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Baltimore Ravens Voice Gerry Sandusky Announces Retirement

BSM Staff
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Baltimore Ravens Voice Gerry Sandusky Announces Retirement

Gerry Sandusky will soon sign off for the final time at WBAL-TV 11, closing a broadcasting run that has spanned more than four decades in Baltimore. The longtime sports director and radio voice of the Baltimore Ravens announced he will retire, with his final 11 p.m. newscast scheduled for April 17.

“This isn’t a decision I made lightly. I have loved sharing the stories that shape Baltimore sports with viewers, and I have loved every minute of sharing Ravens games with listeners. But the time has come for me to pass those batons and pour more of my attention on my family,” Sandusky said in a statement. “I want to thank every viewer and every listener who shared this journey with me. It’s been an honor. And yes, for my broadcasting career, ‘The hay is in the barn.’ And it feels right.”

Sandusky’s career traces back to Towson University, where he studied before breaking into television in Florida. He landed his first job in 1984 at WSVN-TV in Miami. Four years later, he returned home to Baltimore and joined WBAL-TV as a sports anchor, working alongside veteran broadcaster Vince Bagli.

He rose to sports director in 1993 and expanded his reach again in 2006. That year, Sandusky became the play-by-play voice of the Ravens on radio. Over time, his calls and nightly reports helped define how fans in the region consumed sports.

Sandusky covered several of Baltimore’s most memorable sports moments. His work included the Ravens’ arrival in 1996 and their Super Bowl championships. He also chronicled the opening of Oriole Park at Camden Yards and Cal Ripken Jr.’s historic consecutive games streak. In addition, he followed the rise of Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, another Maryland native.

As the Ravens’ lead announcer, Sandusky developed a signature style marked by clear delivery and descriptive storytelling. His well-known phrase, “The hay is in the barn,” became synonymous with big moments for the franchise.

WBAL-TV President and General Manager Dan Joerres praised Sandusky’s longevity and impact.

“It’s not often a sports director can claim nearly four decades of service to a single television station,” said Joerres. “Gerry has made significant contributions to WBAL-TV 11 and to the city of Baltimore. He will always be a respected member of our family.”

Ravens President Sashi Brown also highlighted Sandusky’s connection with fans. Brown said the broadcaster’s ability to paint a picture with words elevated the listening experience. He pointed to Sandusky’s consistency during both championship highs and difficult seasons.

His career also includes several honors. Sandusky earned an Emmy Award in 1992 for a report on Memorial Stadium’s future. He won another Emmy in 2003 for a tribute to Johnny Unitas. He also received two Edward R. Murrow Awards and the Sonya Award from the Carson Scholars Fund.

Outside of broadcasting, Sandusky remained active in the community. He coached youth sports and supported his children’s activities. He also founded The Sandusky Group, a company focused on communication training, and authored the memoir Forgotten Sundays.

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Fred Toucher on Comparisons of Pat McAfee to Howard Stern: “Get the F Out of Here”

BSM Staff
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Fred Toucher on Comparisons of Pat McAfee to Howard Stern: “Get the F Out of Here”

Fred Toucher didn’t hold back Wednesday when discussing Pat McAfee, taking aim not only at the host’s style, but also at the audience that embraces it. Speaking on Toucher & Hardy on 98.5 The Sports Hub, while discussing The Pat McAfee Show’s presence at this week’s NFL league meetings, Toucher made it clear his frustration extends beyond McAfee himself.

“Sometimes it’s not the people, it’s the people that like it,” Toucher said. “Are you jealous of Pat McAfee? No, I don’t want to be Pat McAfee. Thank you very much. I’m upset at all of you for liking this [The Pat McAfee Show]. That’s what I’m upset about.”

While McAfee has carved out a prominent role in sports media with a high-energy, personality-driven approach, Toucher questioned the perception that the former NFL punter embodies a rebellious, rule-breaking figure.

“He’s supposed to be this renegade Howard Stern type from like 1992,” Toucher says. “Bucking the man, like this outrageous radio personality. Get the ‘F’ out of here. He says he’s always in trouble and taking it to management. Go ‘F’ yourself. Real dangerous stuff they’re doing over there. Real bad boy.”

Toucher went further, dismissing the idea that McAfee operates without real risk in his current role. He argued that much of the so-called edge associated with McAfee’s show comes with built-in protection rather than genuine defiance.

At the center of Toucher’s critique is the distinction between modern sports media platforms and traditional terrestrial sports radio. The later is one that 98.5 The Sports Hub continues to dominate in the Boston radio market ratings.

McAfee’s show, which airs on ESPN and thrives across digital channels, benefits from fewer restrictions than legacy broadcast outlets. Toucher pointed to language rules as a key example. He noted that swearing, often cited as part of McAfee’s unfiltered appeal, is permitted in certain television and cable environments.

“He has permission to swear,” Toucher said. “It’s not like he’s getting on there and blowing the thing up. You can swear on basic cable. You’ve watched South Park.”

In contrast, Toucher argued that traditional talk radio still requires a level of restraint that would challenge McAfee’s current style. He suggested that true risk in broadcasting comes from operating without a safety net.

“Put your career in jeopardy every day,” Toucher said. “And then we can talk about your fun, rebellious side.”

For Toucher, his critique underscores a belief that not all platforms demand the same level of discipline — or carry the same consequences — for on-air talent. As McAfee’s influence continues to grow, so too does the debate over what defines authenticity in modern sports media.

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Saga Communications SVP of Content Pat Paxton: Government Funding of Public Media is ‘Crazy and Wrong’

BNM Staff
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Saga Communications SVP of Content Pat Paxton: Government Funding of Public Media is ‘Crazy and Wrong’

A federal judge handed public media a victory Tuesday. But not everyone in the media industry is celebrating.

U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss ruled that President Trump’s executive order ending federal funding for NPR and PBS violated the First Amendment. The White House had accused both networks of being “biased” and fueling “left-wing propaganda with taxpayer dollars.” Judge Moss disagreed — strongly. In a 62-page opinion, he said Trump exceeded his authority and issued a permanent injunction blocking the administration from implementing the order.

The ruling ignited reaction across the media industry. One of the most pointed responses came from Pat Paxton, Senior Vice President of Content at Saga Communications.

Paxton didn’t debate the First Amendment. He focused on the free market.

“The companies I’ve worked for have supported all points of view — liberal, conservative, middle of the road,” Paxton wrote. “We are public and private companies that need to support ourselves. We either turn a profit, or we don’t.”

Commercial broadcasters live and die by ratings and revenue. There’s no safety net. No government backstop. Paxton has spent his career in that world, and knows what it means to compete.

“We deal with the upsides and downslides of the economy,” he added. “In other words, we have to compete in the real world. If we do a good job, we win. If we don’t, we lose, and the consequences are real.”

Paxton isn’t alone in that thinking. His frustration reflected something many in commercial media feel but rarely say out loud. Why does a network — with an identifiable editorial lean in either direction — receive taxpayer subsidies? His colleagues don’t get that luxury.

“My colleagues and competitors don’t get federal funding,” Paxton wrote plainly. “We have to compete in the free market like any other business.”

Many share similar feelings about the competitive imbalance. Trump’s executive order immediately cut millions from the Education Department to PBS for children’s programming, forcing one-third of PBS Kids staff to be laid off. Yet even amid those cuts, both networks have remained on the air, sustained through listener donations and corporate support. Commercial operators don’t have that luxury.

Paxton also raised a separate concern — one about judicial power.

“It’s also crazy and wrong that one judge — one person — gets to decide this,” he said.

The ruling’s practical impact remains limited. Congress already rescinded public media funding last summer, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting has dissolved. One judge’s opinion doesn’t restore a single dollar.

The broader debate isn’t really about NPR or PBS. It’s about whether the government should fund any media operation competing in today’s crowded landscape. Trump’s own executive order made that argument directly, noting that “the media landscape is filled with abundant, diverse, and innovative news options” and that government funding of news media is “not only outdated and unnecessary but corrosive to the appearance of journalistic independence.”

Paxton’s take lands somewhere similar — just from the perspective of someone who’s competed against publicly subsidized media his entire career. That perspective deserves to be part of the conversation.

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‘This Week in Baseball’ Returns Streaming Weekly Episodes Exclusively on X

BSM Staff
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‘This Week in Baseball’ Returns Streaming Weekly Episodes Exclusively on X

Major League Baseball is bringing back one of its most recognizable properties. The league announced it will revive This Week in Baseball with a modern, digital-first approach designed for today’s audience. The reimagined series, branded as TWIB, will debut this Friday at 12 p.m. ET on the social media platform X via Major League Baseball’s official account.

New episodes will drop weekly through the 2026 postseason.

MLB is leaning into both nostalgia and innovation with the relaunch. The short-form format will highlight the game’s biggest stars, top plays and trending storylines. At the same time, it will retain signature elements longtime fans associate with the original show.

The series is being developed by MLB Studios and produced in collaboration with MLB Network. League executives view the project as another step in expanding baseball’s reach across digital platforms.

“For a generation of fans, TWIB is etched in their minds and hearts. The music, the highlights, and the positioning of the game’s stars were groundbreaking in many respects,” said Kenny Gersh, MLB Executive Vice President, Media & Business Development.  “To this day, fans speak with profound fondness about how the series shaped their connection to the game. So now, after thoughtful development, our goal is to deliver a show that pairs the vibe and signature style of the original franchise with a modernized format designed for today’s younger, social media savvy generation.”

The league recently renewed its partnership with X, making the platform a central distribution point for the series. MLB believes the weekly show will serve as a quick, engaging way for fans to catch up on the sport heading into the weekend.

Mitchell Smith, Global Head of Content Partnerships at X, said the revival blends tradition with modern fan behavior.

“Bringing back ‘This Week in Baseball’ as an X Original bridges the game’s rich history with today’s real-time conversation,” Smith said. “It allows longtime fans to relive the nostalgia while introducing a new generation to the sport.”

Multimedia creator Kait Maniscalco will host the series. Each episode will feature highlights, player profiles, historical callbacks and lighter moments like bloopers. Producers also plan to incorporate classic elements such as TWIB Notes, familiar music cues and stylized slow-motion shots.

The original This Week in Baseball debuted in 1977 and quickly became a staple for fans across the country. Hosted for years by Hall of Fame broadcaster Mel Allen, the program helped shape how audiences consumed baseball highlights. The show ran until 1998 and later returned from 2000 to 2011. During its run, it played a key role in connecting fans to the personalities and moments that defined the sport.

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The Dan Bongino Show Rises Into Top 3 During First Month Since Return in Triton Digital Rankings

BNM Staff
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The Dan Bongino Show Rises Into Top 3 During First Month Since Return in Triton Digital Rankings

The Dan Bongino Show returned on February 2nd. And it’s clear listeners and viewers were excited for its return.

In the Top Podcasts by Weekly Average Downloads category, The Dan Bongino Show earned third place in the February rankings from Triton Digital. That represented an eight-position increase for the show.

The return to near the top of the rankings comes after Dan Bongino returned to his podcast after previously serving as the Deputy Director of the FBI.

Elsewhere in the weekly average downloads rankings, Pod Save America moved to the top position, displacing Stuff You Should Know in the first overall position.

Joining those three programs in the top 10 were My Favorite Murder, On Purpose with Jay Shetty, The Charlie Kirk Show, Global News Podcast, The Bulwark Podcast, The Breakfast Club, and The Bobby Bones Show, in order. The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show fell just outside the top 10, dropping two positions to #12.

In the Top Sales Networks by Weekly Average Downloads sector, the top nine rankings remained the same. iHeart Audience Network was number one, followed by NPR and the Audacy Podcast Network. Audioboom and Cumulus Podcast Network rounded out the top five. Salem, the BBC, Soundrise, and American Public Media Group earned positions six through nine. Lemonada Media moved up two places to finish February in 10th in that category.

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NFL Ends ‘Monday Night Football’ Doubleheaders, FOX Sports Gains Christmas Day Primetime Game

BSM Staff
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NFL Ends ‘Monday Night Football’ Doubleheaders, FOX Sports Gains Christmas Day Primetime Game

The National Football League (NFL) is moving quickly to reshape specific parts of its 2026 media package. With the NFL schedule release coming in just six weeks, league executives are attempting to finalize the resale of five games recently reacquired from The Walt Disney Company.

Those games returned to the league as part of a broader equity-driven agreement involving Disney-owned ESPN. Now, the NFL is exploring new distribution opportunities as it continues to refine its evolving broadcast strategy ahead of the 2026 season.

One notable shift will impact Monday night programming. The league plans to eliminate the Monday Night Football doubleheader format that had aired across ESPN and ABC. NFL executive vice president of media distribution Hans Schroeder acknowledged that while the concept was aimed as a positive for fans, it often created confusion.

“We thought adding two games on Monday night would be a great thing for fans,” said Schroeder. “I think we collectively struggled and realized fans felt like they were conflicted to choose between those games.”

Instead, the NFL appears focused on more streamlined presentation windows. That strategy extends into holiday programming, where the league is planning another Christmas Day tripleheader. Streaming giant Netflix is expected to carry two of those games, while FOX Sports will air the third. The FOX game likely will air in a primetime slot according to Schroeder who spoke via a conference call.

Timing remains critical for the league’s next steps. The resale of the five games must be completed before the NFL’s schedule release, traditionally held in mid-May. That event unveils team matchups. It also assigns broadcast partners, making it a key deadline for finalizing media deals.

Beyond immediate scheduling changes, the NFL continues to position itself for long-term flexibility. Upcoming opt-out clauses in its core media rights agreements could unlock billions in additional revenue while allowing the league to adapt to a rapidly shifting media landscape.

Last month, CNBC reported that negotiations between the NFL and CBS are reportedly intensifying. Both the league and Paramount Global are exploring a revised agreement. A new deal would extend the network’s long-standing Sunday afternoon broadcast package while dramatically increasing its annual rights fee.

According to CNBC’s Alex Sherman last month, discussions between league officials and executives from CBS and its parent company are centering on a potential price increase that could raise the network’s yearly payment by roughly 50–60 percent.

The current agreement averages about $2.1 billion per year for the Sunday afternoon slate of games. That means a revised deal could push CBS’s annual commitment past $3 billion if negotiations reach the midpoint of those projections

As negotiations continue, the NFL’s latest moves underscore a balancing act between innovation and reach.

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Florida Panthers Game Blacked Out in First Period Due to Xfinity/Scripps Carriage Dispute

BSM Staff
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Florida Panthers Game Blacked Out in First Period Due to Xfinity/Scripps Carriage Dispute

A carriage dispute between Florida Panthers broadcast partner Scripps and Comcast Xfinity left viewers across South Florida in the dark Tuesday night — but not immediately. During the first period of the Panthers’ 6-3 win against the Ottawa Senators, the team alerted fans that Xfinity planned to remove Scripps-owned channels from its lineup.

At the time, many viewers reported no issues and continued watching the game as usual. That changed quickly.

Xfinity dropped the channels during game action, abruptly cutting off access for customers midgame. The move sparked frustration among fans who suddenly lost the broadcast without warning.

Scripps owns more than 60 television stations across 40 markets. Many of which were removed from Xfinity’s lineup as part of the disagreement. The affected stations include WSFL-TV (Channel 39) in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale market and Channel 9 in West Palm Beach. Both of which carry Panthers games locally.

Additionally, several network-affiliated stations owned by Scripps were impacted nationwide. Those include outlets tied to ABC, CBS and Fox, along with select NBC affiliates, broadening the disruption for viewers across multiple regions.

The organization emphasized that games remain available through over-the-air signals, other cable and satellite providers, and the team’s streaming platform, Panthers Plus. The team also encouraged affected viewers to contact Comcast directly and request the return of Panthers programming.

Carriage disputes between distributors and broadcasters are not uncommon and often resolve over time. However, the timing of this disruption could create additional challenges for fans in the short term.

The Panthers are scheduled to host the Boston Bruins on Thursday, raising questions about whether the issue will be settled before the next home game. For now, South Florida viewers relying on Xfinity face uncertainty as negotiations between the two sides continue.

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Don Lemon: I Think About Running for President

BNM Staff
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Don Lemon: I Think About Running for President

Don Lemon is in the midst of defending himself against felony charges from an anti-ICE protest last month. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t think about being president.

While appearing on Pod Save America with guest host Alex Wagner, Lemon said that he knows some might find the idea far-fetched. But he believes he could ascend to the highest office in the land.

“Do I ever think about it? Yes,” Lemon admitted. “Could it happen? Yeah, it could happen if the opportunity presented itself. (If) the right opportunity presented itself.

“Look, if I wanted to — I know people are going to think I’m crazy. This is going to be the headline, and people are going to laugh about it. I think I could be President of the United States,” he reiterated. “I could definitely run this country better than Donald Trump.”

Don Lemon added that, while he can envision himself running for and winning the office, he doesn’t believe its currently in the cards.

“Am I at that point now? No.”

He continued by stating that the political rise of Donald Trump makes him believe it’s possible for anyone to become President.

Last month, Don Lemon entered a not guilty plea after being charged with violating the FACE Act. He was arrested after being present at an anti-ICE protest inside a Minnesota church. Lemon has continually denied any wrongdoing, and has argued he was working as a journalist and not as a protester.

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Rich Eisen Shares Emotions on Final Day of NFL Network Under Oversight of the League

BSM Staff
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Rich Eisen Shares Emotions on Final Day of NFL Network Under Oversight of the League

As the NFL Network prepares to enter a new chapter under ESPN and The Walt Disney Company, one of its most recognizable voices is reflecting on both uncertainty and pride. During Tuesday’s edition of The Rich Eisen Show, Rich Eisen opened up about the emotions tied to the transition.

The longtime host described the moment as both significant and deeply personal for those who helped build the network from the ground up.

“It’s an emotional day for a lot of us,” Eisen said. “There’s a lot of people at the NFL Network right now wondering what is going to happen next. But it’s also the end of an era. The end of 23 years of growing this network on behalf of the NFL. It kind of feels weird that I’m not going to be employed by the shield.”

Eisen has been a central figure since the network’s launch in 2003. Despite that uncertainty, Eisen struck a hopeful tone. He pointed to the network’s growth and the foundation built over more than two decades. Rather than viewing the move as an ending, he framed it as a transition into something larger.

“I feel like we’re being dropped off at college,” Eisen said. “We are grown, we are mature, and we’re still growing.”

That perspective reflects confidence in what NFL Network has become and how it will continue to grow. Eisen noted that the partnership with ESPN opens doors that did not previously exist.

“There’s still lots to do,” he said. “It’s an exciting new world, and there is a way for our body of work to be expanded. Our minds to be expanded. There’s ways to explore new worlds with obviously, the leader in sports.”

The deal places NFL Network under the oversight of a company with deep resources and an expansive platform. As of today, NFL Media employees will officially become ESPN employees. NFL Network will be included in the ESPN direct-to-consumer product, while NFL RedZone will be distributed by ESPN to cable and satellite companies.

Even with those opportunities ahead, Eisen made it clear that the mission remains unchanged. He emphasized continuity and responsibility for everyone involved with NFL Media.

“It’s my job, along with everybody else. Including all the hard working men and women up at the NFL Media Group, as it’s formally been known. To continue the NFL Network the way it has been intended,” Eisen said.

That commitment may prove critical during a period of transition. While questions remain about staffing and structure, the focus appears to stay on maintaining the identity that helped define the network. The past 23 years shaped a generational time in both his career and the network’s place in sports media. Now, a new era begins with different leadership but familiar expectations.

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Codie Allen Takes Mornings at Q104

BMM Staff
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Codie Allen Takes Mornings at Q104

Q104 in Kansas City has announced Codie Allen will serve as its new morning host.

Allen is no stranger to Kansas City country listeners. From 2012 until last August, she worked at 106.5 The Wolf. During her tenure, she worked as APD/MD as well as a morning show co-host.

“Codie Allen in Q104 mornings is a dream scenario for this station,” said Program Director Dale Carter. “She understands Country music, she understands Kansas City, and she knows how to make a real connection with listeners from the first song of the day to the last. We’ve built something special here with this lineup, and I can’t wait for Kansas City to wake up with Codie every morning.”

The move marks a return to the station for Allen. She began her career at Q104 before later working at 102.9 The Wolf in Minneapolis and 99.7 The Wolf in Memphis before moving back to Kansas City.

With the addition of Codie Allen in mornings, previous morning host, Mallory Kay, will move to middays. Marissa Leggio, who helmed middays before Kay, will move to nights on the station. She’ll also be heard in the same daypart on Mix 93.3.

“This is a big day for the entire cluster,” said Operations Manager Steve Serrano. “Codie brings an incredible combination of talent, experience, and genuine connection to this audience. The programming moves we’re making today reflect our commitment to putting the right people in the right places — and having Codie Allen wake up Kansas City on Q104 every morning is exactly the right move.”

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