KUZZ Program Director Brent Michaels is on the move, but he isn’t going far.
Michaels is moving from afternoons on the Buck Owens Productions country station in Bakersfield to morning drive, where he’ll pair with existing host Vanessa “Ness” Heraldez.
In exchange, current morning host Kenn McCloud will shift to afternoons, where Michaels was previously heard.
Michaels has served as program director of the brand since 2016, rising to the role after joining the station in 2008.
Meanwhile, McCloud had been in mornings with Heraldez since 2023. He joined the station in 2017 after previously spending more than 15 years at crosstown iHeartMedia Bakersfield, serving as the Senior Vice President of Programming for the cluster. He also had previous stops at stations in Albuquerque and Des Moines, among others.
Brent & Ness in the Morning airs from 5-10 AM. Mike Bell will remain in his familiar midday slot in the station’s lineup.
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SiriusXM has announced plans to celebrate International Podcast Day in October by turning the entire month into a showcase for its top-performing programs.
During the month, the company will host exclusive, live tapings for several of its podcasts in its New York and Los Angeles studios.
On Sunday, October 5th, a live recording of Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend will take place in Los Angeles. Other programs featuring live studio audiences include The Bonifre, Freakonomics, The Nikki & Brie Show, How Did This Get Made, Casuals with Katie Nolan, and Busted Open.
“Podcasts are no longer just something people listen to — they’re woven into daily life and culture,” said SiriusXM’s Senior Vice President of Podcast Content, Adam Sachs. “With SiriusXM Podcasts Month, we’re celebrating that impact by turning one day into an entire month of live, can’t-miss events with some of the biggest and most beloved names in the medium.”
The month of promotion is designed to showcase the wide variety of programs available from the satellite radio and podcasting company. It will feature programs from the sports, comedy, culture, and business sectors.
Existing subscribers can apply for the chance to win tickets to see the live tapings in-person in New York or Los Angeles.
SiriusXM Podcast Month Schedule
“Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend” LIVE — The Fonda Theatre, LA — 10/5
“The Bonfire” LIVE — SiriusXM’s NYC Fishbowl — 10/6
“Freakonomics Radio” LIVE — SiriusXM’s NYC Fishbowl — 10/8
“The Nikki & Brie Show” LIVE — SiriusXM’s LA Garage — 10/10
“How Did This Get Made” LIVE — SiriusXM’s LA Garage — 10/15
“Casuals With Katie Nolan” LIVE — SiriusXM’s NYC Fishbowl — 10/15
“Busted Open” LIVE — SiriusXM’s NYC Fishbowl — 10/23
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FOX Sports is again expanding its digital reach with the announcement that its annual Thanksgiving Day NFL broadcast will stream live on Tubi in 4K for free. The move underscores the company’s growing strategy to merge traditional broadcast audiences with ad-supported streaming growth.
The game, branded as the “John Madden Thanksgiving Celebration,” will feature an NFC North matchup between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers. Kickoff is scheduled for Thursday, November 27 at 1 p.m. ET. In addition to airing on FOX, the contest will be available on the FOX Sports app, FOX Deportes, FOX One for authenticated subscribers, and now Tubi. The Tubi broadcast will include local advertising from FOX-owned stations.
Thanksgiving football has long been one of the NFL’s premier television events, with last year’s FOX broadcast delivering the most-watched regular season NFL game of 2024. The addition of Tubi provides a free streaming option that aligns with FOX’s broader digital expansion while maintaining the network’s dominant linear presence.
The announcement comes on the heels of FOX Sports and Tubi’s record-breaking performance during Super Bowl LIX.
According to FOX, the game became the most-streamed Super Bowl in history, attracting over 24 million unique viewers across game day programming. The platforms combined for a 13.6 million average minute audience and a 15.5 million peak audience, underscoring the scale and reliability of FOX’s streaming strategy.
For FOX Sports, making the Thanksgiving matchup available on Tubi is a continuation of efforts to reach viewers who may not rely on traditional cable or satellite packages. The free, ad-supported model also strengthens the value proposition for advertisers seeking incremental reach in marquee sporting events.
Meanwhile, Tubi continues to build its profile as a destination not only for on-demand entertainment but also for live sports. The service has been a centerpiece in Fox Corporation’s digital portfolio, delivering consistent growth in both usage and ad revenue. With the Thanksgiving Day NFL window among the most valuable on the sports calendar, the partnership places Tubi alongside some of the biggest broadcast platforms in live television.
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YouTube will pay $24.5 million to settle a lawsuit with President Donald Trump after the digital video platform suspended his account in 2021.
The settlement will be split into two payments. $22 million will be sent to the Trust for the National Mall to help fund a planned ballroom at the White House proposed by Trump. The remainder of the settlement will be paid to the American Conservative Union in an effort to help other defendants.
YouTube becomes the latest social media and big tech giant to reach a settlement with Trump over his deplatforming in the wake of the January 6th insurrection.
In January, Meta paid a $25 million settlement over Trump’s suspension from Facebook. Meanwhile, X followed suit in February, settling for $10 million — which it sent to Trump directly — after he was removed from the social platform when it was known as Twitter.
Other companies, like Disney and CBS, have reached settlements in defamation lawsuits filed by Trump, with Disney paying $16 million to settle a suit, and CBS negotiating a settlement to end a lawsuit after its 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris.
In recent weeks, Trump has launched lawsuits against The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. Those companies, however, have vowed to fight the lawsuits. The case against The Times was thrown out by a judge earlier this month. Dow Jones — the parent company of The Wall Street Journal — has sought to have that case dismissed, as well.
As of this publication, President Donald Trump has not commented publicly about the settlement.
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The phenomenon of over-tourism has pushed many of Spain’s iconic sites to their limits. This has made searching for alternatives not just a preference but a must for sustainable travel. Beyond the popular paths to Barcelona’s Sagrada Família and Madrid’s Prado Museum, there’s a country with rich and quiet corners, places where history feels a lot more personal and the landscapes are a lot less traveled. This is Spain that offers a deeper, more truthful connection. It is a journey for those who find beauty in the authentic.
Choosing a destination less traveled will not only lead you to travel comfort but it’s also a way to support local economies and cultures. In these places, the experience changes from passive to active discovery. It is a quieter, more profound way to experience one of Europe’s most vibrant countries.
Often labeled as a mere beach destination, Gran Canaria is an island packed with an immense ecological diversity, rightly earning its nickname as a “miniature continent.” Its interior is covered with volcanic peaks and deep ravines, with Roque Nublo standing as its most iconic piece. The south offers the Maspalomas Dunes, a vast expanse of Saharan sand that meets the ocean, creating a desert-like landscape which is unique in Europe.
On the other hand, the west coast offers fishing villages like Puerto de Mogán, where you can find canals crossing between whitewashed houses that are full of bougainvillea, which are a must if you’re looking for what to see in Gran Canaria.
People Sitting on a Dune and Footprints on Sand in Maspalomas, Spain
After days exploring the island, a visit to Holiday World Maspalomas will give you an amazing contrast and a perfect family interlude. Since it’s the only amusement park in the Canary Islands, it holds a unique position in the archipelago’s entertainment landscape.
The attractions are suitable for all ages. From high-adrenaline attractions like the 20-meter Sky Drop free fall and the Giro Loop to family-friendly bumper cars, a 4D cinema, and bowling alleys.
While Andalusia is popular for its white villages and flamenco passion, the inland town of Antequera serves as its quiet center. It’s strategically located between Málaga, Córdoba, and Granada, and has been a crossroads of civilizations for millennia, which has resulted in a dense pack of historical layers.
The town offers a unique view of the local daily life. It is dominated by the Archaeological Dolmens of Antequera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers ancient monuments. These silent, massive stone structures, particularly the Dolmen of Menga, inspire a humbling sense of wonder.
The town with its medieval churches in a baroque style, and the El Torcal Nature Reserve with its interesting limestone formations, move at a whole different pace, more calm, and easy to explore. This lets every visitor feel like a local.
You won’t find the true essence of Spain in the crowded lines, or in checking an attraction with a thousand people, the true essences lies in the quiet moments of discovery, in exploring a small villages, in prioritizing a deeper connection and choosing to spend two nights in a single town to understand it rather than racing to see three cities in the same amount of time.
Former ESPN college football analyst Todd McShay didn’t hold back in his commentary, both celebrating Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer’s road win at Georgia and taking a pointed swipe at his former ESPN colleague Paul Finebaum.
Speaking on his The McShay Show podcast after the Crimson Tide’s 24-21 victory in Athens, McShay acknowledged the significance of the win for DeBoer, who is navigating his second season at Alabama following Nick Saban’s retirement. For McShay, the result was less about the scoreboard and more about easing the relentless pressure that can swallow a coach in Tuscaloosa.
“It’s really good to see this,” McShay said. “I’m not pulling for either side. It’s really good to see this for DeBoer. Because it feels like if Alabama had lost this game after losing to Florida State — and Florida State just lost to Virginia — that place is vicious.”
From there, McShay transitioned from relief to critique. Pointing directly at Finebaum, who has built a career amplifying the highs and lows of SEC football. McShay suggested that Finebaum’s brand of commentary contributes to an atmosphere he views as toxic.
“Watch that trash, Paul Finebaum, to see how vicious,” McShay said. “It’s just not good humanity. Get my little shot in at Paul, one of the all-time cowards.”
While McShay didn’t elaborate further, he hinted more details are coming. “Is it October 1 yet? Let’s see. I can let it all unleash. We’ll explain it all,” he added, leaving the door open for a deeper explanation of his grievances.
The exchange reflects a growing tension within sports media about how analysts and hosts cover the sport. Finebaum’s radio show and ESPN appearances have long thrived on polarizing takes and strong criticisms. Particularly of coaches and programs in the SEC. His style has drawn as much praise for its entertainment value as criticism for its perceived harshness.
McShay, who spent nearly two decades at ESPN as a draft analyst before being laid off by the company in 2023, has rarely taken public shots at former colleagues. His comments over the weekend suggest lingering frustration with how some voices in college football media handle coverage of teams under pressure. McShay signed with The Ringer in the fall of 2024.
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Spotify is set to undergo a major leadership shift at the start of 2026. The streaming giant announced Monday that founder and Chief Executive Officer Daniel Ek will move into the role of Executive Chairman, while longtime company executives Gustav Söderström and Alex Norström will serve as co-CEOs.
The move formalizes a structure that has quietly been in place since 2023, when Söderström and Norström took on the co-president roles and began leading day-to-day strategy and operations. Both will also join Spotify’s Board of Directors, pending shareholder approval, and will report directly to Ek.
“I always believed that Spotify could play an important role in revolutionizing listening around the world. With more than 700 million users, we’ve truly charted a new course bringing creativity to every corner of the globe,” Ek said. “Over the last few years, I’ve turned over a large part of the day-to-day management and strategic direction of Spotify to Alex and Gustav—who have shaped the company from our earliest days and are now more than ready to guide our next phase. This change simply matches titles to how we already operate.”
For Ek, who launched Spotify in 2006 and has grown the platform to more than 700 million users worldwide. The new role marks a shift toward long-term strategy. His position will resemble a European-style chairman, where he will focus on capital allocation, future planning, and guiding senior leadership.
Woody Marshall, Spotify’s lead independent director, emphasized that the board has been preparing for this moment. “We have tremendous confidence in Alex and Gustav as they step into these roles,” Marshall said. “They each have more than fifteen years with the company and have been instrumental in driving our success and enabling Spotify to lead our industry. We are also thrilled that Daniel will be actively involved. Giving Spotify both founder-led strategic stewardship and mentorship to the co-CEOs as the company continues to innovate and scale.”
Both incoming co-CEOs have been with the company since its early days. Söderström has overseen product and technology, while Norström has managed business operations. In a joint statement, they said their partnership is built on complementary skills and a shared vision.
“Nearly three years ago, when we stepped into our role as co-Presidents, we charged our teams with relentlessly focusing on building the best and most valuable experience available anywhere and that ambition hasn’t changed,” they said. “While we bring different experiences and perspectives to the CEO role. We both have a strong bias to action and can’t wait to get started. Knowing that we will have Daniel’s full partnership and ongoing support.”
The leadership changes will officially take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
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The Toast to 10 series, presented by Premiere Networks, is a month-long look back at 10 years of Barrett Media. Throughout the month, you’ll hear from those who have shaped the company, managed and created content, read the site, and partnered with the brand between 2015 and 2025, sharing how they’ve seen it play a role in covering the media industry and educating, celebrating, and challenging the business.
For the past month, Barrett Media has celebrated its 10th anniversary of serving the media industry. We’ve shared stories from current and former members of the Barrett Media team, along with insights from our amazing partners, talent in television and radio, and tech and research professionals on how vital Barrett Media is to the industry.
From sales and advertising managers. To a look back at the highlights and what’s to come from Jason Barrett himself. A Toast to 10 has been a complete journey. Reaching every section of the media industry as we celebrate our story.
Today, we wrap up our Toast to 10 by speaking with several sports media executives from around the country. Sports media has been the foundation that helped launch Barrett Media just a decade ago. Led initially by coverage of the sports radio industry, Barrett Media later expanded to cover the sports television world. For much of its history, our writers have covered every angle of what makes the world of sports media click. Hundreds of profiles have been featured by Barrett Media, from the biggest stars on screen to the important dignitaries off camera. From rising stars behind the mic to the leaders guiding the path into tomorrow.
Today, we share the reflections of ten years of Barrett Media from the minds of top sports executives in sports media.
Rick Cordella | NBC Sports
Rick Cordella (Toast To 10 Series: Canva Creation, Social Screenshot)
Rick Cordella is the president of NBC Sports. Assuming the role in 2023, Cordella oversees all aspects of NBC Sports’ collection of brands. From the Olympics to the NFL, Cordella is a major key to the success of what makes NBC Sports and Peacock the destinations for sports content they are.
Cordella began following Barrett Media just a few years ago. He subscribes to the two daily newsletters that our brand provides, which share the news of the day along with the perspective and opinions of our Barrett Media columnists.
“It’s a great source of news and opinion,” said Cordella. “The credibility of the Barrett team continues to increase.”
Cordella has been part of NBCUniversal for nearly two decades, serving in a variety of leadership roles. A nine-time Sports Emmy award winner. Cordella is always on the hunt for fresh and unique information to help his team at NBC. Barrett Media is a daily stop for the NBC executive.
“There have been many times over the years when the newsletter has given me new or additional information. As well as some thought-provoking ideas to carry forward for our NBC Sports businesses,” explained Cordella. “It’s on my list of must-read publications covering our industry.”
With his busy schedule, Cordella has yet to attend one of the Barrett Media summits. However, he looks forward to attending if there’s a day when his schedule becomes free.
Courtney Hirsch | Jomboy Media
Courtney Hirsch (Toast To 10 Series: Canva Creation, Barrett Media)
Courtney Hirsch is the CEO of Jomboy Media, a leading creator-led sports media company with a focus on baseball. The company is home to a number of highly consumed podcasts, the viral Breakdowns video series, and the adaptive creator-led Warehouse Games, bringing indoor competition to life on digital platforms.
Since joining the company in 2020, Jomboy Media has seen record-breaking growth in revenue and profitability. The digital creator-led company signed a partnership with Major League Baseball. The first time a pro league has partnered with a creator-led company in its history. They also established distribution partnerships with iHeartMedia and Audacy’s WFAN, announced just two weeks ago.
Hirsch values the independent voice that Barrett Media provides in covering the expanding world of creator content online.
“Barrett Media is valuable because it champions creators who are changing the game in sports media,” said Hirsch. “Their independent voice keeps us plugged into fresh ideas and bold innovations.”
Over the past decade, Barrett Media has experienced many changes. Not only in writers and columnists, but also in reach to other platforms, formats, and sections of the media industry. Hirsch believes the continued expansion of Barrett Media is a shining example of what makes the brand truly unique.
“Our respect for Barrett Media has only grown as they’ve consistently elevated new companies and unique ideas,” noted Hirsch. “They’ve become a trusted, independent platform that really gets where the industry is headed.”
Hirsch has been both an attendee and a guest speaker at the annual Barrett Sports Media Summits and has been featured in our Meet The Podcasters series earlier this year.
Looking ahead to the next decade of coverage. Hirsch said she hopes the brand continues to evolve as the industry does.
“We hope Barrett Media keeps shining a light on the next wave of creators and innovations that move sports media forward,” explained Hirsch. “Their growth means even more energy and momentum for the industry’s future.”
Dave Roberts | ESPN
Dave Roberts (Toast To 10 Series: Canva Creation, Derek Futterman, Barrett Media)
Dave Roberts is the executive vice president and executive editor of sports news and entertainment for ESPN. For over two decades, Roberts has been a man who wears many hats in the business both in previous roles and his current one. He’s managed much of ESPN’s content from sports to news coverage, investigative and enterprise journalism, research, and digital editorial on all editions of SportsCenter.
Roberts also oversees some of ESPN’s largest show productions, including First Take, Get Up, Pardon the Interruption, ESPN Bet and fantasy programs, ESPN Audio, ESPN podcast content, and all ESPN digital shows. As you can tell from his oversight, Roberts wears many hats and his time is extremely limited.
What he does make time for daily is the coverage that Barrett Media provides. Roberts has been an avid reader since Barrett Media began ten years ago.
“It’s one of the first things that I do each and every day because it’s informative and insightful,” said Roberts. “You walk away learning something new about the business. It’s a very productive use of the time to help prepare for the day.”
Roberts believes it’s always good to know what’s new in the industry while learning who is doing unique things in the business. Any little bit of information helps as the number of platforms distributing content continues to grow each day.
One aspect that Roberts truly enjoys is the consistent production of thought-provoking ideas that both celebrate the business and challenge the industry.
“Barrett Media does an excellent job of highlighting new and innovative ideas that can be applied in everyday walks of our business,” said Roberts. “If you have a hunger for learning and recognizing that no one has a monopoly on good ideas, what you do at Barrett Media is beneficial to anyone in this business who’s interested in learning and applying what they learned to their own roles.”
Roberts has attended the Barrett Sports Media Summit on multiple occasions, both as a speaker and attendee. He always feels he comes away with something valuable from the discussions.
“The key takeaway for me is that there are so many interesting people in our business, people willing to share and exchange ideas, and to be candid about the challenges we face,” said Roberts. “Those were all takeaways I got from attending the previous summits.”
The ESPN executive makes sure to check the daily opinion pieces provided by the Barrett Media team. Roberts notes that the opinions are topical and fact-based, something he truly values.
“It’s a good compilation of information that continues to become even more sophisticated each day,” said Roberts. “It’s a very impressive evolution of coverage in the media.”
Looking ahead, Roberts hopes Barrett Media continues to evolve with the industry.
“I expect and hope that Barrett Media continues to focus on the changing landscape of our business, doing so in a way where you can learn and stay ahead of the curve,” noted Roberts. “The commitment Barrett Media has to staying on top of constant changes in our industry is impressive.”
Bron Heussenstamm | BLEAV
Bron Heussenstamm (Toast To 10 Series: Canva Creation, Social Screenshot)
Bron Heussenstamm is the founder and CEO of Bleav, a premium audio and video network producing, distributing, and selling a diverse range of sports and lifestyle content. With more than 500 shows and 800 hosts, including over 100 professional athletes, Bleav produces more than 1,000 hours of original content per month.
Since 2020, Heussenstamm has followed the Barrett Media brand. Drawn in by its focused coverage of the sports media industry, he feels he’s not missing a thing and stays consistently up to date with the latest happenings.
“The written content is particularly valuable for my teams at Bleav,” said Heussenstamm. “The articles provide industry-specific insights, highlighting what’s working, what’s not, and trends.”
Heussenstamm cited a specific example where a Barrett Media article guided internal discussions with his teams.
“I shared ‘How to Sell Local Podcasts’ in 2021 with one of our hosts to reinforce best practices for monetizing podcast content,” said Heussenstamm. “The article aligned perfectly with our process, so it was nice to have some industry backup.”
Heussenstamm enjoys Barrett Media content that details what’s working in the media industry. His team is constantly on the hunt for any information that can give them an edge.
“This practical, results-oriented approach allows us to benchmark our strategies against industry standards and anticipate shifts,” noted Heussenstamm. “Barrett Media’s ability to distill complex industry dynamics into easy-to-read articles is great.”
Heussenstamm attended his first Barrett Sports Media Summit in May in Chicago, where he enjoyed being a panelist.
“It stands as the leading authority in this space,” explained Heussenstamm. “The fact that I’m unsure of another publication that rivals Barrett is a good sign for Barrett Media.”
Since following the brand in 2020, Heussenstamm has noticed the robust changes Barrett Media has made in its coverage.
“Since I began following Barrett Media in 2020, my view of the publication has only grown more positive,” explained Heussenstamm. “The brand has consistently improved its content and expanded its scope to keep pace with the rapid evolution of the sports media industry. They could have stayed focused on radio and TV but were leaders in podcasting overviews as well.”
Always busy with his business, Heussenstamm offered one suggestion for Barrett Media moving forward:
“More articles on Bleav,” noted Heussenstamm.
David Locke | Locked On Podcast Network
David Locke (Toast To 10 Series: Canva Creation, Social Screenshot)
David Locke is CEO of the Locked On Podcast Network while also serving as the radio voice for the NBA’s Utah Jazz. A former sports radio program director, Locke has followed Barrett Media from the very beginning.
“It feels like it has been a staple forever,” said Locke. “Was there life before Barrett Media Online? Seriously! I can’t remember not reading and following.”
The Locked On Podcast Network is an industry-leading sports podcast network featuring more than 275 programs, delivering over 40 million listens and views per month. The network covers every league and nearly every team.
Locke established the network in 2016 with a single podcast covering the Utah Jazz. Since then, Locked On continued to grow and was acquired by TEGNA in 2021, reinforcing the network’s growth as a leader in the space.
What drew Locke to Barrett Media was its up-to-date coverage of where the industry is heading and who the people to know are.
“It’s the insider knowledge of the industry from people who knew the industry, who had done the work, lived the life, and understood the struggles,” said Locke.
Locke is a multiple-time attendee of the Barrett Sports Media Summits, both as a speaker and attendee. The reason he continues to support and consume Barrett Media content is simple: no one else does what Barrett Media does.
“There isn’t anyone better at covering local sports media,” said Locke. “Some places cover the big picture and massive deals, but no one else is ingrained in the fabric of sports radio and media like Barrett Media.”
As Barrett Media continues into its next decade of coverage, Locke looks forward to seeing the brand expand digitally and beyond sports.
“Clearly, there is an effort to expand the brand digitally and beyond sports, which is great and admirable,” said Locke. “I need the sports. They haven’t dropped the ball there at all. Local sports is the forgotten space, and I will be coming to Barrett Media to keep an eye on the industry.”
As we wrap up our Toast to 10 series on the first decade of Barrett Media, I’d like to personally thank everyone who contributed. From every walk of life in the media industry, we extend our deepest thanks for sharing your experience with us. At Barrett Media, led by Jason Barrett, we will continue striving to provide the coverage you expect while exploring new ideas to expand our horizons—touching more people to celebrate, educate, and challenge for a better tomorrow.
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.
For generations, there has been a church-and-state type of vibe regarding sports media personalities and their political leanings. Far too often, the argument has been that the less the audience knows, the better. Networks and radio broadcast corporations have attempted for years to encourage their own employees to understand the audience they serve is filled with a mix of people from different political spectrums. Then you have the examples of Stephen A. Smith and Paul Finebaum from ESPN.
It made headlines yesterday that ESPN SEC Network personality Paul Finebaum is considering a run for a vacant United States Senate seat in Alabama. Finebaum told OutKick’s Clay Travis that he’s been approached about the seat and is weighing his options.
What was even more telling was Finebaum stating—possibly half-heartedly, joking—that ESPN tells their employees not to discuss who they voted for. In an age where transparency has no end, Finebaum and Smith both serve as examples of why more sports media personalities should not fear the walls networks and companies place on them. If you haven’t realized it by now, the age of church and state in sports media is officially over.
Republicans buy sneakers. Democrats buy sneakers. Sports fans buy sneakers. What unites people isn’t the party box they check at the polls—it’s the games, the debates, and the passion that draw them together.
Showcase What Is Great For Everyone
Make no mistake about it: the country is divided. Far too often we find ourselves in places of division, where our leaders on both sides are more concerned with self-value than with the constituencies they represent.
This is a perfect time for sports to be the great unifier it has always aimed to be, by breaking down the walls that prevent individuals from expressing political leanings.
Why? Because while sports media personalities may differ on real-life issues, the uniter is sports and sports discussion. That should be celebrated, but it’s not represented that way.
In the age of transparency, why continue to force (or persuade) talent to hide their leanings?
Finebaum told OutKick that there was a moment in 2019 where he had lined up an interview with then President Donald Trump for his radio program. The interview was scheduled to be taped at The White House surrounding the LSU / Alabama football game that fall.
ESPN killed the interview when Finebaum made them aware of the possibility saying that the network told him there is no mix of politics and sports. Of course, we all remember when Andy Katz would pay a visit annually to The White House to reveal President Barack Obama’s Final Four bracket years earlier. Why the double standard?
Paul Finebaum is respected by most for his decades of covering college football, particularly the SEC. I spoke earlier this year with Finebaum for a feature piece on Barrett Media.
Did I know he was Republican? No.
Did I know he voted for Donald Trump? No.
If I had known either of those facts, would it have changed my perspective on having a conversation with Finebaum? Absolutely not.
However, both notions were revealed in Finebaum’s interview with OutKick. Will there be a loss in viewership? No. Will it affect his listenership to The Paul Finebaum Show? Probably not.
Suppression Is Outdated
In his conversation with OutKick, Finebaum called the exchange with Travis “cathartic” because he had said some things in the interview that he hadn’t intended to say. Should anyone feel cathartic when simply having a conversation about personal beliefs or stances? That would mean a person had felt suppressed or prevented from expression—that they felt they couldn’t explain how they felt or what they thought about a certain issue.
No one would want that feeling.
Finebaum and Stephen A. Smith embody this shift. Neither man hides from who he is, and neither has lost his platform because of it. If anything, authenticity has made them stronger
Sports and politics are no longer oil and water. They’re Kool-Aid. The two mix more today than at any time in our history. It no longer matters if it’s a good or bad thing—there’s no escaping it.
If players, franchises, and leagues can break down the walls of restriction, there’s no reason why networks, companies, and talent can’t either. The muzzle no longer fits, and the time we live in demands it.
Don’t get it twisted. It doesn’t mean that networks should turn College GameDay into Meet the Press. It also doesn’t mean that ESPN’s massive social media apparatus should be sharing election results in November.
It does mean talent should be free to show their whole selves without fearing punishment. Finebaum can be a Republican. Smith can be an Independent. Both can still break down NIL legislation or debate the NBA’s international relationships. Viewers are smart enough to separate political leanings from sports expertise.
Why It Works
Dana White offers a playbook that networks and media companies can learn from.
“I’m a big believer in free speech,” said Dana White during a 60 Minutes interview on Sunday night. “I hate it [cancel culture], on both sides.”
White runs a $15 billion sports league with a diverse roster of competitors from all walks of life and political leanings. He just signed two multi-billion-dollar media rights deals with Paramount for the UFC and Zuffa Boxing.
Is business bad for White because of his allowance of freedom of expression?
Are media companies shying away from coverage of either the UFC or Zuffa Boxing because of political leanings?
His business thrives not because of silence, but because his product delivers while his people speak freely. It helps with connection, engagement, and overall interest. Isn’t that what every media outlet wants?
The single biggest issue our nation faces is the inability to converse with one another. More people than ever before are finding silence is best when it comes to conversations with people of different political leanings than themselves.
Why should networks and media companies not embrace the diversity of their own talent and showcase how people can come together—how people of different leanings can speak to one another?
Finebaum himself spelled it out in that interview: “I am a registered Republican.” Did it change his credibility? His ratings? His voice on college football? No. And it won’t.
Networks would do well to remember that. Suppression doesn’t build loyalty. Authenticity does.
Let talent speak. Let the audience decide. And let sports continue to be the bridge.
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.
Longevity is a desired quality anyone would want in the field of their choosing. Most never achieve it, while the few who do cherish every hour of it. While many consider longevity the secret to success, without success there is no longevity. Chris McClain has been a member of the WFNZ team in Charlotte for over two decades, the last 16 years serving as the morning show co-host on Mac & Bonealongside co-host Travis “T-Bone” Hancock.
“Before I got here, I would do the radio shuffle where I would leave after a couple of years on my own or be asked to leave,” joked McClain. “I’m so glad to find the continuity, especially in a city like Charlotte. It’s a perfect place to raise a family too. I’m just so glad that I ended up here. Radio karma ended up putting me here.”
McClain and Hancock have been the guiding voice of Charlotte sports fans for nearly two decades, with a show that mixes fun, sports, and laughs while always keeping the energy high. McClain calls himself the “human alarm clock” and prides himself on being energetic for the audience.
“I like that role of being on here screaming. I’m energetic. I get people telling me all the time, ‘Man, I’m half asleep,’ and I’m like, it’s 6:30,” said McClain. “As a kid, if you had dug up my teachers, they would tell you, oh yeah, I could tell he was going to do something like this.”
When describing his co-host dubbed “T-Bone,” McClain believes the duo complement each other well. Hancock first began with the show as an intern and worked his way into a co-host role. While Hancock still contributes some aspects of producing for the program, McClain believes finding a person like Hancock was a massive key to the show’s success.
“We’ve gone through different ownerships, and you never know how that turns out,” noted McClain. “Different program directors too. I think finding a guy like Travis [Hancock] to work with—it helps that you find good people to work with… When you find a good bunch to work with, it’s a good portion of the key [to success].”
Balancing Sports & Politics
While the faces have remained the same for over a decade, the state of the sports radio industry has evolved. Far too often, the demands of the listening audience have forced sports radio to adapt—especially morning drive programs, which cater to a constant on-the-go audience looking for different types of content in small bite-sized pieces.
This is especially challenging with the political climate being what it is. Far too often, politics have intersected with sports, causing heated debate and giving listeners another lens to judge their favorite sports radio talent. For McClain, he understands the shift but has attempted to avoid joining the trend.
“People will tell us to stick to sports if they don’t like our political opinion. If they like the political opinion, they won’t say that,” noted McClain. “These issues, a lot of them are intertwined. There are sports issues that have become political. When I was younger, I was more eager to let the world know how I felt about these issues. As I’ve gotten older in the business, I’ve realized we are so divided on so many things as a country. Maybe just focus on what a Mac & Bone community has in common.”
McClain aims to be a sports radio host who brings people together through a passion for sports. Although he recognizes that there are more ways than one to cater to that audience, he leans on what he’s always been comfortable with as his guide.
“It’s gotten so divided and so nasty out there,” said McClain. “There are moments where you’ll get a text from a listener, and it’ll say they thought that sounded political. However, I take pride in bringing people who are so divided on these bigger issues together. When it comes to our sports world, I can get them together.”
Benefits of FM Signal, Desires for More
Mac & Bone have built themselves a following through longevity in the market but also a devoted social and digital presence. The game changed even more when WFNZ flipped to a dedicated FM signal in 2022.
“That’s been the biggest game changer from a scoreboard standpoint,” said McClain. “It’s [ratings] way more consistent with the FM signal. Whereas in the past it wasn’t. I would be trying to evaluate what we did in a three-month period. Right now, you get a feeling that it’s more representative of who we have out there.”
McClain credits the work of the Radio One/Urban One team in Charlotte for getting the station on an FM signal. He noted that the move had been a goal for many in station management but finally came to fruition in 2022.
Another avenue McClain said he’d like to see WFNZ move into is live streaming of shows on video platforms like YouTube or Twitch. He recognizes that audience consumption habits have changed dramatically since 2020, with more people turning to digital outlets to consume content both live and on demand.
His hope is for Mac & Bone to be available everywhere people can consume the product while also getting full credit for the consumption.
“I don’t even know the rules for how much you need to have digital listeners included [in your Nielsen credit],” said McClain. “That’s got to be modernized better so you get full credit for that. I’d be interested to see how that ends up going. Digital has become a bigger part, and I do think that must be something that they [Nielsen] work on so you can get proper credit for everything.”
Social media use continues to be a larger part of everyday life for all sports radio talent. From using the tools for promotion and personal branding, the constant churn of algorithms has made it more difficult to engage and interact with a following. McClain is a very active user of social media, he says, because sports fans are always scrolling.
“That’s another area where we could bring fun,” said McClain. “If someone’s having a bad day, what are they doing? Scrolling. If we can make someone laugh with some goofy video we put together, that’s the goal. We try to do that to show our humorous side and give people a laugh.”
For over two decades, Chris McClain has enjoyed the ride, sharing many laughs along the way. While many consider longevity the secret to success, without success there is no longevity. He said he has no desire to be anywhere else in the country and only hopes to continue doing what his passion guides him to—talking sports and continuing to be a leading voice in the growing footprint of Charlotte sports fans.
“I just want to be here for as long as they’ll keep me, and I want to keep proving that I deserve to be one of the voices of Charlotte sports,” noted McClain. “I have seen Charlotte become this passionate, demanding sports town. We’re not saying we’re near being a Boston or a New York City. I’ve seen this city grow as a sports city, and I want to be a part of the city’s growth.”
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