoma Sooners’ slide in the NCAAF power rankings, dropping from 13th to 19th, signals trouble. After a promising start, inconsistencies on both sides of the ball have cost them crucial momentum.

Offensively, Oklahoma’s rhythm has faltered. While their quarterbacks have shown flashes of brilliance, turnovers and red-zone inefficiency have become recurring issues. The Sooners’ offensive line has also struggled to protect this position against elite defensive fronts, forcing hurried throws and missed opportunities.

Defensively, the unit has been unable to deliver timely stops. Opponents have found success attacking Oklahoma’s secondary, exploiting coverage breakdowns that were rare early in the season. These lapses have turned close games into disappointing losses.

For head coach Brent Venables, the path forward is about rediscovering identity and tightening fundamentals. The Sooners remain talented enough to finish strong. However, their recent slide underscores how quickly things can unravel in a loaded conference.

USC Trojans: From No. 22 to No. 25

The USC Trojans’ fall from 22nd to 25th highlights the ongoing turbulence surrounding one of college football’s most talented rosters. Despite flashes of offensive brilliance, the Trojans remain their own worst enemy. They’ve been undone by inconsistency, turnovers, and a defense that continues to yield big plays.

Their young quarterback crop has taken over the reins with confidence, but even strong performances can’t mask deeper systemic issues, reflected in the latest NCAAF insights and trends. The offensive line struggles with blitz recognition, and the ground game remains inconsistent.

While USC can light up the scoreboard, its inability to control tempo or close out games keeps it on the wrong side of momentum. On defense, familiar issues persist. Missed tackles and poor pursuit angles have haunted the Trojans, resulting in extended drives and demoralizing fourth-quarter collapses.

For a program built on star power, USC’s current form feels more like frustration than fulfillment. Unless they fix their defensive lapses, their descent in the NCAAF power rankings may not be over.

Bettors Takeaway

For bettors tracking the National Championship odds, the recent week’s power ranking shifts carry significant implications. Ohio State continues to anchor the top of the board as the clear betting favorite, while Indiana’s steady climb has made it one of the most intriguing dark horses in the market. The Hoosiers’ balanced offense and ability to cover spreads are catching the attention of sharp bettors.

On the flip side, Oklahoma’s and USC’s downward trends are reflected in widening odds. Both programs are still priced as capable of a rebound, but inconsistent performances make them riskier wagers. Savvy bettors are paying close attention to how each team performs against ranked opponents, as that often dictates line movement in the championship futures market.

The key for bettors right now is timing. Buying in early on undervalued teams like Indiana could yield strong returns, while fading overvalued squads with glaring weaknesses, such as USC’s defense, may protect bankrolls down the stretch.

A Season of Dominance and Volatility

The 2025 college football season continues to be defined by dominance at the top and volatility in the middle. The Ohio State Buckeyes and Indiana Hoosiers are setting the pace, while programs like Oklahoma and USC search for answers amid inconsistency.

In the broader NCAAF power rankings, every week brings new data points that shift the perception of who’s a genuine contender and who’s falling behind. For fans, it’s a thrilling ride full of unexpected twists.

As the race toward the playoffs tightens, one thing is clear: momentum matters more than ever. Teams that sustain balance and execution, like Ohio State and Indiana, are not only shaping the standings but also defining the odds boards across sportsbooks nationwide.

*Content reflects information available as of October 28, 2025; subject to change.

Tommy Bickham Departs Morning Show On Mix 94.5

BMM Staff
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Tommy Bickham Departs Morning Show On Mix 94.5

Tommy Bickham, co-host of the Mix Morning Show with Callie and Tommy on Mix 94.5 in Champaign/Urbana, announced Friday that he is stepping away from his role at the station, effective immediately.

In a social media post, Bickham shared that after “much thought and consideration,” he decided that his final day on Mix 94.5 would be today. The Champaign media personality expressed gratitude for the listeners who began their mornings with him and his co-host, Callie, over the past four years.

“Thank you to everyone who started your day with Callie and I these past 4 years!” Bickham wrote. “I had so much fun achieving my goal of hosting morning radio and also kicking butt while doing it! I LOVE radio but this is a decision based on my health and my future.”

Bickham joined Mix 94.5, part of Saga Communications, in 2021, helping shape the station’s upbeat, community-focused morning sound. His chemistry with Callie and positive on-air energy became a consistent part of the station’s local identity. Under their partnership, the show emphasized listener interaction, lifestyle content, and a connection to Champaign’s hometown pride.

Though stepping away from daily radio, Bickham noted that he will remain visible in local media. He plans to continue working as a contributing host and producer for ciLiving.tv, a weekday lifestyle program in Champaign.

“I will continue to be a part of ciLiving.tv as a contributing host and producer moving forward while I heal. Stay tuned! I love you all! Thank you so much for joining me on this ride!” he added.

While Bickham did not specify details about his health, his post emphasized that the decision was made to prioritize personal well-being and long-term stability.

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Why ESPN Should Double Down After ESPN BET Didn’t Pay Off

John Mamola
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Why ESPN Should Double Down After ESPN BET Didn’t Pay Off

There’s an old saying that if at first you don’t succeed, try again. ESPN and PENN Entertainment announced yesterday the mutual opt-out of their U.S. online sports betting agreement. The end coming on December 1 is the end of a partnership that still had seven years remaining on a deal that paid out ESPN $150 million per year in cold hard cash.

When the agreement was first announced, everyone asked the same question: Would this marriage actually work? The biggest name in sports media aligning itself with a gambling company that had already struggled to find traction with Barstool Sports. On paper, ESPN looked like a step up — a brand powerhouse that could turn PENN’s sportsbook into a national contender.

Just over two years later, here we are. ESPN BET is folding, and plenty of people are cheering its demise. Not because ESPN bet on sports betting — but because ESPN never really owned it. However, here’s why they will try again.

The online sportsbook game is brutal. It’s already dominated by two titans — DraftKings and FanDuel — who’ve been running the table for years.

A Numbers Game

According to CasinoReports.com, those two control roughly 66% of the entire mobile betting market. The rest — BetMGM, Caesars, BetRivers, Bet365, and yes, ESPN BET — are fighting for scraps, each with less than 10% share.

It’s the same story you see everywhere. For every Pepsi and Coke, there’s a Canada Dry. McDonald’s and Starbucks have Subway. Nike and ADIDAS have KangaROOS. No disrespect to the smaller players, but nobody’s trading their Big Mac for a cold cut combo.

That’s the reality PENN and ESPN ran into. They bet (pun intended) on each other. PENN thought ESPN’s branding would instantly legitimize its sportsbook. ESPN thought PENN’s expertise would make its entry into gambling seamless. But DraftKings and FanDuel? They’d never slap someone else’s logo on their product — because in their world, they are the brand.

“Our primary focus is always to serve sports fans and we know they want both betting content and the ability to place bets with less friction from within our products,” said ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro when the network announced the partnership with PENN Entertainment in 2023. “The strategy here is simple: to give fans what they’ve been requesting and expecting from ESPN. PENN Entertainment is the perfect partner to build an unmatched user experience for sports betting with ESPN BET.”

In theory, that sounded perfect. In practice? Not so much. There are several reasons this partnership never hit the jackpot — and most of them aren’t ESPN’s fault.

A Rough Draft

Start with timing. ESPN BET was over a decade late to the party. DraftKings launched in 2012, FanDuel in 2009. ESPN BET showed up in 2023 — when bettors had already built their habits, set up their accounts, and picked their favorite platforms. By the time ESPN arrived, the dance floor was full.

Then there’s the optics problem. ESPN has always walked the fine line between journalism and entertainment. The network has partnerships with every major league — and those leagues already had sportsbook deals elsewhere. MLB, the NBA, and the NFL all have official partnerships with DraftKings, FanDuel, or Caesars. The NHL was the only league aligned with ESPN BET.

When the heavyweights have already picked sides, you’re not exactly dealing from a position of strength.

Meanwhile, DraftKings and FanDuel didn’t just build sportsbooks — they built ecosystems. They’ve spent years locking in partnerships, influencers, sponsorships, and content deals across every major sport. They own the real estate. They own the conversation.

With no federal regulation and very little land left to own, of course it would entice a brand like PENN Entertainment to go after the biggest fish left available—ESPN branding.

But even ESPN’s legendary brand couldn’t elevate PENN’s platform to contender status. That’s not a reflection of ESPN’s failure — it’s a reflection of how entrenched the market already is.

If You Fail….

“Together, ESPN and PENN created a truly unique offering with unparalleled integrations across our various media assets,” said Pitaro on Thursday in the release about the mutual opt-out. “ESPN drove over 2.9 million new users into the PENN ecosystem, with a strong uptick in first-time bettors this fall.”

Impressive numbers on paper — but is 2.9 million users (not active users, mind you) worth $150 million a year? FanDuel reported 12 million registered users in March. DraftKings averaged 4.8 million monthly active users in Q4 last year. That’s the scale ESPN was up against.

Make no mistake about it—ESPN isn’t done betting. The PENN deal was a first draft, not the final version. The network’s direct-to-consumer product wasn’t just about cutting the cord; it was about building a subscriber base that could one day be cross-promoted into another sportsbook venture.

Would that surprise you? To me, not in the slightest.

PENN Entertainment simply gambled on ESPN’s name being enough to carry them into the big leagues. But when your partner’s network is already airing games loaded with ad inventory from your competitors, you’re playing against a stacked deck.

This wasn’t a win-win, nor was it a lose-lose. It was a swing — and a miss — by two brands trying to figure out how to play in a game already decided.

So yes, ESPN BET is dead. But ESPN’s gambling ambitions aren’t. You can bet on that.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

How Vince Coglianese Added On to the House that Dan Bongino Built

Garrett Searight
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How Vince Coglianese Added On to the House that Dan Bongino Built

Vince Coglianese was put into one of the more unenviable tasks in news/talk radio: stepping into the shoes vacated by Dan Bongino.

Earlier this year, Bongino revealed he would exit his national syndicated news/talk radio show with Westwood One to join the Trump Administration as Deputy Director of the FBI.

To call Bongino’s audience rabid might be an understatement. The “Bongino Army” was widespread and strong. So, in comes Vince Coglianese, who was elevated from WMAL in Washington, D.C. to the national spotlight to replace Bongino on both his podcast and his nationally syndicated show.

But he hasn’t been intimidated by the challenge. He’s embraced it.

“It’s been a total blessing to get to do it,” said Coglianese. “I was very fortunate to be asked to take it on. It’s been great. Dan Bongino is a great guy. I filled in on his radio show when he was hosting from 12 to 3 PM ET with some frequency, and got really good audience response whenever I did it.

“So when the time came for Westwood (One) to try and figure out who was going to take that job, it worked out really nicely, because we had this massive audience all across the country who had become accustomed to me. And as a result, I fit in really well with them. We’ve grown together into a pretty massive show this year, and it’s just been a great ride.”

In the initial months after Bongino’s departure, Vince Coglianese sustained the podcast audience, remaining as one of the most listened to programs according to the Triton Digital and Edison Research rankings.

Coglianese believes that’s a byproduct of putting in the work behind the scenes.

“I spent a lot of time getting to know the audience. And so the story there, I think, and the story that, basically I figured out right away, is that great, I’m creating a product that people like. My job now is to get the rest of the country as acquainted with me as possible. So in every other market, I just want people to get to know me better with each passing day. Because I really think we have massive, massive opportunities to have one of the biggest shows in the whole country.”

The setup for Coglianese is a little different than many news/talk radio hosts. Instead of the content of his program being repurposed into on-demand audio labeled as a podcast, the VINCE show is it’s own, one-hour, purpose-built podcast separate from the news/talk radio show.

He admits that despite the radio show being three times longer, it’s the easier of the two programs to navigate.

“I know it’s three hours of content, but I’m so accustomed to it that I do feel like sometimes I can do it in my sleep,” he joked. “I have so much fun, and I feel so comfortable on radio that that part — to the extent that I have any control — feels like it comes very naturally.

“The podcast and doing it on camera is using new muscles that I’ve been developing. I feel more at ease doing it now than I did when we started in March. But that’s the big challenge, being able to produce four high-quality hours of content every single day. And luckily, I’ve got really, really great teams who make that job very easy, working on both shows. I couldn’t ask for a better arrangement.”

While Coglianese admits he can use the same topics for both his podcast and the radio show, there’s a distinct difference between the two.

“On the podcast, I try and come up with an overarching theme that I think is the most important thing to spend some time on, especially if it has visual elements. The upside of the podcast is that, because we do a show on Rumble, on camera, we can really emphasize things that are visually compelling,” he shared. “Whereas on radio, you’re obviously concentrating on an audio product, and those that those distinctions are big also on radio.”

He joked that one of the biggest challenges of hosting a video podcast has been the adjustment to the camera.

“One of the things I love about radio is that, traditionally, I’ve just been able to stare at my computer, kind of be rude because, theoretically, you’re not visually dealing with a person one on one most of the time. You don’t have to stare at them, engage them with eye contact, and these types of things. My full mental focus can be on the radio product and dealing with all the things that go into radio.

“The podcast requires my visual attention on the camera that I’m staring at. And for the most part, I have to kind of break myself free of looking at the computer, consulting notes, pulling up websites, that sort of thing. It’s training the muscles.”

Vince Coglianese is everywhere in the media space. In addition to the daily video podcast with Rumble and the nationally syndicated news/talk radio show, he also continues to write for The Daily Caller. And he says having all of those avenues for consumption actually makes him a better news/talk radio host.

“I think ultimately the value that comes with it is one that it improves your ability to convey information in a short, understandable format,” he shared. “If you have practice with writing, it makes you a better verbal communicator, because you understand word economy and how to deliver a headline and how to deliver a lead sentence. I think those skills translate really well into radio and into podcasting.”

There’s another thing that writing helps in the spoken word area, too.

“I just have an insatiable curiosity,” Coglianese shared. “The nice thing about having a newsroom (at The Daily Caller) is that I can service that and then turn around and try and get something useful for the audience. I’d hate to be in a position where I was giving them something empty. I want to give them something that has a lot of calories every day.”

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

Kenny Smith Could Be Risking Overexposure With New ESPN Contributor Deal

John Lund
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Kenny Smith Could Be Risking Overexposure With New ESPN Contributor Deal

In a studio not so far, far away, four basketball Jedi keep the galaxy balanced. Ernie Johnson is Obi-Wan Kenobi—calm, wise, and impossible to rattle, even when surrounded by chaos. Charles Barkley is Han Solo—loud, fearless, and allergic to filters, always ready to shoot first and ask questions never. Shaquille O’Neal is Chewbacca with a business degree—massive, loyal, hilarious, and part of every deal in the galaxy. And Kenny “The Jet” Smith is Luke Skywalker in a blazer—the pilot, the balance, the steady hand guiding the Rebel ship through laughter and madness.

Together, they form Inside the NBA—the Rebel Alliance of sports television. Unscripted. Honest. Chaotic in the best possible way. And for the first two weeks of the NBA season, there was peace in the galaxy.

But in the distance, a red light blinked. In this galaxy, the Dark Side doesn’t wear a helmet—it features an ESPN logo.

Everyone assumed Charles would be the first to defect—the loudest Jedi, the easiest to tempt with a giant paycheck despite his boisterously famous denials. However, the Empire struck smarter. They didn’t chase the chaos. They targeted the control.

A New “Jet” Airliner

ESPN’s latest power move was landing The Jet—the calm one, the glue, the X-wing pilot who kept the crew flying straight. That’s how empires expand: they don’t destroy the Rebellion—they infiltrate it.

This week, Kenny Smith signed a multi-year deal with ESPN. He’ll appear on First Take (clashing sabers with Darth himself, Stephen A. Smith), on NBA Countdown, and on select live broadcasts. A smart financial move for him. A strategic masterstroke for them. Because when you steal the pilot, you don’t just take one ship—you open the whole hangar.

ESPN doesn’t just hire talent—it replicates it. Every take becomes a clip. Every clip becomes a short. Every short becomes a tweet, reel, or viral post. They don’t just put you on air; they multiply you across every corner of the content galaxy.

Soon, there will be many Kennys—debating on First Take, joking on Countdown, trending on X, smiling on TikTok, breaking down tape on YouTube, and arguing with AI-generated versions of himself by Christmas. That’s the Empire’s true power: replication. It’s not a Death Star—it’s a content factory. And its favorite raw material? Personalities that used to feel unique.

Stephen A. Smith. Mike Greenberg. Ryan Clark. Each one brilliant in doses—but overused until even brilliance becomes background noise. When every face is everywhere, no one feels essential.

The Overexposure Element

That’s how the Dark Side wins—not by conquering, but by cloning. They flood the galaxy until the Force—that sense of authenticity and scarcity—disappears behind a constellation of thumbnails.

Now the radar’s already locked on the rest of the Rebel base.

Charles Barkley? Already testing the waters, joining ManningCast during the Cowboys’ loss to the Cardinals on Monday night. The Empire’s tractor beam is warming up.

Shaq? He’s already the marketing Death Star—Papa John’s, Icy Hot, Gold Bond, Reebok, Pepsi, Amazon, Krispy Kreme, Carnival Cruises—you name it. He doesn’t say “no” to new galaxies; he says, “When do we move out?”

Ernie Johnson? The ultimate weapon. Because if you can anchor Inside the NBA chaos that smoothly, you can anchor anything—and the Empire knows it. NFL Draft? NBA Finals? Next in line to keep First Take in check?

When every Jedi becomes a daily hologram, when every quote is clipped, captioned, and recycled, the lightning that made Inside the NBA special turns into static. The audience stops missing you—because you never left. That’s the tragedy of overexposure. Not that the Empire wins—but that the light fades slowly, one repost at a time.

Will ‘Inside the NBA’ Cave?

So will the Dark Side win? Make no mistake—this was no random signing. This was a strategic first shot. The Empire didn’t start with Barkley’s blaster or Shaq’s starship. They started with The Jet—the pilot. The quiet one who makes the chaos work. The one whose loss you don’t feel right away… until everything drifts off course.

Now the question hangs in the air: Will ESPN’s cloning machine drain what made these guys special? Will the laughter, honesty, and chaos that defined the Light Side survive the content algorithm?

Because this is how the Dark Side really wins—not with explosions, but with repurposing. Not by firing lasers, but by posting clips. Not by silencing you—but by turning you into background noise.

So is this the end of the Rebellion? Or just the calm before the next counterattack? The Empire has fired its first shot.

May the Force—and the funny—be with us all.

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