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Don LaGreca Is Living a Dream With the New Jersey Devils With His ESPN New York Future Unknown

John Mamola
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Don LaGreca Is Living a Dream With the New Jersey Devils With His ESPN New York Future Unknown

It’s a rare thing in sports media to achieve a dream. Many make the attempt and work extremely hard for many years. Often never reaching the pinnacle of what they set out to do. For Don LaGreca, this summer brought the phone call he had been dreaming of. A New Jersey native who grew up watching the New Jersey Devils, LaGreca became the new television play-by-play voice of the team after two decades working for the New York Rangers radio team on pre and post game coverage.

“I was only allowed to tell my wife when I got the phone call,” said LaGreca of when he received the news. “They said to keep it close to the vest. So, I told my wife, and I sat on it for a couple of weeks before everything started to come out.”

Now just a month into the new season, LaGreca is finding his footing calling Devils games for MSG Network. The longtime fan of the organization finds himself in the booth every night working alongside Devils greats Ken Daneyko and Bryce Salvador. Not knowing what to truly expect from the move from radio to television. LaGreca is learning to unlearn a lot of what made him so effective calling games on radio.

“When I first started doing radio, Pete Silverman had hired people at MSG Networks for years. He said you’ve got to be descriptive, letting everyone know where the puck is. So, I was anal about making sure I was as descriptive as possible,” explained LaGreca. “That’s not exactly the skill set you need for television, because viewers can see it. I’m trying to crack the habit of referencing the geography of the puck, because I have to dial it back.”

Adapting to the Dream

LaGreca admitted he’s always been fascinated by the art of calling play-by-play. He sought out conversations over many years while serving as the backup voice of the Rangers radio booth. The advice he received from friends and mentors such as Kenny Albert, Howie Rose, and Bob Wischusen all sounded the same. Just be yourself, and the rest will take care of itself.

“The passion for play-by-play is just enjoying the sport. That’s why I was able to give a lot of passion for the Rangers even though I wasn’t a fan growing up,” said LaGreca. “It’s fun to do play-by-play, and fun to be involved with hockey and see a goal scored. It’s showing how much fun I’m having… People enjoy watching people have fun.”

For nearly a quarter-century, LaGreca has been a pillar of the weekday lineup on ESPN New York. A station original, he was one of the first voices ever heard on the air. His passion and love for hockey has been on display for ESPN New York listeners for some time as the longtime co-host alongside Michael Kay.

Now, as the first year of Don, Hahn, & Rosenberg nears its conclusion. He’s learning to balance calling games while remaining a key voice on the radio station daily.

“For me, I did twenty years with Michael Kay. He always had to do the Yankees and the show. It’s always been ingrained that there are other things you have to adjust to,” explained LaGreca. “It hasn’t affected Don, Hahn, & Rosenberg. Obviously, the travel and having to do the shows from the arena are the things that affect the show more than doing the show itself.”

Change At ESPN New York

LaGreca’s time co-hosting alongside Michael Kay came to an end last December. Kay announced he would be stepping away from the afternoon drive slot for a solo show in middays. LaGreca said his longtime teammate was upfront and honest about his decision and that he doesn’t regret how that chapter closed.

Immediately, the search began to see who would fill Kay’s role in afternoons alongside LaGreca and co-host Peter Rosenberg. The end result landed Alan Hahn, who moved from middays to join the duo in afternoon drive.

“It was pretty much immediate. There were a couple of names thrown out, because there’s a few people that I felt comfortable working with,” explained LaGreca. “Four hours of radio every day—you want to know that you click with somebody. I didn’t want to go from twenty years with Michael to experimenting with people I had never worked with before. Once I made it known that Alan was one of the guys I wanted to work with. It just clicked from the start. It was pretty much from the get-go.”

With Kay moving to middays, the long-running simulcast of the afternoon drive program on the YES Network also left the station. Recently, ESPN New York launched a YouTube channel that features live streams of every program, reaching a new audience on a global streaming platform.

When asked about how more radio stations are adapting to a YouTube model of content creation, LaGreca noted that the real-time sports radio formula has changed based on where consumers are going for content.

“Radio feels like it’s on its last legs because of the expense of the transmitters and how people are consuming things now. People work from home and aren’t in their cars as much,” explained LaGreca. “YouTube makes you more conscious of what’s going viral days after it happens. Content might hit a few days later. It’s about creating broad content instead of focusing on specifics tied to the moment, because you don’t have an audience that’s listening right then. That’s where radio suffers, and where YouTube, streaming, and on-demand content are our future.”

The transition to YouTube is not the only change ESPN New York has made in recent years. The Good Karma Brands-owned station also stopped subscribing to the traditional Nielsen ratings system early last year.

The decision marked the end of a very competitive head-to-head ratings battle between ESPN New York and WFAN’s programming—something LaGreca admits he still struggles with, not knowing how well the program is doing against his competitor.

“I’m a very competitive person. I want to beat my competition, but now I’m told there is no competition,” said LaGreca. “Now you have to find different ways to satisfy that competitive drive, which is hard for me. I don’t love it and wish there was a measuring stick, but it’s the way it is right now, and I do miss scoreboard watching. I want to know where I stand, and we’ve lost that element.”

Future Decisions

When ESPN New York launched Don, Hahn, & Rosenberg in January, the station also announced contract extensions for Hahn and Rosenberg. With his new role with the New Jersey Devils, LaGreca confirmed his current agreement with ESPN New York expires at the end of 2025.

After working alongside Kay for two decades, he saw firsthand what balancing play-by-play and hosting a daily afternoon drive show can do to a person. With his current agreement coming to a close at the end of next year, the lessons from working with Kay will help guide his decision moving forward with ESPN New York.

“What I learned from Michael is it’s a difficult balance—it can be all-consuming. If I learned anything, it’s to take care of yourself, because with the travel and the amount of time on air, if you’re not careful, you’ll get sick and wear yourself out,” noted LaGreca. “My contract is up at the end of the year. I have seven-year-old twins, so right now every decision I make is based on what’s best for my family.”

With two months remaining on his deal, LaGreca reflected on his continued dedication to the radio program and station, saying ESPN has been amazing to him every step of the way.

“I’ve got to make sure I don’t do too much,” said LaGreca. “I am committed to the Devils with a new contract from them. I’m excited about that, but that’s only half the year. There has to be another thing to balance that out.”

With family on his mind and living the dream of his childhood calling New Jersey Devils games on MSG Network, LaGreca understands there are aspects of his life that have become more important as his career moves forward.

“I’m a 57-year-old father of seven-year-old twins. So, time is as important to me as money. In a lot of ways, it’s even more valuable than money,” explained LaGreca. “As I weigh my options of staying or going, it’s all about what’s best for my family.”

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.

What 3 News/Talk Radio PDs Who Aired The Charlie Kirk Show Would Like to See Replace It

Garrett Searight
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What 3 News/Talk Radio PDs Who Aired The Charlie Kirk Show Would Like to See Replace It

Replacing a show in a news/talk radio station’s lineup is never easy. But in the case of The Charlie Kirk Show, it’s especially difficult after the tragic assassination of the host last month.

The program from Charlie Kirk had consistently been featured in the top podcasts in the country before his untimely death. Those rankings — whether it be from Edison Research, Podtrac, or Triton Digital — have only increased following the tragedy.

Furthermore, the radio show had featured an expanded audience in the months preceding his death, with Kirk assuming all of the affiliates of The Dennis Prager Show after Salem Radio Network announced that Prager wouldn’t return to the lineup after his fall last November, which has left him paralyzed from the neck down.

To be clear, neither Salem Media Group nor Salem Radio Network has announced or suggested that the network was considering replacing The Charlie Kirk Show in the immediate future.

In late September, just over three weeks after her husband had been assassinated, Erika Kirk shared that the program would not be ending in spite of the tragedy. At the time, she shared, “My husband’s voice will live on. The show will go on. We will have rotating hosts, rotating cast, rotating people coming on … Nothing is changing. But I want to preface: we’re not awkward, we’re not like weird, we’re not going to be tweeting as if it’s him. That’s tone deaf and really disturbing, and anyone who does, that’s morbidly off. That’s not what’s happening.”

The Charlie Kirk Show currently occupies the 12-2 PM ET timeslot in the Salem Radio Network, with The Scott Jennings Show rounding out the early afternoon/late midday timeslot that news/talk radio leaders have prioritized in the past.

We spoke with three current and former Program Directors who either aired the show live or on a tape-delay basis. Individually, they all agreed that the slate of guest hosts in the immediate aftermath of Kirk’s death, featuring the likes of Glenn Beck, Tucker Carlson, and Megyn Kelly, was a fantastic way to honor Kirk’s memory and to help the audience grieve after the loss.

However, they all also, individually, agreed that the way the show is currently formatted isn’t likely sustainable and alternative programming would need to be sought eventually.

Each of the three program directors was granted anonymity to share their unbridled opinions and to not interfere with potential negotiations in the future.

Program Director A

Program Director A is the leader of a news/talk station that carried The Charlie Kirk Show live, and continues to feature the program in its lineup.

The station leader said that they are willing to see how things operate with the current setup of the show, but believe it is likely that they’ll be looking for a replacement in the somewhat near future.

“Because of the success of Rush (Limbaugh), Noon to 3 PM is important. It’s the most important window in the format,” the PD said. “We have to be great there. I don’t say that to discredit Andrew (Kolvet) or anyone else with Charlie’s team, but they aren’t Clay and Buck, Vince (Coglianese), or even Dana (Loesch). Bluntly, I don’t think a show of former producers learning to be hosts, who are relying on clips of Charlie to help shape their arguments, is going to do well for us.”

That program director added that they believed the remedy to the problem was already a part of the Salem Radio Network lineup.

“The best option would be for Chris (Stigall) to extend his show one hour (until 10 AM ET), have Mike (Gallagher) keep his show where it is, and then have Scott Jennings from Noon to 3,” they said.

When asked if Scott Jennings — who only joined the network’s lineup in July, and features a robust slate of analyst and contributor work with CNN — wasn’t able to add a three-hour daily radio show to his schedule, Program Director A said there’s another option in the network to consider.

“Larry Elder,” they said. “I understand why Larry’s show is where it is in the lineup right now. He’s West Coast, so 6-9 PM means afternoon drive out there. And he also competes against Mark Levin, so I get it. But having Larry (in early afternoons) would be the next best thing.”

Program Director B

Like Program Director A, Scott Jennings was also the preferred choice for Program Director B, which aired The Charlie Kirk Show on a tape-delay basis on their station.

“Scott (Jennings) is the hot new thing,” they said. “When you turn on TV, he’s there. When you open social media, he’s there. He’s making an impact. Our listeners have already decided that they like him, they like his show, (and) I think they’d like to have more of him.”

Program Director B added that while Jennings would be the biggest interest to them, they believed that The Dana Show — hosted by Dana Loesch — might be their best option if Jennings didn’t want to increase his radio workload.

“We don’t have any women on our station,” they said. “I think our listeners would see that as a positive, not a negative. Someone like Dana, fiery and sarcastic, could do well for us, I think.”

Program Director C

Program Director C previously operated a news/talk radio brand that carried The Charlie Kirk Show. They shared that they had never really considered what replacing Kirk’s show would look like because they assumed Kirk would have a long career ahead.

“It was devastating to hear the news, see the videos all over social media,” they shared, adding that “thinking about what I was going to do for my station in those moments never crossed my mind.”

But in the weeks that followed, they said they had to consider what they would do if forced with the idea that they’d need to replace their 12-3 PM ET host.

“I’d have to know what was available from Premiere and Westwood (One), before I could tell you what I’d decide,” they shared.

In a somewhat similar thought process to Program Director A, this former brand leader shared that they would think the successor to Kirk would already be inside the Salem Media Group family.

“Mark Davis in Dallas would be a great addition nationally,” they argued. “He’s funny and a great conservative. Salem likes Salem guys. Chris (Stigall) got bumped up to mornings when (Dr. Sebastian Gorka) left and Hugh Hewitt went to afternoons. Mark’s been around the block in his career. He has relationships in cities you wouldn’t believe. And he’s been a loyal guy to the company. He deserves the chance to go national again.”

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.

Media Hypocrisy and NBA Scandal: Who Really Loses When Gambling Wins?

Lauren Ashburn
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Media Hypocrisy and NBA Scandal: Who Really Loses When Gambling Wins?

In an NBA scandal for the ages, shockwaves rippled through the sports and media world when 30 people associated with the league were arrested on insider trading charges brought by the FBI for illegal gambling, and tied to New York mafia families.

What a way to open a basketball season.

These guys make big-time bank, and they seem to be throwing their legacies and careers away on this? It’s an epic epidemic, but in this case, it’s hard to fathom that those who have so much are willing to flush it down the toilet. They’re the ones to blame, yes, but the media routinely talk about gambling on TV.

It used to be taboo. Now it’s a mainstay, which sadly is here to stay.

But the larger blame lies squarely at the feet of media company behemoths that play on people’s addictions in order to line their already gold-lined pockets. This is no slam dunk for anyone.

Three bigwigs received the most media attention: Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, who had been investigated and cleared by the NBA two years ago; Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups; and Damon Jones, a former NBA player and coach. The stings were called “Operation Royal Flush” and “Nothing but Bet.”

It should have been called “Nothing but Greed” by mega-rich media companies and insiders. Billups made over $100 million, Rozier made over $150 million in career earnings, and Jones made around $20 million. Isn’t that enough to live on? The insiders were charged with such offenses as wire fraud, money laundering, extortion, and robbery.

“For most people, you couldn’t spend a hundred fifty million dollars in your lifetime,” said Notre Dame finance professor Richard Sheehan on Fox News.

This whole thing reminds me of when the chief of police in the 1942 movie Casablanca, where Humphrey Bogart’s nightclub clandestinely offers illegal card games in the back room, says, “I’m shocked — shocked — to find that gambling is going on here!” He says it as he collects his winnings.

It’s a perfect metaphor for what is happening today. No one, and I mean no one, could have been truly shocked about the alleged actions of these 30 people. They may have been shocked that they got caught, purportedly playing poker games using high-tech cheating devices like X-ray card tables and rigged shuffling machines. These potential thieves thought of it all.

TV media companies like ESPN, NBC, and FOX were finally called out for “talking out of both sides of their mouths,” as Catherine Rampell, co-anchor of The Weekend on MSNBC, said.

It’s total hypocrisy.

The CBS Sports app provides extensive betting advice from experts and partners with sportsbooks like BetMGM. NBC Sports partners with PointsBet, which features its odds and branding. ESPN/ABC owns ESPN BET, which promotes itself as an app that offers “big odds boosts…and a massive range of player props.” Fox shut down its app formerly known as Fox Bet because it was losing money. But the Fox Sports website and app show odds and bet slips—a digital record of a wager—in states where mobile sports betting is legal.

Global gambling revenue last year was between $182 and $187 billion. These media companies consistently call out the perils of gambling and then run ads for gambling apps at the same time.

As Clay Travis, Fox’s OutKick founder, noted on social media the day the FBI announced the arrests, ESPN touted its own gambling company at a pretty inopportune time, highlighting the duplicity.

“This is pretty funny. ESPN Bet promo is on the screen while ESPN discusses the NBA sports gambling scandal.”

It happened on the network show Get Up, but as Mike Greenberg was partway through talking about it, the ad disappeared. As Jemele Hill aptly noted on MSNBC, “Frankly, it helps them make more money…The hard part about this is that there’s a natural hypocrisy that we all can see.”

The arrests triggered days-long coverage by all of the networks, bringing together a collection of experts and analysts.

Stephen A. Smith, who broadcasts on ESPN’s First Take and has two daily shows on SiriusXM, claimed the arrests were President Trump’s fault. The combative commentator said he’s out to get the NBA. FBI Director Kash Patel fired back, saying it was “the single dumbest thing I’ve ever heard out of anyone in modern history.”

Brian Windhorst, ESPN’s senior NBA analyst, said on the hugely popular Dan Patrick Show, “I had no heads up.” He added, “I don’t think Chauncey [Billups] knew what was coming either…I’m not sure how much heads up the NBA had.”

He is one of the few who doesn’t think the story is as big as the rest of the world. “I don’t think this is a scandal that rocks the NBA to its core. I know that there are people that are going to use it to say that. And certainly their association with sports betting can be called into question, as all people associated with sports can be. ESPN’s can be.”

Pro-poker player Matt Berkey knows the pitfalls and says the high associated with playing at the top is real. He told ESPN that he was invited several times to one of the poker games in question and that his antennae went up. “It just seemed quite suspicious to me, and I was lucky enough to pass. I had a lot of friends who lost hundreds and thousands of dollars in these games just to play with a few celebrities.”

Shaquille O’Neal, the former basketball star for the L.A. Lakers and other teams, and now a sports commentator, said on Inside the NBA that he knows all of the players and doesn’t want to be hypocritical. “I’ve been on teams and played cards…all these guys knew what was at stake.” Shaq said he felt “ashamed” that “they put themselves, their family, and the NBA in this position.”

But he did say they are innocent until proven guilty.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said on Amazon Prime Video, during the streaming service’s first broadcast, that he was stunned by the indictments. “There’s nothing more important to the league and its fans than the integrity of the competition. I had a pit in my stomach. It was very upsetting.”

The top three have been placed on administrative leave pending investigation. The NBA says it’s committed to maintaining the integrity of the game.

The big question is what’s going to happen next, and the answer most likely is nothing. Media companies are not going to give up the revenue that comes with promoting betting. Maybe players and coaches will be scared off high-stakes betting and insider trading for a period of time. But the NBA brand is tarnished—most likely temporarily—as the 24-hour news cycle clamors on.

This debacle wasn’t exactly a game-winning jump shot in the fourth quarter. More like a major defeat handed to the NBA by a scrappy team of losers. Everyone dropped the ball.

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.

Should News/Talk Radio Be Concerned That Glenn Beck is Talking About ‘The Final Chapter’?

Garrett Searight
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Should News/Talk Radio Be Concerned That Glenn Beck is Talking About ‘The Final Chapter’?

When Glenn Beck announced that he was launching a new foundation called The Torch, centered on American history and education, he described it as the “final chapter” of his career.

It’s a statement that makes you pause. For someone who has been one of the most influential voices in conservative media and news/talk radio for decades, hearing him refer to a “final chapter” feels both reflective and, maybe, a little foreboding.

Because what does “final chapter” really mean? Is it a way of saying Beck is shifting focus, stepping back from the daily grind of radio and television to devote himself to something more personal and lasting? Or is it a sign that the man who helped shape modern talk radio is starting to envision life after the microphone?

He says he’s not ending his radio show anytime soon, and that there are exciting new additions to his digital media empire, TheBlaze, that will also be revealed in the coming months. But it really does make you wonder, doesn’t it?

For years, Glenn Beck has been a fixture in the talk radio world. His show has always stood out in a crowded field of conservative voices. He doesn’t yell like some of his competitors. He doesn’t generally chase controversy for clicks or outrage for ratings. Beck instead built a career on storytelling and emotion, helping listeners connect with ideas that might otherwise feel abstract or distant.

He’s also proven incredibly resilient. From his days at CNN Headline News to founding TheBlaze, Beck has continually reinvented himself. His show remains one of the most successful in talk radio, carried on hundreds of stations across the country. Few hosts have had his reach or his impact. And even fewer have built an entire media ecosystem around their personality and ideas the way he has.

So when Beck says this new venture is the “final chapter,” it raises fair questions about what comes next. Because for all the talk about the next generation of talk radio talent, there really isn’t anyone who could seamlessly fill the shoes of a Glenn Beck. His mix of curiosity, conviction, and creativity isn’t something you can manufacture. It’s developed through years of experience, countless hours behind the microphone, and a genuine connection with an audience that trusts you.

Still, “final chapter” doesn’t necessarily mean “the end.” Beck is “only” 61 years old. He’s not exactly on the verge of retirement. If anything, he seemed energized by the announcement of The Torch. His goal is to preserve and teach American history, something he’s been passionate about for years. This new foundation could be less about winding down and more about expanding his legacy — using his platform to shape how the next generation understands the country’s story.

And yet, it’s hard not to read between the lines. The phrase “final chapter” hints at a certain self-awareness. Beck seems to know that his time behind the microphone isn’t infinite. No one’s is. But for someone who’s built a career encouraging listeners to often think about the long game — about what kind of country we’ll leave behind — this feels like him applying that same thinking to himself.

Maybe Glenn Beck has plenty of years left on the air. Maybe The Torch is simply another evolution in a career defined by reinvention.

But his talk of a “final chapter” isn’t just nostalgia or sentimentality. It’s a recognition that every career, even one as impactful as his, eventually has a closing act. And Beck seems intent on making sure his last one still burns brightly.

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.

‘Sunday Night Football’ Continues Record Viewership Pace for NBC Sports

BSM Staff
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‘Sunday Night Football’ Continues Record Viewership Pace for NBC Sports

NBC’s Sunday Night Football continues to cement its position as television’s premier primetime sports franchise, delivering record-setting audiences through the first half of the 2025 NFL season.

The network announced that SNF is averaging 24.7 million viewers across NBC and Peacock — the largest average audience through Week 8 in the 20-season history of the series. The surge comes on the heels of yet another high-profile matchup featuring Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers facing his former team, the Green Bay Packers.

Rodgers, who spent 18 seasons in Green Bay and collected a Super Bowl title and four NFL MVP awards, added intrigue to a storyline-rich game that drew massive national attention. The Packers’ 35–25 win averaged 25.5 million viewers on NBC and Peacock, according to official Nielsen Big Data + Panel metrics combined with digital data from Adobe Analytics.

The audience ranks as the fifth SNF broadcast this season to surpass 25 million viewers, marking the most such games ever through eight weeks. NBC’s record run showcases both the enduring appeal of the NFL and the continued strength of appointment viewing in live sports.

The network noted that Packers-Steelers outdrew last season’s Week 8 contest between the Cowboys and 49ers (23.9 million viewers), making it the most-watched Week 8 game in Sunday Night Football’s two-decade history. Viewership peaked at 28.2 million viewers between 9:15 and 9:30 p.m. ET during the second quarter.

In addition to strong linear ratings, Sunday Night Football continues to experience significant digital growth. NBC reported its best eight-week streaming performance ever, with an Average Minute Audience (AMA) of 2.8 million viewers across Peacock, NBC Sports Digital platforms, and NFL Digital platforms. That figure represents a 9% year-over-year increase, underscoring the growing importance of digital distribution to the broadcast’s overall success.

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.

Bonneville Names Jim Richmond, Senior Vice President and Market Manager of Sacramento Cluster

BSM Staff
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Bonneville Names Jim Richmond, Senior Vice President and Market Manager of Sacramento Cluster

Bonneville International has appointed Jim Richmond as Senior Vice President and Market Manager for its Sacramento cluster. The company’s local stations include Mix 96, Now 100.5, New Country 105.1, and Sactown Sports. Richmond transitions to the top leadership role after spending the past five years as Director of Sales for Bonneville Seattle.

During his time in Seattle, Richmond led revenue efforts for NewsRadio 97.3 KIRO-FM, Seattle Sports 710 KIRO-AM, Talk Radio 770 KTTH, and MyNorthwest.com. He also held sales leadership roles in San Francisco and Denver too, adding a well-rounded perspective on the evolving dynamics of local media markets.

Bonneville President and COO Tanya Vea praised the move, highlighting Richmond’s track record of success and leadership. “Jim has shown himself to be an excellent leader, and his background is the perfect fit,” Vea said. “I’m confident that he will build on the strengths of the market, developing both the business and the culture at Bonneville Sacramento.”

Richmond expressed enthusiasm about his new assignment, emphasizing his commitment to local community connection and digital growth. “These stations have a meaningful connection to the community,” said Richmond. “I look forward to supporting our teams, expanding our digital presence, and serving listeners across every platform with purpose and innovation.”

Richmond’s ascension to the Sacramento Market Manager role comes following the company’s recent cluster sale in San Francisco to Connoisseur Media. Market Manager Val Maki previously oversaw both San Francisco and Sacramento for the company following the retirement of former GM Steve Cottingim. Maki will focus moving forward on Connoisseur’s business in the Bay Area while Richmond takes the reins for Bonneville in Northern California.

Kevin Durant Doesn’t Like “Arrogance” of Certain Former Athletes Turned Analysts

BSM Staff
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Kevin Durant Doesn’t Like “Arrogance” of Certain Former Athletes Turned Analysts

Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind on social media or in public. During a recent appearance on The Pivot podcast, the 15-time All-Star addressed a topic he’s long been vocal about. How some former athletes in sports media talk about today’s top players as if they’ve walked in the same shoes.

Durant said he takes issue with ex-players who, in his view, overstep their experience. Especially when analyzing the mentality or approach of all-time greats.

“I don’t like the arrogance of a lot of these guys that may have had a cup of tea in the league. They speak on the mentality of great players,” Durant said. “How are you supposed to become great? What would you do in a situation where you’re the best player on the team? The way they talk, they’ve never been the best player. You’ve never walked through the situation before when the whole scouting report is tailored to stop you.”

Durant’s perspective underscores a larger tension in sports media — the balance between critique and credibility. Many of the industry’s most recognizable voices are former players. While that background often brings insight, Durant believes it can also lead to misplaced confidence when discussing elite-level challenges.

He said part of his motivation in speaking out comes from a desire to “check” commentators who may overstate their understanding of what greatness requires.

“There’s a lot that goes into turning being great every single day,” Durant continued. “So when people who never had to be that [level of player] speak to the masses of people who take what you say as law. When you’ve never been in that situation. I like to be the guy to remind you that there’s guys who have actually been in that situation.”

Durant added that as athletes transition into media roles, the corporate spotlight can sometimes distort their perspective.

“When you get that title and they hand you that check. You work for Disney and Fox and all these big corporations, and really feel like bigger than what you are sometimes,” he said. “You can get lost in that.”

Still, Durant said his goal isn’t to tear anyone down but to promote more thoughtful commentary from those with a platform.

“I gotta just let you know, you’re coming at this a little different,” Durant said. “I think you can help the community a little better with what you say in that position that you want to use.”

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.

News Media Reacts to Tucker Carlson Interview with Nick Fuentes

BNM Staff
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News Media Reacts to Tucker Carlson Interview with Nick Fuentes

On his digital video show, Tucker Carlson recently sat down with Nick Fuentes for an interview, which has drawn praise and criticism since it was released.

Fuentes is a self-identified Christian nationalist. The 27-year-old has more than 1 million followers on social media, and his views have been viewed as antisemitic, homophobic, racist, and Islamophobic.

Nick Fuentes is perhaps most known as the largest critic of Charlie Kirk and his Turning Point USA organization.

So many were shocked to see Tucker Carlson sit down for an interview with Fuentes, when so many prominent conservatives have attempted to distance themselves from him or outright condemn the stances taken by the “Groyper” leader.

Reactions to the conversation poured in on social media. Some praised Carlson for featuring the conversation, while others lambasted the former cable news host for “platforming” the controversial figure.

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St. John’s Basketball Radio Broadcasts Moving To ESPN New York

BSM Staff
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St. John’s Basketball Radio Broadcasts Moving To ESPN New York

The resurgence of St. John’s men’s basketball under Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino is now reaching the airwaves, as the Red Storm have an agreement in place to broadcast their games on ESPN Radio’s 880 AM and 1050 AM.

According to a report by The Athletic, the No. 5 ranked “Johnnies” have emerged as a contender in college hoops, combining veteran leadership and talented newcomers to capture the attention of fans in New York and beyond.

The move to ESPN Radio represents a significant step in amplifying the program’s visibility and connecting with its passionate local fan base. It also marks a return for the University to ESPN Radio since the mid-2000’s.

The longtime broadcasting team of John Minko and a rotation of analysts including Brandon Tierney and Vin Parise will continue their roles on the call. Previously, Red Storm games were broadcast on AM 970 The Answer and 570 AM WMCA and the Red Storm mobile app, but the transition to ESPN Radio aligns the program with one of the nation’s most recognized sports platforms.

The move also ensures that St. John’s games reach a wider audience in the competitive New York sports media landscape, where college basketball contends with professional teams for listeners’ attention.

St. Johns University nor ESPN New York have confirmed the reporting by The Athletic.

As the Red Storm continue their climb in national rankings, the combination of a top-tier team and a respected radio platform positions St. John’s to strengthen its presence both on the court and on the airwaves, ensuring that fans can follow the action wherever they are.

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.

CNN All Access Launches With Live Channels, Video on Demand, and More

BNM Staff
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CNN All Access Launches With Live Channels, Video on Demand, and More

CNN All Access, the new streaming platform for the cable network, launched on Tuesday morning, with the outlet touting its uniqueness.

With the subscription, users will receive access to the network’s live stream, the Headlines, Originals, and Films FAST Channels, as well as videos on demand. Additionally, the subscription allows access to the network’s articles on CNN.com and the subscriber-only content provided on the website.

“This new streaming offering is unique in the news space — nothing like it exists in the marketplace,” said CNN Worldwide Executive Vice President of Digital Products and Services Alex MacCallum. “We’re delivering all of CNN’s industry-leading journalism in one place, accessible on any device.

“Whether you are a fan of the live and premium video storytelling on which CNN built its name, or prefer snackable content that catches you up on the day’s essential news and lifestyle stories, audiences can now engage with and consume the full breadth of world-class storytelling CNN and its trusted journalists are known for, however works best for them.” 

The platform is available for $6.99 per month or $69.99 annually. However, the network is offering a special introductory price of $41.99 for the first year to those who sign on before Monday, January 5th.

The network adds that “additional content offerings will be added and released in the coming months.”

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.

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