“Our show’s approach to interviews is that everyone in the building has input — from the cameraman, to the intern in the back who’s 20 years old, to Dan Patrick.” – Paul Pabst
The path of a sports radio host or producer is not easy, and if it’s easy, it’s not usually lucrative. That misconception about this industry by the public is one that always needs to be corrected on occasion.
Take Paul Pabst, for example, who was a country western bar DJ while working for a national sports radio company just to make ends meet. Or, having a chance to be a producer for one of the format’s premier hosts, only to be told “he’s tough to work with” numerous times.
But, the best always come out on the other side.
Perhaps one of the most popular sports radio producers in the business, Dan Patrick Show Executive Producer Paul Pabst takes us from his early days in the biz to the awkward, awesome and sometimes contentious moments on one of the most-listened-to sports radio shows in the country.
INSIDE THIS EPISODE
How he got the bug for radio while growing up listening to Chicago stations
When he realized he could actually build a career in sports talk radio
The initial misconceptions he had heard about working with Dan Patrick
Why it’s important to build trust with a host and how to do it
Taking the risk to leave ESPN and the early challenges of kicking off Dan’s show
How the prep process works and what they do/don’t do before the show
What makes a Dan Patrick interview great and how it gets put together
His favorite personalities to listen to who host sports radio shows
The Podcast About Sports Radio is proud to partner with Barrett Sports Media, home of the sports radio industry’s premier website barrettsportsmedia.com. For the latest sports radio news around the country, stories about some of the sports radio format’s brightest minds, plus insights, and opinions from Sports Media Consultant and former Programmer Jason Barrett, visit barrettsportsmedia.com.
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 JBarrett@sportsradiopd.com.
BSM Podcast – Season 5 – Episode 3 – Chris Oliviero, Entercom New York
“Entercom New York Market Manager Chris Oliviero explains why he returned to the business, how he feels about the state of WFAN and a reunion with Craig Carton, and more!”
After building a career as one of the sharpest programming executives in the radio industry, and leaving the business in the summer of 2018, many were surprised when Chris Oliviero was announced as the new Market Manager of Entercom New York in May 2020. On this episode, Chris tells Jason Barrett why he decided to return to the business, what he learned while on the outside, how he feels about the present and future of WFAN, where he stands on pursuing a reunion with Craig Carton, in addition to weighing in on a number of industry topics as well.
Additionally, Jason Barrett shares breaking news about a new venture being explored by his company which industry professionals will be interested in learning more about. Further details will be shared after Labor Day but the basics are passed along during the first minutes of the episode.
TOPICS COVERED WITH CHRIS:
When the deal to become Market Manager came together
What convinced him to return to the radio business
What he learned and missed about the industry while away from it
If local management is enough to satisfy his professional desires
Confidence level in WFAN; what the brand needs to do to enjoy future success
Planning for the day when Mark Chernoff rides off into the sunset
How interested he is in reuniting Craig Carton and WFAN
Why the mistakes of a few can’t take away from social media’s value to talent, brands, and the audience
If more radio companies will follow Saga & Townsquare’s lead and move away from Nielsen
The future of live and on-demand audio content
How sports betting will influence the way sports talk radio is presented in the next 5-10 years
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 JBarrett@sportsradiopd.com.
Mike Greenberg returns to ESPN Radio’s airwaves on Monday August 17th, taking over the 12p-2p ET timeslot, a change from his morning routine. Secure with a place in the NAB radio hall of fame, the lead chair on ESPN’s hit television program ‘Get Up‘, and 32,000+ hours of on-air broadcasting under his belt, some in Mike’s position would pass on the chance to increase their work load, and accept a new challenge, but that’s not how Greeny operates. In this conversation, Mike shares what interested him about returning to host a solo midday program, how content will be approached on the show, the method to his madness when it comes to interviewing and teasing, advice he’s passed on to the network’s new morning show, and more.
Additionally, BSM President Jason Barrett spends 5 minutes prior to the conversation sharing a few observations, opinions, and questions about ESPN Radio’s changes.
SUBJECTS COVERED WITH MIKE:
When he started thinking about returning to radio
Launching new shows and handling negative feedback
His vision and content approach for the new midday show
How social issues will be covered on the program
Winning over listeners who prefer local hosts
The way he approaches interviewing and teasing
Remembering Detroit sports radio host Jamie Samuelsen
The likelihood of football still being played in December
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 JBarrett@sportsradiopd.com.
Sam Savage may not be the name you’re most familiar with if you follow Outkick, but he’s a huge part of the brand’s expansion in recent weeks. The longtime digital media executive recently invested in the company, joining forces with Clay Travis and Jason Whitlock, and on this episode he sheds some light on why he chose to invest in Outkick during a rough 2020, what his vision is for the brand’s future, why understanding technology is even more important than brand exposure on traditional media, and where he sees the company directing its focus in the near and distant future.
Additionally, the first 10-minutes include an opening commentary from BSM President Jason Barrett on the status of the Managing The Crisis podcast, the BSM Podcast’s seasonal approach, and the importance of hearing and welcoming different points of view, and providing second chances to those who make mistakes.
ISSUES DISCUSSED WITH SAM:
His background as a digital media executive
Why he chose to invest in Outkick during a rough 2020
The reason for shortening the Outkick name
Luring Jason Whitlock to Outkick from FS1
Whether adding Whitlock could create tension with FOX
If Outkick can survive and thrive without traditional media
Building systems and strategies to increase Outkick’s revenue
Dealing with potential advertiser issues due to activism
What separates successful digital media brands
Outkick’s future plans in the podcasting space
If the goal is to build & sell or be part of Outkick long term
Whether Shannon Terry, FOX or iHeart could become future partners
Which goals he’s set for Outkick’s next 6 months
If the brand plans to add more talent in the near future
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 JBarrett@sportsradiopd.com.