Industry News

Outkick Unique Viewers Up 9%

According to data from Comscore, multimedia sports platform OutKick delivered 20 million total multiplatform minutes and 19 million total multiplatform views during the August 2023 period. The platformim also saw 5.2 million total multiplatform unique viewers, up 9% year over year. Outkick founder (and co-host of the Premiere Networks nationally syndicated “Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show”) Clay Travis says, “OutKick’s growth continues to spotlight our cutting-edge content and fearless talent. I’m excited for what’s to come especially with college football and NFL in full swing.”

Industry News

Beasley Suspends Anthony Gargano; Sues Over His Role in PHLY

The Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that Beasley Media Group has suspended WPEN-FM, Philadelphia “97.3 The Fanatic” morning host Anthony Gargano – who’s been off the air since September 12 – for his role in launching the new Philadelphia-centric digital sports platform PHLY. Beasley is also suing Garganoim for violation of his contract for working with the upstart platform that promoted Gargano as “coming soon” at its launch last week. PHLY is operated by the ALLCITY Network. The Inquirer reports, “Beasley said Gargano told ‘The Fanatic’ on Sept. 11, less than 24 hours before PHLY launched, that he intended to continue hosting his show while also accepting employment with the new sports outlet, where among other things he would write articles and appear on podcasts.” Beasley says that is in violation of his contract that runs through October of 2024, which states he is “prohibited from providing services to a competing business while he is employed by Beasley.” Read the Inquirer piece here.

Industry News

Lee Davis to Lead Audacy’s Reorganized Sports Sales Team

Audacy announces a new “sales and enablement team dedicated to accelerating growth within the company’s sports vertical” to be led by the company’s Lee Davis, who is named senior vice president of the team. Audacy says Davis’ team is “charged with developing high-value, high-return programs leveraging the power of Audacy’s sports platform across its broadcast,im streaming, podcasting, and wagertainment properties. Under Davis’ leadership, the team will be responsible for sales and execution, managing the entire client lifecycle.” Audacy chief revenue officer Brian Benedik comments, “No medium delivers more value for sports than audio. People are spending more time than ever with broadcast radio, streaming and podcasts, and the demand for compelling sports content across these channels is growing exponentially. Through our best-in-imclass sports audio portfolio, powered by over 150 flagship team partnerships, iconic local broadcast brands, award-winning podcasts and sports betting content, Audacy is uniquely positioned to capitalize on a new sales strategy in this arena.” Audacy says, “From 1990 to 2005, Davis was key in building WFAN into America’s #1 sports radio station, overseeing local and national sales, programming and marketing, helping shape it into the highest-grossing station in the country.” Davis rejoined Audacy in 2018 to lead the reboot of Traffic Weather Information Network’s on-air content and ad operations teams.