Thom Brennaman Named New WLW, Cincinnati Morning Host
Numerous media outlets in Cincinnati are reporting that iHeartMedia’s news/talk WLW, Cincinnati is
naming Thom Brennaman the station’s new morning drive host. Late last week, Mike McConnell told his listeners that he was retiring from the station and that Monday (4/7) would be his last day. Brennaman worked for WLW calling Cincinnati Reds games but stepped down after being caught on a hot mic uttering a homophobic slur during an MLB game on August 19, 2020. Brennaman has been working for the CW calling football games.
been diagnosed with suspected CTE two years ago and joined the National Sports Brain Bank at the University of Pittsburgh. He told “Pittsburgh Today Live” at the time, “If I can help anybody on this road, who is on this road or will be on this road in the years ahead, I feel better about being able to do that and being able to learn from my experiences.” Burnett played sports throughout his childhood and played college football at the University of Tennessee. (Photo: KDKA) 
The New York Festivals Lifetime Achievement Award, launched in 2011, honors prominent industry leaders, innovators, and driving forces in the broadcast world whose groundbreaking accomplishments have advanced their field and left a lasting impact on the industry. The award recipient will be celebrated at the annual Storytellers Gala virtual event, which will recognize TV & Film Awards and Radio Awards trophy winners in May 2025. “I am deeply honored to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the New York Television and Film Awards,” said Visser, “and I love that it will be presented at the Storytellers Gala. The heart of any sports journalist is dedicated to telling stories. I’m grateful to CBS for giving me this opportunity for more than 30 years, and I salute the men and women who have won this honor before me.” A nine-time Hall of Fame inductee, Lesley Visser has a long list of “firsts” to her credit. She was the first woman inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the first to win the Lifetime Achievement Sports Emmy, and the first recipient of the Vin Scully Award for Excellence in Broadcasting. Lesley’s memoir, Sometimes You Have to Cross When It Says Don’t Walk, reflects her impressive journey of breaking barriers and has been optioned for both TV and film. The annual TV & Film Awards Storytellers Gala, featuring winners and industry executives from around the globe, will be streamed in May 2025. View the 
iHeartMedia Seattle’s Sports Radio 93.3 KJR-FM, announced (2/10) the debut of the new “MJ in the Midday” show, effective immediately. “MJ in the Midday” will broadcast weekdays from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. MJ in the Midday’s host Marc James, started his sports talk radio career in Miami and Fort Lauderdale in 2004. His career highlights include afternoon drive host for an ESPN radio affiliate in Tampa, FL, WFNZ afternoon drive radio host in Charlotte, NC and morning host on 92.9 “The Game” in Atlanta, GA. His radio career led him to a TV studio anchor position for New England Sports Network (NESN) in Boston, MA, where he also hosted shows on WEEI radio station. Since 2020, James has worked for Sports Talk Florida covering sporting events in the Tampa Bay area and throughout Florida. He also hosted a college football podcast on the BLEAV Network. “Sports Radio 93.3 KJR-FM is literally my dream job,” James tells TALKERS. “I am honored and eternally grateful to become part of this legacy station and its extremely bright future in Seattle.” 
“Marc James joining our family is big for us,” said Rich Moore, VP of programming for iHeartMedia Seattle. “We’re extremely excited to be bringing in a new passionate voice to the Seattle market. Marc’s experience and love for our market will win our listeners over for years to come.” “We’re excited to welcome Marc James to the iconic call letters of KJR,” said Mark Glynn, area president for iHeartMedia Washington. “Marc’s infectious energy plus his dynamic and engaging personality will bring an exciting new spark to Seattle sports talk.”
As the excitement builds for Super Bowl LIX, Audacy has positioned itself to be the “go-to audio home” for football fans nationwide. With flagship stations 96.5 The Fan (KFNZ-FM) in Kansas City and Sports Radio 94WIP (WIP-FM) in Philadelphia, the company is set to provide fans with in-depth analysis, exclusive interviews, and live play-by-play coverage of the big game on February 9. Additionally, six Audacy sports stations and Audacy’s newly launched BetMGM Network will broadcast live from the radio row, to provide listeners the latest updates, expert insights, and exclusive interviews throughout Super Bowl week. And with Westwood One’s national broadcast on 20 Audacy sports stations, the plan is for fans across the country not to miss a moment. Audacy tells TALKERS, “Whether on the air or on the free Audacy app, listeners can tune in for every snap, every score, and every story leading up to and following Super Bowl LIX.” Please click 
Bonneville Phoenix announced 1/30 that longtime employee Erin Maloney has been named program director at Arizona Sports 98.7 (KMVP-FM) and ESPN 620 (KTAR-AM). “From starting as an intern in 2012 and growing into leadership roles throughout her career, no one is more passionate about our sports brands than Erin,” said Bonneville Phoenix SVP/MM Ryan Hatch. “She is so well respected by everyone in the market, and we are very excited for her to take this next step.” “I’m truly honored to step into the role of program director of Arizona Sports,” said Maloney.
“Working alongside the best in the business is not just a privilege, it’s a dream come true. I look forward to leading an exceptional team of talented individuals who consistently set the standard for excellence in the industry and taking Arizona Sports to new heights.” Maloney most recently served as APD and will replace programming veteran Brian Long who recently returned to Southern California to be with his family and program iHeart’s KFI AM 640, as well as KLAC-AM and KEIB-AM. Arizona Sports is the flagship station for the Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks and Arizona State University football and basketball.
Washington Commanders and the Philadelphia Eagles begins at 2:00 pm ET and features Ian Eagle handling play-by-play, Kurt Warner as color commentator and Ross Tucker as sideline reporter. Coverage of game two between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs begins at 6:30 pm ET with Kevin Harlan providing play-by-play, Devin McCourty as color analyst and Derek Rackley as sideline reporter. 
The station debuts a new afternoon show, welcoming three-time NFL champion Ted Johnson as afternoon show co-host alongside Andy Hart and Nick “Fitzy” Stevens, who is expanding his role. The trio will be heard on weekdays from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm ET beginning January 21. 
Johnson will also co-host “WEEI Football Sunday’” with Christian Arcand, Meghan Ottolini, Chris Scheim, Tom E. Curran, Stevens, Hart and Jermaine Wiggins during the NFL season. Former afternoon show co-host Christian Arcand will host nights weekdays from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm ET.
“Ted not only hoisted the Vince Lombardi trophy three times as a Patriot, but he also played alongside new Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel,” said Mike Thomas, SVP/MM, Audacy Boston. “After his playing days, Ted honed his broadcasting skills in Houston and back here in Boston. He has entertaining stories and valuable information that all Boston sports fans won’t want to miss. Fitzy has been an asset to the station and we’re excited to expand his role to ‘WEEI Afternoons’ with his knowledge as a die-hard Boston sports fan.”
FOX Sports Radio Features Live Broadcast from Orange Bowl. FOX Sports Radio’s “Two Pros and Cup of Joe” with (pictured above l-r) Brady Quinn, LaVar Arrington and Jonas Knox will broadcast live from Fort Lauderdale, beginning this morning (1/8), as part of the network’s coverage of the Orange Bowl featuring a matchup between Quinn’s alma mater Notre Dame and Arrington’s alma mater Penn State tomorrow (1/9). 
With a spot in the National Championship on the line for the Fighting Irish and Nittany Lions, “Two Pros and a Cup of Joe” will bring all the excitement before, during and after the game as the show broadcasts live from 6:00 am – 9:00 am ET at Le Meridien Dania Beach, the media hotel for the game, from January 8 – 10, 2025. “Two Pros and a Cup of Joe” featuring Quinn – former Notre Dame Quarterback who set 36 single-season and career records, and was a first-round draft pick; LaVar Arrington – College Football Hall of Famer, three-time Pro Bowl Linebacker and No. 2 overall draft pick; and sports radio veteran Jonas Knox is available nationwide on more than 380 stations, in addition to FOX Sports Radio’s channel on iHeartRadio and www.FOXSportsRadio.com.
iHeartMedia, the and the National Football League (NFL) today (1/8) announced an extension to the exclusive partnership that first launched the 
The long-running, liberty-based syndicated show “ArmedAmericanRadio” and its sister property “AARDailyDefense,” owned and hosted by one of the nation’s leading Second Amendment advocates, Mark Walters, continues to add affiliates. Walters kicks off 2025 on a roll with new affiliates: KLID-AM, Poplar Bluff, MO; WBNR, Beacon, NY; WKDP-AM Corbin/Lexington, KY; WKDP-FM, Corbin/Lexington KY; KOMY-AM, Santa Cruz, CA; WLNA-AM, Peekskill, NY; WAJZ-FM, Albany, NY; and WGHQ-AM, Poughkeepsie, NY. Walters, among his many civic activities, is on the Board of Directors of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms.
By Andy Gladding, Ed.D.
ESPN Wisconsin programming, including weekly appearances on “The Great Dane Huddle” on ESPN Madison with former Badgers Derek Engler and Tarek Saleh. Good Karma Brands founder and CEO Craig Karmazin says, “Barry’s significance to the Wisconsin sports landscape and to Good Karma Brands can’t be overstated. I would not have visited Wisconsin as a college student and eventually started a company here had it not been for the way he and Pat Richter transformed the Wisconsin football program. To add a teammate with his leadership skills, experience, knowledge, and passion is a huge win for our fans, advertising partners, ESPN Madison, and all of GKB.”
95.5 WSB, Atlanta (and nationally syndicated) TALKERS Heavy Hundred star, Erick Erickson is giving both sides an airing today (10/18) in his midday show that he’s broadcasting from the parlor in the Texas Governor’s Mansion (see pic at left) before UGA battles University of Texas tomorrow. He tells TALKERS, he’ll have on both Governors Gregg Abbott (R-TX) and Brian Kemp (R-GA) to talk about the border, the election, and football.
The station will continue to be heard on 1250 AM. Concurrent with the FM relaunch, the station will introduce two new local weekday shows. “The Pack-A-Day Radio Show” will air weekdays from 8:00 am to 9:00 am CT. Hosted by Green Bay Packers insider Andy Herman, the show will serve as a destination for all things green and gold. Herman currently hosts the “Pack-A-Day Podcast” and “Packer Report.” The station will also launch “The Mason Crosby Show,” starring 17-year NFL kicker, Super Bowl champion and Packers all-time leading scorer Mason Crosby, weekdays from 9:00 am to 11:00 am CT. The show will also feature Mitch “Thunder” Nelles as co-host and veteran producer Tommy Wortz. “We couldn’t be more excited to bring The Fan back to FM and expand the reach of the best sports talk in Milwaukee,” said Jason Bjorson, SVP/market manager, Audacy Madison and Milwaukee. “Milwaukee has long been a premier market for football coverage, and through the addition of ‘The Pack-A-Day Radio Show’ and ‘The Mason Crosby Show,’ coupled with our existing must-listen programming, we’re elevating the listening experience and keeping fans connected to their favorite teams.” The station’s weekday lineup rounds out with “The Jim Rome Show” from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm CT and “Wisconsin Sports Daily” with station APD Steve “Sparky” Fifer from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm CT.
Castiglione, who announced his retirement prior to the conclusion of the 2024 Red Sox season spent 42 seasons in the Red Sox booth, making him the longest tenured radio broadcaster in Red Sox history. A native of Hamden, CT, he began his career calling Colgate University football and baseball games while earning a B.A. from the university. He would later graduate from Syracuse University’s prestigious Newhouse School with a master’s degree in Radio and Television. Castiglione’s Red Sox legacy started in 1983 when he was paired with another Red Sox legend in Ken Coleman. In his 40+ years with the Red Sox, Castiglione was the voice for millions during the lowest lows and highest highs of the franchise. He’s maybe most famous for his call at the end of the 2004 World Series which ended an 86-year World Series drought for the Sox, exclaiming “for the first time in 86 years, the Red Sox have won baseball’s world championship. Can you believe it?” The phrase would become a signature call. Joe Castiglione was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2014, the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2015, and was named the Baseball Hall of Fame’s Ford C. Frick Award winner, presented annually by the Hall of Fame for excellence in broadcasting, in 2024.
The podcast publishing arm of iHeartMedia and Radio Ambulante Studios (RAS), a pioneering Spanish-language podcast production company that tells the stories of Latin America and Latino communities around the world, announced a deal that will bring RAS and its full slate of shows to iHeart’s My Cultura Podcast Network. As part of the deal, Radio Ambulante Studios’ flagship, award-winning podcast “
Cumulus Media announces that Detroit news/talk station WJR AM 760 will air NFL football on Monday and Thursday nights through a new agreement with Westwood One. WJR AM 760 will provide exclusive and comprehensive coverage of the 2024-2025 NFL season, broadcasting Monday and Thursday night regular season football games on the station and in a simulcast on Cumulus Media’s WDVD-FM HD2. WJR AM 760 coverage will also include the NFL Playoffs, beginning with the wild card round and ending with the Super Bowl. Coming up on WJR AM 760’s NFL coverage is the Buffalo Bills match-up against the Miami Dolphins in Miami tonight (9/12) at 7:30pm. Ann Thomas, PD of WJR AM 760, tells TALKERS, “WJR is thrilled to partner with Westwood One to bring Monday and Thursday night NFL football to Michigan residents.”
Pictured above are the on-air celebrities and athletes who participated at the Siwanoy Country Club in Bronxville, NY. For more information about the BFoA, please click here 
WCBS 880 Final Tribute
“This Old House” Personality Roger Cook Dies. 
Cumulus Media has appointed Zach Lyons as co-host for afternoon sports radio show, “Blaine and Zach,” on its Nashville outlet WGFX-FM (104.5 The Zone). Lyons joins co-host, Blaine Bishop, former Tennessee Titans safety and a four-time Pro Bowler. Bishop retired following the 2002 season capping an outstanding 10-year NFL playing career, featuring nine seasons with the Titans franchise. In addition to the weekday show, Lyons will join Brent Dougherty, Lucas Panzica, and Kevin Dyson as co-host of the station’s Titans postgame show, “Titan Talk Back.” Lyons is best known for co-founding broadwaysportsmedia.com and for hosting the popular sports podcast, “Football and Other F Words,” which will join the podcast lineup on the 104.5 The Zone Podcast Network.
Cumulus Media’s Westwood One Presents National Audio Coverage of the 2024 College Football Season. Westwood One will present national audio coverage of the 2024 college football season. Highlighting Westwood One’s schedule of 16 regular season games will be matchups with top-20 teams including the University of Georgia, Ohio State University, the University of Texas, the University of Oregon, the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), the University of Alabama, the University of Missouri, the University of Tennessee, Clemson University, and defending national champion, the University of Michigan as well as the Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic between Virginia State University and Benedict College. Postseason games will include the SEC Championship Game, the annual Army vs. Navy Game, and the FCS Championship. In his first year with Westwood One, Nate Gatter will serve as play-by-play announcer. He will be joined by former University of Minnesota tight end and eight-year NFL veteran Derek Rackley, in his 11th season with Westwood One.
Eric Trump Tells WPHT, Philadelphia Host Dom Giordano the DNC is “Dark.” With Pennsylvania being such an important swing state in the presidential race, WPHT, Philadelphia 12:00 noon – 3:00 pm host Dom Giordano’s program has been a major destination for prominent Republicans on the campaign trail. On Monday (8/19), Giordano (“the dean of Philadelphia talk radio”) hosted GOP VP nominee J.D. Vance and yesterday (8/20), he was visited by Eric Trump. Trump, whose wife Lara Trump is co-chair of the Republican National Committee, told Giordano, “Compared to the positivity of the RNC, the DNC was all so dark, depressing and unbearable [for Lara and I] to watch.”
VSiN, The Sports Betting Network, has announced updates to its leadership, including the promotion of Miles Gwyn to COO. In this new role, Gwyn will manage the network’s day-to-day operations, overseeing content production, distribution and advertising partnerships, technology, compliance, and infrastructure.
As part of this new management structure, Brian Musburger takes the role of president/chief business officer and Bill Adee becomes CEO. In addition, VSiN has promoted Stephanie Kamerschak to executive producer, responsible for overseeing talent schedules, managing producers and associate producers, and arranging promotional content across platforms. Most recently, Kamerschak was coordinating producer at VSiN and previously held senior producer roles at DraftKings and ESPN.
radio station of the back-to-back defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and broadcast all pre-, regular and post-season games. Chiefs games will be simulcast on 106.5 The Wolf “WDAF-FM” for the 2024 season.” The station will also serve as the play-by-play home of the Kansas City Royals, Kansas State University and University of Missouri men’s basketball and football. The station’s weekday programming and play-by-play content will also be heard on KFNZ-AM “The Fan AM 610,” formerly known as KCSP-AM. Audacy Kansas City SVP and market manager Roxanne Marati comments, “Kansas City has the most passionate sports fans in the country, and they deserve a one-stop destination for premium sports content year-round. This is an exciting time for KC sports, and our exclusive partnership with the World Champion Chiefs, local content and engaging personalities with unrivaled sports knowledge will fuel fandom, bring listeners closer to the action and keep them connected to their favorite teams.”
Mike Missanelli is a possible replacement. He writes, “Jonny Marks reported last week that the Mike/Fanatic reunion looks to be in place ahead of football season. My understanding is that 97.5 is also high on Bill Colarulo and Amy Fadool as new pieces. Colarulo hosts weekends and has filled in on P.M. drive while Fadool had been co-hosting alongside Cooney.” For his part, Cooney posted the following to Facebook: “Wanted to say thanks to all who listened over the years during my time at The Fanatic. Loved the conversations and getting to know a lot of you. They told me today they are moving in a different direction.”
iHeartPodcasts and Pushkin Industries have launched a new six-part true crime podcast that will dive into the 2020 disappearance of Lydia “Dia” Abrams of Idyllwild, CA. Throughout the series, journalist Lucy Sherriff will reveal the culmination of her four-year investigation into Dia’s disappearance, uncovering a tangled web of manipulation, power, estranged families and greed. “Where’s Dia?” will be available to listeners beginning today 7/23), with new episodes posting on Tuesdays. Listen now 
announcer last season, will continue as Bills Insider for the station, co-hosting “One Bills LIVE,” weekdays at 1:00 pm and simulcast on MSG Western New York. Audacy Buffalo SVP and market manager Tim Wenger says, “Chris is best suited to carry on the long tradition of informative, passionate and entertaining Bills play-by-play announcing. His decades-long knowledge of the organization will be invaluable as he assumes the play-by-play microphone.”
made the announcement yesterday (6/11) on the program. He said, “I am retiring from daily radio. I’ve been doing this for 30-something years all told six and seven days a week and kind of decided, probably after the football season if I’m being honest… My get-into-work time has been gradually getting later and later and later. And it’s just because getting up sucks. And there’s no other show I would want to do. There’s no other thing I would want to do in media. And just decided for me that this was like the perfect time to walk away.” Klingler says he’s not retiring fully. He’ll still do Chiefs radio broadcasts and some freelance TV. 
also affects air personalities Andrea Darlas and Jane Clauss, but it appears Darlas will continue with the station for weekends and her podcast. WLS-AM program director Stephanie Tichenor says, “Ray has been part of the fabric of ‘The Big 89’ for years. We’re thrilled to have him back in morning drive on 890 WLS-AM.” Stevens comments, “I am beyond ecstatic to be back doing mornings at WLS and 890 in my hometown. Special thanks to Marv Nyren and Stephanie Tichenor for having faith and believing in me. Also special thanks to KCMO’s Donna Baker and Pete Mundo who’ve let me work middays at the radio station for the better part of the year. I can’t wait to get to work and be on the air at the legendary 890 WLS-AM talking NASCAR, politics, football, and everything that makes us the greatest city in the world!”