data-mm-id=”_dl376u2ql”>ESPN Radio announced its new lineup and — surprise, surprise — Andrew Marchand had the goods. The new weekday normal, beginning Monday, Aug. 17, will be:Keyshawn, Jay and Zubin, 6 a.m.-10 a.m. ETThe Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, 10 a.m.-noon ETThe Mike Greenberg Show, noon-2 p.m. ETThe Max Kellerman Show, 2 p.m.-4 p.m. ETChiney and Golic Jr., 4 p.m.-7 p.m. ETSpain and Fitz: 7 – 9 p.m.Freddie and Fitzsimmons: 9 p.m. – 1 a.m.The revamped slate allows Greenberg and Kellerman, two of the network's cleanup hitters, to showcase their voices on a platform looking for stars and stability. Giving each 120 minutes five days a week is a fantastic opportunity to convert new fans of either due to the intimacy of radio and its ability to allow them to present a new side of their persona. Doing so means longer days for both, which shows just how important the audio push is to ESPN. In the company release announcing the moves, further goals are highlighted. ““Our new lineup will provide sports fans informative and engaging content throughout the week from hosts who all have radio experience,” said Norby Williamson, ESPN executive vice president & executive editor, production. “They know how to connect with fans and keep them invested in the programming. Our listeners will hear diverse perspectives on key topics from some of the most talented, knowledgeable and contemporary voices in the industry.” David Roberts, ESPN senior vice president, production, added, “This lineup and approach underscores our commitment to expanding the scope and impact of some of our industry’s most versatile voices throughout the day and night””It's clear that there will be an ongoing effort to build the connective tissue between television and radio. It's a good plan on paper and it will be exciting to hear new voices get new visibility. Zubin Mehentin in particular has been one of ESPN's diamonds in the rough, terrific during breaking news and developing stories, which mornings will bring in droves. But from 30,000 feet it's tough to understand how ESPN Radio, which has lost star after star in recent years and had significant turnover yield a dearth of reliable success stories, emerged from a major transformation with its biggest show marginalized. The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz has been the best on-air product for some time and there's an argument to be made that it's the most popular as well. It's also the best suited to provide compelling content in the absence of sports because it's the least sports-reliant. And yeah, there's some personal bias at play here. And yeah, this is not to take anything away from anyone else. It just seems … less than ideal. The release highlights continued expansion of the Le Batard and Friends podcast network, which while good, is not live radio — the place where the show has the most value and visibility. Considering the talent at work on the morning staple, is it really the ideal allocation of resources to maximize it for only two hours per day?Previous iterations of Marchand's reporting suggested ESPN was at least flirting with the idea of getting rid of the show altogether. So while it's good the nuclear option wasn't explored it's still a bit mind-spinning trying to understand how the masterplan is so light on what has been the best thing going.
Related Posts
Mikel Arteta gave a more positive outlook on Arsenal s season after victory over West Brom secured a third straight win and moved his side to within six points of the top four.
Just 10 days after West Brom coach Sam Allardyce claimed Arsenal were absolutely in a relegation battle, the Gunners swept the former England manager s struggling outfit aside to climb 12 points clear of the drop zone.
The Baggies were no match for the team Allardyce had considered their rivals to beat the drop, conceding sublime first-half strikes to Kieran Tierney and Bukayo Saka and then a clumsy second-half brace to Alexandre Lacazette.
While West Brom became the first team to lose consecutive Premier League home games by at least four goals since Wigan Athletic in 2010, Arsenal clai…
Tributes to Samuel Eto o have flooded in after the four-time African Player of the Year called time on his glittering playing career.
Eto o signalled his intention to retire from the game in an Instagram post on Friday, in which he said: THE END, TOWARDS A NEW CHALLENGE.
The 38-year-old, who played for the likes of Real Mallorca, Barcelona, Inter and Chelsea, enjoyed a trophy-laden 22 years in the game.
His many achievements included back-to-back trebles with Barca and Inter between in 2009 and 2010. After helping Barcelona win LaLiga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League, he joined Inter and starred in Jose Mourinho s team as they lifted the Scudetto, the Coppa Italia and the Champions League.
He also won the Champions League with Barca in 200…
Hit with an infamous away at Crystal Palace on Monday night, Manchester United find themselves at the heart of a public Premier League nightmare.
With it now appearing increasingly likely that will be removed from his position in the Old Trafford dugout at the end of the season, United have a major rebuild on their hands during the summer transfer window.
Now facing a real uphill battle in their bid to book a top-six finish over the final fortnight, the Premier League giants have continued to gain a reputation for their glaring defensive issues.
With the likes of former Real Madrid ace set to leave the red half of Manchester on a free transfer this summer, we have taken a look at some of the defensive stars that could be at the heart of United’s rebuild.
Tottenham captain Hugo Lloris labelled Spurs stunning Europa League elimination a disgrace and hinted at deeper issues within the club following their 3-0 loss to Dinamo Zagreb.
Spurs sensationally bowed out of the Europa League 3-2 on aggregate following Thursday s defeat to Croatian champions Dinamo after extra time in Zagreb.
The match went to extra time with Mislav Orsic completing his memorable hat-trick in the 106th minute to clinch Dinamo s last-16 triumph, with Spurs never in control after winning the opening leg 2-0.
We are all more than disappointed. It s just a disgrace, Spurs goalkeeper Lloris told BT Sport.
I hope everyone in the changing room feels responsible because it s a disgrace. The taste of the defeat tonight is more than painful. …
An Atletico Madrid fan group has called for the club to rule out signing Cristiano Ronaldo, saying he represents the antithesis of the team s values.
The Manchester United forward returned to training on Tuesday, having missed the pre-season tour of Asia and Australia, and is reportedly pushing to leave due to his desire to continue playing in the Champions League.
Suitors for Ronaldo s services have not been forthcoming, however, although Atletico have been linked with bringing the former Real Madrid superstar back to the Spanish capital.
Fans have made it clear they are not keen on the idea though, with Atletico s International Union of Fan Clubs (Union Internacional de Peñas Atletico de Madrid) issuing a statement on the matter.
In light of the poss…
Sergio Aguero will leave Manchester City at the end of the 2020-21 campaign, the club have confirmed.
Aguero is the club s record goalscorer with 257 goals and will bring to an end a glittering 10-year stint at the club when his contract expires in June.
He joined from Atletico Madrid in 2011 and has gone on to cement his position as one of the club s greatest ever players.
The Argentina international has won four Premier League titles, one FA Cup and five EFL Cups at City.
He is likely to win a fifth English top-flight crown this season, with City 14 points clear of second-place Manchester United, while they will also contest next month s EFL Cup final with Spurs.
…
Pep Guardiola knows he must not allow Diego Simeone s Atletico Madrid to smother Manchester City when the teams clash in the Champions League quarter-finals.
The City manager was impressed by how Atletico accounted for Manchester United in the previous round, preventing the Red Devils imposing their game on the second leg at Old Trafford.
A 1-0 win for Atletico carried Simeone s team through to the last eight as 2-1 aggregate winners, and now Guardiola and Simeone – arguably the two best coaches in world football – will go head to head on the touchline.
Guardiola believes Simeone has a job for as long as he wants it at Atletico, pointing to that security and board support as being telling in the success the club have had, notably in winning last season s LaL…
Yussuf Poulsen revelled in an amazing moment after RB Leipzig moved into the Champions League semi-finals.
Tyler Adams deflected 88th-minute strike lifted Leipzig to a 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals on Thursday.
A penalty from Joao Felix had earlier cancelled out Dani Olmo s opener in Lisbon, but Leipzig – founded just 11 years ago – advanced.
Poulsen, who arrived at the club in 2013, was delighted as Leipzig s rise continued, having been in the fifth tier in Germany in 2009-10.
You couldn t write a better story. It is a huge day and an amazing moment – we have to enjoy it, he said, via the club s website.
Another fantastic game is around the corner. We were the better team and are deservedly through to the semi-final. …
Werner on the Old Trafford radar
Suffering another Champions League collapse away at Galatasaray on Wednesday evening, have found themselves at the heart of real scrutiny this season.
While Erik ten Hag’s might have once again broken the bank over the summer, it has been suggested that the Premier League heavyweights could be set for another hectic January transfer window.
With former Atalanta marksman still waiting to open his Premier League account, it appears that Manchester United are seeking attacking reinforcements when the window opened up.
However, while might have struggled to find his feet since making a return to Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig last year, it has been suggested that the Germany international could be handed a shock lifeline in Janua…
Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman does not know if he will still be in charge of the club for next season.
The Catalan giants head into Saturday s final LaLiga match of 2020-21 against Eibar knowing they cannot finish any higher than third place.
After a mixed start to the season, a 19-match unbeaten run in the top flight propelled Barca back into title contention as leaders Atletico Madrid began to falter.
However, Koeman has overseen just three wins from their past eight league games, meaning they are five points behind Real Madrid and seven adrift of Atleti heading into matchday 38.
Barca s recent league form, coupled with their Champions League last-16 exit to Paris Saint-Germain, has left Koeman facing serious questions over his future despite win…