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Tyrone Johnson Striving For The Best Show Ever on 97.5 The Fanatic

Over the years, Johnson was encouraged by his colleagues to do more in the industry while his bosses discouraged him from trying new things. In fact, in 2004, both a boss and a co-worker told him that he would scare white people if he started hosting, as there were no Black radio hosts that were not former athletes at that time.

Derek Futterman

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A photo of Tyrone Johnson

When you name a brand new afternoon show The Best Show Ever?, it raises questions about the ceiling of the program and, quite frankly, just how realistic it is. For Tyrone Johnson and his co-hosts at 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia, the title represents the objective of the show — to routinely finish at the top of the ratings book. Moreover, it embodies what he believes the impassioned, zealous base of Philadelphia sports fans deserve to consume daily.

“It’s an aspirational title,” Johnson said. “Have we hit the mark already? Absolutely not. We are not currently the best show ever. But the goal every single day is to truly be that, and that’s every segment, every minute – and if we fall short, we fall short. That’s truly the goal, and it reminds each and every one of us why we’re doing this.”

Johnson, who has been working in sports media for nearly two decades, first recalls becoming interested in the industry by chance on a frigid winter day in “The City of Brotherly Love.” On snow days, children were expected to earn money by shoveling snow around their neighborhoods, clearing it to help expedite its melting, and ensure residents would stay safe. One day after shoveling, Johnson, who was 12 years old at the time, returned home and saw an old radio left by the previous homeowners. Curious to see if the device still worked, he turned it on and, as if it was by fate, was greeted by new sounds that engrossed and instantly mesmerized him: those of sports talk radio programming.

“I remember thinking from that moment – because my parents would only listen to music – [that] I wanted to do this,” Johnson said. “I never really wanted to do anything else since.”

Johnson attended Rutgers University in Camden, N.J., and studied communications; however, he never utilized the radio station on campus to learn the craft and hone his skills. Instead, he was already working professionally in the industry as a producer at SportsRadio 94WIP, which was an AM-exclusive radio station at the time. Landing that role as a college student took shrewd observation and unyielding persistence, and it paid off when he was hired at 20 years old.

“I had learned that [WIP] had to be short people because there were bosses setting up remote broadcasts and I knew that wasn’t right so I knew they had to be hiring,” Johnson said. “I faxed in my résumé like 100 times [and] they ended up calling me and saying: ‘I got it. I got it.’ I was like: ‘You know on this end, the confirmation sheet is saying that I didn’t go through,’ so I kind of told a lie there.”

Rather than utilizing Rutgers University to land a job, Johnson was working and attending classes simultaneously, indicative of a work ethic and versatile set of skills that continue to carry him in the industry today. Johnson went from producing to engineering when he landed a job at New Jersey 101.5 as its assistant chief engineer in the spring of 2004 and worked in a similar role for Millennium Radio Group as well. Additionally, he had an opportunity to be an on-air host at 97.3 ESPN-FM in Millville, N.J. hosting a Saturday show discussing sports and current events called The Weekend Sports Guide.

Working in all of these different roles early in his radio career gave him exposure to many facets of the industry, and while that may seem daunting to some, it is exactly what Johnson wanted from the start.

“I love radio – period,” Johnson affirmed. “I actually get personally offended when people say anything bad about it…. There’s not a single thing involved with radio I didn’t like doing, but I was sort of thankful that I was working and making a living doing something that I really, really liked.”

Over the years, Johnson was encouraged by his colleagues to do more in the industry while his bosses discouraged him from trying new things. In fact, in 2004, both a boss and a co-worker told him that he would scare white people if he started hosting, as there were no Black radio hosts that were not former athletes at that time. Motivated to break that stereotype, Johnson moved to then-94.5 The Hawk in Manahawkin, N.J. where he hosted a sports and rock show, but was let go one year later when the station was sold.

From there, he took a role outside of sports an hour north in Monmouth Junction, N.J. with The Wall Street Journal in its radio department. At this business-focused media outlet, Johnson was not only engineering but also served as a tape desk editor occasionally reporting on business news. He attributes being hired to his capability to demonstrate his versatility and espouse an edurite approach towards his work.

“I was always sort of producing even when I wasn’t producing, so when The Wall Street Journal opportunity came out, that was an opportunity to break the stereotypes that people had kind of said about me,” Johnson explained. “….Producing helped me keep on growing and keep on learning and proving people wrong.”

After leaving The Wall Street Journal when the radio department closed in early 2015, Johnson relocated to New York City — the home of some of Philadelphia’s biggest sports rivals such as the New York Giants and New York Mets — to produce for The Blaze Radio Network. During his time in “The Big Apple,” Johnson saw the passion exuded by New York sports fans for their teams; however, there was one major difference evident between the two cities – that being the commitment fans make to their teams.

“We build our lives around sports in Philadelphia,” Johnson said. “There’s no: ‘Oh, well we’ll see the next game if we miss this game.’ No, no, no – that doesn’t really exist on a grand scale with Philadelphia fans…. New York is a great sports city and a tough sports city, but Philadelphia is a greater sports city. It just is. They’re the best of the best; one of one.”

The innate fanaticism and passion displayed on game days in Philadelphia has cultivated a penchant for sports content, ultimately bringing him back home two years later to join 97.5 The Fanatic. Throughout his time at the station, Johnson worked as a producer and joined The Mike Missanelli Show in that role in 2016. Missanelli, the show’s primary host, taught Johnson several invaluable lessons in the industry, including how to effectively connect with an audience.

“It was about being genuine [and] about being my true self,” Johnson said. “There have been times throughout my career where different bosses have told me not to be myself. Mike made it very clear that’s the only way you can have that real relationship with the audience – by being your authentic self – because they’ll know [if] you’re not being authentic.”

This past May, Mike Missanelli abruptly exited from 97.5 The Fanatic upon the expiration of his contract, opening up the afternoon slot. In the period between Missanelli’s departure and the announcement of The Best Show Ever?, Johnson filled in as the interim afternoon host. Once the programming changes were made official by Beasley Media Group Philadelphia in mid-July, Johnson was officially joined by sports media influencer Hunter Brody and former Major League Baseball reliever Ricky Bottalico to form the new broadcast team.

“It was sad, scary and happy at the same time,” Johnson said regarding his new drive-time show. “….It’s elation because I get to live my dream. I’m at home; this is where I’m from [and] this is what I always wanted to do.”

The combination of Johnson, Brody, and Bottalico as the co-hosts of the show presented a challenge to quickly build chemistry to ensure the show can begin its quest to live up to its name. Sometimes, it can take time to familiarize oneself with new colleagues and build a working rapport that generates compelling conversation and informative talk. Johnson though, a radio veteran in his own right and the most experienced among his co-hosts, feels it is his responsibility to ensure a smooth transition by making the program as facile as possible and adapting his style to complement the others.

“I’m trying to make it to where they can just be themselves and just push on as naturally as possible, and then I adjust to them rather than [them adjusting] to me,” Johnson explained. “….Those guys early on don’t have to focus on some of the things that they don’t need to focus on this early. A year from now – [as] radio veterans – who knows how great this could get?”

As a former producer himself, Johnson knows the importance of the job and has confidence in Jennifer Scordo taking on the role. Aside from her vast experience in the industry in multiple formats and across multiple forms of content dissemination, Scordo does not bring an ego into her role, keeping those around her grounded. Instead, she serves as an intermediary between those in different roles so they can effectively discern what is being communicated and keeps her focus on the task at hand: producing the best show ever.

“A lot of times, she can be the translator for both sides,” Johnson said. “If I’m saying something that’s not understood, it’s Jenn who can explain it. If they’re explaining something to me and I don’t understand, Jenn usually can explain it. She’s a great translator to really make sure everything works.”

Johnson took on another role as a co-host of Sixers Outsiders on NBC Sports Philadelphia in October 2018, a show in which he and Krystle Rich-Bell discuss the latest on the team led by center Joel Embiid and guard James Harden. For the first time, Johnson was working in a visual broadcast medium, an opportunity he worked hard to attain and is grateful to have.

“I never knew I would ever do TV,” Johnson said. “I was asked to audition for TV [and] auditioned five times. To get Sixers Outsiders, I was so blessed for that to happen.”

Earlier that year, The Mike Missanelli Show started to be simulcast on NBC Sports Philadelphia, making Johnson and his colleagues visible while working in their radio roles for the first time. Now despite the programming change, Johnson’s The Best Show Ever? will continue to air across the network’s multiple platforms, giving the new program a chance to differentiate itself and become a staple among Philadelphia sports fans, whether they be listening or viewing the show.

Yet translating an aural radio program to a multiplatform experience can present its challenges and suggest to some that the influence of traditional radio is dwindling as digital content becomes more prioritized industry-wide. While the growth of digital is impossible to ignore, it is merely an option to expand the reach of radio and is not indicative of the death of the enduring medium, according to Johnson.

“TV can provide a platform and a pallet for us to look different and grab people because the show’s on – in addition to people who watch at home – [at] many bars, doctors’ offices, hospitals, gyms, [etc.],” Johnson said. “…We have to be doing entertaining content to provide something for those people not to change channels, pay attention to it and stay on the platform. They want to see what we’re going to do next.”

To keep the audience captivated and engaged during each program, it is fundamental the show remains aware of the topics fans want to hear discussed. During these first few weeks of the show, much of the discussion has centered around the Philadelphia Phillies, who currently hold a wild card spot and are on the verge of breaking a 10-year playoff drought: the second-longest in the major leagues.

Being among the Philadelphia sports fans has helped Johnson and his team, which includes Bottalico, a former Phillies reliever in the late-’90s, shape the program to fit the “pulse of the people.” Since everyone is connected more than ever before with the advent of social media, most topics come up organically throughout the show.

“Ricky’s kids are adults, so all of us currently are childless in terms of dealing with the day-to-day engagements, school and all those things,” Johnson said. “For now, that allows us to be out with the people and hear what the people are talking about and getting direct feedback from people. That’s been very valuable… so far to find out what the people want to talk about, and we’re going to try to make that as entertaining as possible because really, the people are the bosses.”

There is undoubtedly a direct relationship of sorts evident between ratings and revenue, two factors of radio essential for the growth of the platform which serve as performance gauges. While ratings have their limitations, their metrics provide a depiction of the show’s standing in the marketplace and can serve as factors of differentiation when it comes to the allocation of advertising revenue.

“Obviously revenue also matters a great deal; you don’t really spend ratings,” Johnson explained. “Ratings make it easier for you to generate that revenue, but generating revenue is extremely important because you do spend that.”

Competition exists in Philadelphia both on- and off the field and the quarterly battle between SportsRadio 94WIP and 97.5 The Fanatic creates a looming pressure on shows to perform well in each book. Johnson recognizes the importance of these numbers and the impact they could have; however, he is currently focused on building the program to a point where it will experience sustained success. That usually takes time though, so Johnson is enjoying the journey towards that coveted destination.

“Right now, I can’t just focus on the ratings; I just have to focus on making the quality of the program as good as humanly possible,” Johnson stated. “From there, we have to hope that the people agree that we’re putting out the best product humanly possible.”

While Johnson wants the show to be a perennial winner akin to how sports fans aspire for perennial contenders and champions, he wishes the ratings battle was not as intense. As a former employee of SportsRadio 94WIP and longtime listener of Philadelphia sports radio, he is supportive of his competitors and wishes for them to succeed in the marketplace as well.

“There’s room for everybody, and I think at times there’s people that look at two radio stations that both talk sports [and] almost treat it like it’s a [literal] war,” Johnson said. “I wish those guys at the other place a ton of success. There’s room for everybody to succeed, but first things first the goal is to try to win and win consistently. You don’t do this to try to lose; to come in second. You want to come in first place.”

As The Best Show Ever? embarks on its mission to truly become the best show ever, Johnson knows it will take hard work, determination, and alacrity to make changes when necessary. There are more outlets producing sports content because of evolutions in both technology and an augmented fan interest; therefore, it is incumbent radio shows like Johnson’s find new ways to stand out. The first step in being able to do that is having an understanding of what everyone brings to the table and utilizing their strengths as optimally as possible.

“I hope that they have that same love [for radio],” Johnson said of his new colleagues, “and the only way that’ll happen is [if] they’re empowered to be the best that they can be. I hope that they have far more success than I’ve ever had – I truly mean that.”

Aspiring professionals looking to work in sports media should take notice of Johnson’s story and how he prioritized being versatile to find a role in the industry. After over two decades working in multiple roles, Johnson is now a critical part of an afternoon show in the fourth-largest media market in the United States. With workforce reductions occurring across the industry – most recently within Audacy – those who can perform multiple roles well are assets for their companies. It is what has kept Johnson working since his days as a college student, and what figures to lead to new opportunities and chances to evolve in the future.

“Do whatever you can to get into the business, and then learn as much as humanly can about it,” Johnson said. “There are limited opportunities, but not limited opportunities for people who know how to do everything. The more you know how to do, the more valuable you’ll be.”

Whether it is Bryce Harper hitting majestic walk-off home runs; Joel Embiid making another run at a most valuable player award; the Flyers looking to remodel their team around new head coach John Tortorella; or the Eagles looking to make a deep playoff run again, Johnson and his team will surely be talking about it on the air with hopes of becoming a staple of drive-time programming in Philadelphia.

“We’re not doing this just to try to get by,” Johnson affirmed. “We’re not doing this just to try to win because you can’t really control that part. The only thing that we can control is trying to be our best selves each and every day, and that’s what we’re going to try to do. We’re going to try to be the best show ever.”

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Kim Mulkey Now Has Everyone Anticipating Washington Post Story

I can’t imagine what headline, under normal circumstances, the Washington Post would have to put on a Kim Mulkey story to make me want to read it.

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photo of LSU women's college basketball coach Kim Mulkey
Credit: Dailymail.co.uk

The Washington Post, you might’ve heard, has a story coming out about controversial LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey. The reason you might’ve heard is because Kim Mulkey told you. The Tigers coach read a fiery prepared statement just before her team started the Women’s NCAA Tournament. In the statement, Mulkey threatened to sue The Post for defamation before the first word was even published.

Now, I’ve never run a public relations firm but that did not seem like a good idea. The Washington Post story on Mulkey is one of the bigger stories in sports right now and nobody even knows what’s in it. The reason the story, apparently unflattering to Mulkey, is even on anyone’s radar screen is Mulkey herself.

It all started with an innocuous social media post by Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde right in the middle of the most anticipated two days in sports, the NCAA Tournament Round of 64. On his X account, Forde posted: “Hearing some buzz about a big Washington Post story in the works on LSU women’s hoops coach Kim Mulkey, potentially next week. Wagons being circled, etc.”

You know what generally will go unnoticed at 4:00 on the first Friday of the NCAA Tournament? A post on X about a women’s basketball coach. But don’t tell Mulkey, she saw Forde’s post and decided to fight fire with nuclear weaponry. The result: the average person like me now is really interested in what has Mulkey so incensed. By “average person like me” I mean that I can’t imagine what headline, under normal circumstances, the Washington Post would have to put on a Kim Mulkey story to make me want to read it. Maybe:

“LSU Women’s Coach Discovers Ark of the Covenant”

Or:

“Mulkey Reveals True JFK Assassin(s)”

Perhaps:

“Famed Women’s Basketball Coach Reveals the Mystery Behind Slow Drivers in the Left Lane”

Literally any of those catch my attention more than whatever will likely be the Washington Post headline about Mulkey. But now Mulkey is “Mad as Hell and is not going to take this anymore” so I now have an interest I would never before have had in this story. It has been fascinating to watch the online speculation about the subject of the article and all we really know, as of now, is that it will be written by Kent Babb. This is a dream come true for Babb; he writes an article that is, presumably, not flattering about Kim Mulkey and, before it is even published, she gives the article the greatest commercial anyone could give it. Babb couldn’t have entered into a business agreement with Mulkey and had this turn out better for him.

For those who don’t follow Babb, he is a former NFL reporter who now is an award-winning writer for the Washington Post. In his 14 years with The Post, he has written sports features and authored a couple of books. One of those sports features stories was a deep dive into what he viewed as a large inequity in the level of pay for LSU head football coach Brian Kelly and his LSU players. It is this piece Mulkey described as a “hit piece” and, based on that piece, referred to Babb as a “sleazy reporter.” Babb, and many others, resented the fact his story was labeled as a hit piece. In fact, Babb essentially confirmed he was the author Mulkey was referencing when he shared the original article on X with the comment: “Hit piece?”

Whether a printed piece or a recorded interview, I can’t imagine a better promotion for it than the subject of the interview threatening a libel/slander lawsuit, especially before it is even released. That simply screams “This piece is salacious!!” Also, libel and slander suits get settled all the time, right? Of course they don’t, they seem to never even get filed. That little thing called discovery is a scary thing for most public figures.

The NCAA Tournament has been very entertaining, and I think the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight will be terrific. For only the fifth time ever, the top two seeds have advanced to the third round which sets up for a remarkable weekend. For me, I guess it will now include a Washington Post article, not a sentence I’d normally say.

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Ian Eagle Crushing It for CBS As Replacement for Jim Nantz

Eagle continues to be a shining example of what a network play-by-play announcer should be.

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Photo of Ian Eagle and the CBS Sports logo

I’ll admit, it’s been a little strange not hearing Jim Nantz during this year’s NCAA Tournament. Nantz stepped aside to concentrate on golf and the NFL after a long run covering the Final Four. Change is sometimes hard to accept, we are all creatures of habit, and I’m sure it’s a little weird for Nantz himself this time of year. But change doesn’t always have to be a bad thing. When it comes to Ian Eagle, not that I’m surprised, so far, so good.

Eagle is no stranger to CBS viewers. He’s been with the network since 1998 calling college basketball games and the NFL through the years. That certainly made the transition a little easier for everyone involved. CBS, the viewers and Eagle himself. Familiarity in these cases doesn’t breed content, it breeds a more comfortable broadcast and an easier handle on the change itself.

For Eagle, one of the other benefits for him was working with familiar folks, Bill Raftery, Grant Hill and Tracy Wolfson. Eagle estimates that he and Raftery have called 600 basketball games together, because they were longtime partners on the NBA’s Nets broadcasts. Eagle has also previously worked with Hill in college basketball, the same for Wolfson.

“To do this with Bill, Grant, and Tracy, it really is going to feel very seamless. In many ways, it will feel like we’ve been doing it together for many years,” says Eagle on a conference call before the Big Dance.

It sounds seamless too. It’s not underrated to have a good rapport with the folks that you’re working with. Everyone is trying to get used to a new voice and the idiosyncrasies of a new announcer. It’s much less of a chore, when you know and have worked with your co-workers and partners before.  You know what to expect from them, and they know what to expect from you. That’s good.

I think Eagle is killing it in his new role. You could even tell during the Big Ten Tournament that led up to the “Big Dance” that he was not only ready, he was ready to roll. It’s easy to hear how much he loves doing what he’s doing. That’s the case in all of the sports he calls.

Eagle continues to be a shining example of what a network play-by-play announcer should be. He has the ability to combine his talent with some personality, but never at the expense of the action he’s calling. His broadcasts always hit the mark, as he rises to the occasion when the moment calls for it.

What do I mean by personality? He manages to make us laugh, even in some tense moments of a game. He also manages to articulate our thoughts in some situations, like this example from the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament. 

Sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson had a report during the UConn/Northwestern game about the superstitions of Huskies’ coach Dan Hurley. He wears the same red dragon underwear and suit as he did last year. Wolfson said Hurley’s wife travels with a portable washing machine to make sure his clothes stay clean. Leading Eagle to ask the question on all our minds:

“Who has a portable washing machine?! I didn’t even know that existed!”

Also in that game, Eagle had a couple of other great moments. UConn big man Donovan Clingan had a couple of swats on one play.

“Denied! Clingan! Denied! Two for the price of one!” Quick thinking and entertaining at the same time. Later when a ball got pinned between the basket and the backboard, Eagle said, “Oooh! A Brooklyn wedgie!”

Great stuff. None of his ‘ad-libs’ sound like they are forced. It’s within the flow of the action and just seem to come to him. It’s pretty amazing to be that quick on your feet, when you’re trying to make sure to get the call correct above all else. I’m sure we’re all in for many more treats like that along the way from Eagle.

In general, when fans are watching a tournament game, they probably aren’t thinking about the preparation that goes into a broadcast. Especially for a play-by-play announcer. The first weekend network announcers calling a couple of games in the same day. There’s also only a day in between the first and second rounds to prep for teams that you may or may not have seen during the college season.  The turnaround is quick and demanding.  

“It feels like an information avalanche in many ways,” Eagle said recently on 670 The Score. “The fact that I’ve done it for so long would make you think, ‘oh, he’s got it down, he has the system, he found the secret sauce.’ No, it feels the same way every year.”

Eagle says even veteran announcers like himself have to manage stress levels and work efficiently once they know which games they’ll call. “The two or three days leading up to the tournament, I must admit, are probably the most angst-riddled of the year because it’s a little bit out of your control.” Eagle told 670 The Score.

Yes, the stress level is great on the broadcasters, but how about what Clark Kellogg continues to do at the NCAA Tournament and the Final Four? For the 8th year, he’ll join Kevin Kugler and Jim Jackson on Westwood One’s broadcast of the Final Four and Championship Game on radio. At the same time, Kellogg will be a studio analyst for the television coverage. How does he pull it off? Following the pregame show broadcast on TV, Kellogg will make his way courtside to the radio broadcast position to join Kugler and Jackson. Then, he will rejoin TV for halftime before repeating the process in the second half and postgame. 

Working this tournament isn’t easy for these broadcasters. It’s a big stage for sure, but as you’ve read, there’s big pressure that goes along with it. The audience is usually huge, and announcers are constantly put under the microscope. Fans want to make sure that you know their team, pronunciations and all. Stories. Bios. All of it. Cut these folks a little slack, information gathering with little time to do it, isn’t exactly simple. They do a damn good job.

Eagle himself, is doing a tremendous job. The 3-man booth works so well because of his ability to keep it all together. He can set up either Raftery or Hill with a serious basketball question, or deliver a great ‘straight line’ to bring out their personalities. It’s a gift. Eagle has that knack for knowing when to go ‘rogue’ and go for that entertaining line, that seems to fit in perfectly. Speaking of fitting fine, those rather large shoes he had to fill, they’re becoming the perfect size.

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Andrew Salciunas Aims to Thrive in Morning Drive on 97.5 The Fanatic

“We are two radio guys that kind of know what we’re doing.”

Derek Futterman

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Andrew Salciunas
Courtesy: Beasley Media Group

When 97.5 The Fanatic midday host Anthony Gargano agreed to a deal to contribute to PHLY Sports, a local digital venture within ALLCITY Network, he was promptly suspended by Beasley Media Group and subsequently sued for breach of contract. Although the two sides eventually reached a settlement and officially parted ways, the future of the daypart was still in question. In the interim time period, the station granted Andrew Salciunas the opportunity to lead a four-hour solo program with producer Ray Dunne. Salciunas had served as Gargano’s producer in the midday slot and still has a strong relationship with the sports media personality today despite no longer working together.

The onerous aspect of the situation, however, was in recognizing that Salciunas was being afforded a chance to prove himself as a host in the marketplace. In the past, he had filled in when Gargano took vacations, but it was not for an extended period of time. Although he was familiar with the flow of a midday program, achieving a successful, yet sudden assimilation into a regular timeslot without a partner was an invigorating circumstance.

“I knew that it was going to be a learning experience because it’s one thing to host a show on Saturday or it’s one thing to host a weekly podcast and you have a week’s worth of content at your disposal,” Salciunas said. “It’s another thing to [be] hosting every single day and needing to come up with new ideas and new angles and new twists on things, so it was a challenge knowing that I was going to have to do that for however long the process was going to be.”

Salciunas received help from program director Scott Masteller, a sports radio veteran who has helped elevate brands and nurture budding talent. Several months later, Masteller asked Salciunas how he would feel about working with morning program host John Kincade. Salciunas replied by saying that it was something he would be interested in doing, and he later added that he already wakes up early and could easily work in morning drive. Salciunas was somewhat nonplussed when he discovered that Masteller’s intention was to have him anchor the program rather than Kincade, who has been hosting in the daypart since January 2021.

In the weeks and months ensuing, Salciunas and Kincade were involved in meetings to plan the new program, which officially made its debut on 97.5 The Fanatic last week and is titled Kincade & Salciunas. Both hosts knew about the program for roughly two months, and Salciunas is surprised that it was kept a secret for as long as it was. Outside of their scheduled meetings, Salciunas was able to speak with Kincade between their shows since they occurred after the other as well. From the onset, he wanted to make his thoughts about the program clear to ensure a smooth transition amid a quest to inform and entertain the audience.

“The first thing I told John when they told us that this was the plan moving forward was that, ‘This is going to be our show,’” Salciunas recalled. “Yes, I might be the guy running the ins and outs out of commercial breaks. I’m the guy that brings on the guests; I’m the guy that brings on the callers, but this is our show. We both have ideas, we’re both passionate about Philadelphia sports teams, we’re both high-energy people, we’re both opinionated and we’re also respectful of each other.”

While there is natural disagreement between Salciunas and Kincade on a variety of sports topics, they make sure not to fabricate their discussions and engender debate for the sake of the show. Instead of feigning their contrarian discourse, there is a legitimate willingness to be genuine with their audience while continuing to put radio first. Salciunas, Kincade and show producer Connor Thomas all contribute ideas for the program to appeal to the audience and continue building the show as a whole. Thomas also had familiarity in working with Kincade since he served as an associate producer on his previous morning program.

“I’m not a former journalist; he’s not a former professional athlete,” Salciunas said. “We are two radio guys that kind of know what we’re doing. Even though our opinions might differ on sports-related stuff, we see doing radio in a similar way.”

Upon Kincade officially joining 97.5 The Fanatic, he demonstrated his magnanimity and commitment to his colleagues by offering to take all of them out to lunch individually to learn more about them. It was a gesture that surprised Salciunas and something that stuck with him, ultimately helping familiarize themselves with one another and subsequently creating a viable on-air product.

“He’s one of those guys who likes getting to know people, and I think that’s helped a lot,” Salciunas said. “We already had that sort of knowledge of one another [and] we already had that relationship, and because we’re just both so bought in and both so hungry, that’s made it so much easier that we’re willing to do whatever it takes to make the show work.”

Before arriving at 97.5 The Fanatic, Kincade had worked at sports radio both at the local and national levels while also hosting a podcast with Hall of Fame center and Inside the NBA studio analyst Shaquille O’Neal. Bringing him back to his home marketplace and realizing success in the morning daypart was valuable as the sports media ecosystem underwent stretches of change. Transitioning to the new morning show iteration without colleagues Bob Cooney and Pat Egan presented its challenges, but Salciunas has had no qualms that Kincade was invested to win. As a result, the transition has been relatively simple in terms of building palpable chemistry among the on-air team.

“He believes in anybody that he works with,” Salciunas said of Kincade, “and knowing that somebody has worked that long as long as he has in sports radio that he values the young person’s opinion, not just in sports but in terms of radio, that goes a long way.”

There is constant communication between the morning show team leading up to a program outside of typical pre-show meetings and twice-weekly conversations with their boss. Salciunas arrives at the station well before the start of the program and compiles ideas from the previous day into a document, along with ideas from others that come during their commutes. Additionally, they continuously monitor the news cycle and determine what to address on the air while also interviewing special guests throughout the week.

Effectuating a fully prepared show rundown by 6 a.m. EST has been marginally difficult, along with the fact that it can be difficult to book guests on short notice before sunrise. Because of this, the program frequently outlines its guests early in the week and makes adjustments as necessary while maintaining fealty towards conveying their true, authentic personalities.

“I’m a little bit more energetic on the radio because I understand the entertainment portion of doing what we do and having to properly express myself,” Salciunas said. “I’m probably not going to scream at a bar, but when I converse with callers; when I converse with John [or] producers… that’s who I am as a person. There’s just a microphone in front of me.”

When he first started working at 97.5 The Fanatic as an intern, Salciunas did not have a goal of eventually becoming an on-air talent. He was content with his role as a producer, which was borne out of an internship where he worked with Jon Marks and Steve Vassalotti. Both station members served as mentors that he utilized to gain information and advice, a fortuitous outcome after Salciunas impetuously applied for the opening.

While Salciunas was matriculating at Temple University, he needed at least three internship credits in order to qualify for graduation. Reflecting back on his education days, he does not regard himself as the best student and recognized that he needed to intern with the radio station to set himself apart. Honing his focus in sports media took time since he had varied interests in areas such as reporting, podcasting and play-by-play announcing, but he ultimately gravitated towards the sports radio format during his time in Philadelphia.

Salciunas made a favorable impression on those with 97.5 The Fanatic and ended up being hired as an associate producer where he learned more about the format and its programming. Eric Camille, a former executive producer at the station, is someone Salciunas regards as seminal to his professional development.

“He was the guy that hired me out of my internship, and then once I started working, he really helped me,” Salciunas said. “He kind of took me under his wing and helped me out a lot.”

Once Salciunas was hired as a full-time producer, he began to work with Mike Missanelli on his midday program, providing an invaluable learning experience to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the sports media industry. As a veteran host who has captivated Philadelphia sports fans and media consumers at large, Salciunas noticed that collaborating on Missanelli’s program was a different experience than the other shows he had done. Whereas a morning drive show is oftentimes one of the first points of reaction on a given day, Missanelli knew that he would need to approach his daypart differently and adopted a paradigmatic style implementing second-level topics.

“It’s not just going on the air and reacting to an Eagles loss,” Salciunas explained. “It’s reacting to a storyline within an Eagles loss or reacting to a storyline within an Eagles win that may generate conversation. Trying to figure out topics that generate conversation but are not just the, ‘Oh wow, I’m angry they lost today,’ and give out the phone number. It’s [trying] to find topics that make people think and make yourself think and make the audience think.”

When Missanelli left the station, Salciunas began his stint working with Anthony Gargano where he began occasionally hosting select programs. The rationale behind his decision to go behind the microphone was that when the Eagles won a Super Bowl championship, the station needed someone to host from 2 to 5 a.m. Salciunas decided to volunteer for the program, presuming that it sounded fun. From that shift on, he continued his work as a producer while also refining his craft behind the microphone in a major market. It deviated from a philosophy perpetuated by former program director Matt Nahigian of limiting the amount of time producers were on the air, assuming that consumers listened to hear the hosts.

“Now you have to be a producer,” Salciunas affirmed. “You look at both radio stations in Philadelphia – a lot of the hosts now were former producers, and so you learn so much of the craft and then you figure out your own role. You figure out how you handle yourself as a host, so I think producing first before becoming a talk show host should be the way to go moving forward.”

Beasley Media Group’s 97.5 The Fanatic shares the Philadelphia marketplace with Audacy-owned SportsRadio 94WIP, and both stations have had intense battles in the ratings over the years. Salciunas shared that most people between the two stations have worked with their competitors at some point in their careers, and there is an evident respect that exists between the two entities. With both outlets introducing new morning shows within the last two years though, Salciunas understands there is a chance to gain ground on the WIP Morning Show, which finished ahead in the four Nielsen XTrends quarterly ratings books last year.

“Clearly if somebody’s behind a microphone in Philadelphia, everybody’s talented, and we’re going to do whatever we can to try to bridge that gap a little bit, and we’re seeing some good strides already,” Salciunas said. “I think having a new show is a big part of that trying to grab that initial audience, but then it’s holding on to that initial audience.”

Being able to achieve this outcome, however, requires a commitment to showcasing talent and different personalities. Salciunas referenced how there was a point in John Kincade’s stint hosting mornings in the daypart’s previous iteration where he gained ground on his crosstown competitor Angelo Cataldi with WIP. Kincade, of course, used to work with Cataldi’s show as a contributor and received a chance to take the air while with the outlet.

“I’ve seen the turn of tides of ratings over the years for every show [and] every time slot, so there’s always an opportunity, but that means we always have to be on our game; that means we always have to be doing the best show possible,” Salciunas said. “We can’t go in the next day and say, ‘Wow, that show was really good yesterday. Let’s have some fun today; let’s make this a lighthearted show.’ No, we always have to be thinking about, ‘Alright, what can we do next to put on another great entertaining four-hour radio show?’”

Over the last several years, there have been several leadership changes at 97.5 The Fanatic responsible for overseeing the slate of programming and station operations. Scott Masteller currently leads the outlet, someone in whom Salciunas has confidence that he can continue to elevate the standing of the station. In his earlier years working with 97.5 The Fanatic, Salciunas had an innovative spirit but was discouraged from taking steps to align with the multimedia evolution. For example, when he offered to do a podcast several years ago, someone at the station questioned his judgment and the reasoning behind the idea.

“I was told by someone, ‘What’s the point in doing that? We’re a radio station,’ and I knew back then that that was a mistake to say,” Salciunas explained. “You shouldn’t say, ‘We’re a radio station;’ that was years ago, so seeing that bosses and market managers and hosts and producers all realizing, ‘Alright, we have to adapt,’ that excites me.”

Possessing the background as a producer lends shrewd and calculated judgment on how to include members of the audience into the program. While there are still open phone lines for callers to chime in, the program has introduced a text line and also engages with the audience through the live chat functionality of YouTube. Having Thomas as a producer of the show has helped in this area as well, with Salciunas sharing that he has a strong understanding of how to create and optimize content for various platforms of dissemination.

“We have a great YouTube audience where they basically have their own community all of a sudden,” Salciunas said. “They’re constantly talking about the show, and sometimes we grab what they’re saying on that YouTube feed because that’s another area of today’s new media where you have another avenue to communicate with people.”

As Salciunas grows accustomed to the early start on 97.5 The Fanatic and his new colleagues in morning drive, he is filled with enthusiasm and the prospect of possibility. The radio station has been the only outlet by which he has been employed since the start of his media career, and he hopes to work there for as long as possible. National radio and television intrigue him going forward, but his priority centers on thriving in the new role.

“I want to try to get 97.5 The Fanatic – because it starts in the morning – back up in the map; back in the top five of the ratings books – and that’s going to take some time,” Salciunas said. “We’re a new show – we’re going to have to figure each other out.”

Salciunas expressed that the last year-and-a-half has been “hectic” in the midday daypart, but there has also been excitement surrounding the ephemerality as well. Taking the microphone in a major market with a dedicated sports fanbase such as Philadelphia is a privilege he does not take for granted, and he aspires to continue excelling in the marketplace for years to come.

“I just started, so I’m not thinking about the next step just yet,” Salciunas said. “I want this to last for a long time – for a very long time. If I never have to leave, that would be great.”

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