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The Voices of Major League Baseball – Part 2

Jason Barrett

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This is the second installment of our three part series highlighting the radio voices of Major League Baseball. 30 media members from across the nation have shared their perspectives on what makes their local announcers great and unique, and I encourage you to do a little bit of reading to become more familiar with radio’s best storytellers and in-game presenters. If you haven’t already read part 1 you can do so by clicking here.

In the sports radio industry many take for granted how important play by play is to a radio station. They also forget just how skilled many of these broadcasters are who capture each game experience and make it a vital part of a listeners life. Selling the game of baseball and all that is associated with it requires a mixture of passion, insight, preparation and focus, and as radio dedicates thousands of hours of air time over the next six months to feature America’s favorite pastime, it felt like the right time to pay tribute to those who help our stations enjoy ratings and revenue success, while enhancing relationships with audiences all across the country.

On that note, let me introduce you to the voices of Major League Baseball.

Houston Astros – Robert Ford and Steve Sparks – as told by Chris Gordy.

At SportsTalk790, we are fortunate to have two of the very best in the business, play-by-play man Robert Ford and color analyst and former knuckleballer Steve Sparks. Baseball is the best of the radio sports, and the reason Robert and Steve are outstanding is because they have an innate ability to paint the picture of what’s happening, while mixing in a great balance of analytical breakdowns and entertainment. Entering their fifth season together, they do an exceptional job of making the audience feel closer to the action.

A decade ago when the Astros last advanced to the World Series, Houston truly was a baseball-dominant town. We think it’s becoming that way again. With a young core of players, and some big off-season additions, the Astros are a team set up for a World Series run. Should that happen, we’ll be in great hands thanks to Robert and Steve’s abilities to bring the sounds of the game to our listeners on SportsTalk790 and the Astros radio network.

Kansas City RoyalsDenny Matthews and Ryan Lefebvre – as told by Bob Fescoe.

Denny Matthews has seen every single pitch the Royals have ever thrown. Seriously. Denny was hired when the Royals became a team back in 1969 and has been behind the mic ever since. From the great years to the bad years and now back to the great years, the one constant has been Denny. Summer evenings in Kansas City aren’t complete until you have Denny on the radio. Everyone, no matter the age, identifies with him. His voice screams baseball, it screams Royals, and it screams Kansas City. Denny is an icon, and the true voice of the Royals, and everyone has a favorite Denny call.

Ryan Lefebvre has been behind the mic since 1999, and has quickly become the voice of record for the Royals. During their runs in 2014 and 2015, it seemed like all of the big moments happened during the innings in which Ryan was behind the mic. From the Wild Card win to the last out of the 2015 World Series, there was Ryan with the big call. What makes him special is his brain. There may not be a smarter and funnier broadcaster (in a very dry way) than Ryan. He is as prepared as anyone when it comes to baseball, and is beloved by local baseball fans.

When Ryan and Denny speak, fans listen. Whether they’re appearing on the radio station as a guest or calling the action during the 3rd inning of a Tuesday night game, fans hang on their every word. Both guys are so very well respected, appreciated and loved here in Kansas City, and when the Royals are winning there is nothing better than flipping on the radio and hearing Ryan and Denny behind the mic.

Los Angeles AngelsTerry Smith and Mark Langston – as told by Trent Rush.

Angels baseball on AM830 captures the summertime vibe of Orange County that is cool, relaxed, and fun. Terry Smith gives great validity to our station as a trusted voice. He puts great emphasis on accuracy and rises to the moment for big calls. Terry’s highlight reel is flooded with excitement and poise concurrently.

Former pitcher Mark Langston compliments Terry on the broadcast and is an insightful analyst who weaves his playing experience and relationships with players into a perspective that allows fans to connect. Listeners feel like they know Mark and the team because of him. He understands the game very well and demonstrates knowledge of game situations that are too often forgotten by other analysts. Mark brings extra charm and personality that makes listening to Angels baseball fun.

AM830 is more than focused on Angels baseball. Angels games are our centerpiece and foundation. Terry and Mark wear that responsibility well and create an environment at our station and on our airwaves that makes us proud to work here and have them to look up to, as experienced broadcasters.

Los Angeles DodgersCharley Steiner and Rick Monday – as told by Dave Weiss.

On AM 570 LA Sports we’re fortunate to have four time Emmy Award Winner Charley Steiner and Dodger great Rick Monday announcing every play for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Both veterans had the good fortune of calling games alongside broadcasting legend Vin Scully, and as a pair they provide a unique fan experience and view of the game which blends Steiner’s casual play-by-play style and Monday’s insight into the mechanics of the game and the emotions involved with playing it.

Steiner’s credentials include 30 years of broadcasting and a recent induction into the National Radio Hall of Fame, one of only 17 other sportscaster to ever be honored. His secret to success has been his ability to bring listeners into the game with descriptions that combine stories, stats and references that bring past and current (Dodgers) history together. Charley grew up a Dodger fan, and has been a member of the broadcast team since 2005. Prior to moving to Los Angeles to call games, he spent three seasons working alongside John Sterling on New York Yankees games.

Monday on the other hand is the former Dodger centerfielder who’s most famously known for saving an American flag during a protest in 1976. He’s popular among Dodger fans because of his insight, credibility and unique blend of storytelling. Rick has a knack for bringing listeners into the game with exclusive pre-game interviews with coaches, legends and players, while inviting the audience to learn, understand, and talk about what players go thru, what transpired during the previous game, and what may happen during the next one.

The Dodgers have won four consecutive National League West division titles, making them an important focus of AM 570 LA Sports. With Charley and Rick providing the call, Dodger fans are in very good hands. I invite you to take a listen and hear for yourself what makes them special.

Miami MarlinsDave Van Horne and Glenn Geffner – as told by Joe Raineri.

The Miami Marlins have gone through some changes over the years in South Florida. They recently had a new state of the art indoor ballpark built in Miami. Multiple managers, coaches and player personnel have come and gone. Even the television broadcast team that covers the Marlins at Fox Sports Florida has seen multiple changes over the years. Last year it was broadcast by committee. We were never really sure who was going to join Rich Waltz, who is in his 12th season calling the play-by-play action for the team, in the booth.

Yet with all of these changes, fans of the Marlins can take comfort in knowing that one thing has remained the same. The voice that comes out of the speakers inside the cars, offices, phones and homes of Marlins fans – Dave Van Horne. The legendary announcer has been the lead play by play voice of the Marlins since 2001. He and Glenn Geffner, a Miami native, are the radio play-by-play team on the Miami Marlins Radio Network. Geffner joined the Marlins in 2008, and together they provide a certain comfort level to the South Florida baseball listener. In a time when almost nothing seems for certain, especially on Radio and TV,  having Dave and Glenn for 162 games a year in your ear is about as comforting as it gets being a Marlins fan.

So if you find yourself in South Florida, and want to hear a baseball game called on the medium it was made for, check out 940 WINZ and listen to Dave and Glenn paint a picture so vivid that you’ll almost feel as if you’re up at the plate.

Milwaukee BrewersBob Uecker and Jeff Levering – as told by Doug Russell.

Bob Uecker simply defines summers in Wisconsin. When Bob is on the air, everything seems okay. He is more than a baseball announcer, more than a showman; he is in the rarefied air of actually being more than even the game itself throughout the state. And while he has scaled back his workload in the past few years, Bob will be the identity of the Brewers for generations to come. Unlike the Dodgers and the incomparable Vin Scully, the Brewers don’t have the same team history to draw upon. But we have Uke.

Joining Bob for his second season is talented newcomer Jeff Levering. Jeff is simply one of the most talented young play-by-play announcers in the game. Whether it’s been Pat Hughes, Jim Powell, Cory Provus, Joe Block, or now Jeff, the Brewers have a knack for finding that next great straight man to Bob’s shining star.

The Brewers and WTMJ are so intertwined with each other that it’s hard to imagine them playing on another station. Just as WTMJ is the station of record and a public trust, so too are the Brewers to their incredibly loyal fans. Even during challenging seasons, fans flock to Miller Park, and AM 620 at 7:00 most summer nights. It is a relationship that both parties certainly respect and even treasure.

Minnesota TwinsCorey Provus and Dan Gladden – as told by Phil Mackey.

Minnesota tends to be a very provincial territory. It often takes a minute before we fully embrace outsiders with open arms. Couple this with the fact that Cory Provus took over radio play-by-play duties in 2012 for John Gordon, who, along with the legendary Herb Carneal, called the 1987 and 1991 World Series wins, and gained national visibility for his role in Little Big League, and you can see why Provus had big shoes to fill.

Five years into their pairing, here’s why I love Provus and Dan Gladden. The Twins have had a historically bad run lately, which makes for a lot of irrelevant baseball games during the dog days of summer. Provus and Gladden, through humor, honesty, storytelling and intelligent baseball banter, still manage to create compelling audio. It’s a lot easier to offer an interesting broadcast when your team is winning 95 games and going deep into the playoffs. Try captivating an audience though when your team is enduring multiple 90-loss seasons.

Another reason why this pairing works is because Gladden offers an old-school, gritty perspective as a guy who played 10+ years in the league. Provus, on the other hand, has a healthy knowledge and respect for sabermetrics and other newer ways to observe the game, and he translates those things in a way that busy mass audiences can understand.

It’s a great contrast and excellent partnership that helps make Twins baseball on the radio an entertaining listen. 

New York MetsHowie Rose, Josh Lewin and Wayne Randazzo – as told by Wayne Randazzo.

It may seem like it’s coming from a place of bias, but I do believe the Mets radio broadcasts are among the best in baseball. Howie Rose and Josh Lewin call the vast majority of the games together while I fill in for each of them on the roughly 30 games that either may miss. WOR is largely a news and conservative talk station with a mix of local and syndicated shows so I think the Mets broadcasts give the station an enhanced New York flavor during baseball season.

There is a great deal of professionalism brought to the broadcast. It’s easy to not be as informed on the opposing team as you are for the one you cover on a daily basis, but I believe that all 3 of us do extensive research to sound as educated as possible on the opponent.

What makes Howie and Josh great is that they’re both hysterical, and have allowed me to feel at ease bringing humor and light to the broadcast. Regardless of which combination is calling a game, we all have tremendous chemistry with one another. Additionally, Howie is a walking Mets encyclopedia. He’s been a fan or broadcaster of the team during its entire existence. At any moment, a fan of any age can either get a memory fired up or a lesson in Mets history from Howie.

When you listen to baseball on the radio, you want every pitch and storyline of the game presented, and you want to be entertained and hear passion for the game from the announcers. I think listeners would agree that the Mets radio broadcasts pass all 3 of those tests with flying colors. We have fun doing our jobs, and I think that’s noticeable to the audience.

New York Yankees – John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman – as told by Mark Chernoff.

John Sterling has been the “voice of the Yankees” since 1989 and has not missed a single game. Suzyn Waldman, a WFAN original employee in 1987, has partnered with John on the broadcasts since 2005.

What makes John and Suzyn an excellent team is that they each possess encyclopedic minds about the Yankees and baseball. They’ve been around long enough to talk Yankees history but are also able to capture the excitement of today. They’re honest with the audience during both positive and negative situations, and their chemistry is one-of-a-kind. In particular, Suzyn is often able to finish many of John’s thoughts. They’re also

As it relates to John, he’s both informative and entertaining. He has one of the most distinctive voices in radio and to hear him every night makes you feel like the Yankees will be winners. What sets him apart is that he mixes creativity with play-by-play. His home run calls and “nick names” for players such as “it’s an A-bomb from A-Rod” are popular and help show off his style. John also has a flair for the dramatic, and his “The Yankees win…the Yankees WIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNN” has become a trademark of Yankees broadcasts.

As for Suzyn, there isn’t anyone out there who knows more about the Yankees players, coaches and Manager. Her insight into the players is second to none. She has the ability to engage in conversation about stats but also brings an “inside the locker room” update on the team that sets her apart from many analysts.

The Yankees are an iconic product and our broadcast enhances that image. I expect and receive an honest broadcast every night, which is what our listeners also expect and receive when John and Suzyn are on the air.

Oakland AthleticsKen Korach and Vince Cotroneo – as told by Roxy Bernstein.

In my opinion, Ken Korach is among the best play-by-play broadcasters in the game. I’m certainly biased because I consider Ken a mentor, friend and colleague. What stands out is his attention to detail, voice, pacing and description. It’s as good as there is. I’ve been lucky enough to share the radio booth with Ford C. Fricke Award Winners Dave Van Horne and Jon Miller, and Ken is right there alongside them among the elites in broadcasting.

Another important part of Ken’s excellence stems from his connection with the audience. His conversational style combined with his humor and wit keeps everyone entertained, even if the game is not, and that’s a big reason why he is beloved among A’s fans.

Adding to the quality of the broadcast is Ken’s pairing with Vince Cotroneo. Vince possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience which is on display during each broadcast. No duo works harder and provides better information around the game than Ken and Vince which is why they complement each other so well and have a special relationship with Oakland A’s fans.

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Is Sports Journalism Still Worth Paying For?

“I know many like to declare print being dead. I’m sorry I’m not one of them. Adults still enjoy reading.”

Jason Barrett

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Courtesy: Don Nguyen

I’ve been thinking about this column all week because it’s a topic I’m passionate about and curious to hear the responses to. For starters, let me pose a few questions to you. Does quality journalism still matter? Is it worth paying for? Do advertisers see enough return on their investments with print outlets through associations with influential writers, publications and branded content? Are consumers hungry to read the full details of a story or are they satisfied with the cliff notes version and absorbing messages that fit inside of 140-280 characters?

The world we’re in is saturated with content. Attention spans are rapidly shrinking. Social media is both to blame and bless for that. The positive is that we’re exposed to more content than ever before. This means more opportunity to reach people and grow businesses. The challenge of course is standing out.

People listen, read and watch less of one thing now, opting for variety during the time they have available. The issue with that is that it often leads to being less informed. I know many like to declare print being dead. I’m sorry I’m not one of them. Adults still enjoy reading. I see nearly three million people do it on this website alone and we’re small potatoes compared to mainstream brands. Clearly people like to learn.

I raise this topic because last week, Peter King announced his retirement although he left open the door for side projects. After forty plus years of writing the gold standard of NFL columns, King revealed he wanted to slow down and invest his time in other areas of life. Among his considerations for the future after taking a breather are teaching.

In a podcast interview with Richard Deitsch, King said “We may love this column but I doubt that it made enough money for NBC to pay what they were paying me. I don’t think words are very profitable anymore. It’s a sad thing but it’s what’s happened to our business.”

Later in the conversation, King discussed the difficulty he might face if speaking to students about whether or not to pursue working in the media industry. He acknowledged that the business is bad right now. However, he pointed out that if you can write and read, and be an intelligent thinking contributing member of society, there are a lot of jobs you can do beyond being a writer for a paper covering the NFL. You can teach English, work in PR or for a team or league website. But journalism is different now, and though it’s not impossible to do, having flexibility is important.

I agreed with most of King’s remarks and thought about the two different ways people might respond to them.

If you’re in agreement with Peter, you’ll point to the reduction in industry jobs, the changes in salaries, the lack of trust in media outlets, the economic uncertainty facing traditional operators, the shrinking ability to uncover truth, and the data that frequently supports video being hot, and print not so much.

Those who disagree will list the New York Times and The Athletic as examples of print brands that still matter. They’ll also mention the surge in newsletters, the arrival of new online outlets, and the daily communication between millions of people each day on social media, much of it revolving around conversations created or supported by text.

Where I sit is somewhere in between.

First, the notion that it’s harder now than before is one I’ll challenge. When I entered the business, I had to mail letters, send cassette tapes, and wait months for a response. There was no internet or opportunity to create a podcast, Substack, website or video to build an audience. I had to be selected by someone to have a chance to work. There were thousands like me who wanted a way in and were at the mercy of decision makers preferring my resume over someone else’s. I did exactly what King said on the podcast when he mentioned having to do other jobs to support yourself while pursing a dream.

Where I agree with King is when he mentioned words not being as profitable anymore. Are print reporters and columnists going to make what they once did? Probably not. There will always be exceptions just as there are in television and radio, but if you think you’re going to do one specific job and making a financial killing on it, prepare to be disappointed. Today, you better be able to wear different hats and create a lot of content in multiple places. Earning a lot for doing a little is a way of the past.

The one area where I’ll differ is when it comes to advertising. I believe there’s untapped value for brands in print. Recall with the written word remains strong. There’s also less advertising clutter in written stories than audio and video programming blocks. Advertisers may not seek out traditional print advertising anymore but branded content, newsletter associations, and social media placements remain valued.

What I admire greatly about King is that he evolved over the years. His written work on SI was must-read but that didn’t stop him from leaping into the online space and launching MMQB. The arrival of that microsite was done at the right point in time, and when SI began to change, King didn’t hang on, choosing to make the bold move and jump to NBC. Upon his arrival, he started contributing on television, podcasts, and expanding his profile on social media.

What you should take away from Peter is that you’ve got to constantly examine the business, and understand when it’s time to pivot, even if it means leaving your comfort zone. You also have to recognize that things are going to change and your job description will likely be one of them. If you stay married to what you once did, you’ll be in a tough spot. If you roll with the punches and embrace what’s new, you’ll survive and thrive.

You also have to understand that you’re going to be tied further to what you produce. Does your presence and performance grow advertising revenue? Are you speaking on behalf of brands and helping them move product? Do you grow subscriptions or readership to levels that make it easy for a company to invest significantly in you? Talent is subjective. Results aren’t. Those who create quality while boosting the bottom line will remain in demand.

Remember this in a few years when artificial intelligence becomes a bigger part of content creation and discovery. Those who adapt to it and work with it will be just fine. Those who reject it will be searching for new career paths. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. There’s better stability in other industries. But there’s nothing like creating content around the world of sports and media. It just requires adaptability and being comfortable with being uncomfortable.

BSM Summit Update:

In ten days we unite the sports media business in New York City for the 2024 BSM Summit. All of the sessions are now complete. I’m excited to add Natalie Marsh, General Manager of Lotus Communications in Las Vegas, Cody Welling, Station Manager of 97.1 The Fan in Columbus, and Stephanie Prince, Vice President and Market Manager of Good Karma Brands West Palm Beach to our schedule. The full agenda for both days is posted on BSMSummit.com.

In addition, I’m thrilled to share that we’ll have a few special appearances at the ESPN Radio After Party on Wednesday March 13th. Joining us on-site will be Evan Cohen, Chris Canty and Michelle Smallmon of UnSportsmanLike, Freddie Coleman and Harry Douglas of Freddie & Harry, and Chris Carlin from Carlin vs. Joe.

Thumbs Up:

Chris Mortensen: Rarely does the sports media industry collectively agree on anything but you won’t find much disagreement on Chris Mortensen. He was a special talent and human being. I was fortunate to see it firsthand as a producer at ESPN Radio. I then enjoyed many interactions with Mort as a program director lining up calls on the radio stations I ran. It didn’t matter what job you did or where you worked, Chris treated you well. His work was hall of fame worthy but it was the manner in which he interacted with people that truly made him a legend. Rest in peace, Mort. I’m sure the next wave of conversations with John Clayton are going to be amazing.

Mike Felger: It would’ve been easy to pile on and publicly root for a competitor to fail and fold. Instead, Felger took the high road, acknowledging that he’s rooting for WEEI to come out of bankruptcy in good shape. That’s what smart business people. Mike is comfortable in his own skin. He has the highest rated show in Boston and having a competitor to compete against as well as a potential landing spot when contracts come up is never a bad thing. Besides, why would anyone want to see friends and respected professionals lose an opportunity to work or listeners given less choice for sports talk entertainment? Nice job, Mike.

iHeartmedia: The company’s fourth quarter results were down year-to-year but they were above prior projections. iHeart also gained 16.6% growth in podcasting revenues during Q4, and just got stronger by luring Stephen A. Smith’s podcast away from Audacy. A pretty good week for Bob Pittman and his lieutenants.

Sportico: Jason Clinkscales is an easy guy to root for. He’s written quality content for Awful Announcing, is a sharp guy who enjoys the industry, and after a year full of personal tragedies, he deserved a break. That came last week when Sportico hired him as a reporter and editor on their breaking news team. Well done Sportico. Looking forward to reading the first piece.

National Association of Broadcasters: Creating buzz for conferences isn’t easy but the NAB’s recent announcement of having Daniel Anstandig of Futuri Media present a first-of-its-kind presentation at its April show alongside Ameca, an autonomously AI-powered humanoid robot has certainly increased conversation and intrigue. I’ll be in attendance for the event and am curious like many. I’m just hoping Joe Rogan isn’t right when he suggested this week that robots will jump out of an aircraft carrier with machine guns and do damage.

Thumbs Down:

Kroenke Sports and Entertainment: This isn’t a shot at the company. It’s more about losing a talented media executive. Matt Hutchings, the company’s former COO and EVP was a key part of developing Altitude Sports. Under his watch, the Nuggets and Avalanche won titles, and the company cemented its position in the local sports radio space.

The dispute with Comcast over airing Nuggets and Avs games is well documented, and Hutchings will get some of the blame for the teams not being broadcast on local TV but I tend to believe decisions of that magnitude land at ownership’s doorstep. Regardless, KSE is weaker today than yesterday due to losing Hutchings.

New York Jets: I get it. 98.7 ESPN New York moving away from the FM dial provides a concern for the franchise, and in other cities, football does perform well on classic rock stations. I just see the fit with Q104.3 as an odd one. If Aaron Rodgers returns and the Jets finally take off the way their fans hoped they would last year, it’s going to feel strange hearing their games locally on a channel that has little content time dedicated to the team beyond game days.

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Erika Ayers and Spike Eskin Led Barstool Sports and WFAN to Success But Their Exits Raise Questions

“Rod and Spike understand the business. They know people are going to ask these questions.”

Jason Barrett

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There were two big management moves last week that have sports media folks talking. First was Erika Ayers Badan announcing her exit from Barstool Sports as the brand’s CEO. Second was the news of Spike Eskin returning to Sportsradio WIP and exiting his role as the VP of Programming for WFAN and CBS Sports Radio.

Let’s start with Erika. What she did for Barstool was spectacular. In 2016, I thought Barstool had a strong understanding of social media, unique talent and voices, podcasts that were cutting through, and a connection with younger fans that traditional outlets couldn’t deliver. They also produced events that drew a lot of public attention. But I didn’t view Barstool as a buttoned up business capable of generating hundreds of millions of dollars. Erika Nardini aka Erika Ayers Badan and Dave Portnoy deserve credit for making it one.

Erika told me at our 2020 BSM Summit that Barstool didn’t have a P&L sheet when she joined. She had to build systems, hire staff, grow the sales arm of Barstool, and help Dave Portnoy find investors. What followed were marketing deals with major brands, content partnerships with different media outlets, a massive investment from Penn National, and a changed perception of Barstool as a mainstream player. They were no longer just the cool, rebellious brand on social media and the internet that gave no f’s and generated attention. They became game changers in the sports content space.

So why leave?

If Barstool is now clear of restrictions and able to operate without investor influence, that should be enticing, right? In her farewell video Erika said that she felt she accomplished what she set out to do. I understand and appreciate that. But I can’t help but wonder if less structure and investor involvement made it less appealing to stay. She did join the brand after The Chernin Group got involved not before it.

I have no inside knowledge on this, and I’m not suggesting Barstool won’t continue growing and dominating. They likely will. It just raises questions about how the brand will manage sales, PR, critical internal and external issues, and battles with suitors when they try to lure away Barstool’s on-air and sales talent.

The business end of Barstool appears weaker today than it did a week ago. That’s more of a testament to what Erika did than a knock on anyone still there. To grow revenue the way she did the past 8 years speaks volumes about her skill as an executive. Wherever she lands next, it’s likely she’ll make a difference.

Will it be easier to do business with Barstool moving forward? Time will tell. I don’t expect they’ll make it easier for media outlets like ours to cover them. But if I’ve learned anything in eight years of following them it’s don’t ever bet against Dave Portnoy. Too often people have. Each time he’s proven them wrong. Portnoy has built a powerhouse brand, and grown the business by zigging when others zagged. But how Barstool moves forward without Erika will be of great interest to many in 2024.

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Spike Eskin will be leaving WFAN and his position as the VP of Programming for Audacy to return to WIP and co-host the afternoon show. On paper this is a great move for WIP. Spike understands Philadelphia and WIP’s audience, he lives and breathes Philly sports, and has a great rapport with the entire lineup. He’s maintained an on-air presence through his Rights to Ricky Sanchez podcast, and I believe that moving into a host role alongside Ike Reese and Jack Fritz will be a seamless transition for all involved. Being in his mid to late 40’s, he’s also got plenty years ahead of him to cement his spot as an on-air talent. I expect Spike, Ike and Jack to do well together.

But to exit WFAN and the top programming role at Audacy in less than three years, raises a few questions. Why is this opportunity better for Spike than the programming role he just held? Was he happy at WFAN? Were folks happy with him at WFAN? Many have opinions about WFAN’s changes the past few years. Some love the fresher approach. Others don’t. That’s what makes sports radio in New York fun, people care.

As a follower of WFAN for over thirty years, it’s a different brand than the one I grew up on. That’s not a bad thing by the way. I’m almost 50. If Spike and Chris Oliviero programmed to please the Mike and the Mad Dog crowd that’d be a mistake. Attention spans are shorter, content options are larger, digital is more important and the days of a city flocking to the radio at 1pm to hear a host’s first words are gone. Judging from the ratings, revenue, and turnout for Boomer and Gio’s last live event, the station is doing well. They’ve got a lot of talent, a stronger digital game, and they’ll continue thriving. Spike deserves credit for the brand’s progress.

But why is a hosting role and less influence over a brand better for Eskin? Spike has been a part of WIP’s afternoon show before. Though leading the show vs. being the third mic is a different animal. He also programmed the station really well. In fact, Spike did such a good job at WIP that it landed him the top programming position in sports radio. Is there a personal part to this given that his father made afternoons in Philly must-listen for 25 years? Or is it about the personal relationship he has with Ike and Jack?

And how does this work from a financial standpoint? It’s likely that Spike was paid more to lead Audacy New York than Jon Marks was to host WIP’s afternoon show. If that’s the case, and nothing changes for Eskin, and WIP just adds payroll, does it affect what Chris Oliviero can spend on Audacy New York’s next brand leader? I can’t see that happening at all. Chris is going to make sure he has what he needs to land the right leader in New York.

Finances only come up because it’s known that Audacy is going through a bankruptcy process. Adding expenses right now seems unlikely. However, to add someone with Eskin’s skill and track record at a station where he previously shined is smart business, especially when you consider that he can win as a host and programmer if needed. That’s going to naturally lead to folks asking ‘will Spike eventually host PM drive and program WIP? If so, what does that mean for current PD Rod Lakin?’ ‘What happens when talent at WIP that Spike had a hand in hiring don’t like what Lakin suggests or if WIP’s ratings decline?’

Spike told Joe DeCamara and Jon Ritchie that’s not on his radar and the idea of joining the afternoon show was raised by PD Rod Lakin. Some of you may read that and be surprised that Lakin would suggest it. But Rod stepped into the role that Eskin previously held. I’m sure they’ve talked plenty the past few years. If their relationship is strong that should help. I don’t know it well enough to say if it is or isn’t. This move suggests Lakin’s more concerned with strengthening WIP than worrying about himself or industry chatter.

If anyone can navigate the situation and make it work, it’s Rod Lakin. He’s calm, cool, collected, smart and doesn’t get flustered by noise and pressure. I know this because we’ve known each other for over a decade, and I introduced him to folks years ago, which led to him landing the Philly role. If you read Derek Futterman’s piece on Angelo Cataldi last month, the Philly icon shared a small example of what makes Rod a great leader.

But Rod and Spike understand the business. They know people are going to ask these questions. The flurry of texts and emails I received about this last week was insane. I’m sure it was even louder on the local level. Many will suggest that Audacy will use this as an opportunity to eventually reduce expenses and stay strong by having Eskin handle two roles. Only those involved know the answers but one thing I know is that Rod Lakin knows how to program. If he’s not supported there, he’ll have plenty of interest elsewhere.

In a perfect world, Spike excels in afternoons, Rod leads WIP to greater success, and WFAN finds a great leader to move the brand forward. But until the smoke clears, noise will fill the air in the big apple and city of brotherly love.

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Thumbs Up:

Colin Dunlap, 93.7 The Fan: While on the air last week, Dunlap received a call from a 65-year old woman named Colette. She told the Pittsburgh host that she and her husband were disabled and after undergoing 28 surgeries, she was physically struggling to clear her walkway of snow. Hearing her story moved Dunlap to react. He then called on the audience to step up and help. Shortly thereafter, one of 93.7 The Fan’s listeners, a gentleman named Tom, phoned in, and made the drive over to help out a fellow listener. That’s the power of live radio at its best, all possible by Dunlap reading and reacting to the situation perfectly.

Clay Travis, Outkick: Whether you love him or hate him, Clay delivers strong opinions and commands your attention. A perfect example was his Friday night reaction video to the demise of Sports Illustrated. If you haven’t watched it, it’s worth checking out. It’s nearing one million views at the time of my writing this.

VSiN: The sports betting network based out of Las Vegas recently redesigned its website and the new look and feel of it is excellent. Clean throughout, easy to navigate, and rich of content. Nice work by Bill Adee all involved.

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Thumbs Down:

Sports Illustrated: Laying off the majority of its staff was bad enough, but to notify people by email or have them find out on social media shows a lack of class and a disgusting approach to running a business. All of those traits by the way are the exact opposite of what SI once stood for – RESPECT.

During SI’s glory days, the content was must read. But in recent years, the outlet landed in the hands of operators who valued clicks over quality. Many predicted and expected this once storied brand to crumble. Unfortunately, the naysayers were proven right.

To those affected, I’m sorry for the crummy news. Some will rebound and help other established brands. Some will launch their own platforms or exit the industry. Anyone looking to do future freelancing work is invited to email [email protected].

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BSM Summit Update:

I’m happy to share that Good Karma Brands president Steve Politziner, Edison Research co-founder and president Larry Rosin and ESPN Chicago program director Danny Zederman have been added to our lineup. We’ve also finalized two of our four awards recipients and are working on a third. I’m hoping to share those details soon along with a few other high profile additions to this year’s show. I’ll be heading to Las Vegas during Super Bowl week, which is when we reveal our BSM Top 20 of 2023, and after that I’m hoping to finalize our schedule so it can be released by the end of February.

I know everyone likes waiting until the last minute to buy tickets and reserve hotel rooms. If you want to avoid being left out though, the time to act is now. Everything you need is posted on BSMSummit.com. Our deadline for hotel room reservations is February 13th. We’ve also sent out free ticket contests by email to the advertising community and tri-state area colleges. We’ll have two more this week for executives and programmers. Be sure to check your spam folder just in case it doesn’t arrive in your inbox.

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2-Seconds to Vent:

Jimmy Pitaro, Eric Shanks, John Skipper, Nick Khan, Colin Cowherd, Paul Finebaum, Clay Travis, Craig Carton, Adam Schein, Michael Kay, and Fred Toucher all have something in common with many others across the industry. They’re accomplished professionals with plenty on their plate yet when contacted, they always respond. Most of the time, they do so quickly. That’s greatly appreciated.

If those tasked with running the largest media companies in America, and hosting shows with content, advertising, and audience commitments can find time to respond, why is it so hard for other professionals to do the same? If you don’t want to be featured on BSM, speak at a Summit, market with us or answer a question, just say ‘not interested‘. It takes two seconds. The best in the business understand the value of relationships and promotion. Unfortunately, many do not. I don’t use this platform to draw attention to these issues but sometimes I wonder, should I?

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Original Projects:

On BNM this week we’re doing five days of features on NPR professionals as part of ‘Public Radio Week‘. It’s not easy pulling it off but we’re trying some different stuff. Next week we launch ‘Where Are They Now‘ on BSM. Peter Schwartz will have the first feature next Tuesday. Coming up in February, we drop the BSM Top 20, Derek Futterman’s ‘Day Spent With‘ series which includes spending a day with professionals across different areas of the industry, and we’ll profile a number of black voices on BNM as part of the brand’s focus on Black History month. I hope you’ll check them out whenever time allows.

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Recommended Viewing:

If you’re looking for a movie to watch during the week, check out Blackberry if you haven’t already done so. The film is about the rise and fall of the Blackberry phone, and I thought it was excellent. It had a similar feel to the movie Jobs, and the series Super Pumped: The Battle For Uber. Worth your time if you’ve got two hours available to watch something different than live games or sports programming.

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If you have a question or comment you’d like addressed in a future column, please send it to [email protected]. That same email address can be used to pass along press releases, interview requests or news tips. Thanks for reading!

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Justin Craig, Chris Kinard, Mary Menna Added to 2024 BSM Summit Lineup

“What I’ve always enjoyed about the BSM Summit is that it showcases speakers from many different areas of the industry.”

Jason Barrett

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To kick off 2024, we’re announcing the additions of three more talented broadcasters to our 2024 BSM Summit. More on that shortly. The Summit takes place March 13-14 at the Ailey Theater in New York City. For tickets, hotel rooms, and additional details, visit BSMSummit.com. Those interested in sponsorship opportunities, contact Stephanie Eads. A number of items are already claimed but she can tell you what’s left. Reach her by email at [email protected] or by phone at 415-312-5553.

What I’ve always enjoyed about the Summit is that it showcases speakers from different areas of the industry. We’ve featured top talent, researchers, agents, digital leaders, podcasting experts, ratings analysts, tech builders, play by play voices, and of course, program directors and market managers. There’s many ways to succeed, and no better way to learn than to hear from folks who consistently win.

In the sports audio world, 98.5 The Sports Hub, 106.7 The Fan, and ESPN Radio are highly respected brands. The Hub and The Fan are dominant in Boston and Washington D.C.. ESPN Radio meanwhile maintains a strong position as one of the top national audio brands. All feature strong leaders, and we’re fortunate to have all of them represented in NYC.

It’s a pleasure to welcome Beasley Boston Market Manager Mary Menna to the Summit. This is her first appearance at the conference. Mary is responsible for managing The Hub’s business, currently the top revenue generating brand in all of sports radio. I’m excited to have her offer her insights on a panel with Chris Oliviero and Scott Sutherland. More details on the session, date/time closer to the show.

On the programming side, it’s great to welcome back Chris Kinard of 106.7 The Fan, and Justin Craig of ESPN Radio. Both will be involved in programming panels at the show.

CK has helped lead The Fan and Team 980 to consistent growth in the nation’s capital. He’s a forward thinking type of leader with a great feel for the current and future challenges facing the business. I’m looking forward to having him share a few lessons he’s learned with the rest of the room.

For my friend JC, he’s seen ESPN Radio evolve for the better part of two decades. Liked and respected by most, he’s valued and trusted to guide ESPN Radio’s day-to-day operations. Given the network’s change in focus, talent, and structure, he’ll have great insights to share on where national sports audio is moving.

Our speaker list now sits at twenty. It will grow much more over the next two months as we reveal other additions to the show. We’ll also be announcing our award winners, and a few other surprises. This is a fun and informative two-day event for sports media professionals. If you haven’t joined us before, I hope you’ll do so this time. Everything you need to know prior to the event will be available at BSMSummit.com.

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