Connect with us
Jim Cutler Demos

Sports Radio News

Under The Radar – September 19, 2016

Jason Barrett

Published

on

Welcome once again to our weekly look inside the sports media world. This column exists to keep you up to date on some of the recent moves and developments taking place in the industry that you might not have been aware of. If you or your organization have exciting news to share and wish to be included in a future article, you can email it to [email protected]. Now on to this week’s tidbits.

  • Last week was the 25 year anniversary for one of America’s leading sports radio stations WEEI in Boston. Congrats to all involved who have helped make it one of the best in the format for over two decades. Former Program Director Jason Wolfe wrote an excellent piece reflecting on the evolution of the brand. You can read it by clicking here.
  • Speaking of anniversaries, congratulations to Arizona Sports 98.7FM host John Gambadoro who recently celebrated twenty years on the air in Phoenix. “Gambo” as he’s known by his audience currently works the afternoon show alongside Dave Burns.
  • Longtime producer and on-air sidekick Marc “Nigel” Sterne has reconnected with popular Washington DC and PTI personality Tony Kornheiser to contribute to his new podcasting venture which is being distributed by DGital Media and IMG. Sterne began his new role last Tuesday. He previously worked with Kornheiser at ESPN 980.
  • A round of applause is in order for Brian “The Beast” London who was named the new Programming Coordinator for 790 The Ticket in Miami. Program Director Len Weiner told his staff last week that London was promoted as a result of demonstrating strong work ethic and stepping up to tackle additional responsibilities inside the programming department, including working with sales and promotions, and technical and logistics, all while maintaining his on-air role in middays.
  • In Albany, Tom Goslowski has also earned a job promotion. “Goz” has been named Jeff Levack’s new co-host on 104.5 The Team. He takes over for Bob “Wolf” Wohlfeld who was let go by the radio station a few weeks ago. The new show is being billed “Levack and Goz”.
  • Former ESPN and FOX Sports sideline reporter, and Gridiron Now contributor Kayce Smith is adding a new show on SB Nation Radio. The program debuts on September 19th at 3pm. Smith says that she enjoyed her time on the sidelines, but was more interested in sharing her opinions and being part of today’s debate culture.
  • Sports Radio 950 KJR midday host Ian Furness has agreed to serve as the TV play by play voice of the Seattle Thunderbirds. The Western Hockey League franchise will have eight of their games broadcast in the Seattle area on This TV, channel 13.2 and on Comcast Cable channel 357. Furness will call six of the eight contests.
  • Former NFL Offensive Lineman, and current FOX Sports Radio weekend host and Oakland Raiders radio sideline reporter Lincoln Kennedy has confirmed that he’ll be hosting a weekly show with Grant Napear on 1140 KHTK in Sacramento. “The Nation” will air Wednesday’s from 6p-7p PT and focus on all things silver and black.
  • Buffalo News Columnist Tim Graham has added a Wednesday night show on 1270 The Fan. The program airs 5p-7p ET and is in place for the 2016 NFL season. No word on whether it will be continued after that.
  • Nick Kostos announced via social media that he’s re-signed with CBS Sports. The former satellite radio host on Mad Dog Sports Radio and Bleacher Report radio joined CBS Sports in October 2015 and says he’s humbled and blessed to continue living out his dreams by working for the company.
  • A familiar face has returned to the St. Louis sports radio scene. Dave Greene, who previously worked on-air and later as GM and owner of Grand Slam Sports (creator of St. Louis Sports Magazine) has signed on as the VP of Sales at Tim McKernan’s new 590 The Fan KFNS. Greene spent the past two years working as a GM for Cumulus Media in Huntsville, Alabama, and Townsquare Media in Quincy, IL.
  • Matt Bagley has been hired as Sports Director at KTMT in Medford, Oregon. As part of his new role, Bagley will deliver news and sports updates and broadcast high school play by play.

Sign up for the BSM 8@8

The Top 8 Sports Media Stories of the Day, sent directly to your inbox, every morning at 8am ET.

Invalid email address
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Sports Radio News

Charley Steiner Injured; Tim Neverett to Handle Dodgers Radio Play-by-Play

“This will be the first Opening Day that I will have missed since 1976, when I wore a younger man’s clothes.”

Published

on

photo of Charley Steiner
Courtesy: Los Angeles Dodgers

As the Los Angeles Dodgers get set to take on the St. Louis Cardinals in their first home game on Thursday, team play-by-play voice Charley Steiner has revealed he will not be doing games at the beginning of the season due to a severe back injury.

Through the Dodgers, Steiner posted a statement which said, “Over the winter, I landed on the Injured List with three compound fractures in my back. (I don’t recommend it.) With the start of the baseball season upon us, the Dodgers are ready to go – but I’m not. This will be the first Opening Day that I will have missed since 1976, when I wore a younger man’s clothes. I look forward to returning to the mic later this season. In the meantime, go Dodgers!”

TrueBlueLA.com reports Tim Neverett will handle play-by-play duties while Steiner recovers. Neverett called the first two regular season games with Rick Monday as the Dodgers started the season in South Korea. Neverett and Monday did not travel with the team, however, they called those games in a studio back home.

Sign up for the BSM 8@8

The Top 8 Sports Media Stories of the Day, sent directly to your inbox, every morning at 8am ET.

Invalid email address
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Continue Reading

Sports Radio News

Ronnie Lane and Tom Krasniqi Put a Bow on The Ronnie & TKras Show After Nearly 10 Years

“Finally, Tampa Bay can sleep easy knowing this hideous show is finally over.”

Published

on

Photo of Ronnie Lane and Tom Krasniqi
Courtesy: iHeartMedia

After nearly 10 years, The Ronnie & TKras Show with Ronnie Lane and Tom Krasniqi came to an end today as the duo broadcast their final show on remote with many listeners, friends and co-workers on hand. Earlier this month, WDAE announced changes to its programming lineup which will take place starting tomorrow. Ronnie Lane will take on a new role as host of the Tampa Bay Rays pre-game show The Inside Pitch. Tom Krasniqi will continue on in afternoon drive with producer Chris Mathis for The Drive.

Their final show kicked off with station voice Jim Cutler saying, “…Finally, Tampa Bay can sleep easy knowing this hideous show is finally over.”

And with that went three very fast hours of looking back on a nearly decade-long run for Lane and Krasniqi. “It seems kind of surreal, doesn’t it?” said Lane.

Mathis had several special guests lined up for the final show and many others left voice messages which were played coming out of breaks. Tampa Bay Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht and Chief Operating Officer Brian Ford took part in the final show. Tampa Bay Rays closer Pete Fairbanks also called in and, at first, identified himself as “Pete from St. Louis” before asking what the hosts thought of the Rays bullpen.

“I’m telling you man, when I hear all of these tributes it really brings a tear to my eye, Ronnie,” said Krasniqi. “It’s a surreal moment…It makes me feel so fortunate and blessed to be in this position sitting next to you all these years. This is one of those moments where I am almost speechless and just so incredibly overwhelmed by the support and the love that everyone has shown here today.”

Lane responded, “…Our time together is really coming to an end. I might get a little emotional before this show is over, but we have had a great time and been through many ups and downs…This business is crazy and for us to be able to do what we are doing and doing it on our terms…And for a company that believes in both of us to give us this opportunity to go in different directions with the same company is truly amazing…It doesn’t happen like this always in this business, usually it’s an ugly goodbye.”

As the show came to an end, Lane reminded everyone, “It has been a blast, but we’re not freakin’ leaving!”

“We’re not leaving folks,” ‘TKras’ said. “Thanks very much for being a part of our lives and thanks for having us as part of yours. Onward and upward. You are dismissed.”

Sign up for the BSM 8@8

The Top 8 Sports Media Stories of the Day, sent directly to your inbox, every morning at 8am ET.

Invalid email address
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Continue Reading

Sports Radio News

Tyler Murray Added to WEEI Red Sox Radio Bench

“Coming up on 13 seasons in [minor league baseball], it’s not lost on me how fortunate I am to have this opportunity.”

Published

on

Photo of Tyler Murray and logos for WEEI and the Boston Red Sox
Photo Credit: Ashley Green

The voice of the Worcester Red Sox, Tyler Murray, has been added to the Red Sox Radio play-by-play bench. WEEI made the announcement on their X account, saying, “On the heels of calling the Hockey East Tourney this weekend [and] adding to his excellent work [with the Worcester Red Sox], happy to announce that Tyler Murray will be helping to build our [Red Sox Network] bench this year! Tyler’s 1st series in the big leagues will be April 5-7 [with Will Flemming].

Murray, who has also called college hockey games on NESN plus college football and basketball games, said on X, “Coming up on 13 seasons in [minor league baseball], it’s not lost on me how fortunate I am to have this opportunity. Thank you to [WEEI brand manager Ken Laird] and [Audacy Boston Senior Vice President/Market Manager Mike Thomas], and to everyone who has reached out. Your support has honestly been overwhelming, and I couldn’t be more grateful.”

Murray’s first series will be the Red Sox taking on the Los Angeles Angels on the road, April 5-7.

Sign up for the BSM 8@8

The Top 8 Sports Media Stories of the Day, sent directly to your inbox, every morning at 8am ET.

Invalid email address
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Advertisement

Upcoming Events

Barrett Media Writers

Copyright © 2024 Barrett Media.