Industry News

Tegna Launches “Austin & Birm” Show Under Shadow of Civil Lawsuit

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Tegna, operator of sports talk WBNS-FM, Columbus “97.1 The Fan” and WBNS-TV, announced the debut of the “Austin & Birm” show, a video podcast now available on both stations’ YouTube channels. The stars, Austin Ward (left) and Jeremy Birmingham (right), are accused in a civil suit of theft, breach of contract and unjust enrichment filed by former employer THE Media. Awful Announcing reports that two are accused of “skimming money from sponsorship and ad deals — funds that were exclusively intended to compensate Ohio State athletes’ appearances on ‘THE Podcast.’ The suit alleges the two even admitted in writing to pocketing a portion of those payments, with Birmingham specifically stating that after paying players, the leftover revenue was split between him, Ward, and an unnamed third party.” Read the Awful Announcing story here.

Industry News

Cumulus Sues Dan McDowell and Jake Kemp for Violating Non-Compete

Cumulus Media is filing suit in U.S. District Court in Northern Texas against former KTCK-AM/FM, Dallas-Fort Worth personalities Dan McDowell and Jake Kemp claiming the duo are in violation of several clauses in their contracts with the company. If you recall, McDowell and Kemp left Cumulus last month after they were unable toim come to terms on a renewal to remain with “The Ticket.” The sticking point was their desire to explore digital initiatives outside of their work with Cumulus. They have since launched a podcast via Patreon that Cumulus says violates their six-month non-compete. The company also alleges the two have violated the non-solicitation and non-disparagement clauses of their contract. It alleges the duo have “commandeered” company-owned social media accounts, threatened to release “conversations Defendants illicitly recorded” with company executives. Cumulus is seeking “emergency injunctive relief” plus attorneys’ fees and costs.