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92.9 ESPN Adds Martin & Smith, Vernon Exits

Jason Barrett

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A big change has taken place at 92.9 FM ESPN in Memphis. Chris Vernon has left the station and his position as its midday host. Taking over are John Martin and Jason Smith.

Vernon, who was recognized as one of the top midday shows in the nation earlier this year, is joining Bill Simmons to host a podcast series for his website “The Ringer”. He’s also expected to remain involved locally working with the Memphis Grizzlies on their television broadcasts.

Martin is the youngest sports host in a Top 50 market in America and has been with 92.9 FM ESPN since 2013. Smith is an award-winning reporter who brings over a decade of experience in the Memphis sports landscape. He joins 92.9 FM ESPN after spending the last six years at The Commercial Appeal as the University of Memphis basketball beat writer.

The two men were once colleagues at The Commercial Appeal, who will reunite to host the midday show from 11a-2p. Smith will also contribute to The 92.9 Line, the radio station’s online home for written content and breaking news.

“I could not be more excited to have this opportunity with a man I consider a true friend and talent. We always said we wanted to team up again, and we think we’ll bring an entirely new twist to Memphis sports radio,” Martin said.

“I am so pumped to be with my guy John Martin again,” Smith said. “I am so grateful to the folks at 92.9FM ESPN. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I can’t wait to get started. I also want to thank The Commercial Appeal for the last 13 years.”

“This is a significant day in this market,” 92.9FM ESPN/680AM sports programming director Brad Carson said. “We couldn’t be more excited about the dynamic that John and Jason both bring – from a reporting and entertainment perspective.”

“We are thrilled to bring this show to Memphis,” Entercom Memphis VP/Market Manager Dan Barron said. “Jason and John are highly skilled and bring unique insight. I believe listeners will enjoy this fresh, informative and entertaining show.”

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Sports Radio News

Former 670 The Score Host Tommy Williams Has Died

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Photo of Tommy Williams
Courtesy: Lakeshore Public Media

Tommy Williams, who was heard for a decade on 670 The Score, died on Wednesday at the age of 66.

Williams began his broadcasting career in his hometown of Gary, Indiana in 1982 at WLTH before moving on to The Score. In 2003, Williams became the PA Announcer for the Gary Southshore RailCats of the American Association where he had his signature call to get the attention of the fans, “People, People, People.”

A story in The Times of Northwest Indiana said, “The longtime RailCats public address announcer and Lakeshore Public Media sports journalist was known for broadcasting countless games, interviewing countless athletes and covering Region sports at all levels. The Gary native and co-host of “Prep Sports Report,” “Prep Football Report,” and “Lakeshore PBS Scoreboard” often signed off shows saying, “Gary, Indiana, you know I love you.”

“The cadence he had in his voice echoed across the Region in a way we may never see again. He was widely known and widely loved,” Tom Maloney, vice president of radio operations at Lakeshore Public Media told the paper.

“He’d want to be remembered as the voice of Lakeshore sports,” his Regionally Speaking co-host and producer Dee Dotson told The Times. “Most people will remember him for covering prep sports all the way up to semi-pros. He’ll be remembered for treating each of his subjects like they were world champions. His depth of knowledge of sports at all levels is commendable. He was a walking encyclopedia of stats.” 

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Compass Media Networks Promotes Three Members to Oversee Play-by-Play Sports Platform

“It is our pleasure to give these three talented executives their day in the sun, knowing that they will continue to work incredibly hard to carry on this tradition of excellence.”

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Logo for Compass Media Networks

Compass Media Networks has announced the promotions of three long-standing executives, Robert Blum, Tyler Brewer, and Chris Kleiber, who will collectively oversee the content creation, production, and distribution of the company’s play-by-play sports platform.

“For over 16 years, Compass Media Networks has set a standard of excellence for national play-by-play sports with Chris, Rob, and Tyler playing a vital part in our success,” said Peter Kosann, CEO/Founder of Compass Media Networks. “It is our pleasure to give these three talented executives their day in the sun, knowing that they will continue to work incredibly hard to carry on this tradition of excellence.”

Robet Blum has been appointed Vice President & General Manager of Sports and will also continue to serve as Vice President of Affiliate Sales for News-Talk and Sports. Tyler Brewer has been appointed Executive Producer – Sports Programming. And Chris Kleiber has been appointed Senior Producer – Sports Programming.

Compass Media Networks broadcasts annually over 100 play-by-play sporting events involving college men’s basketball and football (including the Big Ten Tournament and the Big Ten Championship Game), NFL 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday Doubleheaders, and complete coverage of the Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders. The broadcasts are distributed across hundreds of terrestrial sports, news-talk and music stations as well as digital distribution platforms such as SiriusXM, Verizon Mobile, and the Varsity App.

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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.”

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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.

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