Hubbard Radio is expanding its weekday lineup in South Florida with the addition of a new locally focused sports show. FOX Sports South Florida 640AM will debut JC & Ken, a one-hour weekday program featuring Josh Cohen and Ken LaVicka. The show will air from 5–6 p.m. beginning Monday, January 5. The goal is targeting afternoon drive listeners across Palm Beach County and surrounding areas.
The move reunites two personalities familiar to South Florida sports fans. This is especially true for listeners who spent years with ESPN 106.3 and its predecessor stations. Cohen led the popular HomeTeam program from 1999 through the end of 2024. During that time, he became one of the most recognizable sports radio voices in the region.
Following his departure, Cohen transitioned to digital platforms, launching the YouTube-based show Questionable Call with Josh Cohen.
LaVicka also brings deep local ties and on-air experience. He worked at WUUB from 2007 to 2024 as both a host and reporter. LaVicka currently serves as the play-by-play voice for Florida Atlantic University football and men’s basketball. In addition, LaVicka handles play-by-play duties for Inter Miami CF soccer and hosts the Sports & Golf Boardroom program on WMEN.
According to Cohen, the new FOX Sports South Florida show is designed to recapture a familiar sound for listeners during their evening commute.
“I hear from tons of people who say they miss having something fun, fast, and familiar to just listen to on their drive home,” Cohen said in a statement. “JC & Ken will take care of that five days a week, with no need to catch up on anything.”
FOX Sports South Florida leadership emphasized the importance of local voices and community connection as the primary motivation behind the launch.
“Josh and Ken have been well-known figures in the South Florida sports scene for many years,” said Hubbard Radio Market President Elizabeth Hanna. “We are thrilled to bring this LOCAL radio show to the market. Offering sports fans in our area a place for connection and conversation.”
FOX Sports South Florida Brand and Content Director David Adams echoed that sentiment, highlighting the chemistry and versatility the duo brings to the lineup.
“Josh & Ken are two of the best known and most respected voices in our community,” Adams said. “I couldn’t be more excited to add them to the Fox Sports South Florida lineup. JC & Ken is an entertaining, engaging, and often off-the-rails daily dive into the biggest news and best stories of the day. With occasional surprise guests from the worlds of sports, entertainment, and media.”
JC & Ken with @JoshOnAir & @KLVsays launches Jan. 5 on Fox Sports South Florida! It’s a daily dive into the biggest news and best sports & pop culture stories of the day. Listen on 640AM, 103.1 HD2FM, https://t.co/k7CyEjjJzd, Fox Sports 640 app- and the podcast after the show. pic.twitter.com/QU80M1gdkc
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Longtime sports media insider Richard Deitsch has been among the most commanding voices in the industry for the past two decades. As 2025 comes to a close, that run has reached another turning point. Deitsch announced Tuesday night that he is stepping away from The Athletic, marking the end of a seven-year tenure with the digital subscription outlet.
In a detailed social media post, Deitsch reflected on his time at the company, noting that sports media coverage was still relatively rare when he arrived in March 2018. At the time, The Athletic’s focus centered largely on building local markets and team-specific coverage. Since then, he said, the outlet has expanded into near-daily reporting on sports media and business — content he described as “immensely popular” and something he was proud to help grow.
“My last day with The Athletic is December 31,” Deitsch wrote. “In an era of media consolidation and endless job losses, I have been beyond lucky to have had such a long run between two national outlets that readers care about.”
Before joining The Athletic, Deitsch spent decades at Sports Illustrated, where his reporting spanned the Olympics, women’s basketball and major international events. Over time, however, he became best known for chronicling the sports media industry itself, helping bring greater visibility to a beat that has drawn increased audience interest amid rapid change.
Alongside his peers, Deitsch played a key role in pushing sports media reporting into the mainstream. Deitsch’s move to Toronto during his time at The Athletic further broadened his reach. In addition to his writing, he became involved in sports talk radio in Canada, offering a cross-border perspective on North American media trends.
In his post, Deitsch also emphasized his appreciation for colleagues at The Athletic, calling the opportunity to work alongside them “incredible” and wishing the staff continued success. He confirmed that his long-running sports media podcast will continue, noting that it has always existed independently of the publication.
Looking ahead, Deitsch said he plans to share details about his next steps once 2026 officially begins. He teased “a pair of amazing opportunities” — one in the United States and one in Canada — at organizations he has long admired.
The Athletic is expected to continue its sports media coverage moving forward, with Andrew Marchand remaining a central figure on that beat.
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U.S. Figure Skating announced a new partnership with iHeartMedia, the nation’s leading audio media company, positioning the organization for a major media push ahead of the 2026 Winter Games. The collaboration designates iHeart as an official partner of U.S. Figure Skating, delivering original audio content, athlete-driven stories, and promotional campaigns across iHeart’s expansive platforms.
The media company reaches more than 250 million listeners monthly through its broadcast radio stations, podcasts, digital outlets, live events, and other channels.
As part of the partnership, iHeartMedia will activate onsite at the ICE House in Milan, Italy, from February 6–22, 2026. The space will serve as a content studio and broadcast hub for iHeartRadio talent and creators. It will also feature a dedicated podcast studio and broadcast area, exclusive athlete interviews in collaboration with U.S. Figure Skating, and original Olympic-themed storytelling.
The content will be distributed across iHeart’s platforms. The aim is to engage fans with behind-the-scenes access and insights into the athletes’ journeys.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with iHeartMedia in an exciting time for U.S. Figure Skating as we look ahead to the U.S. Championships and the Winter Games,” said Annie White, Chief Commercial Officer of U.S. Figure Skating. “As a company that shares our commitment to meaningful audience connection. iHeartMedia will help us amplify excitement around our athletes, our events, and our national programs—including Learn to Skate USA® and SkateFest—across the country.”
In addition to Olympic coverage, iHeart will support U.S. Figure Skating through a multi-channel promotional campaign leading into the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in St. Louis. The partnership will also reinforce the organization’s broader Olympic-year initiative, Leave Your Mark, which highlights athlete development and community engagement.
“We’re proud to partner with U.S. Figure Skating at such a pivotal moment for the sport,” said Michael Biondo, President of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships at iHeartMedia. “From original audio storytelling to on-site activation at the ICE House in Milan. This partnership allows us to spotlight the dedication, artistry, and athleticism of these incredible athletes while bringing fans closer to the moments that define the journey to the Winter Games.”
iHeartRadio is also the exclusive audio partner for NBCUniversal’s coverage of the Milano Cortina Winter Games. Providing original Olympic-themed podcasts and additional audio content.
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Rob Creighton has joined Midwest Communications’ country station Hi-99 WTHI as the station’s new afternoon host. Creighton, who will be on air from 3 to 7 p.m. EST, also will lend his expertise to the station’s programming department.
Creighton announced the move on Facebook, writing, “I have joined Midwest Communications Hi-99 WTHI in Terre Haute as their afternoon talent! I’ll also be helping in the programming dept. I’ll be on 3-7 EST!”
Prior to joining WTHI, Creighton served as Director of Content for Townsquare Media in Sedalia, Missouri, while simultaneously hosting afternoons at AC My Mix 92.3. He departed Townsquare in April, ending a six-year tenure that included oversight of country station KXKX.
Creighton expressed his gratitude for the new role and a return to working alongside current operations manager Tim Huelsing.
“Thanks to the team in Terre Haute for making me feel welcome, and Tim Huelsing for thinking of me. Glad to be working for you again!,” he wrote.
Creighton’s move marks a return to on-air hosting after years in management and programming. His dual role at WTHI will allow him to influence both the station’s sound and on-air presentation, blending his programming experience with live talent.
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Nielsen is resisting Cumulus Media’s bid for emergency relief, telling a federal judge the radio broadcaster is attempting to use antitrust law to force the ratings company into a renegotiated deal at half the current price — terms Nielsen says it never offered and cannot sustain.
In a heavily redacted filing in federal court in New York, Nielsen framed its defense bluntly. The company said Cumulus wants to pay 50% less for the same services. Nielsen called the request “unprecedented.” It warned that granting it would “open the door” to other “improper and frivolous requests” from ratings subscribers.
“At bottom, Cumulus and Nielsen are in a run-of-the-mill pricing dispute,” the filing states. “The fact that Cumulus — a company with $700 million in revenue and $90 million cash on hand — would prefer this Court to impose on Nielsen a partial contract reflecting Cumulus’ preferred pricing is insufficient reason for the court to award the requested relief.”
Cumulus, in an antitrust lawsuit filed in October, asked the court to block Nielsen from tying access to national radio ratings data to the purchase of separate local ratings data. The broadcaster called the practice a “textbook abuse of monopoly power,” arguing it prevents stations from freely choosing local ratings providers. The suit cites a 36% increase in Westwood One’s national ratings data in 2022. It also points to ongoing price hikes tied to Nielsen’s policy linking national and local products.
According to Inside Radio, Nielsen insists the dispute is not about monopoly power but is instead a case of “lawfare,” with Cumulus attempting to leverage antitrust claims to obtain lower pricing.
The filing also addresses Cumulus’s evolving claims of harm. Nielsen argues the broadcaster raised the threat of an “existential” risk only after litigation had begun. The company notes it was never disclosed during contract negotiations or to investors. This is despite the broadcaster reporting earnings during the dispute.
Nielsen defended its tying policy as both logical and necessary, stating that national data cannot exist without local reports. The company added that the approach prevents “free riding.” It ensures revenue aligns with costs and this helps keep its audio measurement service sustainable.
Nielsen also rejected the notion that the policy blocks competitors such as Eastlan, citing evidence that the firm has entered 18 new markets over the past year, including five between September and December alone. Nielsen emphasized that antitrust laws protect competition, not individual competitors.
Unless the court acts sooner, Cumulus Media’s ratings contract with Nielsen is scheduled to expire Dec. 31. U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas could rule on the injunction request in the coming days.
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UC San Diego has secured a new broadcast home for its rapidly rising basketball program. The university has entered a multi-year agreement with 97.3 The Fan, an Audacy station in San Diego, to air more than a dozen Tritons men’s and women’s basketball games for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. As part of the deal, 97.3 The Fan becomes the exclusive over-the-air radio home of UC San Diego basketball, with all broadcasts also streaming on the free Audacy app.
The partnership expands the Tritons’ reach across the San Diego market. The basketball program has continued to gain momentum following a historic transition to Division I competition.
“We are thrilled to partner with Audacy and 97.3 The Fan to air Tritons basketball games throughout San Diego for the remainder of this season and beyond,” UC San Diego Athletics Director Andy Fee said in a statement. “Our teams play a fun brand of basketball the entire San Diego community can get behind. We can’t wait to showcase Tritons basketball on San Diego’s number one sports station starting Thursday night.”
Veteran broadcasters Steve Quis and Ted Mendenhall will handle play-by-play duties for the broadcasts. They will be joined on women’s game coverage by analyst Madison Baxter. She is a recent UC San Diego graduate, with presence adding a Triton perspective to the call.
The 2025-26 broadcast schedule includes all remaining Big West men’s road games. It also features a pair of UC San Diego women’s regular-season contests. In addition, 97.3 The Fan will carry Tritons postseason basketball. The station will provide live coverage of both teams as they defend their conference titles at The Big West Championship in March.
For 97.3 The Fan, the agreement marks a first.
“We are proud to establish this landmark partnership with UC San Diego. Marking the first time 97.3 The Fan will serve as the exclusive broadcast home for Tritons basketball,” said Adam Klug, brand manager for 97.3 The Fan. “The program’s seamless transition to Division I and its continued dominance on the court is a story San Diego fans want to hear. This collaboration reinforces our unwavering commitment to being the city’s premier destination for live and local sports.”
UC San Diego’s rise has been swift. Last season, the Tritons became the first program in NCAA Division I history to win conference titles. Plus compete in the NCAA Tournament in their first year with postseason eligibility. That success helped elevate the program’s profile locally and nationally, creating new opportunities for expanded media coverage.
We’ve partnered with UC San Diego to bring more than a dozen @ucsdmbb and @ucsdwbb games to our air this season! Tune in Thursday at 7 pm as the Triton men visit Cal Poly. The Big West Champs play here! pic.twitter.com/rIXC8XELqV
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Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin built his reputation on making big plays when they mattered most. Now, the Pro Football Hall of Famer is looking to make an impact in a different arena. The former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver announced that he is launching his own production company, Playmaker Production Group, marking the next chapter in a career that has already spanned elite success on the field and in sports media.
Irvin shared the news in a video posted to social media, where he outlined his vision for the company and the type of content he hopes to create. The former ESPN and NFL Network analyst said the venture will allow him to explore stories with greater depth and authenticity than traditional formats often allow.
“With my own production group, we get to dive a little deeper,” Irvin said in the video. “We are looking so forward to bringing you those great, authentic stories. Stories that will raise you up, stories that will make you think. Some that may even drop a tear.”
The move feels like a natural evolution for Irvin, who has spent years transitioning from star athlete to respected broadcaster. Since retiring from the NFL, he has become a prominent media personality. He works on ESPN and the NFL Network. He also appears on various radio and digital platforms. His passion for the game and strong opinions have helped him connect with audiences.
Irvin’s credibility in storytelling is rooted in one of the most accomplished careers in NFL history. A three-time Super Bowl champion with the Cowboys during the 1990s dynasty era, he was known for his physical style of play, clutch performances and leadership in big moments. Over 12 seasons in Dallas, Irvin totaled 11,904 receiving yards, 65 touchdowns and 750 receptions, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Those experiences, both triumphant and challenging, appear central to the mission of Playmaker Production Group. Irvin did not reveal specific projects or distribution partners. However, his comments suggest a focus on human-centered narratives. That approach goes beyond surface-level sports coverage. Known as “The Playmaker” during his career, he now aims to apply that mindset. He wants to shape stories that resonate beyond the football field.
Details on Playmaker Production Group’s first projects are expected to be announced at a later date.
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A viral video alleging widespread fraud involving abandoned day care centers in Minnesota by conservative online influencer Nick Shirley has drawn national attention. This prompted public comments from FBI Director Kash Patel and Vice President JD Vance as federal investigators continue probing misuse of social services funds in the state.
The video shows Shirley visiting several Minnesota day care facilities that he claims are licensed, funded and approved to care for dozens of children but appear vacant or nonoperational. The 42-minute video has generated more than 126 million views on X, quickly becoming a flashpoint in the broader debate surrounding fraud within Minnesota’s public assistance programs.
Vance praised the video’s impact, posting on social media that Shirley “has done far more useful journalism than any of the winners of the 2024 Pulitzer prizes.” Two days later, Patel confirmed the FBI was aware of the allegations and had expanded investigative resources in the state.
“The FBI believes this is just the tip of a very large iceberg,” Patel said in a public statement. “We will continue to follow the money and protect children, and this investigation very much remains ongoing.”
Shirley’s work has drawn much reaction on social media from news figures in radio, television, and media alike. Here are some of their reactions to the video itself, and the fallout that could come hereafter.
🚨 Here is the full 42 minutes of my crew and I exposing Minnesota fraud, this might be my most important work yet. We uncovered over $110,000,000 in ONE day. Like it and share it around like wildfire! Its time to hold these corrupt politicians and fraudsters accountable
Not only is MSNBC ignoring the massive Somali fraud in Minnesota, they’re claiming the Trump Administration is “weaponizing” federal agencies to investigate it.
Analyst Mara Gay says this shouldn't be a priority and that Somalis are being "scapegoated" to serve the "far right"… pic.twitter.com/WF9GOXmOOR
Where was the Minneapolis Star Tribune on the Somali mass fraud scandal? Too busy supporting Tim Walz’s radical trans agenda to bother doing what a 23-year-old took the time to do & break the biggest fraud story in the country?
Big announcement: starting Monday, January 5, 2026, my show will originate from the Erick Erickson Show and Childcare Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The revenue is too good to pass up.
23-year-old YouTuber in a hoodie just did more in a day to expose massive Somali-Democrat fraud than the Minnesota media, CNN, NY Times, DOJ, FBI, DHS and the entire cast of 60 Minutes combined.
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2025 was a pivotal year for the news/talk radio industry. There was no contentious or wildly unpredictable election cycle to buoy the medium. Yet, the industry saw many highs, while also experiencing some of the lowest of lows following the murder of Charlie Kirk.
Here are Barrett Media’s top 5 news radio stories of 2024.
#5 –KMOX, WBT Get Full FM Signals
2025 was a year that was largely quiet on the local radio front. There weren’t many earth-shattering stories that we’ve seen in years past about high-profile departures, retirements of local titans, or the like.
But one of the largest stories was the addition of full-market FM signals for heritage brands like KMOX in St. Louis and WBT in Charlotte.
In St. Louis, KMOX added an FM simulcast on 104.1 FM. Previously, the station was heard on an FM translator at 98.7 FM in the market. However, beginning on Monday, March 24th, the station began airing on 104.1 FM. Additionally, KMOX also continues to air on 1120 AM.
The station’s move from its 250-watt FM translator to a full-fledged 50,000-watt FM signal coincided with the start of the Major League Baseball season. KMOX has long served as the radio flagship of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Meanwhile, in Charlotte, WBT moved from the 99.3 FM signal to 107.9 FM for full-market coverage.
The 99.3 FM dial position is equipped with 7,700 watts of power and is licensed to Chester, South Carolina, which is roughly 50 miles southwest of Charlotte. Its signal covers the southern and western suburbs of the city, but struggles to penetrate Charlotte proper.
The 107.9 FM signal — which previously hosted the Mix 107.9 brand — features 100,000 watts of power, and is licensed to Charlotte. It is the most powerful signal at the Radio One Charlotte cluster.
With the move to the 107.9 FM signal, WBT programming is slated to leave the 1110 AM signal it has been featured on for more than 100 years.
#4 – Curtis Sliwa Leaves 77 WABC, Vows Never to Return After “Betrayal” From Hosts, Owner
Curtis Sliwa is a New York news/talk radio staple, spending decades working in the format. That came to an end in 2025, as he departed 77 WABC to run as the Republican candidate for Mayor.
But in the lead-up to the election, Sliwa vowed to never return to the brand after hosts like Greg Kelly, Dominic Carter, and Sid Rosenberg — in addition to station owner John Catsimatidis — called for him to drop out of the race in an effort to increase the chances of Andrew Cuomo defeating Zohran Mamdani.
“Let me just say, Sid, I am directing my comments to everybody at WABC,” Sliwa said. “They have said I’m selfish. Selfish? Are you out of your mind? … But that’s why you will never see me at the studios of WABC again, never, no matter how this election turns out.”
Sliwa added that he feels attacked by his colleagues.
“I feel personally offended by what my friends and colleagues, many of whom I trained at WABC, many of whom wouldn’t have a job at WABC without me, have done,” Sliwa said.
In the aftermath of his election loss, Sliwa has reiterated that he will never be heard on 77 WABC ever again, unless they’re reporting on a news item involving him. Most recently, he has served as a guest host on 710 WOR, filling in for The Mark Simone Show while its usual host is vacationing.
#3 –Dan Bongino Leaves Westwood One, Vince Coglianese Steps In
Plenty of news media figures announced they would join the second Trump Administration in the days following his election victory in late 2024. Few positions remained as the calendar flipped to 2025, but Dan Bongino secured a spot as Deputy Director of the FBI, leading to his exit from Westwood One.
In mid-March, Bongino bid farewell to his podcast and nationally syndicated radio show in a tearful goodbye.
“I want this on the record: Westwood One didn’t have to do this, folks. They didn’t,” said Bongino. “I’m not going to bore you with the details and be inappropriate, but I’m telling you right now, they couldn’t have been easier to work with. They were like, ‘You’re doing this for the country? We’re in.’ That was it. So anybody who tells you corporate America is a bunch of unkind, unfeeling (expletives)? You’re just wrong. You don’t live through what I live through.
“They couldn’t have handled this any nicer. Mary Berner, who’s the CEO of the parent company, got a lovely email from her as well,” Bongino continued. “We haven’t always agreed on everything, but I really appreciate you guys understanding,” Bongino said, as he fought back tears, “I really appreciate you all understanding why, why I had to do this.”
Bongino tabbed 105.9 WMAL host Vince Coglianese to succeed him on the show. He called the situation “the most unusual exchange in media that you will ever see.”
“This is a jealous industry. This is an industry where — there’s some people who help each other out — for the most part, when a guy gets a job, usually somebody else has to lose it. That’s usually how that works.”
Following Bongino’s exit, questions arose if Vince Coglianese would be able to sustain the audience built in the decade-long run of the show. Metrics from places like Podtrac and Triton Digital continue to show the VINCE show as one of the most popular podcasts — regardless of genre — in the nation.
#2 –Rumors Surround Howard Stern’s Future with SiriusXM Ahead of Contract Extension
In August, a report surfaced stating that Howard Stern and SiriusXM were unlikely to reach a contract extension as the end of his current deal neared.
That, somehow, morphed into discussions that SiriusXM had cancelled Stern’s show because he had “gone woke.”
Well, neither of those things was ultimately true, as Stern signed a three-year extension earlier this month to remain with the satellite radio company.
SiriusXM leveraged the talk about Stern to its advantage, running promos stating that Howard Stern would address his future the morning following Labor Day. That day came and went, with Stern not appearing on his show as previously scheduled. That only intensified the rumors that his demise with the company was nearing its end.
Stern ultimately spoke on the situation on Monday, September 8th. But not before having a little fun first. To begin The Howard Stern Show on that date, colleague Andy Cohen hosted the first segment of the show, stating that Stern had left the company after more than 20 years.
““I know you’re expecting a big announcement from Howard, and this is not how things were meant to go,” Cohen said. “This was supposed to be a cleaner handoff. I’m kind of winging it,” adding that it was a “surreal morning.”
“I can’t overstate what Howard has meant to this company and what he did for SiriusXM. He walked so that we could run. I can’t possibly fill his void,” Cohen continued.
However, Stern appeared on the show to insinuate he had struck a new deal — which didn’t come completely to fruition until December — to remain on the show after noting that the comments surrounding him and the discussion of his diminishing stature in American life, whether or not he still “had it”, and if he had “gone woke” fueled him to return to his show.
With the contract extension, Howard Stern will remain with SiriusXM until 2028.
#1 – TheAssassination of Charlie Kirk
The assassination of Charlie Kirk might be the biggest story in all of 2025 in the United States, not just in news/talk radio. But it had a profound impact on the medium.
On September 10th, Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at a Turning Point USA event on the campus of Utah Valley University.
The killing set off a widespread chain of events, leading to all sorts of discussions about gun violence, political discourse, decorum, the place conspiracy theories hold in our collective culture, and other topics.
Charlie Kirk hosted The Charlie Kirk Show from 12-2 PM ET on Salem Radio Network, as well as another digital-only hour available on Real America’s Voice and YouTube, among other avenues. He had recently taken over affiliates from The Dennis Prager Show, which were moved to him after the network revealed that Prager would be unable to reassume his daily radio show.
In the wake of Kirk’s death, a slew of guest hosts — like Vice President JD Vance, Megyn Kelly, Glenn Beck, and Tucker Carlson — helmed the Salem Radio Network program. Furthermore, Kirk’s program saw a massive jump in the podcast rankings in the September and October figures from firms like Podtrac and Triton Digital.
Producers Andrew Kolvet and Blake Neff handled the majority of hosting duties in the weeks and months following Kirk’s murder. Ultimately, his show will be replaced in the Salem Radio Network lineup by the addition of Alex Marlow from 12-1 PM ET, and an expansion for The Scott Jennings Show — which joined the network’s offerings in 2025 — from 1-3 PM ET.
Hopefully, Barrett Media will never have to report on the assassination of another news/talk radio host. Charlie Kirk was only 31 years old. He is survived by his wife, Erika 00 who assumed his duties as CEO of Turning Point USA — and their two children.
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2025 was as eventful of a year as ever for the sports radio industry. While hires and layoffs again dominated many headlines, several industry shifts defined the year’s overall storyline. The sports radio landscape once again looks very different from where it started as comes to a close.
Barrett Media is looking back at sports radio’s top stories of 2025. The list is led by Dan Bernstein’s departure from 670 The Score in Chicago.
#5 – iHeartMedia Layoffs Force Format Flip at 97.3 The Game in Milwaukee
The fallout from layoffs is never easy. It’s difficult for staff from the management ranks down to the part-time board operators. However, the fallout from this year’s round of layoffs from iHeartMedia claimed one of the top sports radio brands in the company as Milwaukee’s 97.3 The Game flipped formats due to the round of layoffs within the market.
The first sign was the station cutting midday host Mike Heller in September after 25 years with the company. Then a month later, Barrett Media reported a format flip coming with the ongoing cuts with the company was near. 97.3 The Game served as the Green Bay Packers’ flagship station since 2022. Layoffs forced the station to flip to an Adult Contemporary format. The Packers broadcasts moved midseason to 95.7 Big-FM.
Program Director Tim Scott along with the highly rated morning show of Steve Czaban and Brian Butch were out. Several other hosts and producers also saw their name to the chopping block, while the remaining talent were subject to continue hosting shows for a YouTube audience and some coverage with the company’s Madison market.
Change leads to opportunity, which is what Audacy took advantage of with the hole that 97.3 The Game provided. The company formed the Wisconsin Sports Radio Network with Milwaukee’s 105.7 The Fan serving as the flagship, expanding reach into multiple markets where The Game was reached. It will be interesting to see how the Green Bay Packers radio rights move forward into 2026 and beyond. Good Karma Brands founder Craig Karmazin has expressed publicly he’d be interested in the rights returning to the company in the near future.
#4 – Westwood One Sports Adds Jim Rome, Takes Reins From Infinity Sports Network
When Audacy and Cumulus Media announced the merger of the Infinity Sports Network and the BetMGM Network to form Westwood One Sports, there was much speculation about the on air lineup. With the announcement coming just over two months before the targeted date of launch, many decisions had to be made and quickly.
One of those decisions was probably the easiest. Jim Rome was announced as the flagship afternoon drive show for the new network airing weekdays from 3pm-6pm est. The long standing successful program would serve as the face of the network as the other programming choices would have to be made.
As the partnership formed, Westwood One assumed programming and distribution for most syndicated sports shows. Audacy agreed to continue producing popular BetMGM Network programs on the new network. These include You Better You Bet with Nick Kostos and BetMGM Tonight. BetMGM remaind the presenting partner and the exclusive sportsbook partner of the BetMGM Network programs which made the new lineup.
Cumulus Media veteran programmer Bruce Gilbert then went to work. He hired former SportsRadio 610 program director Armen Williams to serve as the executive director of Westwood One Sports. The duo then sought out who would the new network house as their flagship weekday voices, taking a different approach instead of relying on much of the in house talent with the two former networks. The hires of Drake C. Toll in morning drive and middays with Chris Bleck and Adam Abdalla signaled a strategy based on not what has been, but what could be moving forward.
With the network officially launched as of yesterday, 2026 will be filled with storylines. They will focus on how Westwood One Sports bet on future growth over maintaining the industry’s status quo.
#3 – ESPN Radio Adds Rich Eisen
When Rich Eisen announced his return to ESPN in May of this year, many speculated if that would mean that ESPN Radio could also be a destination for the daily radio program. The original announcement only contained mentions of the show streaming on the upcoming ESPN direct-to-consumer platform and Disney+. Yet news of an official addition of Eisen to the radio network had still yet to be determined.
Then the summer came, and Eisen was returning fully to his home. ESPN rolled out the red carpet as Rich Eisen could be heard right in time for football season on ESPN Radio in addition to SiriusXM, and seen Disney+ and ESPN+ beginning in the fall. Since Mike Greenberg departed his radio show earlier this year, there were questions surrounding the focus of the radio network for the company. Many asked if ESPN Radio meant anything anymore as some of the biggest names in sports media have found other terrain to conquer after leaving the network.
The addition of Eisen to the ESPN Radio lineup was a loud response, and many major markets bought in. ESPN Chicago added Eisen to the lineup in a two-hour block. That was followed by ESPN Los Angeles keeping all three hours of Eisen in the second largest market of the country. ESPN New York and ESPN Cleveland were next in line. It was an all out assault to get Rich Eisen in as many markets as possible as the returning champion of the network came home. The marketing muscle of ESPN was in full swing with Eisen’s return coinciding with the launch of the network’s direct-to-consumer app.
Now, the questions that once surrounded the network have ceased. Eisen has become the face of what ESPN Radio’s current generation can hold up against its competitors. For the first time in over two decades, he found himself at home. He was in a better situation than when he had left it.
#2 – Craig Carton Returns to WFAN for Third Time, Major Lineup Shuffle Follows
When Breakfast Ball on FS1 was cancelled, the sports radio hot stove began to heat up. Craig Carton, who departed WFAN in 2022 for FOX Sports, was once again a free agent. Even though he was still signed with FOX Sports and was pivoting to continue his working relationship with the company, rumors began swirling about a third return to the station that he twice dominated in the ratings and headlines.
After months of speculation, rumor became reality. Craig Carton was returning to WFAN for a third time. He will continue producing his own podcast with Red Seat Ventures and FOX Sports. The news came as a surprise to no one. Even those who said it would not happen believed it eventually would. The decision itself to bring back Carton however had ripple effects on the rest of the WFAN lineup. With Carton already succeeding in two dayparts, questions emerged about how the lineup would take shape. There were also concerns about potential casualties resulting from the move.
Brandon Tierney and Sal Licata ended up in the end as the on-air casualties of the roster addition, and handled their exit with extreme class. WFAN announced that Evan Roberts and Tiki Barber would shift from afternoon drive to middays. Carton would move into afternoons with new co-host Chris McMonigle. The station worked with Tierney and Licata to ensure a professional exit. This allowed the two talents to leave on their own terms. A rare occurrence in the industry, but one that both took seriously and executed flawlessly.
Moving into 2026, WFAN begins the year with the second different on air lineup in the last three years. It will be notable to see if the addition of Carton breathes new life into the radio station that has been destination sports radio for New York City sports fans for generations.
#1 – Dan Bernstein Fired From 670 The Score
Without a doubt, the biggest sports radio story this year involved the firing of longtime 670 The Score host Dan Bernstein. After 30 years with Chicago’s sports talk leader, Bernstein was removed following a social media exchange. The incident involved a follower on Twitter, now known as X. Bernstein posted a photo of himself catching a large fish with the caption, “This was a helluva fight.” A follower claimed the fish was a pregnant northern pike. The user criticized Bernstein for killing it.
That reply sparked a contentious argument on the platform between Bernstein and the follower over the criticism of the photo. As the exchange escalated, Bernstein threatened the follower. As a result, he was suspended for a week and then fired. Bernstein was also removed from the board of directors of Camp One Step, a charity that provides camp experiences for children battling cancer.
Bernstein’s removal was celebrated by some, including Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy. It also was seen as an unfortunate moment where talent should use the incident to reconsider their approach to connection with social media. After over three decades, 670 The Score was on the hunt for a new lead host to retain the audience impact that Bernstein left behind and push forward into a new era for the radio station. Ultimately, Bernstein’s former co-hosts in Leila Rahimi and Marshall Harris were selected to take the reigns in April.
Bernstein remained quiet, never speaking out following his dismissal from his longtime home. Then over the summer, Bernstein announced his return. Not to the Chicago sports radio airwaves, but for an exclusive and unfiltered approach to a podcast called Dan Bernstein: Unfilitered.
He rejoined longtime executive producer Matt Abbatacola. Together, they became the destination podcast for Hubbard Radio under the 312 Sports network umbrella. Bernstein used the debut episode to break his silence on his exit from 670 The Score. Taking accountability, and sharing in his journey of therapy and self reflection. Using the unfortunate moment of the spring to turn a new leaf and find what he long missed about a love for sports and talking about sports.
The Dan Bernstein firing saga dominated attention across the industry. It was an easy choice as the top sports radio story of 2025.
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