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Scotty Kay Loves Radio and Its One-On-One Connection

Jeff Lynn
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Scotty Kay Loves Radio and Its One-On-One Connection

Scotty Kay is a busy man. He hosts afternoons at US99 Chicago, 102.9 The Wolf Minneapolis, 107.7/104.7 The Wolf Buffalo, and a weekend Country show that airs across the Audacy Country footprint.

Kay was born in Chicago and has a multimedia background, appearing in Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance” and having been named four times one of the best live entertainers in the nation by DJ Times Magazine.

His peers voted Kay an honoree in the 2024 Barrett Media Top 20 Country radio shows.

Kay was born into a life with entertainment in his blood.

“I live this life where I believe you don’t have to be one thing, right? You can be many different things, and that kind of runs in my family, too. My mom was very musical, had entertainment in her blood, and my dad was into sports and athletes.”

“I had a little bit of both and followed the path of my brother, who is a big entertainer, and he was always a dancer. I always thought that everybody has this unique ability to make people happy, and it’s our responsibility to use it as much as we can. So, the entertainment field was very appealing to me from the beginning.”

How does Kay keep things relevant for audiences in three distinct markets?

“That’s a great question. It’s a lot of research. I think you’ve got to do diligence and dive in. I’m trying to dial into what is going on in the city. With social media and the internet, you can do that.” 

“You can dive in and see what’s really going on, but then to really get some of the nuance of the city as well, that comes from interacting. For me, it’s not about sounding local. It’s about being local.”

“Every city has its unique personality. What it comes down to is relatability in our stories. That’s what makes people connect with us the most. As long as I’m true to my story and who I am, I think that other people will relate, no matter where they are in the country. It’s not necessarily about our location, but it’s about our connectivity as humans.”

Does the big tent party, which is Country music, help bridge generational and geographical boundaries?

“Country music is a great example of the fact that so many walks of life listen to it. Even alone, just in Chicago, when you talk about being local, every area is different. It might as well be different cities that we’re talking to. In the Country music world, I think you have demographics. You have people who are very, very well off, people who are in low-income situations, and farmers.”

“You have people who are urban hustle and bustle. I think that transcends into almost any city. I’ve realized, even living in the South, that has been true to every single city I’ve been in. I think it just comes back to relating as a human being.”

Kay believes that sharing and being vulnerable with his audience is essential.

“It’s the most important part of the show. It’s your story. The only thing you have that’s unique to you. Everybody can read prep, news, or pop culture, but nobody has your story. I think the vulnerability part is really important. For me, it’s an interesting thing because I’ve built trust with my listeners.”

“I don’t have a co-host. So, to tell these vulnerable stories, sometimes you’re talking to a stranger who I have on the phone. But if you are open enough and you build that trust with them, they’re there for you at the same time. I ask people to share their stories. I do probably the most interactive afternoon show in the country.”

Who has had the biggest influence on his career?

“I have to start with Ty Bentli. He’s one of my closest friends in the world. I’ve given this answer many times, but he’s somebody that I watched when I first got into radio, and I watched him connect with listeners in a way that I’ve never seen anybody else do it.”

“Even listening to the radio growing up, I heard it and the connection, but then to watch how he did it on and off the air was special. Then he and I became very close friends, and the rest is history for him and me and our friendship.”

“The other one was my first PD, in Chicago, Rick Gillette. He’s a guy that, for some reason, saw something in me and challenged me to continue to get better and better and better after I annoyed him probably every day by dropping tapes on his desk.”

“But he was somebody who took a chance and nurtured the natural ability to be an entertainer in me and figured out how to be my best self on the air and help me with that. Those are two guys who, early on, helped me.

In talking to Kay, it is clear that he enjoys being live in front of an audience.

“That’s where I started with the live entertainment world. That’s what I love. I love that personal connection. I love being able to have a face-to-face conversation with somebody. To be able to create moments for people live in front of them and have this personal connection, there’s nothing like it.”

“I’ve been in front of five people to in front of a hundred thousand people. It’s the space where I’m the most comfortable because I feel like I can talk to one person at a time, even if there are a hundred thousand people in front of me. There’s nothing like it for me.”

The other thing that jumps out when talking to Kay is his love of radio.

“I just really love radio, and sometimes I over-romanticize it. One of my best friends does a morning show in St. Louis, “The Bret Mega Show.” (Y98 St. Louis) He and I talk all the time about the connection we can have and the power of radio. I truly still believe in the power of radio. And you see it, and you hear it.”

“There’s so much talk about how people don’t call the radio stations anymore. He and I are two people who never have empty phones. If you do it right, you can really make a connection with people.”

“I just encourage people who want to get into radio to block out all the chatter that it’s a dying medium. If you do it right, it’s 100% the opposite of everything else out there. Podcast, TV, Spotify, streaming, it’s a connection that they don’t have and can’t ever have. I have a soft spot in my heart for radio. So, it’s there.”

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

How Boston’s Jarren Duran Fan Interaction Brought Out a Justified Response From Sports Media

John Molori
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How Boston’s Jarren Duran Fan Interaction Brought Out a Justified Response From Sports Media

This past week, as the Boston Red Sox were playing the Guardians in Cleveland, Boston outfielder Jarren Duran got into a shouting match with a Cleveland fan. The incident hit at the heart of fan-athlete interaction. According to media personalities on the scene and eyewitnesses, the fan yelled to Duran that he should have killed himself when he had the chance. The backstory here is that on an episode of the Netflix docuseries The Clubhouse: A Year with the Red Sox, Duran revealed that he actually attempted suicide due to his 2021 and 2022 on-field struggles.

The Cleveland fan’s comments were met with universal media disdain. Will Middlebrooks, a Red Sox game and studio analyst for NESN, decried the remarks as “inexcusable.” I was watching the game live and when the commotion on the field commenced, Red Sox play-by-play announcer Dave O’Brien wondered what had transpired. It was NESN sideline reporter Jahmai Webster who offered a first-hand explanation.

Stationed adjacent to the Red Sox dugout, Webster reported that a fan seated in the front row bellowed something to Duran that, in Webster’s words, “crossed the line.” So, just what and where is that line between those who play the games and those who watch them play the games? And moreover, what role does multimedia play in creating or stretching this line?

Fans do pay exorbitant amounts of money to attend games, and there is an inherent right to heckle or chide opposing or hometown players. At some point, however, there is an invisible line that should not be crossed, and that is the problem — it truly is invisible. In the Duran situation, Webster’s live explanation was vague but did show the value of a good sideline reporter. In short, he heard and saw what the broadcasters in the booth could not hear and see.

Part of this issue is about the times in which we live. With the lightning-fast, widespread growth of social media, many fans and onlookers have imposed themselves on the world of sports media. In truth, they have developed an exaggerated view of themselves. In the long past, you needed a degree, experience, or at least an actual job to be considered a media personality. Now, all you need is a mobile device. Some of these newly minted social media stars are excellent, with as much entertainment value and talent as longtime media pros. What many of them have is exposure; what many of them lack is accountability.

The Duran incident hardly stands alone in the annals of fan-athlete confrontations. Sport is an extremely passionate and emotional endeavor for both fans and players. Visit YouTube and you’ll see this emotion. There was the Malice at the Palace in 2004, when a fan tossed a drink at Indiana’s Ron Artest, inciting a Pacers-Pistons brawl that migrated into the stands. Growing up in Boston, I vividly remember Fenway fans tossing batteries at Reggie Jackson in right field and Cedric Maxwell going into the stands at the Spectrum in Philadelphia responding to fan abuse in Game 6 of the 1981 Eastern Conference Finals. Perhaps the most brutal example occurred in 1979, when members of the Boston Bruins literally climbed over the glass and went into the stands to battle New York Ranger fans at Madison Square Garden. The violent altercation was highlighted — or lowlighted — by Boston’s Mike Milbury beating a fan with that fan’s own shoe.

This past Tuesday, it continued with Tyrese Haliburton’s father, John Haliburton, getting in Giannis Antetokounmpo’s face on the court after Indiana eliminated Milwaukee in the NBA Playoffs.

The old argument that fans pay their money and have a right to say whatever they want is matched by the similarly ancient belief that the media congratulates such behavior. Certainly, SportsCenter and other sports news and analysis shows discuss and run video of fan-athlete confrontations, but that’s part of the job. It’s news. Can such exposure egg on other fans to act out their own vitriol? Yes, but only if those other fans are morons.

The late artist Andy Warhol is credited with the quote, “In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes,” and it was prophetic. We live a life on video. Cameras are everywhere. You can be a completely unknown person one day and be a “celebrity” on Dancing with the Stars the next. All it takes is the right clip, reel, or moment caught on video. It’s all about hits, views, and followers. This is not a lament — it’s a fact.

I don’t know Jarren Duran, but I do know that it took a lot of balls to open up on a national production and share the deeply personal struggles that he experienced a couple of years ago. Many athletes have done the same thing in recent years, including NBA stars Kevin Love and DeMar DeRozan. Others like Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, Tom Brady, Naomi Osaka, and Maxx Crosby have publicly discussed mental health and wellness on a number of platforms. Aaron Rodgers catches a lot of flak for his darkness retreats, meditation, and self-love practices, but the dude knows who he is and has shared his journey.

Duran himself has seen the other side of the fan-athlete saga played out in the media. Last season he came under fire for responding to a heckling fan with a homophobic slur. The response was actually picked up live by NESN’s audio. Duran was subsequently suspended for two games and issued an apology for his insensitive choice of words.

In the wake of the Cleveland incident, reaction was swift and direct. When Yankees star Cody Bellinger was asked about the fan in question, he responded, “Ban him. It’s definitely not cool. We’re good at what we do and we’re at the highest level, but we’re all human beings with emotions and feelings. It was hard to hear what that fan said to Duran.”

Newly hired NESN general sports reporter Alanna Rizzo, formerly of MLB Network’s High Heat with Christopher Russo and a fine commentator for Dodgers Territory, Foul Territory TV, and SportsNet, offered a direct lambasting of the Guardians’ fan. A.J. Pierzynski joined Rizzo on the Foul Territory TV discussion and criticized the fan while lauding Duran for sharing his dark times on Netflix. Pierzynski’s words carry weight because both as a player and a media personality on FOX and other outlets, he is the complete opposite of a prude. For this outspoken dude to find something offensive carries a lot of weight.

The media often uses social issues to mount their high horses, seeking some holier-than-thou high moral ground. In the case of what happened in Cleveland, however, the response is justified. At one time or another, we all offer critical words toward athletes, whether in person or via social media, but most of us maintain a healthy distance from the edge. That line that fans should not approach remains invisible — but when it is crossed, the ignorance is in full view.

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.

ABC News Interview With Donald Trump Shows Why News Outlets Should Quit Him Cold Turkey

BNM Staff
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ABC News Interview With Donald Trump Shows Why News Outlets Should Quit Him Cold Turkey

The ABC News interview between Terry Moran and Donald Trump on his first 100 days in office emphatically demonstrated why the networks should stop interviewing him live, or live to tape, and with conditions that include no editing or fact-checking. 

The Tuesday night interview with Terry Moran was filled with inaccuracies, exaggerations, and outright lies. A torrent of propaganda and distortion that Moran valiantly tried to correct by including facts in the questions.  Example, on tariffs: Moran said “It’ll raise prices on everything from electronics to clothing to building houses.” Trump said, “You don’t know that. You don’t know whether or not China’s gonna eat it.”

I’ve known and worked with Terry Moran for 20 years. He is an experienced, solid reporter who did his homework. He covered the Bush White House, Europe as chief foreign correspondent, and then came home to replace me as Senior National Correspondent in Washington D.C. when I left the White House. The problem, in this case was not the interviewer, its with his bosses.

According to Trump, the President was given the right to pick which correspondent would do the interview, choosing Moran, who he claimed he had never heard of. But also avoiding George Stephanapolous — the best political reporter ABC has to offer — because he had sued him, David Muir — the lead anchor — and Linsey Davis — the weekend anchor — presumably because they fact-checked him during the ABC News-sponsored campaign debate. Oh, and Rachel Scott, whom he had insulted repeatedly during the campaign.  

Allowing the interviewee to pick the interviewer violates the ABC News standards I worked under during my two decades of service there. Other violations? Agreeing to no fact-checks or analysis during or after the interview.  

Moran’s hands were effectively tied by corporate decisions, made way above his pay grade.  

There are those who say Trump would have walked out of the interview if Moran challenged him on facts. In fact, the President threatened several times to walk out. I say let him. It would vividly demonstrate his unwillingness to face tough questioning.

Critics also complain that ABC News had to agree to terms that violate their standards or else Donald Trump would not have agreed to the interview, period. And again, I say let him.

In fact, mainstream, legitimate television networks should not ask or agree to interviews with Donald Trump with preconditions that allow him to spew falsehoods to millions of people. CBS News made that brave decision just before the election, asking Trump and Kamala Harris to be interviewed separately for the same program but with no preconditions. Harris sat down and faced 60 Minutes, while Trump did not appear. The show went on without him.  

It’s not that his voice won’t be heard after all. Fox News will continue to interview him and so will other right wing outlets who do not challenge or fact-check him. Let his ‘friendly” outlets continue to provide the President with an unfiltered message. Respectable news organizations should not bend their standards for access. It’s a decision that damages their reputations as independent, first amendment protected members of the free press.  

The plain fact of the matter is, if you want to hear lies, such as Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s knuckles bearing the tattoo representing MS-13 — when experts agree the image Trump continues to show and refer to has been photoshopped — Fox News, Newsmax, or Breitbart will provide it unchallenged with facts.

Or the lie that other countries flooded our borders with inmates released from jail and mental patients from their facilities, when no expert on immigration has heard of any such policies.

Or that the U.S. is losing “$2 trillion a year on trade,” says the President, when it’s actually less than half that at $92 billion.  

In the past, when a president wanted to speak, the networks made room, even in primetime. And if a president wanted to be interviewed or agreed to an interview, it had to be unconditional. Something Trump will not agree to. This President has made a practice of breaking norms. CBS News, ABC News, NBC News and even CNN should break the norm of Presidential access and say no to Donald Trump. Something he doesn’t hear often, but would benefit from. 

Unless a news organization is willing to real-time fact-check, or at least deliver analysis after the interview, two things unacceptable to President Trump: let him walk away. The general public and mainstream audiences are better off letting him walk. 

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

How the Local Advertising Market Has Been Affected by Trump Administration Tariffs

Garrett Searight
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How the Local Advertising Market Has Been Affected by Trump Administration Tariffs

Early last month, President Donald Trump announced an increase in tariffs against a variety of nations. There’s a long way to connect the dots between those tariffs and local advertising, but they can be connected.

Members of plenty of industries have become reticent in recent weeks over the tariffs and what they could mean for their businesses. Fears of a recession have grown recently, which has led to some apprehension from advertisers.

“With tariffs imposed on Chinese imports, EU goods, and Japanese products, local businesses may feel compelled to reduce their advertising budgets to manage increased costs,” BIA Advisory Services Director of Data Services and Client Relations Mark Dugan wrote in a recent blog post.

Those comments come after the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) released data that showed 60% of advertisers are forecasting a 6-10% decrease in their marketing budgets due to tariff-related fears.

“Such a shift could reduce overall ad spending, strengthen the focus on performance-based campaigns, and move toward digital channels that provide better measurement capabilities,” Dugan argued.

One industry that could be widely affected by the Trump tariffs — which in turn could affect local advertising — is the furniture business. During his first administration, Donald Trump placed a 10% tariff on certain materials that raised the cost of furniture prices by an estimated 2.3%. Furniture retailers are often large local advertisers, and could feel the pinch once again if the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration continue.

After the tariffs were announced in early April, a report noted that activity levels at Chinese factories fell to a virtual two-year low during the month. The Trump administration placed a 145% tariff on Chinese imports.

During a conversation with President Trump on Tuesday evening, ABC News senior national correspondent Terry Moran noted that the tariffs were likely to drive the price of homebuilding up.

While Trump rebuffed that argument, those in the real estate development industry have cited rising costs of imported materials as a likely driver of increased building prices. Hardware and home improvement retailers are expecting to see price increases of at least 10% in certain departments. Additionally, major appliance manufacturers have cited that Asian manufacturing hubs, seeing a tariff increase, will likely raise prices on their machines.

Those same materials used in home building and appliances are often also used in physical advertising like billboards and signage.

Those industries aren’t alone, however. The National Restaurant Association has shared that its members can expect a $12 billion impact in 2025 due to supply chain issues due to the tariffs.

“For instance, Chipotle’s dependence on Mexican avocados—accounting for 50% of its supply—highlights this vulnerability,” BIA Advisory Services Senior Research Analyst Suzanne Ackley noted.

While there is some concern about the tariffs and the impact they could have on local advertisers, BIA Advisory Services believes that there’s still a way for local media entities — especially the local radio, television, and digital companies — can find revenue success in spite of the turmoil.

“As businesses confront these challenges, innovative advertising strategies that maximize return on investment (ROI) will be more critical than ever,” Dugan posited. “It will be essential to evaluate which advertising channels may become more effective under tariff pressures and to implement these strategies successfully.”

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.

Bill Belichick Issues Statement on ‘CBS Sunday Morning’ Interview

BSM Staff
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Bill Belichick Issues Statement on ‘CBS Sunday Morning’ Interview

Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is speaking out for the first time since Sunday’s airing of an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, where the former NFL head coach was asked about his relationship with 24-year-old Jordon Hudson. During the interview that aired on CBS, Belichick was asked about the backstory on how the two met, which led Hudson to interrupt the interview taping, saying that would not be discussed in the interview.

After the airing, the viral moment made headwinds around the country, as Hudson has been criticized for her role portrayed in the interview on CBS. In a development that followed, Wednesday morning brought a report from The New York Times stating that Hudson “played an instrumental role in stopping the production, related to her request to be heavily involved” in a potential taping of the NFL Films series Hard Knocks surrounding the University of North Carolina football program, where Belichick now works.

Later that same day, Wednesday afternoon, Belichick attempted to clear the air by releasing a statement through the University of North Carolina.

“I agreed to speak with CBS Sunday Morning to promote my new book, ‘The Art of Winning – Lessons from My Life in Football.’ Prior to this interview, I clearly communicated with my publicist at Simon & Schuster that any promotional interviews I participated in would agree to focus solely on the contents of the book,” Belichick stated. “Unfortunately, that expectation was not honored during the interview.”

Furthermore, Belichick expressed his surprise regarding unrelated topics to the book that were asked during the interview, which he says was repeatedly communicated to CBS reporter Tony Dokoupil and the production staff. Moreover, he defended how Hudson handled herself during the taping of the interview when the requests were not met, according to Belichick.

“After this occurred several times, Jordon, with whom I share both a personal and professional relationship, stepped in to reiterate that point to help refocus the discussion,” Belichick wrote. “She was not deflecting any specific question or topic but simply doing her job to ensure the interview stayed on track.”

The former Patriots head coach expressed that he feels the interview was selectively edited to suggest a false narrative.

“It presents selectively edited clips and stills from just a few minutes of the interview to suggest a false narrative – that Jordon was attempting to control the conversations – which is simply not true,” wrote Belichick.

CBS News released a statement of their own regarding claims that Belichick’s wishes for the interview were not met.

Since joining the network in 2016, Dokoupil has interviewed a variety of major artists, entertainers, and newsmakers, among them First Lady Hillary Clinton, comedy legend Steve Martin, and music superstars Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt.

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.

CRS360 Addresses ‘Cultivating Awesome: Practical Steps To A Thriving Workplace’

BMM Staff
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CRS360 Addresses ‘Cultivating Awesome: Practical Steps To A Thriving Workplace’

The latest installment of the Country Radio Seminar’s CRS360, “Cultivating Awesome: Practical Steps To A Thriving Workplace,” examines team building in remote, hybrid, and in-person settings.

In the ever-evolving landscape of workplace dynamics, discussions are focused on addressing generational differences, implementing effective leadership strategies, and adapting to the expectations of a modern workforce.

These conversations aim to provide practical solutions that managers and team leaders can implement immediately. They aim to enhance employee morale and boost overall performance while maintaining a strong company identity and accountability.

CRB Executive Director RJ Curtis said, “This examination of workplace culture was an important one at CRS this year, and our attendees ate it up, while demanding more. This CRS360 episode adds insights and ideas for building a positive, productive environment in a rapidly changing work dynamic.”

Audacy Denver Vice President of Brands and Talent Development Mike Peterson moderates the webinar. Panelists include BMG President of Frontline Recordings for The Americas Jon Loba, Dale Carnegie of Central Florida Managing Partner Allyn Walker, and Pamal Broadcasting Corporate Director of Operations and Programming Kevin Callahan.

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.

WBT Adds The TJ Ritchie Show to Evening Lineup

BNM Staff
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WBT Adds The TJ Ritchie Show to Evening Lineup

TJ Ritchie is a staple in the Charlotte market. That makes The TJ Ritchie Show joining the lineup at WBT a natural fit for the Radio One news/talk outlet.

WBT has announced that Ritchie will join the outlet from 7-9 PM beginning on Tuesday, May 27th. The program will replace Breaking with Brett Jensen and the first hour of The Mark Levin Show in the station’s lineup.

Ritchie joins after spending more than 30 years in the market as part of the Ace & TJ Show, which was also in national syndication for 25 years. The show was heard on K104.7 in the market before being dropped after the departure of longtime co-host Ace Cannon. The TJ & Riggins Show

“This is something I’ve always wanted to do, and getting to do it on the legendary WBT is such a thrill,” TJ Ritchie said. “The timing is perfect because there are so many people who are just starting to become interested in the political landscape of our culture. Being ‘America’s Coolest Conservative,’ I’ll be able to engage them with a high-energy, fun, and humorous show. It’s going to be spectacular. All of that AND I get to keep my day job!”

“TJ’s history of compelling, hilarious and engaging radio combined with his commitment to advertisers’ success speaks for itself,” added Radio One Charlotte Vice President and General Manager Marsha Landess.  “Bringing him into the WBT and Radio One Charlotte family is a win-win for everyone. I am so pleased that The TJ Ritchie Show will have a home on WBT!”

According to the station, Ritchie’s show will discuss daily news and politics in Charlotte, and will be “delivered with the razor-sharp wit and humor that TJ is known for.”

“WBT’s history of night-time programming boasts some of radio’s biggest names – Bob Lacey, ‘Hello’ Henry Boggan, and ‘Charlotte’s Most Beloved,’ John Hancock,” said WBT Program Director Mike Schaefer. “When the opportunity to add TJ to that list presented itself, there was nothing to think about besides a start date. We are beyond excited for TJ to bring entertaining late, live, and local programming back to Charlotte on WBT!”  

Charles Barkley: ‘The Clowns at ESPN, They Always Make Me Laugh’

BSM Staff
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Charles Barkley: ‘The Clowns at ESPN, They Always Make Me Laugh’

Concurrent with the settlement of a lawsuit filed by Warner Bros. Discovery against the National Basketball Association, the media conglomerate reached a deal with The Walt Disney Company to sublicense its award-winning Inside the NBA studio program to ESPN and ABC beginning next season. Charles Barkley, who has been a studio analyst for TNT Sports since 2000, has been candid in delivering his thoughts on the matter, frequently appearing on the Dan Patrick Show and recently divulging that he learned about the deal from ESPN employees welcoming him to the network. Barkley also indicated that he and his colleagues were taping the pilot for a new show with TNT Sports, although he was not sure exactly what they would be doing.

Barkley appeared on the Dan Patrick Show on Wednesday morning and was asked about the Los Angeles Lakers to begin the interview. The team is currently one loss away from being eliminated, which would conclude the first season featuring the star duo of forward LeBron James and guard Luka Dončić. Upon mentioning how he did not evince the Lakers being good six weeks ago, Barkley mentioned ESPN and how the company talks about the franchise.

“This is not the Lakers’ year, and people think I [am] hating on the Lakers,” said Barkley. “I told you, I said, ‘Lakers aren’t a good team,’ but ESPN was just swinging on them like they were damn King Kong.”

Patrick followed up later in the interview by asking if Dončić would want to stay with the Lakers, to which Barkley answered that he would probably be there for the rest of his career. Barkley then brought up the network for a third time, saying, “The clowns at ESPN, they always make me laugh.” Patrick clarified with Barkley that he was going to be working there in six weeks, ostensibly surprised by the irony of the situation.

“Dan, you know I’m going to be a straight shooter,” Barkley replied. “It’s interesting how they were discussing Giannis [Antetokounmpo] this week – like, ‘Should Giannis want to leave?’ I clearly don’t remember when I played – I don’t remember saying, ‘We need to get Charles Barkley some help in Philadelphia or Phoenix,’ or, ‘Karl Malone some help in Utah, Patrick Ewing some help in New York,’ and I remember guys in the media kissing my a** and Karl’s a** and Patrick’s a** like, ‘Well, Giannis should want to leave Milwaukee now because he can’t win the championship.’”

Barkley pointed out how in the stretch when he was playing, there was love for the Chicago Bulls guard and six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan, along with various other teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons. Yet he did not remember people affirming that Barkley needed help because of presumed inability to win the championship with the Philadelphia 76ers or Phoenix Suns.

“They’re like, ‘No, Giannis has got to leave Milwaukee,’” Barkley said. “That already started – like, ‘Wow.’ Y’all weren’t concerned about us other great players back in our day, but y’all all of a sudden now, y’all like, ‘Oh, Giannis has got to leave Milwaukee now. Is his championship window closed?’ I’m like, ‘Man, thanks for helping me out when I went out there with nobody.’”

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.

88.7 The Pulse Fundraises For Future Broadcasters

BMM Staff
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88.7 The Pulse Fundraises For Future Broadcasters

In a time when radio often asks where the next generation will come from, 88.7 The Pulse in Mesa, AZ, might hold part of the answer. The student-operated station owned by East Valley Institute of Technology is hosting a 48-hour live broadcast fundraiser.

“The Rock-A-Thon is a celebration of student creativity and a call to support hands-on media education,” said Michael Mallace, General Manager of 88.7 The Pulse. It’s fun, fast-paced, and community-driven — and it truly shows what our students are capable of.”

Proceeds from the event will be allocated to modernize outdated broadcast equipment, support the station’s operations, and enhance media education initiatives for students aiming to build broadcasting and audio production careers.

The event kicks off Friday at 3 pm and runs through 3 pm Sunday, May 4. It will showcase a lineup of continuous live programming hosted by student broadcasters. Attendees can look forward to on-air performances, interviews with distinguished guests, and special appearances by alumni and local personalities.

Listen here.       

Donate here.

Photo: Mira McAtee

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.

FCC Warns Boston Property Owner Over Pirate Station

BMM Staff
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FCC Warns Boston Property Owner Over Pirate Station

The FCC is back in Boston, which is known as a hotbed of Pirate Radio stations. The Commission has warned a property owner in Jamaica Plain, who may face fines of up to $2.4 million due to an unlicensed signal emanating from her building.

The station operates on 107.5 from a Walk Hill Street address in the Jamaica Plain part of the city. According to the complaint, Judith Piquant owns the property. Piquant has been ordered to provide the FCC with proof that the broadcast has ceased.

The filing states in part, “Accordingly, you are hereby notified and warned that the FCC may issue a fine of up to $2,453,218 if, following the response period set forth below, we determine that you have continued to permit any individual or entity to engage in pirate radio broadcasting from the property that you own or manage.”

“If you do not respond to this notice, the FCC may nonetheless determine that, as a legal matter, you have sufficient knowledge of the above-referenced pirate radio activity to support enforcement action against you.”

The fine for operating a Pirate station is $122,611 a day.

The Pirate Act requires the FCC to conduct periodic sweeps and allows for Commission enforcement. The commission can take enforcement action against landlords and property owners who deliberately allow pirate radio broadcasting to occur on their properties.

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