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Bob Lobel Recycled

sportsradioboston — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 04:18:58 +0000

Bob Lobel lands New Hampshire radio station gig

By Jessica Heslam / Media Biz http://www.bostonherald.com

Photo by Matthew West (file)

While Boston sports radio talk titans battle it out, Hub media icon Bob Lobel is taking to the airwaves north of the border, landing a gig on a New Hampshire radio station.

The legendary sportscaster said he’s anxious to get back to work Wednesday when “The Bob Lobel Show” debuts on WTPL-FM “The Pulse” (107.7).

Lobel, of course, plans to talk mostly sports every weekday from 1 to 3 p.m.

“I’m anxious to get back to work,” Lobel told MediaBiz yesterday. “I’m driving people at home crazy.”

Lobel, 66, spent three decades anchoring sports at WBZ-TV (Ch. 4) but confessed radio is “much more fun” than TV. Lobel has hosted WTPL’s Red Sox [team stats] spring training and Patriots [team stats] training camp shows for the last few years.

“I love radio. It’s much more fun than television. You have much more time to talk about your opinions and editorialize,” Lobel said. “I had a lot of fun when I was on television but it’s not the same thing.”

As for getting on the air at one of Boston’s major sports radio stations – WEEI-AM (850) and “98.5 The Sports Hub” – Lobel said he hasn’t talked with either station. ‘There just haven’t been opportunities,” Lobel said.

The Granite State show is Lobel’s first full-time gig since his month-long stint in 2008 co-hosting the morning-drive program with Karen Blake on WODS-AM (103.3). Grueling back surgeries forced Lobel to give up the job, and although he can now drive, he still uses crutches to walk.

“It seems to bother a lot of people,” Lobel said. “It’s OK. I can manage.”

WTPL program director Bob Lipman said Lobel started his career at another New Hampshire radio station, WGIR-AM (610), and is “very well known” in the Granite State from his WBZ days. “He has a tremendous Rolodex of Boston sports contacts,” Lipman said.

Lobel plans to continue hosting his Sunday morning show with legendary sports figure Upton Bell on Hub conservative talker WXKS-AM (1200). “I’m pretty excited about both things,” Lobel said.

• • •

WBZ-AM (1030) is bringing back legendary newsman Gary LaPierre to man the morning news from Dec. 6 to 10 – the last stretch of the December ratings period.

The news station’s morning-drive anchor, Ed Walsh, steps down Tuesday.

“It’s a nice thing to do for the listeners,” said WBZ news director Peter Casey, who stressed that LaPierre isn’t replacing Walsh.

WBZ-AM weekend anchor and reporter Rod Fritz will fill in until a permanent replacement is named.

• • •

In other WBZ radio news, nighttime talk host Dan Rea received the prestigious Yankee Quill Award earlier this month – the top honor for journalists in New England. Rea, a reporter at WBZ-TV for 31 years, said he was “absolutely overwhelmed” to receive the high honor.

• • •

One Boston TV station has a lot to be thankful for today – and that’s WCVB-TV (Ch. 5). Every single one of the station’s newscasts won first place among total viewers for the 10th month in a row. That’s what the TV ratings showed with one day left in the November “sweeps” ratings period, which ended yesterday.

Among the coveted 25- to 54-year-old viewers, Channel 5 won at 5 a.m., 6 a.m., noon, 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. WFXT-TV (Ch. 25) was the front-runner in that demo at 4:30 a.m. but Channel 5 was a close second, trailing by a mere 1,000 viewers. (WHDH-TV Ch. 7 doesn’t compete at that time).

“I’ve got a great team that really covers this market extremely well and the viewers have responded in kind,” said Channel 5 president and general manager Bill Fine.

Check out all the November ratings on my MediaBiz blog.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/business/media/view.bg?articleid=1298772

Arbitron Radio – The Numbers

sportsradioboston — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 14:19:36 +0000

The Battle for Sports Radio Turf Rages On

The Arbitron radio numbers for September as well as the summer ratings book became available yesterday, and WEEI and 98.5 The Sports Hub continued their intriguing battle for sports radio supremacy.

Here is a look at some of the significant matchups, all in the crucial male 25-54 demographic:

?In the summer, WEEI took third overall (5.8 share), while The Sports Hub tied for fifth (5.1). During morning drive, WEEI’s “Dennis and Callahan’’ claimed first (7.2), while The Sports Hub’s “Toucher and Rich’’ was third (7.0). Midday, WEEI’s “Dale and Holley’’ tied for sixth (4.6), while The Sports Hub’s “Gresh and Zo’’ was eighth (4.2). In afternoon drive, The Sports Hub’s “Felger and Massarotti’’ (second, 6.1) edged WEEI’s “The Big Show’’ (third, 5.7).

In September, WEEI was third overall (6.0 share), while The Sports Hub was fifth (5.2). In morning drive, WEEI was first (7.6), while The Sports Hub was fourth (6.9), while from 10-2 WEEI was tied for fourth (5.0), while The Sports Hub was eighth (4.5). From 2-6, WEEI and The Sports Hub tied for third (5.7). In the evenings, WEEI, which featured “The Planet Mikey Show’’ and Red Sox broadcasts from 7-midnight, was third (7.1), while “The D.A. Show’’ was tied for sixth (4.7).

?Combining the numbers its Providence-based FM station generates in the Boston market with its AM share, WEEI had an overall 7.0 in September, good for second overall. “Dennis and Callahan’’ was first in morning drive by this measure (8.7), “Dale and Holley’’ was third midday (6.1), “The Big Show’’ was second (6.9), and the 7 p.m.-midnight programming was second (8.7).

?Using the same combined approach that WEEI has recently emphasized, it was second overall (6.9) in the summer book, with “Dennis and Callahan’’ first (8.4), “Dale and Holley’’ third (5.7), “The Big Show’’ second (6.7), and the 7-midnight programming tied for first (8.6) in their time slots.

WEEI & The Sports Hub One Year Later

sportsradioboston — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 13:45:55 +0000

Tale of the Tape: WEEI vs. The Sports Hub

By Brian Kintz

Courtesy of: Sports of Boston

One year ago Friday, Boston’s sports radio landscape changed as we know it.

For years, airwaves juggernaut WEEI dominated the sports radio scene. They were the only game in town, and when they weren’t, they squashed all challengers in a matter of months. Down went 1510 The Sports Zone. Down went 890 ESPN Boston. And down went 790 The Score in Providence. But back on Aug. 13, 2009, the “On Air” light went out at long time rock station WBCN in favor of a brand new sports radio station, WBZ-FM, otherwise known as 98.5 The Sports Hub.

The Sports Hub made their splash onto radios across the area the day of the Pats’ preseason opener, when Tom Brady made his return to the field after missing almost all of the 2008 season with a catastrophic knee injury. From there, the Hub took us through a very entertaining Patriots season and into the playoffs, where New England sadly fell on its face against Baltimore. 98.5 also was there to broadcast every Bruins game this past season, from the opener against Ovechkin and the Capitals to the bitter playoff defeat at the hands of the Flyers.

Beyond their broadcast rights to the Patriots and Bruins, The Sports Hub has provided sports-crazed radio listeners with a quality alternative for those that have grown tired of WEEI’s same old routine. 98.5 seems to cater to the younger side of the key “males 18 to 54? demographic that every station covets, while WEEI’s hosts keep doing what they’re doing, which seems to hold the attention of the baby boomer generation and right-wing conservatives everywhere.

When you look at the ratings books for the area each month, you still see ‘EEI with a solid advantage in terms of numbers. But there’s no doubt that 98.5 The Sports Hub has made a significant dent into the WEEI powerhouse, more significantly than any other past challenger. With a bit more tinkering, it might not be long before the younger, more energetic Sports Hub reigns supreme in this town, over the old regime at WEEI.

And so now, with a full year under its belt, I would like to break down the Boston sports radio battle with a “Tale of the Tape,” pitting the two stations up against each other on a show by show basis. I’m going to share my opinions, and I encourage you to formulate and share your own as well.

Morning Drive Time: WEEI’s “Dennis & Callahan” vs. The Sports Hub’s “Toucher & Rich”

Advantage: The Sports Hub

Now I’ll start off by saying that when “Toucher & Rich” were on in the afternoons on WBCN, I actually listened to both of these shows… “D&C” in the morning and “T&R” in the afternoon. But now that they’re battling each other for a.m. supremacy, I lean towards Toucher & Rich. I think Dennis & Callahan do what they do well. But unfortunately, what they do is rant and rave about topics that seemingly have little to do with sports, more often than not. They are by all means opinionated, but they never seem to have an opinion that matches mine.

T&R on the other hand, while they admittedly don’t have as passionate a Boston sports feel as other shows (both T&R are not from the Boston area), what they lack in local sports fandom, they make up for in comedy and overall entertainment. Now do I expect Joe 50-Year-Old to be amused by “drunken Red Sox recaps,” “dating on demand,” “ask a pink hat,” or any of the other T&R routines? Mostly, no. But for the up-and-coming twenty-something sports fan, T&R is a slam dunk over D&C. The ratings may show D&C with still a comfortable advantage, but look for that to change as more and more young sports fans find their way to T&R in the morning.

Mid-Days: WEEI’s “Dale & Holley” vs. The Sports Hub’s “Gresh & Zolak”

Advantage: WEEI

How Andy Gresh and Scott Zolak still have jobs in radio is beyond me. They flopped as a pairing in Providence, yet The Sports Hub decides to bring them back, and into a bigger market, no less? Sorry, but you won’t find me in the “Gresh & Zo” corner at all. WEEI’s “Dale & Holley” is arguably the most intelligent sports talk show that WEEI has to offer. As an avid hockey fan, Dale Arnold’s expertise with all things Bruins is refreshing to listen to on a station that has long ignored the local hockey team, while Michael Holley is really the only youthful, modern flavor that WEEI has to offer in its stable of hosts. Granted, Gresh & Zo are above average when it comes to covering the Pats, but listening to Zolak talk about anything else is painful, and listening to Gresh’s voice at all is downright hazardous to your health.

Afternoon Rush Hour: WEEI’s “The Big Show” vs. The Sports Hub’s “Felger & Massarotti”

Advantage: The Sports Hub

No one’s act is more tired than “The Big Show’s” Glenn Ordway. Afternoons from 2-6pm, he moderates the daily shouting match that is “The Big Show,” where blowhards yell over each other, all while insulting callers who might have a different viewpoint than theirs. For a while, “The Whiner Line,” where callers leave what they hope to be comedic messages aimed at throwing digs at players or show hosts, was a new, fresh, entertaining idea. The gimmick is well past its prime though, as it trots out the same tired hacks who fail at bringing the laughs on a consistent basis. Couple all of that with the recent departure of “Big Show” favorite Pete “The Meat” Sheppard, and all signs point to “The Big Show”’s time to shine coming to a quick end.

On the FM side of the dial, tuning into “Felger & Mazz” weekdays is a breath of fresh air I really didn’t think would go as well as it has. Sure, Michael Felger’s constant contrarianism can be tiresome at times. And sure, Mazz’s high-pitched voice will never compare to the sweet sounds of Bedtime Magic’s David Allen Boucher. But their show’s content blows “The Big Show” out of the water more often than not, with maybe the one exception being the Monday interviews with Bill Belichick on ‘EEI during football season. To add to that, 98.5’s “The Baseball Reporters,” hosted by Massarotti from 6-7pm, is far and away superior to the pregame festivities that WEEI trots out… no doubt about it.

Nights: WEEI’s “Planet Mikey” vs. The Sports Hub’s “D.A. Show”

Advantage: The Sports Hub

This one really was very close to call, as I do see pros and cons for both shows. I don’t doubt that WEEI’s Mike Adams is wacky enough to entertain most middle-aged men. But as someone who happily hasn’t reached “middle-aged” status yet, give me a more energetic, younger, albeit geekier Damon Amendolara any night of the week. Now I will say that out of all the time slots that sports radio has to offer, I probably listen to the evening shows the least. What little I do hear during the week however, I usually give the nod to D.A. All that being said, I secretly pray every night before I go to bed that Damon Amendolara gets fired, and somehow, some way, 98.5’s hiring manager finds me and gives me the job. That really would be the dream job, at least in my mind. But for now, D.A. can keep my seat warm for me.

Live Game Action: WEEI’s Red Sox & Celtics vs. The Sports Hub’s Patriots & Bruins

Advantage: WEEI

Even though I’m a bigger fan of the Pats & B’s than I am of the Sox or Celts, I have to tip my cap to the broadcast teams of WEEI over The Sports Hub. C’s play-by-play man Sean Grande could be the best radio man in the NBA. Basketball is a tough game to translate to radio, but he does it effortlessly, painting a clear picture of what’s happening on the court. Cedric Maxwell’s color commentary is an acquired taste that doesn’t appeal to everyone, but no one can say he doesn’t bring a high level of enthusiasm and his very own unique style to broadcasts. For the Sox, I’ve grown up a huge Joe Castiglione fan for years, and Dave O’Brien, like Grande, has to be regarded as one of the best in the sport.

Over on the Sports Hub, I have all the respect in the world for the solid job that Bruins broadcasters Dave Goucher and Bob Beers do, night in and night out. Unfortunately, and this might be a minority opinion, I can’t give the nod to 98.5 because of Patriots broadcasting “legends” Gil Santos and Gino Cappelletti. Back in their primes, this duo hit the mark. But that “prime” was years ago. To me, they are unlistenable now. But, if them leaving means that the likes of Gary Tanguay, Andy Gresh, and/or Scott Zolak are next in line, Gil and Gino can take all the time they want before they retire.

So whether it be WEEI or The Sports Hub that tickles your fancy, listen on sports fans… this battle is only beginning to heat up.

Sports Radio News – Andy Massaua – Desperate Times at WEEI?

sportsradioboston — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 05:12:18 +0000

WEEI guy’s texting ignites radio war

By Jessica Heslam | Saturday, February 27, 2010 | http://www.bostonherald.com | Media & Marketing

The simmering feud between the city’s two sports radio powerhouses boiled over yesterday when a WEEI producer got slapped with a one-week suspension for texting “vulgar” messages to upstart rival the Sports Hub.

Andy Massaua, who works for Glenn Ordway’s “The Big Show,” was suspended yesterday and has been banned from texting anyone at WBZ-FM (98.5).

“Andy (has to) think about, and reflect, on his irresponsible and sophomoric actions that will not be tolerated by this station,” said WEEI-AM (850) program honcho Jason Wolfe.

Massaua never responded to repeated text messages seeking a comment.

Damon Amendolara, also known as D.A., the nighttime host on WBZ-FM, said he couldn’t even read about 80 percent of the WEEI producer’s texts on the air during his show Thursday.

The texts, he said, were aimed at several Sports Hub employees, including Amendolara and Chuck Perks, who does sports updates and used to work at WEEI.

Amendolara read some of the texts on-air, including one thinly veiled homophobic insult, “D.A., isn’t Chuck Perks’ strength spinning records . . . in P-town?”

Amendolara, who never identified Massaua by name, said the texter’s number was the first the station ever “red-flagged” as a problem. The station called the phone number and got the ’EEI producer’s voice mail, he said.

“We’ve got a pretty good sense of humor about ourselves, but you just can’t be vulgar,” Amendolara told listeners.

Amendolara said Massaua had been texting his station “constantly” for months, sending a barrage of 22 one night alone.

Mike Thomas, program director for the Sports Hub, said it’s the first texter to be blocked from messaging his station.

“There was a person that was sending very graphic, vulgar text messages, numerous text messages, and we did block his phone number,” he said.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/business/media/view.bg?articleid=1235800

Boston Sports Radio News – Pete Sheppard Eliminated at WEEI

sportsradioboston — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 10:35:51 +0000

Sheppard out at WEEI

By Chad Finn, Globe Staff | January 20, 2010

Article Courtesy of: Chad Finn Boston Globe

Pete Sheppard, who spent more than 10 years as a contributor and fill-in host on sports-radio WEEI’s “The Big Show,” has had his position eliminated by Entercom Communications, which owns the station.

“As we continue to operate in challenging economic times, it is with regret that we announce today that we have eliminated Pete Sheppard’s position as sports anchor on “The Big Show,” Entercom said in a press release. “We’d like to thank Pete for his outstanding work . . . [and wish him] the best of luck in his future endeavors and remain extremely grateful for all his contributions over the past decade.”

Sheppard, 42, had been at WEEI since 1994, when he joined the station in a part-time capacity. In 1999, he began co-hosting a weekend show with Jon Wallach, and in ’99 he moved to the highly successful “The Big Show,” where he provided sports updates during breaks, bantered with host Glenn Ordway and the rotating co-hosts, and generally served in the role of a boisterous if occasionally buffoonish everyman with a genuine passion for sports during the drive-time program. Alongside ex-players Fred Smerlas and Steve DeOssie, he also hosted the “Real Postgame Show” following Patriots games.

The news of Sheppard’s departure comes as a surprise. The native of Narragansett, R.I., signed a contract extension with the station in May 2007. While WEEI is facing a significant challenge from sports-radio upstart The Sports Hub, which launched on the FM dial in August, it has maintained and even enhanced its overall Nielsen ratings as well as those in coveted demographics. In December, “The Big Show” finished second in its time slot in the ratings among men 25-54.

What’s next for Sheppard remains uncertain. According to Mike Thomas, the program director at The Sports Hub, Sheppard has not been in contact. Thomas added via e-mail, “If he is interested in working here, he would have to contact me. Although we have a full staff right now.”

Sheppard and Entercom vice president of AM programming Jason Wolfe could not be reached for comment Wednesday afternoon. But Sheppard’s former colleagues — as well as caller Curt Schilling — acknowledged his absence at length shortly after “The Big Show” went on the air at 2 p.m.

Said Ordway: “We learned last night that the company was going to eliminate the position held by Pete Sheppard over the last 10 years and they are going to outsource the flashes during afternoon drive like they do from certain hours over the course of the day. Obviously we were disheartened to hear that. I spoke with Pete at length last night. Pete does understand the economics of it.

“He was a very unique character . . . he presented his own approach, his own schtick, that of the passionate sports fan.”

Wednesday’s “Sports Flash” update was handled by Chris Villani, a frequent WEEI update anchor who is employed by Metro Networks, the company to which Sheppard’s job has been outsourced.

Pete-Sheppard-Boston Sports Talk Radio

Ordway indicated that Sheppard might be heard on the WEEI airwaves in the future.

“Who knows, down the road, maybe an opportunity happens for him, maybe an opportunity happens back here, when things open up, the economy comes back, and we’re looking at a different set of numbers,” he said.

Ordway, for whom Sheppard often and capably filled in as a host, reiterated that it was a financial decision made by Entercom.

“Even though we have been a very successful radio station, we are part of a larger company, and they have to, in essence, make sure they keep all of their company healthy, and so, therefore, it’s a matter of moving some numbers around to make it all work.”

Later in the program, Schilling, the ubiquitous former Red Sox pitcher who blogs for WEEI.com, called in and expressed his disappointment that Sheppard was gone.

“I probably won’t be heard on WEEI until Pete’s back . . . so I wanted to wish you guys all the best.”

Sports Radio Boston – Tiger Woods Commemorative Plates

sportsradioboston — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 18:28:22 +0000

Tiger Woods may have had the most expensive sex in history

Courtesy of: Michael Essany

Tiger Woods may be at the center of an embarrassing media firestorm in the wake of a sex scandal that has destroyed the pro golfer’s once flawless reputation.

But Tiger Woods hasn’t even begun to “pay” for his transgressions.

As it becomes increasingly apparent that Elin Nordegren is preparing to divorce her philandering husband, some are estimating that a Tiger Woods divorce could cost the golfer much of his approximate $600 million net worth.

If a divorce ultimately manifests, Tiger Woods will have had the most expensive extra-marital sex in human history.

Although details of the couple’s prenuptial agreement are not known, prenups can be challenged, particularly in circumstances that extend beyond irreconcilable differences.

“Prenups can be challenged, but usually the vulnerability of a prenup will be procedural,” says University of Southern California family law professor Scott Altman tells the Los Angeles Times.

But if Elin “didn’t have reasonably good information when she signed it,” there’s a possibility that Tiger Woods could lose more than he may presently be expecting to cough up.

Divorce aside, the real financial pain to Tiger Woods will be realized by the loss of sponsors. On Friday, another major labels dropped the Tiger Woods brand. Luxury Swiss watchmaker Tag Heuer is out of the “Woods.”

In recent weeks, both Gillette and Accenture have similarly distanced themselves from the embattled pro golfer.

Sports Radio Boston News – Kraft Sports Group and ESPN Join Forces

sportsradioboston — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:31:25 +0000

Krafts, ESPN team up

Article Courtesy of: Boston Business Journal – by Julie M. Donnelly

ESPN has hired Kraft Sports Group as the local sales agent for its new Boston-focused Web site, Sports Business Daily reported.

The website launched Sept. 14. The date coincided with the Patriots’ first game of the season.

Kraft Sports Group owns the Patriots, the MLS Revolution and Gillette Stadium, and those three entities have been the focus for much of the Web site’s coverage.

Part of ESPN’s strategy has been to launch local Web sites in markets where it owns and operates its own radio stations, allowing the radio station’s sales force to sell for the Web site, as well.

The day ESPNBoston.com launched, however, ESPN took its Boston station (WAMG-AM) off the air, leaving ESPN looking to the Kraft Sports Group to sell advertising for its Web site.

The two had reportedly been talking for several weeks.

A deal was struck earlier this week, and a formal announcement is expected this morning.

Sports Radio Boston News – Chad Finn Attempts to Sort Out Boston Radio Call Letter Mayhem

sportsradioboston — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:05:01 +0000

ESPN Radio’s Boston affiliate set to sign off

By Chad Finn Globe Staff

ESPN Radio’s Boston affiliate, WAMG-AM 890, will go off the air Monday after four years plagued by a weak signal and limited local programming.

But ESPN, the powerhouse sports network, may not lack an outlet in the Boston market for long. According to multiple industry sources, ESPN is in discussions to air some of its national programming on WEEI-AM 850 during nights and weekends, with WEEI intending to move to an FM station within months. (Entercom Communications, which owns WEEI, also owns two FM stations in Boston: WAAF 97.7/107.3, and Mike 93.7.)

ESPN Radio would then take over the 850 spot on the dial. The new ESPN 850 station would then be affiliated with the ESPN Boston website, which launches Monday.

This development adds to the recent frenzy in Boston sports radio competition, which became considerably more contentious in mid-August, when the CBS Radio-owned “98.5 The Sports Hub’’ launched on WBZ’s FM signal, issuing the first legitimate challenge to WEEI’s local dominance.

WAMG was expected to be that challenger upon its debut in July 2005. It hired former Boston Her ald sportswriter and WEEI contributor Michael Felger to host a drive-time program to go toe-to-toe with WEEI’s “The Big Show,’’ hosted by Glenn Ordway.

But WAMG had no play-by-play affiliations with local franchises, and its national programming struggled in a provincial sports market. In recent months, the station had aired just five hours of local programming daily.

What proved most damaging, WAMG’s signal strength didn’t extend much beyond Boston, and faded to static in the early evening. While a source who previously worked at the station said last night that it had made significant gains in advertising last summer, it failed to make a dent in the ratings. And its future looked even bleaker in July, when Felger left to return to WEEI and contribute to the station’s upstart website. He has since moved to “The Sports Hub,’’ where he hosts the drive-time program.

WAMG, which is owned by the investment firm WallerSutton, is expected to switch formats Monday, though one source at the station said employees were not told what the plan was and there is some belief that the signal will go dark.

Several WAMG staffers, among them on-air personalities Bob Lobel, Kevin Winter, and Chris Villani, were informed of the decision to end the all-sports format Thursday.

Sports Radio Boston News – WEEI Game Day Line-Up – Jason Wolfe

sportsradioboston — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:17:20 +0000

WEEI/Boston Announces Game Day Football Line-Up

The WEEI Sports Radio Network, based at WEEI-AM/Boston, revealed Wednesday that its game day football programming line-up will kick off September 13 with the initial edition of “NFL Sunday.”

The “NFL Sunday” football pre-game show airs from 9am-12noon with Dale Arnold, Michael Holley, former Patriots tight end Christian Fauria and WEEI.com’s Chris Price.

“The Real Post Game Show” with Pete Sheppard, Fred Smerlas and Steve DeOssie will begin immediately following Patriots games, giving listeners their first opportunity to react and discuss how the team performed. Listeners will also hear the press conferences of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, as well as highlights from the game and from games around the league.

“WEEI has always provided the most complete and comprehensive coverage of the Patriots and this year will be no exception. I’m thrilled that we have been able to secure such a robust line-up featuring Dale, Holley, Christian and Chris before the game; and Pete, Fred and Steve after the game,” said VP/AM Programming Jason Wolfe. (09-09-09)

Sports Radio Boston News – ESPN Boston Sports Media Scrimmage is Only the Beginning Folks

sportsradioboston — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:17:03 +0000

In ESPNBoston.com, The Leader Continues Localization

by T.J. Donegan – Sports Media Journal

For those paying attention, you may have noticed the Boston sports media landscape has changed by leaps and bounds in the past 18 months.

While local sports radio giant WEEI finds itself in a fight for ratings with the newly launched 98.5 The Sports Hub, it seems those on the print side of things will also have some company this Fall.

As I wrote about back in April when they launched their local Chicago site, it was only a matter of time before ESPN began moving in on other major cities.

As one commenter astutely pointed out, the main draw that ESPN’s local affiliate model lacked was a known, local talent that could produce original content.

Enter, The Boston Globe’s Mike Reiss.

As Ken Fang over at Fang’s Bites wrote about, the ESPN Boston site will launch on September 14th, the same day as the Patriots’ season opener against Buffalo on Monday Night Football.

Anybody else want to bet they promote ESPN Boston’s launch more than once during Monday Night Football?

In Reiss, one of the most-respected football writers in Boston, ESPN has already secured a font of local coverage—and taken away one of the Globe’s top talents.

It’s a savvy move by the media giant and it clearly shows where they’re heading on this front.

Contrasting the situations at ESPN and The Globe brings into sharp focus the way the sports media landscape is shifting.

While traditional outlets like The Globe are struggling to maintain circulations and cutting benefits and pay, national outlets like ESPN are expanding into new coverage areas.

The obvious question is, of course, what next?