Sports Radio News

Sports Animal’s Bob Barry Dies

Published

8 years ago

June 22, 2015

Oklahoma has lost a broadcasting giant.

KFOR Sports Director Bob Barry Jr. died on Saturday afternoon on the way to the hospital following a motorcycle accident in Oklahoma City. He was 58.

According to KFOR, the Norman native graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1980 and joined NewsChannel 4 in 1982 as a weekend sports anchor. Prior to that, Bob worked in Wichita Falls, Texas and at KAUT-TV here in Oklahoma City.

The man affectionately known as “Junior” also hosted a popular sports talk radio show on WWLS “The Sports Animal” on weekday mornings.

Bob was a six-time “Oklahoma Sportscaster of the Year” who was passionate about helping others. His charity, “The Foul Shots,” has helped raise more than $1 million for various charities across the state of Oklahoma. Barry was beloved by many he worked with and covered, and some prominent figures took the time to share their thoughts.

A statement from OU Head Football Coach Bob Stoops:

“I am extremely saddened to hear of Bob’s passing, and I know everyone connected with our program shares those sentiments. He was a one of the most respected and recognized sportscasters in our state, and a beloved friend to many. Our work will never be the same without him. We send our most heartfelt condolences to his family.”

From OSU’s Mike Gundy:

“Growing up in Midwest City, I’ve known Bob Barry, Jr., for the last 30 years and it saddens me greatly to hear of his passing. Not only was he outstanding at his profession, but he was a genuinely caring man whose demeanor and personality had a positive impact on everyone around him. BBJ was an institution in our state and he will be sorely missed.”

And from Thunder Chairman Clay Bennett:

“We send our thoughts and prayers to the Barry family, his TV and radio colleagues, and all who knew and loved him. Oklahoma sports broadcasting has lost one of its finest.”

According to the fatality accident supervisor, a car was driving southbound on N. May Avenue, and after making a U-turn in front of Barry’s motorcycle, the two collided. The driver of the car was arrested for a complaint of driving without a license.

Bob is survived by his wife Gina and four children.

Credit to News9.com who originally published this article

Jason Barrett

Jason Barrett is the owner and operator of Barrett Sports Media. Prior to launching BSM he served as a sports radio programmer, launching brands such as 95.7 The Game in San Francisco and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He has also produced national shows for ESPN Radio including GameNight and the Dan Patrick Show. You can find him on Twitter @SportsRadioPD or reach him by email at [email protected].

Up Next

Chargers Radio Drops Hank Bauer

Don't Miss

Dave Zaslowsky Exits 97.9 ESPN

Sports Radio News

Mad Dog: Gus Johnson ‘Bothered The Hell Out of Me’ Saturday

“For crying out loud, Michigan/Ohio State isn’t even better than North Carolina/Duke, who play twice a year. So let’s be careful with the hype machine.”

Published

5 hours ago

November 28, 2023

BSM Staff

(Photo: SiriusXM)

FOX Sports college football voice Gus Johnson has made no bones about his affinity for Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. However, Chris “Mad Dog” Russo has heard enough.

During his Mad Dog Unleashed program on SiriusXM, Russo shared that not only was Johnson obnoxious for the constant use of a nickname he bestowed up Harrison, but he was also misguided for calling Ohio State/Michigan the greatest rivalry in sports.

“Gus Johnson — the hype machine that he is — please, when you broadcast a ballgame, I don’t need to hear about Maserati Marv, number one. And number two, that’s not the greatest rivalry in sports history. Have you heard of the Yankees and the Red Sox? Giants and the Dodgers? How about Bears/Packers? Have you heard about that?

“For crying out loud, Michigan/Ohio State isn’t even better than North Carolina/Duke, who play twice a year. So let’s be careful with the hype machine. That bothered the hell out of me.”

When a caller pushed back on Russo’s opinion on the Michigan/Ohio State rivalry, he continued by saying “That rivalry’s not Yankees/Red Sox. To compare college football to the Yankees and the Red Sox is ludicrous.”

BSM Staff

Sports Radio News

Nashville Predators Radio Voice Pete Weber Calling 2,000th Game Tuesday

“I always wanted to be there for the birth of a team. I feel like I’ve been a pretty fair midwife here.”

Published

5 hours ago

November 28, 2023

BSM Staff

(Photo: Nashville Predators)

Nashville Predators radio voice Pete Weber is set to hit a career milestone Tuesday, as he’ll call his 2,000th game for the NHL franchise.

Weber told The Tennessean that he has relished the opportunity to be the voice of a team since its inception. He claimed he applied for and was a finalist for the radio play-by-play job when the Carolina Panthers were conceived, before ultimately landing with the Predators.

“I always wanted to be there for the birth of a team,” said Weber. “I feel like I’ve been a pretty fair midwife here.”

Despite missing time late last season due to a rare brain condition, Weber said he has no plans of retiring anytime soon.

“I have not thought about it, other than when I thought about how (former Philadelphia Phillies announcer) Harry Kalas was carried dead out of the broadcast booth in Washington,” Pete Weber said. “I thought, ‘Well, that’s an interesting way to go. I don’t necessarily know that I want to do it like that. But it could happen. I’m not going to say no.”

Weber’s 2,000th game will come as the Nashville Predators play host to the Pittsburgh Penguins. 102.5 The Game is the flagship home of the Predators Radio Network.

BSM Staff

Sports Radio News

iHeartMedia Ending WEEI Simulcast in Cape Cod

A job opening for a sports talk co-host/producer/programming assistant that says its salary will “be funded by the savings that the market is acquiring from the expiring Audacy/WEEI & Red Sox contracts”.

Published

6 hours ago

November 28, 2023

BSM Staff

iHeartMedia is preparing to drop its simulcast of WEEI on its 96.3 WEII-FM signal in Hyannis/Cape Cod.

According to a report from Radio Insight, iHeartMedia has posted a job opening for a sports talk co-host/producer/programming assistant that says its salary will “be funded by the savings that the market is acquiring from the expiring Audacy/WEEI & Red Sox contracts”.

It goes on to state that the contract between the company and Audacy was $300,000 annually and it paid the Red Sox $65,000 annually.

The job posting alleges 96.3 FM will continue to carry sports programming with a local show.

WEEI is currently simulcast on stations in Springfield and Worcester, MA; Providence; Portland, Maine; and on stations in New Hampshire and Vermont, as well. Earlier this year, the station’s offices in Warwick, Rhode Island closed as part of a cost-cutting measure.

WEII-FM is licensed to Dennis, MA and features a 25,000-watt Class B signal.

BSM Staff