New Miami PD tries to ruffle feathers...

Fails miserably at it and takes focus away from his station. This guy belongs in Radio Mensa.

Posted on Fri, Apr. 03, 2009

AROUND THE DIAL

WINZ-940 AM switches to a sports format Friday night and will carry only national talk shows: Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic (6-9 a.m.), Dan Patrick

(9 a.m.-noon), Jim Rome (noon-3 p.m.), Chris Myers and Steve Hartman (3-7 p.m.), ''Petros and Money'' (7-10 p.m.), J.T. The Brick (10-2 a.m.) and Fox Sports Soup (2-6 a.m.). WINZ also carries Heat and UF games.

Why would WINZ want to take on WQAM and 790 The Ticket -- and do it without any local talk shows?

''The progressive format was not doing what we expected revenue-wise, and we've got these giant names in sports,'' WINZ/WIOD program director Ken Charles said. ``The biggest thing on WQAM is Neil Rogers, and he's not sports. Go into a sports bar and mention Dan Patrick and Jim Rome, and people know them. Go into a sports bar and mention Jorge Sedano, and you get a blank look.''

The Ticket's Sedano, who has a sizable following, responded: ''Who's Ken Charles? He obviously knows who I am, though.'' (Sedano said he left WIOD after seven years because of Charles.)

''Ken Charles must be new to Miami if he doesn't know Joe Rose and Jim Mandich,'' WQAM's Joe Bell cracked.

Charles said a local show might be added, depending on the economy and how the station is doing. He said former 790 host Sid Rosenberg would be on his ''short list'' but added that Rosenberg has a noncompete clause that will keep him off local airwaves until the fall.

Ex-KFAN (Minneapolis) Host enters rehab

Courtesy TwinCities.com

(March 31, 2009) Former KFAN-AM radio personality Jeffery Dubay appeared in Ramsey County substance abuse court Thursday, saying he was scheduled to enter drug treatment Monday.

Dubay, who was charged with felony fifth-degree possession of cocaine after an Oct. 15 traffic stop in Maplewood, qualifies for the drug court but will not be formally admitted until treatment starts, Judge Joanne Smith said.

Substance abuse court is for nonviolent offenders who may avoid jail time and other sanctions by following a strict set of requirements, such as treatment and community service.

Dubay failed to complete the requirements of a previous program.

The former radio celebrity co-hosted "PA and Dubay" on KFAN with Paul Allen from 9 a.m. to noon weekdays. He was fired shortly after the drug charge was filed.

Seattle Sports Radio War begins

Courtesy Seattle Times

(April 1, 2009) Starting Monday, Seattle sports fans will finally have a radio choice: KJR or KIRO.

Husky honk Dave "Softy" Mahler during lunch, or former Washington quarterback Brock Huard, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.? Groz and Gas at drive time, or former Sonics play-by-play man Kevin Calabro, now the voice of Sounders FC?

Monday will begin to answer not only whether the Mariners will be better this season, but whether Seattle is ready to support two all-sports radio stations.

KIRO (710 AM) is using the occasion of opening day — its first since regaining the rights to the Mariners — to debut its all-sports format, which will post the first direct challenge that KJR (950 AM) has faced since it went all sports in 1992.

Some wonder if the sports buffet might prove too much for a city that doesn't have the reputation for being as passionate as New York, Chicago or Philadelphia — through good times and bad — nor as large.

"I think the jury is still out as to whether this town can support two sports formats," said Gordon Bryson, president of International Media Partners, a Bellevue-based media-research firm. "I think they can. I think there is enough diversity out there to do that. But we shall see."

The men in charge of each of the stations, however, are more confident.

"I don't get that question," says KJR-AM program director Rich Moore. "How many country stations do we have in this market? How many news stations? If you look at the top 15 markets in the country, all of them have at least two and some of them have at least three sports stations. You can build sports stations all different kinds of ways."

Rod Arquette, program director for KIRO, also thinks there will be room enough for both.

"KJR puts out a really solid, good product," he said. "But we think we can create an alternative, a different choice for the sports fan."

KIRO, which will be called 710 ESPN Seattle, will actually begin to make the change at 11:55 a.m. Thursday, when it will begin the live broadcast of a Mariners spring-training game and then shift all of its other regular programming — news-talk shows such as Dave Ross and Dori Monson — to its FM station, 97.3.

From then until Monday, the AM station will run ads promoting the debut of the all-sports network. At 3 a.m. Monday, KIRO-AM will officially go all-sports, debuting with the ESPN "Mike and Mike Show," dumping the news-talk format that has been its identity for more than 30 years.

Some would argue the Seattle area is already supporting two all-sports stations, pointing to KRKO-AM, an all-sports station in Everett with a lineup that includes former KJR personality Jeff "The Fish" Aaron.

But to most sports fans, the all-sports battle figures to be KJR vs. KIRO.

After Bonneville Communications, which owns KIRO, made the announcement last November that it intended to go all-sports with 710 AM, KJR began positioning itself as "live and local" to contrast the fact that KIRO will have a lot of hours of ESPN programming. And in recent ads, KJR has promoted its lengthy all-sports history in Seattle.

Moore, however, says KJR doesn't plan to change much.

"The reality is being the only all-sports station in this market for so long, we were really able to establish our brand," he said. "When you have competition, it's going to make you focus and do better. But we don't have any plans to change anything. We are the established one. They are the ones that are going to have to establish themselves."

Arquette said Bonneville made the move with KIRO only after signing a new three-year deal with the Mariners. Combined with an existing deal with the Seahawks, it gave the station the play-by-play rights to the two most popular pro teams in town. Bonneville also has the rights to the Sounders FC, putting those on 97.3 FM.

"A number of items had to come together or we would not have done this," Arquette said.

Having the Mariners and Seahawks' one-two punch will give KIRO lots of built-in programming to grow an audience, Bryson, with the media-research fire, says. But there are some intangibles.

"What will help them immediately is if the Mariners can get hot," Bryson said.

Arquette believes fans who want inside information on those teams will flock to KIRO. But some figure that could also lead to boosterism toward hometown teams.

Moore says KIRO will give fans more of the "straightforward access" to the team while KJR will be "more like a sports page. We'll be opinion based and have an edge to us."

KJR also remains the home of UW football and basketball, giving it an anchor to its programming.

KJR will also have essentially around-the-clock local programming with its own shows from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. For now, the only regular local shows on KIRO are Huard and Mike Salk, most recently a co-host on an ESPN radio show in Boston and a regular on ESPN TV football shows, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Calabro from 3-6, plus Mariners pre- and postgame shows. The rest of the time the station will air ESPN radio shows such as Mike and Mike from 3-7 a.m. and Colin Cowherd from 7-11 a.m.

Moore is banking on fans turning the dial to KJR morning hosts talking about the Seattle teams. "When you wake up the next morning do you want to hear Colin Cowherd talk about the Yankees?" he asks.

Still, Huard and Calabro are well-known names sure to elicit a lot of curiosity from fans. KIRO is also expected to help fill out those shows with some regular appearances from other well-known Seattle sports personalities, such as longtime Post-Intelligencer columnists Jim Moore and Art Thiel.

KJR counters with several Seattle Times sports reporters and columnists on air during the week.

Rich Moore, though, insists there doesn't have to be a loser in this game.

"If I was just a sports fan and not in the business, I'd think it's almost like getting a new team, something else to follow your passions through," Moore says.

Morning shake up at KFNS-590 (St. Louis)

It's no joke. Martin Kilcoyne, who had a messy departure from KFNS 2½ years ago, returns there on April Fools' Day — a fitting date for yet another move in the zany world of St. Louis sports-talk radio.

He'll be on from 7-10 a.m. weekdays, the final hour with Frank Cusumano.

"I believe Martin is the most talented sports broadcaster in town,'' KFNS general manager Dave Greene said. "Others may do one thing or another better, but all-around, Martin is No. 1 in my book. He is entertaining, he has strong opinions, he is well-connected and is respected. He is the whole package.''

Green is so impressed that he's calling the program "Martin Radio.''

"We were trying to come up with the most pretentious title possible and I think we succeeded,'' Kilcoyne said. "I have a feeling we'll be the butt of all jokes for a while. It wasn't my first choice, but I guess it will grow on me.''

Rich Gould and Maurice Drummond, who currently man the morning slot at KFNS, will join Kilcoyne on a rotating basis. Drummond will appear Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, Gould on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 7-9 a.m.

Kilcoyne will be competing with his former co-hosts, Tim McKernan and Jim Hayes, who are working with Doug Vaughn in the morning slot at KSLG (1380 AM).

The Kilcoyne-McKernan-Hayes trio had what was arguably the most successful show in local sports-talk radio, with an irreverent, often randy and self-depreciating program that drifted into many topics.

"It will be a little strange going up against them, but they've carved out their own niche,'' Kilcoyne said. "So it's up to me to do my own thing.''

Although "Martin Radio'' figures to target a little older audience than McKernan and company, it won't be a straight sports show. Kilcoyne compares it to the recent "Foxhole'' show he and Drummond had at KSLG until it was dropped when his contract expired in December. They've been together a few times in the interim, filling in for Dan Patrick on his nationally syndicated radio show.

"We will have notable sports guests, but we will have some fun segments that aren't sports driven,'' he said. "It's going to be a sports show first, but as people know I tend to drift off, like (talking about) running into a hoosier at Imo's. I'm as intrigued by that sometimes as much as the sports stuff.''

KFNS FACTOR

Kilcoyne left KFNS under less than ideal circumstances in the fall of 2006. The company line was that it was a hardship for him to be on the air early in the morning after working late at night at KTVI (Ch. 2), where he's the sports director.

But KTVI's newscast now runs later than it did then, and the reality is that Kilcoyne had a falling out with program director Jason Barrett — who in the small world of St. Louis sports-talk radio now is in the same position at WXOS (101.1 FM), the latest entry into that field.

Kilcoyne's departure was the beginning of a mammoth decline for KFNS (see accompanying story) and he eventually ended up at KSLG, in middays — but that station is cutting back its payroll and he has been off the local radio airwaves for three months while waiting out a three-month "noncompete'' period.

DOUBLING UP

Kilcoyne will join Cusumano, from 9-10 a.m., an hour Cusumano has been doing solo.

"Within the first three minutes of our first meeting (about the show), we all were laughing,'' said Cusumano, also a sportscaster at one of Kilcoyne's rivals, KSDK (Ch. 5). "In this (competitive market), what we need is a great talent, and he's got it.''

Kilcoyne is going to try to loosen up his more stoic partner.

"Part of my job is to make Frank uncomfortable, but I think my mere presence will make him uncomfortable,'' Kilcoyne said. "Hopefully the audience will see a different side of Frank. I don't have any problem trying to mess with Frank a little. I think he might need that. And whether he's aware of it, that might be good for him. We've always had a mini-rivalry, being at competing sports TV departments, so this could be interesting.''

That hour will feature a lot of rapid-fire give and take on issues of the day, akin to ESPNs "Pardon the Interruption'' program.

Cusumano then goes solo for two hours.

Recently fired Des Moines sports talk host might resurface across town

It appears the recent firings of three KXNO-AM (1460) following their “F-bomb” tirade could benefit a crosstown rival. The Des Moines Register reports Citadel’s KBGG-AM (1700) VP/MM Terry Peters may consider taking in at least one of the three talents jettisoned from KXNO.

The newspaper says former morning host Larry Cotlar does not have a non-compete issue, and Peters told the newspaper, “I’m sure we’ll talk. If you need a sports guy, Larry Cotlar is definitely a guy you need to talk to.”

This week, KBGG debuted the local sports show “Out of Bounds,” hosted by KCCI-TV sports director Andy Garman and Steve “Round Guy” Pilchen. As for KXNO, which lost their morning & afternoon drive shows following the firings, they hope to drop their current syndicated replacements and return to local sports talk programming once they find suitable replacements.

Clear Channel to launch Sports on WINZ 940

It was reported in the Miami Herald a week ago that Clear Channel would flip WINZ -940 back to sports. It was originally a sports talk station from 2001-2004 before flipping to Liberal Talk.

Well, at first you don't succeed try try again.

The first incarnation was billed 940 Fox Sports and the call letters were actually WRFX.

It's lineup included only 1 show that was considered original programming. That show was veteran sports talker Jorge Sedano (WAXY-Miami) in afternoon drive. Their morning show was a time buy (should that surprise anyone CC making a money grab???), hosted by Carl Foster (unemployed) & Anita Marks (ESPN Radio Baltimore PMDr host). The rest of the lineup was supplemented by Jim Rome & Fox Sports Radio.

The current incarnation which looks to hit the airwaves either 4/13 or 4/20 will have a mix of syndication at first.

6am-9am: ESPN's Mike & Mike in the Morning

9am-Noon: Dan Patrick Show

Noon-3pm: Jim Rome Show

3pm-7pm - Fox Sports Radio's Chris Myers Show or some possible local programming

(Jeff DeForrest (WFTL) or Sid Rosenberg (formerly WAXY & WFAN) -UNLIKELY at the start b/c CC won't want to spend money. Though, I doubt CC would employ DeForrest since, he admitted to paying a Miccosukee Indian Gaming marketing director kickbacks in 2002. All to ensure he got the contract to broadcast television shows from its Tamiami Trail casino. DeForrest was arrested for the incident. Meanwhile, Rosenberg has a non compete of 6 months since being ousted at WAXY-790.

7pm-10pm - FSR's Petros & Money ( a good Los Angeles show a terrible national show based out of KLAC-LA)

10pm-2am- FSR's veteran sports talker JT The Brick

2am-6am - FSR's Sports Soup (Some concoction VP Don Martin thought was a good idea. Where they replay the best segements of the day. Sounds like teh cure for insomnia).

So, that's the scoop on WINZ - 940. No word on what their moniker is yet. I would guess on something like 940 The Animal or something REAL ORIGINAL like that.

JJ

MANCOW ADDITION DOESN'T CHANGE WTKT'S SPORTS FOCUS

Does the addition of "Mancow's Morning Madhouse" to what had been an all-sports lineup on Harrisburg's WTKT (1460 AM) signal a change in philosophy?

Nah. Marketing manager Rich Lewis said by phone Tuesday that the station known for its Fox Sports Radio personalities and Senators baseball is simply trotting out a product that has been a hit in other markets. Otherwise, once "Mancow" has finished his morning drive-time schtick, then it's back to basics: sports talk, baseball games, Penn State and Pitt basketball, and other sports programming.

"The show became available to us," Lewis said. "We've had some really big success with it in other markets such as Allentown. It's a really different kind of radio show, kind of almost a younger, more contemporary version of what R.J. [Harris, 580 AM personality] does in the morning. It became available and we saw a hole for it in the marketplace."

"Mancow" came aboard WTKT on Monday, knocking First Team on Fox's Steve Czaban and crew out of the box.

Matthew "Mancow" Muller, 42, was born in Kansas City, Mo., and began making his bones in the biz as early as 1993 when he staged a publicity stunt that blocked traffic for a time in San Francisco.

That bit of fun netted "Mancow" probation, a fine and community service, but also national publicity, and his track record since has included a number of incidents that have increased his notoriety.

Lewis noted that WTKT and the Senators extended their contract a few months ago that will give fans a chance to follow the Double-A team's home and away games on the station "for the foreseeable future."

Meanwhile, the rest of the Fox Sports family still resides there and, in fact, even "Mancow" works some sports content into his show.

"The main focus of the radio station is still sports," Lewis said. "However, the goal is to provide a level of entertainment that people are going to come back for again and again and again."

In his view, "Mancow" has the best shot at doing that.

BIGBY ADDS OM DUTIES AT KRLD

CBS Radio VP/Strategic Programming and Sports WXYT-AM & FM (97.1 The Ticket)/Detroit PD Tom Bigby adds Operations Manager duties at co-owned Sports KRLD-FM (105.3 The Fan)/Dallas, working with PD Gavin Spittle, effective March 30. Bigby spent 17 years with CBS Radio before retiring in 2006. Before that he served as OM of Talk WYSP-FM (94.1 Free FM)/Philadelphia.

"We are very excited to add Tom to our already great team here in Dallas/Fort Worth, and look forward to his contribution in making 105.3 The Fan an even greater sports station," said GM David Henry. "We have the best sports signal in North Texas, and along with our partnerships with Texas Motor Speedway and the Texas Rangers, we're in a great position to be the leader in sports radio."

"Building a great sports station in one of America's great sports cities is a challenge I am looking forward to," added Bigby. "Ask anyone who knows me and they will attest to my passion for this format. I bring that same enthusiasm to Dallas/Fort Worth and look forward to working with Gavin Spittle to build a station second to none."

Bigby has also worked at News KRLD-AM/Dallas and is best known as for launching Sports WIP-AM/Philadelphia in 1989.

Des Moines KXNO fires 3 hosts

HuffPost tipster D.J. alerts us to this profanity-laced argument that was heard live on the air during a commercial break of a Des Moines radio show. Apparently the mics were still hot as the station cut to commercials, and what transpired was unfortunate. The Des Moines Register reports:

Listeners of Des Moines sports radio station KXNO heard a profane argument between broadcasters Marty Tirrell and Larry Cotlar on Friday morning that included Tirrell's use of the "F-word" at least a dozen times.

The argument -- apparently over media credentials used during last week's Iowa high school boys' basketball tournament -- took place just moments before the beginning of an NCAA basketball preview show.

I guess they're kind of lucky to an extent they still have their D-League gigs:

DES MOINES, Iowa - Two fired Des Moines sports radio hosts will be kept on as broadcasters for the NBA D-League's Iowa Energy -- whose games are broadcast on the same station that dismissed them.

Morning host Larry Cotlar, his co-host Geoff Conn and afternoon host Marty Tirrell were fired by KXNO on Wednesday after a profanity-laced tirade was accidentally broadcast over the air last week.

The Energy says that Tirrell will continue to be the team's play-by-play announcer. The team also says Cotlar will remain as the color commentator and that Conn will continue his duties as the team's public address announcer.

The team says it made the moves in the spirit of reconciliation and after thoughtful consideration and deliberation.

Here's Cotlar's statement following the incident:

Larry Cotlar's Statement On Termination From KXNO

Larry Cotlar Staff Writer

March 25, 2009

I am saddened and deeply disappointed with Clear Channel's decision to terminate my employment after all my years of service over an unfortunate incident which I did not initiate nor had any knowledge was being broadcast over the airwaves. I sincerely apologize to any listeners who may have been offended by what they heard over the air last Friday morning.

I want to thank my many loyal listeners, friends and colleagues who have supported me during the difficult time and throughout my eight wonderful years at KXNO Radio.

Way to be a stand up guy...

First rule in radio... always assume the mic is live.

Sid Rosenberg is out at 790 The Ticket in Miami

Sid Rosenberg is out after three years as a sports talk radio host at 790 The Ticket in Miami, his agent, Mark Lepselter confirmed Friday night. Rosenberg had been off the air since Monday.

Lepselter said on Friday Rosenberg and station management "agreed to part ways." Lepselter said there had been "professional disagreements" but declined to describe them in detail.

He stressed that Rosenberg had not had a relapse of any sort into the personal problems that have derailed his career in the past, including drug abuse. Rosenberg did not return a message left via email. For now, Rosenberg - a former sports update man for Don Imus at WFAN as well as a midday co-host on the station - will remain in Florida as he ponders his next move.

Rosenberg did reports for Imus' WABC radio show from the Super Bowl in late January and early February. "He's a free agent now," Lepselter said.

Courtesy of New York Newsday

Max Kellerman out at 1050 in NYC... Joining Francesa next?

SPORTS HOST KELLERMAN EXITS 1050; JOINING FRANCESA?

Courtesy New York Daily News

(March 10, 2009) Max Kellerman, the self-anointed sports brainiac, is out at ESPN-1050.

Station suits said the decision to end their relationship with Kellerman, who worked the 10 a.m.-1 p.m. slot, was "mutual."

What this means is Kellerman, who is also a boxing analyst at HBO Sports, likely has another gig already lined up. Could it be Kellerman is headed to WFAN to work along side Mike (The Sports Pope) Francesa?

The FANdroids have been looking for a sidekick for Francesa since his long-time partner Chris (Mad Dog) Russo split the FAN Cave for a solo gig on Sirius/XM satellite radio.

A Francesa-Kellerman pairing, a marriage of huge egos, would make for interesting radio and fireworks.

In showing Kellerman the door ESPN-1050 boss Tim McCarthy said: "Max is a highly articulate and passionate sports talk host and he brought a unique voice to our talent lineup."

Brandon Tierney, the station's evening talkie, will work in Kellerman's spot until a permanent replacement is found.

Chicago Sports Talk Legend takes on Internet venture

Former Chicago sports talk host Mike North takes on his former station with one of his own

He doesn’t have fancy offices in Chicago, a radio tower, or 50,000 watts of power, but he does have an internet webcast and very soon, his own sports talk lineup. Crain’s Chicago Business is reporting former WSCR-AM 670 sports talk show host Mike North, who spent 16 years with the sports talker until his contract wasn’t renewed last year, is taking on terrestrial sports radio. He’s doing it with a daytime, daily internet sports talk lineup via his web stream on ChicagoSportsWebio.com. North and his business partner have apparently been hiring staffers who formerly worked at the Score or rival “ESPN 1000” WMVP. Former “Score” staffer Jesse Rogers will be the website’s PD. The tentative lineup, expected to start in April, includes North’s “Monsters in the Morning” from 6-9am, followed by Chicago Tribune writer Teddy Greenstein and former WSCR host Matt Weber from 9-11am, Tim Doyle and WMVP’s Jonathan Hood from 11am-3pm, with boxing legend Ray “Boom-Boom” Mancini & WMVP’s Chet Coppock from 3-6pm.

Bay Area Sports Talker celebrates 25th Anniversary

Ralph Barbieri celebrates his 25th anniversary at KNBR in San Fransisco.

"The Razor and Mr. T" show consists of the longtime Bay Area sports radio host Ralph Barbieri & former NBA player Tom Tolbert. The show has been the highest rated show in the Bay Area in the 25-54 male demographic since 2000.

Is something brewing at WQAM - MIAMI?

This is a job posting that was put in the trades earlier this week. Could this mean the end for night time host Damon Amendolara? It was rumored that the station was going to replace him with Baltimore's Anita Marks. That never materialized.

Job Posting below.

South Florida’s leading sports radio station, SportsRadio 560 WQAM, is looking for energetic and enthusiastic Talk Show Hosts. Candidates must be highly motivated, creative, and a team player. Looking for both full time and part time positions. Experience is a must.

Closing Date: Until filled

Send tape and resume to:

WQAM-AM
20295 NW 2 Ave #300
Miami, FL 33169
Attn: Joe Bell

Boston Globe scribe rips WEEI (Boston) a new one

Sports talk radio-active

Email|Link|Comments (872) Posted by Chad Finn, Globe Staff February 26, 2009 05:59 AM

We don't change the station, and so the station sees no need to change. Ratings are huge, possibly even as huge as the station claims. Its primary demographic has tremendous appeal to advertisers. And New England’s fanatical dedication to the professional sports teams that the station’s hosts bloviate about in four-hour blocks is seemingly endless.

And so there you have it: WEEI. Your sports-radio leader. A perfect storm of arrogance.

What’s that adage about pompous silver-spooners? He was born on third base and thinks he hit a triple? That fits certain WEEI hosts as comfortably as a Bloomin’ Onion–stained Tommy Bahama shirt. They think the station’s success somehow reflects on them, that we tune in for their shrill banter, contrived characters, and prefabricated opinions. We don’t — never have, never will. We listen because we love sports, our beloved teams are enjoying a remarkable run of success, and WEEI happens to have both access and broadcast rights. Most of all, we listen because there is no other decent local alternative with a signal stronger than that of a ham radio.

Now, I’m not suggesting all WEEI programming beats your eardrums into submission. Dale and Holley are engaging in the midday, and Mut and Bradford make those weekend chores pass quicker. But it is telling that the two smartest sports radio shows in the city in recent years — Michael Felger’s drive-time program on ESPN 890 and the Ryen Russillo/Jon Anik/Anthony Pepe crew on WWZN 1510 — were broadcast elsewhere on the dial. If only either had owned a signal that didn’t turn into a French-language station a mile from the Zakim Bridge, they might have gained the appropriate audience.

So to feed our unquenchable sports jones, we have no choice but to suffer the WEEI banshees. But that doesn’t stop us from longing for something better, something not only entertaining but intelligent, passionate, and insightful.

We’re not here today for the purpose of holding a sports radio fantasy draft, but for a moment consider the station you could build — and the one ESPN Boston should have built — with roster depth that included the best of the Globe and ESPN, underrated talents such as Russillo and Mike Giardi, as well as the requisite WEEI refugees. (Remember Steve DeOssie after he skipped over to 1510? Thoughtful and articulate. On WEEI? An overgrown Scut Farkas.)

Maybe I’m naïve. Maybe the average Boston sports fan is less sophisticated than I want to believe. But I’m convinced that provided with an equal signal, some savvy program director could build what WEEI claims to be: the premier sports radio station in the country. And just in case such a benefactor happens to have read this far, at no charge we offer you a thinking fan’s guide to the real dos and don’ts of sports radio in Boston.

Have a well-considered opinion and the knowledge to defend it in an entertaining manner: No, passing yourself off as some sort of insider because of an association with the Celtics two decades ago does not count, particularly when there is mounting suspicion that you haven’t watched more than a handful of out-of-market NBA games since the days of short shorts and sky hooks. In a related note: Yelling the loudest doesn’t make you right. Didn’t your mom ever teach you that?

After you've beaten a story to death, please resist the temptation to beat on the corpse daily for another several weeks: Wait, wait, wait … you’re telling me Manny Ramirez quit on the Red Sox? And they traded him? When did this happen? How come you never mentioned this, Mikey? HOW COME YOU NEVER MENTIONED THIS??!!

No more celebrity callers ...: Call it the Glenn Ordway Corollary: The more obnoxious the caller, the more airtime he gets. It’s a cornerstone of the lucrative business of pandering to the lowest common denominator. But I can’t be the only one who lunges for the scan button as soon as “Angry Bill” and his miserable brethren begin spewing their first word of venom.

... or sycophantic co-hosts: Ah, another Ordway self-preservation tactic. Surround yourself with a couple of knowledgeable co-hosts, then fill out the rest of the cast with talking-head lightweights and cronies who will argue with you only to the point where you say zip it, refuse to point out your factual missteps, and, for the sake of a paycheck, willingly play clichéd characters appropriate for a failed soap-opera actor. That way, you’re irreplaceable, since there’s no obvious successor to the throne. Brilliant! Also: Unlistenable!

In order to qualify for airtime, a co-host has to be able to put two consecutive syllables together without his tongue tripping over his mustache: Don’t worry, big guy. You’re halfway there.

Hosts are not permitted eight-part questions so long and windy that they require a syllabus and stretch from one commercial break to the next: That means you, Dennis … Denito … Dentillo …

Talk politics or the news story of the day when the moment calls for it: Credit where credit is due: WEEI was riveting radio in the days after September 11. The tone was sincere, heartfelt, and human. Since then, however, the tone regarding politics and world matters has become so extreme that certain hosts make Dick Cheney look like a beatnik. Worse is the increasingly snide disregard for those with different circumstances, views, and — the case certainly can be made — pigment. It’s one thing to be provocative, but too often that crosses the line to irresponsibility. Sure, a certain element is enthralled — hillbillies and cavemen, mostly. Others are simply waiting for the inevitable repulsive comment that leads to your downfall.

Enough with the drop-ins from comedians who'd bomb at the Ha-Ha House of Whiskey and Waffles: And if some clown named Shecky does find his way into the studio — either as a guest or as your nighttime host — have some dignity and refrain from hee-hawing and chortling and racing to laugh loudest as if he’s the reincarnation of George Carlin. He’s not. He’s a D-lister with a captive audience, and his best jokes wouldn’t make the cut for the Whiner Line. Which, by the way, is the best thing you have going. We might note the material comes not from you, but from the listeners. We’re going to assume you miss the irony of that.

OT columnist Chad Finn is a sports reporter for Boston.com and can be reached at finn@globe.com

Looking for Help...

If you work in Sports Radio & would like to contribute with news or rumors about your particular station please email us at:

jimjacksonblog@yahoo.com

All news will be kept anonymous at your request or under an alias.


Thanks,

JJ

And the early nominee for dumbass of the year goes to...

SPORTSCASTER VALENTI SORRY FOR BOATER JOKE

Courtesy Detroit News

(March 5, 2009) Sports radio host Mike Valenti began his show Wednesday on The Ticket (97.1) by offering an apology for reading on the air a listener comment that made light of the situation involving Corey Smith.

Smith is the former Lions player presumed dead in a boating accident in the Gulf of Mexico.

On Monday's "Valenti and Foster Show" with co-host and Detroit News reporter Terry Foster, Valenti read instant messages from listeners over the air, including one joke about Smith and another about a capsized boat.

Valenti opened Wednesday's show by referencing "a very, very, very stupid decision on my part -- probably the dumbest, most reprehensible decision I've made in my radio career. We were doing instant feedback and I put something flat-out on that never should've gotten on. No one else deserves to get blamed but me."

Added Valenti: "This is on me. It was an instant feedback from a listener in regards to, at that point, the ongoing Corey Smith situation. And I just offer you my sincerest apologies. It was completely ridiculous to put it on the air. And again, it comes to me. The only thing I can promise you as my listeners, it won't happen again. Otherwise, I tell you right now, I don't deserve to be around. So I humbly apologize. It's an egregious decision, and we move forward."

Debbie Kenyon, the station's marketing manager, said Wednesday she and program director Tom Bigby personally apologized to the Lions organization. But Kenyon declined to elaborate on any possible disciplinary action the station was taking with regard to Valenti.

"We've addressed the issue with Mike, and he's apologizing on the air," Kenyon said. "We do agree that the comment was inappropriate."

Earlier Wednesday, Lions president Tom Lewand publicly apologized on behalf of the team, noting that The Ticket is the Lions' flagship radio station.

"There was some reading of jokes and some incredibly inappropriate comments that were made," Lewand said at the conclusion of a press briefing in Allen Park. "And on behalf of our organization, I feel obligated to apologize to the Smith family on behalf of our flagship station.

"The kind of behavior that was exhibited on their airwaves on Monday was nothing short of reprehensible. It's not something we'll condone, it's not something the Detroit Lions organization wants to be a part of, and I'm hopeful they'll take the appropriate steps to ensure that it doesn't happen again."

Valenti declined to comment Wednesday beyond what he said on the air.

The Ticket is also heard on AM station WXYT (1270).

ESPN 710 in Seattle rounding out lineup

HUARD GETS SPORTS SHOW ON ESPN 710 SEATTLE

Courtesy Seattle Post Intelligence

(March 6, 2009) Former Seahawks, University of Washington and Puyallup High School QB Brock Huard will have a daily show when KIRO-AM/710 makes the move to 710 ESPN next month.

Here's the release with the announcement:

Bonneville Seattle Radio Group today announced the addition of local sports broadcaster, Brock Huard, to the daily programming line-up for its new all-sports radio station, 710 ESPN Seattle, launching next month. Brock Huard will co-host a daily sports talk show. The time of the show and Huard's co-host will be announced in the near future. This announcement was made by Bonneville Seattle Program Director, Rod Arquette.

"Brock is an essential part of our local weekday broadcast lineup" said 710 ESPN Seattle Vice President/General Manager and Bonneville Seattle Director of Sales, Dave Pridemore. "Because Brock grew up in Puyallup, played football and is a graduate of the University of Washington, a former Seattle Seahawks player, along with his current role as an ESPN television announcer and analyst, he offers the ultimate insider view to local and national sports."

Currently, Huard covers football nationally for ESPN television and is a part of the radio game-day broadcast team for the Seattle Seahawks.

The new 710 ESPN Seattle will feature radio play-by-play and comprehensive coverage of the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Mariners. 710 ESPN Seattle will broadcast a line-up of local Seattle-based sports news and sports talk programs, along with selected nationally syndicated programs from ESPN Radio Network. Brock Huard joins the previously announced selection of Kevin Calabro as part of the daily broadcast team.

As previously announced, KIRO radio, which has been broadcast on 710 AM since 1927, currently simulcasts its news and talk programming on both 97.3 FM and 710 AM. This April, KIRO news and talk will broadcast exclusively on 97.3 FM, and the new 710 ESPN Seattle will broadcast exclusively on 710 AM.

Shakeup at WEPN NY - ESPN 1050

COWHERD SPORT TALK SHOW RETURNING TO NEW YORK CITY

Courtesy New York Newsday

(March 6, 2009) Colin Cowherd, whose national ESPN Radio program was last heard in these parts in 2006, will return to 1050 ESPN March 16 when the station picks up the last two hours of his 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. show.

As part of that move, Max Kellerman will be limited to two hours, from 10 to noon. Mike Tirico will move to 2 to 4 p.m. and no longer will be heard in New York.

The station declined to make Kellerman available to discuss the change, but Cowherd spoke about how he hopes to tailor his show to New York listeners.

"We'll ramp up our baseball coverage to a higher degree and not waste much time on college football in New York," Cowherd said.

How might the rest of the country feel about that? "They don't have the influence on my revenue and ratings that New York and Los Angeles do," he said.

From 1 to 2, Cowherd will take on WFAN's Mike Francesa in one of his best ratings hours. Cowherd said he will counter with strategies such as New York-oriented guests at the top of the hour.

Told that Francesa recently vowed never to be surpassed by 1050, Cowherd said, "Mike's always been confident, and that's fine. It's a heritage station. He's a big name.

"I love that. I love a good fight . . . 1050 is not going away. ESPN is not going away. I think it's great that Francesa feels that way."

WPEN - ESPN 950 Lineup Shuffle

950 ESPN REVAMPING SPORTS TALK LINEUP

Courtesy Philly.com

(March 6, 2009) Starting March 16, sports-talk 950 ESPN will retool its schedule.

In a nutshell: ESPN's Mike & Mike in the Morning adds an hour, to 10 a.m. The station then goes to an hour of the ESPN show The Herd With Colin Cowherd. Starting at 11 a.m., it puts on an 11-hour local block, sliding Jody Mac & Harry Mayes to an 11 a.m.-to-3 p.m. shift, followed by Mike Missanelli and Dan Schwartzman, and then the syndicated Tony Bruno. Odd man out is ESPN's Mike Tirico.

The new lineup:
6a-10a - Mike & Mike in the Morning
10a-11a - The Herd with Colin Cowherd
11a-3p - Jody Mac & Harry Mayes
3p-7p- Mike Missanelli
7p-10p - Dan Schwartzman
10p-1a - Tony Bruno

The current lineup:
6a-9a - Mike & Mike in the Morning
9a-1p - Jody Mac & Harry Mayes
1p-3p - Mike Tirico
3p-7p - Mike Missanelli
7p-10p - Dan Schwartzman
10p-1a - Tony Bruno