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Ray Didinger Signs Off 94 WIP For Last Time

“I look forward to going to Eagles games now and cheering instead of critiquing.”

Jordan Bondurant

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After more than two decades, Ray Didinger turned off the mic on his final show on Sports Radio WIP.

Didinger signed off one last time alongside his partner Glen Macnow on Sunday afternoon. It was an emotional moment for the Hall of Fame writer.

“I’ve written thousands upon thousands of words, but never the word goodbye,” Didinger said. “Not until today.”

Macnow spoke of their working relationship a lot like their friendship away from the microphone. It’s a relationship that has always been built on a foundation of respect.

“No serious argument, no major disagreement, no cursing at each other,” Macnow said. “We didn’t always see everything alike or eye to eye but we could always talk, we could always communicate, and we always had fun. There was never any tension.”

“Ray, you have never been a jackass in 21 years, and I appreciate that,” he added.

Didinger got choked up talking about the influx of cards and letters he’s received since announcing his retirement earlier in May. He had nothing but love for the listeners.

“We had a special relationship,” he said. “We formed an emotional connection that was deep and genuine.”

Ray has spent more than 50 years writing and talking about professional football. He said at his age he needs to go enjoy these next years of his life.

“At 75, it’s time for family. Time for travel, time for being a fan again,” he said. “I look forward to going to Eagles games now and cheering instead of critiquing.”

Even though Didinger won’t be heard on WIP or seen on NBC Sports Philadelphia any longer, he made it clear he’s not going to be leaving the area. He encouraged listeners to come say hello and talk Philly sports if they happen to see him in public.

“I’m leaving WIP, but I’m not leaving Philadelphia,” he said. “This is my home. It will always be my home.”

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Arizona Sports Extends Deal With Coyotes

“We look forward to an exciting season delivering Coyotes coverage on-air, online and on the Arizona Sports app.”

Demetri Ravanos

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Arizona Sports Coyotes

Arizona Coyotes fans can keep their presets the same. The team has extended its relationship with Bonneville in Phoenix.

The new deal is a one-year extension to keep the Coyotes on the company’s two Phoenix-area radio stations, 98.7 Arizona Sports and ESPN 620 AM and on the statiations’ website and app.

“We are excited to continue our partnership with the Arizona Coyotes and the Meruelo Group,” Bonneville Phoenix senior vice president and market manager Ryan Hatch said in a statement. “We look forward to an exciting season delivering Coyotes coverage on-air, online and on the Arizona Sports app.”

As part of the extension, Burns & Gambo will welcome Coyotes president and CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez and general manager Bill Armstrong for weekly segments. Wolfe & Luke will be joined weekly by head coach André Tourigny.

“We are very pleased to extend our partnership with Bonneville Phoenix and are thrilled to have Arizona Sports 98.7 and ESPN 620 broadcast all Coyotes games this season,” Gutierrez added. “There is a tremendous amount of excitement about our team, and we look forward to Arizona Sports 98.7, the Valley’s sports leader, providing our fans with outstanding Coyotes coverage all season long.”

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670 The Score Auctioning Off Producer Experiences for Charity

“The proceeds go to help patients suffering from Trigeminal Neuralgia.”

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There is internal competition brewing at 670 The Score. A charity auction has items to entice bidders that will get the winner inside the station’s Chicago studios. One is a producer for a day role in afternoons with Parkins & Spiegel. The other is the same role in middays with Bernstein & Holmes.

The auction benefits Laugh Your Face Off, a charity event started by WGN sports anchor and comedian Pat Tomasulo. The proceeds go to help patients suffering from Trigeminal Neuralgia.

On Thursday, Tomasulo joined Parkins & Spiegel to talk about the dueling auctions and stoke some competitive fire between the two shows.

“I will be hurt if theirs goes for more money,” Danny Parkins admitted.

Both packages include the chance for the winner to sit on on their show’s pre-show meeting and contribute to show prep. When the show goes on the air, they will then spend an hour in the producers’ studio observing.

Chris Tannehill, Parkins & Spiegel’s sound engineer, promised that if their offering earned more than Bernstein & Holmes, he would even let the winner do his job and contribute sound drops to the show. Executive producer Shane Riordan noted that the winner can also screen phone calls for the show.

“That sounds like 1500 to 2 Gs for [Bernstein & Holmes],” Parkins said. “Ours feels north of 3 Gs. I mean beers! You’re not having beers for breakfast.”

The bidding for both prizes opened at $1500. Offers can be made until 9 pm on Saturday.

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99.1 The Sports Animal to Coordinate First Tennessee Vols Spanish Broadcast

“We have explored various models to increase Spanish broadcasts across several of our sports in future years and felt this will be a great test run to start the process and expand our Vol Nation footprint.”

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99.1 THE SPORTS ANIMAL in Knoxville

The University of Tennessee will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the first ever Spanish-language broadcast of Volunteer football. Fans will be able to hear Carlos Lopez, Juan Reveiz and Brian Rice call the game on the athletic department’s website UTSports.com.

While there will be no terrestrial radio distribution of the broadcast, the school’s broadcast partners are assisting. Learfield and flagship station 99.1 The Sports Animal in Knoxville will coordinate and produce.

“This unique opportunity to continue to grow our fan base is exciting,” athletics director Danny White said in a press release. “We have explored various models to increase Spanish broadcasts across several of our sports in future years and felt this will be a great test run to start the process and expand our Vol Nation footprint.”

Both Lopez and Reveiz are South American-born kickers with ties to the state of Tennessee. Lopez played high school football in the state and his college football career included stops at Carson-Newman and Middle Tennessee State. Reveiz twice earned All-SEC honors as a Vols kicker. He then enjoyed an eleven-year NFL career that included stints in Miami, San Diego and Minnesota.

Reveiz also has a lot of radio experience. He has hosted shows locally in Knoxville with 99.1 The Sports Animal and with the now-defunct AM 850 Rocky Top Sports.

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