Sports Radio News

Broadcasters Helping Those Affected By Virus

“ESPN announcer and voice of the Arizona Cardinals Dave Pasch also announced he was willing to help people effected by the coronavirus pay their bills.”

Published

2 years ago

March 17, 2020

Brandon Contes

Many sportscasters take pride in their ability to offer the general public an escape from real world issues. But even without sports, they’re stepping up to help, both on-air and off as Covid-19 continues to spread its impact across the globe.

Monday morning, Chicago sports radio host Danny Parkins said he was “feeling helpless” and willing to empty his Venmo account to people that need it more. Parkins credited journalist Shea Serrano for the idea. The co-host of 670 The Score’s McNeil and Parkins told his Twitter followers to reply with their Venmo and what you need the money for, “All I ask if you pay it forward when you can,” he added.

Beyond caring for my immediate family and practicing social distancing I’m feeling helpless. I’m also fortunate to have a platform and some resources to change that.

More coming but for now a THREAD where people can ask for and receive some help during these scary times.
— Danny Parkins (@DannyParkins) March 16, 2020

Followers soon began sending Parkins money on Venmo, so that he could continue passing it out to people in need. He began the day with $350 in his account to share, and later that evening Parkins already handed out over $3,000. Follow @DannyParkins on Twitter to see where the money is going, and donate on Venmo to danny-parkins to keep it moving.

Sunday night, former executive producer of 670 The Score and ESPN Chicago, Steve Goffman opened up his DMs on Twitter and offered to shop for people that can’t risk going out in public. Similarly, NFL Insider Benjamin Allbright, who co-hosts Broncos Country Tonight on KOA NewsRadio and contributes to Pro Football Network is offering to pick up groceries for the elderly in the Parker Colorado area.

ESPN announcer and voice of the Arizona Cardinals Dave Pasch also announced he was willing to help people effected by the coronavirus pay their bills. As businesses shut down amid social distancing, so does a line of income for many families. Pasch’s Twitter DMs are open to his more than 29,000 followers, where they can share their story and request help. Pasch also started a thread so others who want to help can join in.

If there is a family in the Phoenix area who will have lost income because of the Coronavirus, and cannot pay a bill, please DM me. The Pasch family would love to hear your story and try to help. Acts 20:35
— Dave Pasch (@DavePasch) March 14, 2020

I’m sure there are many more doing their best to help. If we missed your efforts, please reach out and let me know. It’s inspiring to see sportscasters helping fans and people helping each other during times of need.

Brandon Contes

Brandon Contes is a former reporter for BSM, now working for Mediaite. You can find him on Twitter @BrandonContes or reach him by email at Brandon.Contes@gmail.com.

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Sports Radio News

Danny Parkins To Texas Governor: ‘Kiss My Ass’

“You don’t care about Chicago, you are using Chicago as a red herring, as a slur.”

Published

25 mins ago

May 26, 2022

Jordan Bondurant

The mass shooting that took place on Tuesday in Uvalde, Texas captured the attention of the nation.

Remarks from Texas Gov. Greg Abbot in the aftermath of the tragedy got the attention of Danny Parkins and Matt Spiegel on 670 The Score in Chicago.

Gov. Abbot brought up the fact that Chicago has a gun violence problem even though gun laws in the city are among the strictest in the country.

Parkins took issue with the Texas governor trying to score political points by dunking on Chicago in a moment of tragedy.

“You don’t care about Chicago, you are using Chicago as a red herring, as a slur,” Parkins said. “And if we want to talk about Chicago, we can talk about Chicago with facts…What about Chicago? Kiss my ass, Greg Abbot. I can’t stand it, man. It’s so insulting.”

What about Chicago is often a talking point from one side of the gun control issue that suggests despite having such tough laws on firearm ownership, thousands of people each year in the city end up shooting victims. Therefore gun control laws don’t work to prevent mass shootings.

Parkins used that phrase for good last year, putting on the What About Chicago Radiothon. The station fundraiser in 2021 raised more that $660,000 for Athletes for Justice and Austin Harvest.

Parkins explained Wednesday that the problems in the Windy City are multi-faceted. Yes, gun violence issues exist, but Parkins said “it is a problem that many, many, many, many people care deeply about and are trying to solve, but it’s a separate problem.”

Jordan Bondurant

Jordan Bondurant is a features reporter for Barrett News Media. He also works for ABC8 News and Newsradio WRVA and 910 The Fan in Richmond, Virginia. His prior experiences include working for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the Danville Register & Bee, Virginia Lawyers Weekly and iHeartradio Richmond. He can be reached by email at Jordan.E.Bondurant@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @J__Bondurant.

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Sports Radio News

Mike Breen Says He And Eric Reid Had Their Own Rivalry During Knicks vs Heat Heyday

“I’m just one of the voices of the NBA. For example, for Miami Heat fans, there’s only one voice of the NBA, and that’s my buddy Eric Reid.”

Published

33 mins ago

May 26, 2022

Jordan Bondurant

Mike Breen and Eric Reid have history, and it’s a good history.

Breen was in Miami for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals, which he called for ESPN/ABC. Talking to Jonathan Zaslow on WQAM in Miami on Wednesday, Breen said he didn’t like being called the voice of the NBA because there are so many other great broadcasters, like Reid, out there.

“I’m just one of the voices of the NBA. For example, for Miami Heat fans, there’s only one voice of the NBA, and that’s my buddy Eric Reid,” Breen said. “We’re all part of a great fraternity and all thrilled to be calling games. That’s for sure.”

Reid has been part of the Miami Heat radio crew since the team’s inaugural season. He took over as the play-by-play voice of the team’s radio call in 1991.

Zaslow, who has handled studio duties on the Heat’s radio call since 2010, told Breen that Reid had told him stories about the playoff series the Heat and the New York Knicks had back in the day. He said he remembered things getting intense with Reid and Breen on the sidelines at the time.

“Because the Knicks and the Heat used to fight, Eric and I had some nasty fights back in the day,” Breen joked.

Mike Breen will call the NBA Finals for ESPN and ABC. Breen was named Outstanding Personality/Play-By-Play at the Sports Emmys this week as well.

Jordan Bondurant

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Sports Radio News

WSJS Adjusts Format To News & Sports Mix In Winston-Salem

“Afternoon host Josh Graham will remain on staff. His show The Drive will continue to air from 3 until 6 pm.”

Published

2 hours ago

May 26, 2022

BSM Staff

Truth Broadcasting isn’t sticking to sports. WSJS, which originates from Winston-Salem, North Carolina and also serves Greensboro, is transitioning from all sports talk to a mix of conservative talk and sports.

“While WSJS enjoyed providing the Piedmont Triad with a 24/7 sports format, so much was lost with our connection to the Triad community with little to no live and local talk, news features, guest host hours, award-winning talk shows and more. Now, we’ve remedied that. Just wait until you hear it!” Market Manager Tom Hamilton said in a press release.

Afternoon host Josh Graham will remain on staff. His show The Drive will continue to air from 3 until 6 pm. Nights will be filled by the Rich Eisen Show, followed by programming from CBS Sports Network. The station will also continue to carry local high school play-by-play and the Duke Blue Devils.

The station will add a local morning show featuring Jeffrey Griffin. Triad Today will air from 7-10 AM. WSJS will also feature syndicated shows from Brian Kilmeade, Todd Starnes and Charlie Kirk.

WSJS can be heard on 600 AM as well as four translators. The station’s new weekday lineup goes into effect on June 6. It is listed in full below.

5 AM-6 AM – First Light

6 AM-7 AM – America In The Morning

7 AM-10 AM – Triad Today With Jeffrey Griffin (9 AM-10 AM – Expert Hour)
10 AM-12 NOON – The Brian Kilmeade Show

NOON-2 PM – The Todd Starnes Show

2 PM-3 PM – The Charlie Kirk Show

3 PM-6 PM – The Drive With Josh Graham

6 PM-9 PM – THE Rich Eisen Show

9 PM-10 PM – THE Zach Gelb Show

10 PM-2 AM – JR Sportsbrief

2 AM-5 AM – Amy Lawrence