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Anatomy of a Broadcaster: Jim Nantz

Andy Masur
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Anatomy of a Broadcaster: Jim Nantz

I started writing these “Anatomy of a Broadcaster” pieces back in 2020, to put a spotlight on some of the best in our business. Until now, we’ve never had a repeat customer. That is until today.  

Jim Nantz was first featured back in July of 2020, when COVID-19 was wreaking havoc with the nation and the sports schedule. Nantz was handling golf, basketball and football for CBS. That year the Masters was postponed until November, right in the midst of the NFL season. CBS even had the Super Bowl and of course the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Nantz was basically working from November 2020 straight until mid-May of 2021. Non-stop. He was one of the busiest, “number ones” in the industry. 

With the Masters right around the corner, it’s a good time to catch up on what’s been up with Nantz. There have been a few notable changes to his work schedule. What hasn’t changed is the quality of his work.  

What’s Changed Since 2020?

The biggest change for Nantz is his schedule. What he gave up is quite noticeable at this time of the year. He retired from calling NCAA Men’s Basketball, after the 2023 National Championship game.  

Nantz was quick to point out that he was absolutely not retiring.  “You’re never going to walk away from the NFL — it’s too big — and golf is deep in my heart,” Nantz said. But, he added, “Something had to go” to help balance his work and family life. 

I’m sure it was difficult to give up March Madness, but Nantz had the foresight to understand that giving up one, would probably help the other two. A less busy broadcaster, equals a much fresher broadcaster.  

Nantz Still At The Top Of His Game

NFL 

There’s no doubt that Nantz is still sharp as a tack. When it comes to calling NFL games, his voice is synonymous with big games and moments. Perhaps there’s even an extra pep in his step after carving out some more time for himself during college basketball season?  

Recently Nantz called his seventh Super Bowl. He and Tony Romo had the broadcast of Super Bowl LVIII between the Chiefs and 49’ers in Las Vegas. The game went to overtime, with KC winning.  

The final call was right on as Mecole Hardman hauled in the game-winning touchdown.  

“Mahomes flings it. It’s there! Hardman! Jackpot! Kansas City!” A nice nod to the host city and to his friend Brent Musburger who used to call Raiders games on radio. Musburger would say “jackpot” for Raiders’ touchdowns.  

Nantz is a pro’s pro. True to form, he is in control of his broadcast and the booth. Nantz is always prepared for a game and the storylines surrounding the matchup. His voice still rises to the occasion and you know without even watching the action, something big is happening. I love how he spices up his telecast with relevant stories about the players or coaches involved in the game. Since its’ a national broadcast and some may not have a rooting interest, the stories humanize things, giving viewers a reason to watch.  

Nantz recently completed a huge milestone for an NFL broadcaster. He called his 500th game. He reached the milestone while calling the Bills/Broncos AFC Wildcard game in January.  

“That’s a lot of games. It’s just staggering,” Nantz said. “With the historic relationship between the league and CBS that no one else can boast about and to think I have been given the blessing of calling more NFL games play-by-play than anyone in the network’s history, it’s meaningful and something that resonates for me.” 

Nantz became just the eighth NFL TV play-by-play announcer to reach 500 games, but only the second with all of his games at one network. Kenny Albert, who has done games since Fox got the NFL in 1994, reached the milestone on Oct. 13 when the Cleveland Browns faced the Philadelphia Eagles. 

According to research done by 506 Sports Archive, Al Michaels, Dick Stockton, Don Criqui, Summerall, Kevin Harlan and Charlie Jones, are also part of The 500 Club. 

PGA 

Believe it or not, Nantz started his 40th year covering the PGA Tour on CBS. This will also be his 40th Masters.  

He’s had a front row seat (so to speak) for a ton of history. His first Masters in 1986, saw Jack Nicklaus winning it all. “The Bear…has come out of hibernation.” Nantz exclaimed.  

He was there for Tiger’s first Masters win in 1997, with Nantz uttering the now famous, “There it is, a win for the ages.”

22 years later, Woods won it again, much like the Nicklaus win in ’86, this one came out of nowhere. When the final putt rolled in, Nantz belted out, “The return to glory!”.  

Nantz’s voice has become part of the famed tournament at the Augusta National Golf Course. He coined the phrase “A tradition unlike any other” to describe what the first major of the year means.   

I still think golf is his strongest sport. His ability to tell the stories, recall the history and paint the pictures shows his incredible talent. The way he’s able to still show excitement, in golf tone, is pretty amazing. Whether it’s the Waste Management Open in January or the Masters in April, his approach to the sport is the same. Every tournament demands his best and he delivers.  

What’s Next For Nantz?

Nantz has recently reiterated his desire to retire from the Masters in 2036. In 2016 he told Sports Illustrated he originally thought about leaving after his 50th tournament, in 2035. Then he had a conversation with legendary ABC and CBS broadcaster Jack Whitaker, who had some advice. Whitaker told Nantz that the 2036 Masters would be the 100th playing of the tournament, so that became the new goal.  

“A lot of things have to happen for that to occur,” he admitted recently to Bunkered. “First off, my health would have to hold up. Secondly, CBS and Augusta National would have to want me to come back.” 

Did You Know?

Nantz revealed in a recent chat with Bunkered magazine that he says the same prayer before the first round of The Masters every year. “On Wednesday every year, as the Par-3 Tournament is taking place, the big course is going through its final prep,” Nantz said. “I go off to the side, park a golf cart down there, and duck under the ropes.” he explained. “I walk down to the creek fronting the green, walk across the bridge, and I allow myself a quiet moment of reflection.” he said. “It’s a spiritual thing, more than anything. It’s a moment of prayer and introspection, and I just give thanks for the gift of being here.” 

Nantz was inducted into the PGA of America Hall of Fame in 2023. 

In an appearance on the Main Event Podcast w/Andrew Marchand, Nantz talked about the first time he was ever on the air. It was the mid 70’s and he called into John Sterling’s New York radio show. Nantz wanted Sterling to know he wasn’t giving the North Carolina Wolfpack basketball team enough love.  

Personal Aside

When the piece was published nearly 5-years ago, I had never met Nantz, I was just an admirer of his stellar work. The main goal of these “Anatomy” pieces is to get the announcer’s story out to you the reader. Since I have some experience in the industry, I also like to give you my thoughts on the subject’s work. I like to dig a little deeper too and tell you a story that you may not have known.  

With several of those I’ve written about, I’ve received an email of thanks and gratitude. I always appreciate it, but again, never expect it. With Nantz, I received a phone call and had a chance to chat for several minutes with him. Nantz became someone that I would text or email with from time to time. When I wanted someone to look at a demo I put on my website, he was quick with a critique. As I contemplated my own future in broadcasting, he would make a little time to chat. I always felt like I was bothering him and picked my spots for sure, knowing his schedule. To say that Nantz is a special human being, is selling it a bit short. He is always paying it forward. It’s a great lesson for all of us.

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.

Eric Edholm is Making the Mock Draft More Genuine

John Molori
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Eric Edholm is Making the Mock Draft More Genuine

There are a lot of annoying things on sports television – endless holding calls by officials that slow up football games, constant shots of celebrities that I am too old to be able to name at Lakers and Knicks home games, and grown men wearing white sneakers with formal suits on television, making them look like 7 year-olds at an arraignment. More confounding than any of these, however, is the NFL Mock Draft.  

This quintessential crapshoot is like playing pin the tail on the donkey without the fun benefit of chicken fingers and birthday cake, and the real jack ass in the room is me watching it. I don’t blame mock drafters like Daniel Jeremiah, Lance Zierlein, Mel Kiper, Todd McShay, or others. The guesswork is part of their jobs. These guys jump to conclusions like Edwin Moses jumped hurdles.  

For every Tom Brady sixth round pick turned GOAT, there is a Tony Mandarich first overall pick turned bust. For every epic fail disguised as a can’t miss kid like JaMarcus Russell, there is a Super Bowl quarterback disguised as Mr. Irrelevant like Brock Purdy. This is why NFL Mock Drafts are the most futile programs on any media platform. Moreover, the Seventh Circle of Hell holds a special place for early mock drafts. 

Mock drafts that are released before Groundhog Day are as annoying as Bill Murray’s experiences in the movie of the same name. Continuing the movie theme and with all due respect to Forrest Gump, the NFL Draft, not life, is like a box of chocolates. You truly never know what you are going to get. Let me take it a step further with the movie Moneyball when A’s GM Billy Beane says to head scout Grady Fuse, “You don’t have a crystal ball. You can’t look at a kid and predict his future.”  

Even now, in April, I need a case of Milk of Magnesia to stomach the endless array of NFL mock drafts, until I found Eric Edholm. The NFL.com Lead Draft Writer has been covering the league for over two decades with stops at The Sporting News, Pro Football Weekly, and Yahoo Sports. He is not as omnipresent as some of the aforementioned draft gurus, but in analyzing his work, I think he gets the fact that mock drafts are just that – fake NFL drafts.  

Doing The Research That Stands Out

Edholm does his research and homework as well as anyone, but he also seems to have some fun with the genre. Looking at his NFL.com Mock Draft 2.0 released on March 28, Edholm subscribes to the growing sense that Miami quarterback Cam Ward will be the number 1 pick by the Tennessee Titans. Edholm’s next two choices shift a bit from conventional wisdom. 

Most of the pre-draft chit-chat says that drafting a young quarterback should be a priority for Cleveland, but Edholm has them picking Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter. Similarly, the Giants, with two aging quarterbacks in Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson, might also think young QB, but Edholm has them going with electric two-way star Travis Hunter, the cornerback and WR from Colorado.  

Edholm’s top 3 picks stand apart from most mock drafts. Of course, none of these multimedia draft experts live in the pressure cooker of an actual NFL general manager or player personnel director. Like Jack Nicholson’s character in The Departed said, “Heavy lies the crown.” When you get a high-paying NFL gig and your job is to pick the team’s future, you better not mess up or guess what? You will end up doing mock drafts on some television network.  

As for the New England Patriots picking at number 4, much of the general consensus points to LSU offensive lineman Will Campbell. Instead, Edholm has New England selecting right tackle Armand Membou of Missouri. With number 5, he has the Jaguars drafting Penn State tight end Tyler Warren, another pick that could be defined as a reach. The 2024 success of Raiders’ tight end Brock Bowers has probably helped Warren’s cause as a possible top 5 choice. Edholm points out that the Jags have a new general manager in James Gladstone and head coach in Liam Coen, both under age 40. Maybe the Jaguars war room is at a Chuck E. Cheese.  

Different Perspectives That Make You Think

Edholm won me over with the creativity and uniqueness of his mock draft. The #6 pick is a great example of this. Throughout the off-season, new Raiders’ part owner Tom Brady has been exerting his influence on the team’s roster plans with much of the focus on drafting a quarterback. The Raiders now have veteran Geno Smith in the fold so choosing Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders seems like the natural next move. Again veering from the predictable, Edholm has Vegas selecting Boise State running back, Ashton Jeanty.  

Edholm stated, “With Geno Smith, Brock Bowers and Jeanty, the offensive identity would start taking shape – even if the WR room still needs major help.” He is correct, and this choice has Brady written all over it. While Brady was a passer par excellence, he always benefited from having a rock solid running back from his first season in New England with Antoine Smith to his last in Tampa Bay with Leonard Fournette. Edholm has Will Campbell slipping to pick 10 owned by the Chicago Bears giving second year QB Caleb Williams a stud tackle and the front office a value pick at that slot.  

When the NFL Draft was held yearly in New York, the TV highlight was watching the New York Jets make their pick and then be roundly booed by the Big Apple crowd in attendance. These days, the most interesting pick belongs to Jerry Jones and the Cowboys. Many draft experts have the Cowboys trying to move up from pick 12 to get Jeanty, but Edholm has the Cowboys staying put and selecting RB Omarion Hampton of North Carolina with this pick. He wrote, “If the Cowboys truly want to aid their new coach, why not give him a workhorse back who can grow into the spotlight in Dak Prescott‘s later years? Brian Schottenheimer has always been a run-heavy, ball-control play-caller.”  

Fortune Favors The Bold…. Pick

The haymaker pick in Edholm’s NFL.com Mock Draft 2.0 comes at number 15. It is here that he has the Cleveland Browns making a trade with the Atlanta Falcons to move back into the first round to select Shedeur Sanders. If this happens, Cleveland’s GM Andrew Berry should be handed the NFL Executive of the Year award on May 1. Snagging  Carter and Sanders would be a draft that no one could mock. This is another reason why I was drawn to Edholm’s style. He takes chances with his predictions. If you are going to engage in guess work, why not get creative with it and make it fun for your audience?  

Further down in the draft, Edholm has another potential top 10 pick dropping to #20 with the Denver Broncos selecting wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan of Arizona. This would be a steal for Denver and, as Edholm explains, would give sensational quarterback Bo Nix another talented target.  

Edholm provides his thinking behind every pick and does not merely fall back on the ‘best player available’ mentality. Picks 22 and 23 in his Mock Draft 2.0 show this. He has the Chargers selecting Boston College rusher Donovan Ezeiraku as a potential successor to the aging Khalil Mack and the Packers taking Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden pointing to the injury prone nature of Green Bay wideout Christian Watson as a reason for the selection.  

I also like Edholm’s thinking with picks 27 and 28. Two hard-nosed, rough-and-tumble teams, the Baltimore Ravens and Detroit Lions, go for offensive linemen. The Ravens select Ohio State’s Josh Simmons and the Lions take North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel.  

Edholm’s mock draft picks stand out whether you catch them at NFL.com or they catch you on the NFL Network lower third news crawl. I’m sure he will have more versions as we approach draft day, and admittedly, I cannot wait. With his unique takes, assessment of team needs, trade scenarios, and spot on commentary, Edholm has converted me. Yes, I’m hooked, but please, don’t mock me. 

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.

Building Lasting Client Relationships: Take Them Out to the Ballgame

Dave Greene
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Building Lasting Client Relationships: Take Them Out to the Ballgame

Happy Thursday and Happy Baseball Season! Welcome to this week’s sales meeting. We all know that in our fast-paced world of media sales, success hinges on more than just delivering great pitches to a client and hitting quotas. It’s about building trust, establishing relationships, and creating meaningful connections with your clients.

In an industry where competition is fierce and options are plentiful, the most successful salespeople understand that building client relationships often makes the difference between a one-time deal and a long-term partnership.

One of the best ways to strengthen these relationships is by stepping outside the business setting and spending quality time with clients in a relaxed, more casual environment. And what better way to do that than by taking them out to a baseball game? America’s pastime provides the perfect backdrop for building connections, deepening relationships, and ultimately driving more business.

At its core, what we do is all about trust. Clients are more likely to do business with someone they know, like, and trust. While delivering value and being competitive with pricing are important, those factors alone aren’t always enough. Clients want to feel that they’re working with someone who understands their needs, cares about their business, and is invested in their long-term goals.

Simply put, by taking the time to spend time with your clients, you can develop a deeper level of trust with them. When they see you as more than just a salesperson—but rather as a partner or even a friend—they’ll be more inclined to work with you over the competition. I have always told sellers, “You want to win the tiebreakers, and that comes from personal relationships.”

While lunch or coffee meetings have their place, a baseball game offers a unique way to connect with clients on a deeper level. Unlike the formality of an office or a boardroom, a game provides a casual setting where conversations can flow naturally. This allows both you and your client to open up and engage without the pressure of a sales pitch.

Baseball games also offer a slower pace compared to other sports, providing ample time for conversation. You’re not forced to talk in quick snippets between plays, allowing for deeper discussions about business, trends, or personal topics. Plus, something memorable could happen at the game, which will always make the client think of you whenever that moment is replayed.

Inviting a client to a game also shows that you value their business and appreciate the relationship. It’s a way to say thank you in a manner that feels personal and genuine rather than just transactional. If you become the salesperson who only shows up when it’s time to sell something, you won’t get the benefit of the doubt should the client need to cut back or test another option.

Taking a client to a baseball game is an investment in your relationship, but like any business effort, it should be done with intention. Choose someone who could be a long-term client, a current long-term client you need to thank, a new prospect you’re trying to win over, or even a client with whom you need to rebuild rapport.

This should go without saying, but this is not the time for a hard sell. Focus on genuine conversation and getting to know your client. Business discussions will happen naturally, but the main goal should be to strengthen your relationship with the decision-maker and learn more about their business.

The ROI on this can be significant. We all know that stronger relationships lead to increased client retention, bigger deals, and more referrals. Clients who feel valued and appreciated are far more likely to continue doing business with you and recommend you to others.

Investing in relationships isn’t just about closing the next deal; it’s about building partnerships that last for years to come.

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

What the Quu 2025 In-Vehicle Visuals Report Means for the Current State and Future of the Radio Industry

Garrett Searight
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What the Quu 2025 In-Vehicle Visuals Report Means for the Current State and Future of the Radio Industry

Earlier this week, Quu unveiled its 2025 In-Vehicle Visuals Report which featured several key takeaways on how radio brands are displayed on car dashboards and infotainment systems.

Some of the key findings include that automakers are now packing the infotainment centers of new models with audio options. Additionally, 66% are equipped with HD radio capabilities, despite a recent surge in built-in streaming apps.

74% of new models surveyed by Quu are labeled as “audio-forward” meaning the car generally defaults to the last audio source, while 26% were classified as “radio-forward” meaning the in-vehicle dash offers a designated “radio” button.

100% of models in 2025 featured FM radio compatibility, while AM Radio remained steady at 98%. While 67% of vehicles were equipped with HD radio, that figure is down slightly from the 70% featured in 2023.

SiriusXM saw an uptick in vehicles with 94% of models in 2025 coming with the equipment. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are each in 98% of models in 2025. 100% of models came equipped with text displays for radios, with an additional 60% featuring image displays.

The biggest downturn studied by Quu was the dedicated “radio” button in models. In 2025, only 26% of models surveyed had the feature, down from 36% in 2024.

During a Wednesday webinar to explain the findings, several of the radio industry’s leaders in the research and consulting fields shared their opinions on the findings.

“While AM and FM stations enjoyed absolute primacy in cars and trucks for decades and decades, this year’s report makes it crystal clear the in-vehicle competitive battle for radio’s top listening location is intensifying with each passing year,” said Jacobs Media President Paul Jacobs.

One of the big takeaways was the push for audio options in car infotainment systems. Gone are the days where AM/FM radio is the only option. But there is some encouraging news. With Android Auto and Apple CarPlay being ubiquitous, terrestrial radio brands have the ability to compete with other platforms like Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, and Amazon Music due to innovations with those in-vehicle audio dashboards prioritizing text and picture displays.

“AM/FM radio can enhance its value to local advertisers and maintain a competitive edge by leveraging exclusive on-screen text and image opportunities,” Jacobs Media Vice President and General Manager Paul Jacobs said. “Stations that move quickly to market this limited dashboard real estate will gain a first-mover advantage and unlock significant long-term revenue.”

“In-car media systems continue to evolve rapidly,” said Xperi Senior Vice President of Global Broadcast Radio Joe D’Angelo. “Increased screen size, expansion of services, and more reliable connectivity are driving innovation and competition. Broadcasters must respond and have powerful solutions to deploy and defend their position in the dash.”

With those expanded options for AM/FM radio brands to compete with digital apps and platforms comes the need for the radio industry to adopt the necessary strategies to compete in the most-used area of radio listening: the car dashboard.

“Radio remains strong, but adding visual elements enhances engagement,” said McVay Media President Mike McVay. “Displaying real-time visuals like song titles and programming messages on dashboards enriches the listener experience and keeps radio competitive in today’s digital world.”

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.

After Cory Booker Makes History, Here’s How Long News/Talk Radio Hosts Think They Could Stay On-Air

BNM Staff
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After Cory Booker Makes History, Here’s How Long News/Talk Radio Hosts Think They Could Stay On-Air

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) set a record on Tuesday as he spoke on the Senate floor for 25 hours and 5 minutes as he protested against the agenda set forth by President Donald Trump. News/Talk Radio hosts were impressed by the stamina.

Sometimes, things happen at radio stations or studios that require being on the air for long periods of time. Whether that be equipment failures, breaking news stories, or natural disasters that require round-the-clock coverage, nearly every radio host — regardless of format — has a story of their marathon time on the air.

We reached out to several news/talk radio hosts to ask about their stories and how long they think they could stay on the air, similar to what Cory Booker did earlier this week.

“I’ve done five-hour shows pretty routinely when I was first starting out,” said Dan O’Donnell, afternoon host of 1130 WISN in Milwaukee. “I co-hosted a weekend sports talk show and we would just go on right after the paid advertising shows in the morning until whenever the Milwaukee Brewers game started that afternoon or evening.

“The longest I ever had to just talk with no commercials or phones or sound bites was probably about two hours. We had a catastrophic system failure while I was hosting a show and the only thing that worked were the microphones,” O’Donnell continued. “I’ll never forget my boss asking me ‘So how long do you think you could just, you know, talk?'”

“My longest two days sadly involve tragedy,” said current SuperTalk 99.7 WTN afternoon host Matt Murphy. “On 9/11, I was working in Montgomery at WACV as morning news anchor and afternoon talk host. After the first plane struck, I ended up on air until about 7 PM that night for obvious reasons. 

“On April 27th, 2011, I was morning host of WAPI in Birmingham when a disastrous outbreak of tornados swept through the southeast, killing 250 people in Alabama alone. I ended up on air overnight and into the next day for roughly 18 hours. It was a whirlwind of news reports and assisting listeners on the ground in real-time connect with first responders for help. The station was wall-to-wall coverage for the next 2 weeks.”

“I’ve had several breaking news stories, city-wide events, and parades where I have been in the air either anchoring or hosting for over 10 hours,” said 710 WOR morning host Larry Mendte. “But the longest was 18 1/2 hours. It was for a blizzard in Philadelphia. The station booked a hotel around the corner and I was in the next morning after four hours sleep for another 13 1/2 straight.”

Mendte added that he once had to stay awake for 30 hours straight while working on a story about the dangers of driving on limited or no sleep. He said his producer had the tougher job, spending 30 hours making sure Mendte didn’t dose off.

Cory Booker shared after his marathon speech that he purposely did not eat or drink anything for several days so he would not need to use the restroom as he spoke for more than one full day. We asked the news/talk radio hosts if they had the same notice to prepare for a long time on the air, just how long did they think they could last.

“I’ve never really thought much about how long I could go without any breaks whatsoever now but if you gave me a few days (and plenty of coffee) I bet it would be quite a while,” said O’Donnell. “Definitely not 24 hours, though!”

“With proper preparation and the right setup (port-a-potty), I think I could survive on air until I just got too sleepy to go on,” said Murphy. “I’ve been blessed with a throat that never sores, so I think my only barrier would be exhaustion. I think I could do 48 hours.” 

“I think I could beat Cory Booker, but if I had a comfy chair, a co-anchor, a weather team, and reporters to throw to,” said Mendte. “Plus if I had something to describe, which is vitally important.” 

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.

Outkick Host Dan Dakich Defends LeBron James Confronting Stephen A. Smith

BSM Staff
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Outkick Host Dan Dakich Defends LeBron James Confronting Stephen A. Smith

While the temperature has died down significantly since Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James and ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith last exchanged words, the discussion surrounding the matter remains heated in sports media. On Monday night, Skip Bayless took to his own Skip Bayless Show on YouTube to defend his former First Take co-worker, describing how James confronted Smith at a Lakers game as “an ambush” and “cowardly.”

Meanwhile, former ESPN basketball analyst Dan Dakich took a different stance, criticizing both Smith and Bayless for their remarks. Speaking on a recent episode of Don’t @ Me w/ Dan Dakich on OutKick, he had strong words for both men.

“Yeah, you can critique him (Bronny James). He’s wearing a Lakers uniform,” stated Dakich. “Why is it so cowardly when the guy (LeBron James) shoots back? Why is it so cowardly when the guy confronts one of you p****s?”

Dakich went on to recap the situation when LeBron James confronted Stephen A. Smith at Crypto.com Arena in February. He emphasized that he had no issue with Smith and Bayless criticizing LeBron for influencing the Lakers to draft his son or for the fact that his son is now an NBA player. However, what Dakich took issue with was Bayless calling the confrontation cowardly when, in his view, James simply addressed Smith in the manner he saw fit.

“Why is it so cowardly to confront him (Smith) when you see him?” questioned Dakich. “What is he supposed to do? Fly out just to see Stephen A. Smith? I’m not wasting my time and money on that. I see him, I confront him. That is the opposite of cowardly. Cowardly is sitting there behind a mic like Skip Bayless has done, like Shannon—whatever that idiot’s name is—Sharpe has done. What Smith does. Cowardly is sitting behind a mic, behind a television, criticizing him over and over again. Then, when you meet him, you back down like a little guy at the playground. That’s cowardly.”

Dakich, a former Indiana basketball player and head coach, also argued that Smith and Bayless were never athletes and, therefore, don’t understand what it means to be one. Furthermore, he pointed out that Bayless coming to Smith’s defense only reinforced what he believes is the real issue.

“Skip Bayless coming to your defense is perfect,” Dakich said. “Cowards are all too cowardly when they were kids to work hard enough to be an athlete. They’re bitter about not being an athlete, want to be in the game, criticize athletes, and then, when confronted, they fold, fold, fold.”

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.

Woodward Communications Adds Four In Springfield IL

BMM Staff
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Woodward Communications Adds Four In Springfield IL

Woodward Communications has successfully closed on purchasing four radio stations in Springfield, IL. Variety 98.7 WNNS, Rocker 97.7 QLZ, News/Talk 92.7 WMAY, and WMAY-AM pass to Woodward from Mid-West Family.

The stations add to Woodward’s existing profile of Hot AC 99 The Mix, Country 104.5 WFMB, Adult Hits 96.7 Bob FM, and Sports Radio 1450 WFMB-AM. Woodward purchased those stations from Neuhoff Media last fall. (BMM 11/14)

Tom Woodward, CEO and President of Woodward Communications said, “We look forward to integrating Mid-West’s solid brands into our Springfield operations and, importantly, welcoming the talented and dedicated Mid-West team to be part of our employee-owned company. Our plan is to co-locate all the stations and related operations into Mid-West Family’s current office and studios, which we believe will create synergies that will benefit our employee-owners, our customers, and the community.”

Woodward Springfield Market Manager Kevin O’Dea said, “All of us at Woodward Community Media look forward to the addition of the Mid-West Family Stations to our lineup here in Springfield. These four stations, along with our current lineup, including Channel1450.com and our Digital Services, will allow us to enhance our local commitment to our listeners, advertising partners, and the Springfield and Central Illinois Community. We are excited to get started and grow this formidable group of stations along with welcoming the talented Mid-West Family professionals joining us.”

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.

Joon Lee Launches YouTube Channel, Claims ‘Sports Media is Broken’

BSM Staff
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Joon Lee Launches YouTube Channel, Claims ‘Sports Media is Broken’

Almost two years ago, reports began to surface about cuts ESPN had started to make amid its on-air talent roster, letting go of personalities such as Keyshawn Johnson, Max Kellerman and Suzy Kolber. Joon Lee, who worked as an MLB reporter at the company, was among the professionals impacted and shared the news in late June 2023, adding that he was excited to see what would be coming next.

In a recent YouTube video, Lee revealed that finding out he had been laid off was a shocking moment that broke his heart but was nonetheless appreciative to have worked his dream job. In fact, he acknowledged that people began to send him messages as if he or someone else he knew had passed away, and while this was not the case, he acknowledged losing a version of himself that had been chasing a dream for his entire adult life.

On top of that, Lee explained that ESPN blocked him from working for two years, leading to feelings of sadness, anger and frustration that prompted him to start watching sports as a fan for the first time since he was 16 years old. Although he did not recognize it at the time, this moment started the draft for a new phase of his life as he consumed sports content from afar and made observations about the business.

“The more that I watched, the more that I read, the more that I scrolled, the more that I felt like something was fundamentally broken in sports today,” Lee said. “Fans were angrier today than ever before in social media and in real life, and the conversations around sports felt stuck. The same hot takes, over and over and over again.”

As sports began to become a source of stress instead of joy, he was asking about what had happened and wondering what would come next. Lee remarked that he had the chance to live out his dream for four years and has been viewing games from afar since that time. In the end, he gathered his thoughts about the direction of the business and articulated his reasoning behind launching a YouTube channel in an attempt to build a community that values joy around sports.

“Sports media is broken,” Lee said. “For decades, it felt like sports were always about more than just who won and who lost and the box score. Sports were a place to tell stories about underdogs and dynasties and heartbreak and redemption, and it feels like, at least right now, the entire industry has lost sight of that. And I’ve been asking myself one question over the course of the last two years as I’ve been unable to work. ‘How do we fix this?’”

Lee referenced the penetration of revenue from gambling companies in the business, causing fans to question the authenticity of coverage they are receiving from reporters. As a result, he explained that he will not be taking any gambling sponsorship deals for his YouTube endeavors. On top of that, he contended that everything across sports media feels the same with hot takes and that shows doing deeper dives are being cancelled. Lee attributed this perceived paradigm as to why independent content creators are successfully emerging on digital platforms and doing things the traditional corners of the industry no longer tackle.

“As a result of where traditional sports media still is, it feels like the majority of fans are still stuck on these same topics that all of us are tired of talking about,” Lee said. “Because of these hot takes, it feels like nobody trusts anyone anymore. From fans to the media to the athletes to the leagues, trust is at an all-time low in sports, and this is hurting everyone involved in sports, and I think we can do better than this.”

As all this is taking place, Lee explained that sports has never been more interesting than it is at the current moment and articulated how it feels as if fans are witnessing history on a nightly basis. Whether it is Shohei Ohtani, Caitlin Clark or Patrick Mahomes achieving monumental milestones and shattering records, sports are filled with compelling superstars emanating domestically and abroad. An issue therein, however, is that most good sports journalism is behind a paywall, making it difficult for the average person to access such content and instead view social media feeds replete with takes.

“I want to make sure that when I’m reporting something or I’m telling a story that you feel like you can trust that I have no exterior motivations motivating me to hold something back or to tell stories a different way,” Lee said. “But most importantly, I want to make sense of what’s happening in the sports world with you because I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around everything that’s changing right now.”

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.

Flagstaff AZ Radio Personality Charged In Child Sex Sting

BMM Staff
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Flagstaff AZ Radio Personality Charged In Child Sex Sting

Arizona’s Family is reporting that Flagstaff, AZ, radio personality Dave Zorn has been arrested on multiple charges of luring a minor for sexual exploitation.

Zorn was a host for KAFF radio and a teacher at Northern Arizona University. Court filings allege multiple counts of trying to lure a child for sexual exploitation. Zorn was booked on seven counts of luring a child for sexual exploitation and attempted furnishing of harmful items.

A six-month investigation yielded 28 arrests.

Speaking to Arizona’s Family, Flagstaff Police Detective Bethany Hyde said, “If you’re out there, I’m going to find you. I will make sure you are prosecuted because our children are our most vulnerable population.”

“All we’re doing is potentially acting like a 12-, 13-, or 14-year-old child,” Hyde said. “We create a social media profile, and we allow people to respond to it. We never start these conversations. They’re starting these conversations with us.”

KAFF radio released a statement on its social media.

“In light of recent events, this is our current statement on the situation:”

“As soon as KAFF learned of Dave Zorn’s arrest, he was immediately placed on administrative leave, and we have disabled his access to our facilities, social media, and our electronic platforms. We do not have further details at this time. The KAFF News team will continue to proactively address the situation as more information becomes available to us.”

Zorn is being held on a $100,000 bond.

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.

Charles Barkley: ‘We All Lost’ With Stephen A. Smith, LeBron James Feud

BSM Staff
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Charles Barkley: ‘We All Lost’ With Stephen A. Smith, LeBron James Feud

TNT Sports analyst and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame member Charles Barkley has been appearing on television for the last several weeks contributing to coverage of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament on the network. Barkley, who has been working in television for more than two decades and recently affirmed a long-term commitment to TNT, recently appeared on The Jim Rome Show where he primarily discussed the ongoing March Madness action. Later in the interview, Rome asked Barkley why Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James was ostensibly discrediting the generations that came before him in recent comments he made citing that Giannis Antetokounmpo could score 250 points per game.

Barkley explained that he is not sure what James was doing and proceeded to say that the Lakers star is a billionaire because of people who came before him, such as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. In fact, he affirmed that the immersion of Johnson and Bird was the best thing to happen in the NBA and that Jordan was the next thing as the entity continued to proliferate in eminence and prestige. From there, he talked about another situation surrounding James and comments he made during a recent interview with Pat McAfee on ESPN about media members.

“I was disappointed the way LeBron bullied Stephen A., I was disappointed the way he bullied Brian Windhorst,” Barkley said. “He knows he was wrong. I will admit Stephen A. made it worse – he made it worse – but I was just disappointed in LeBron for bullying Stephen A. and Brian Windhorst.”

The dispute seemed to begin when Smith addressed James on First Take and asked him “as a father” to stop what was going on with his son, Bronny James, and claiming that he was not ready for the NBA. James confronted Smith courtside at a Lakers game a few months later and reportedly told the ESPN commentator to “stop f*****g with my son,” which resulted in Smith responding on his podcast and ostensibly exacerbating the occurrence. The back and forth exchanges have continued in recent weeks within interviews, monologues and social media posts, leading to other media members expressing their thoughts on what was taking place.

“All of us got a job to do, and listen, I like Bronny,” Barkley said. “I hope he’s successful. I wish he spent the entire year in the G League getting better as a player because you don’t get better sitting on the bench, but we all lost with the LeBron-Stephen A. thing. All the media lost, the fans lost and it was an ugly look for both of them.”

Rome recalled Barkley once explaining as a player that he was everything that is wrong with sports media and told a story about how they got on good terms while meeting in Las Vegas. Barkley recalled that Hall of Fame forward Julius Erving gave him advice on how to stop listening to the media, encouraging him to take a step back and think about if the narratives being perpetuated were true. Additionally, Barkley acknowledged that Rome was probably right to criticize him if he did something wrong and contrasted it with the current generation of NBA players.

“I’ve never been a Skip Bayless guy because I think you can never be personal, but criticism is fair, as every player has gotten criticized, but for some reason, today’s players, they’re so sensitive,” Barkley said. “Like, ‘Y’all didn’t criticize the other guys.’ Yes hell we did. I got criticized, Larry Bird got criticized, Magic Johnson.”

Barkley affirmed that the reason Chicago Bulls superstar guard and Hall of Fame member Michael Jordan was crying after winning his first NBA championship is because there had been questions disseminated by the media about his ability to win and compete with claims that he was just a great individual player. Furthermore, he attributed James signing with the Miami Heat in 2010 to prove that he could win, and he ended up securing two championships in South Beach before returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers later in his career.

“Everybody gets criticized,” Barkley said. “Is it fair all the time? No, but sometimes it is, man, and you have to be man enough.”

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

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