CBS FM Sports Lineup Projections/Predictions

[Rusty Muck]

Correct, from what I've heard...Andy will remain as sports director of NewsChannel 5.

One source told me that he's actually been doing sports news in the morning for the other station in the Halle Building, 98.5 WNCX, for three years.

I missed that??

He is obviously not a part of the Maxwell Show, and has been doing sports there pre-dating MWL and crew by some time. He doesn't appear on WNCX's website as far as I know...

Indeed, Andy has been phoning in (via ISDN) morning sports updates to WNCX.

WNCX and WDOK have had a very long-running weather partnership with NewsChannel 5, so it would make sense.

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

Indeed, Andy has been phoning in (via ISDN) morning sports updates to WNCX.

Is it promoted as sports updates via NC5, i.e. if Andy is off, does someone else at 3001 Euclid do it?

I believe he was also on 92.3 in its days as "92Q", so if Andy does do the show, he'll be the second 92.3 personality to come back to the station (Chuck Booms is the first, though he was basically at 92.3 for a cup of coffee).

 

[Rusty Muck]

Indeed, Andy has been phoning in (via ISDN) morning sports updates to WNCX.

Is it promoted as sports updates via NC5, i.e. if Andy is off, does someone else at 3001 Euclid do it?

I believe he was also on 92.3 in its days as "92Q", so if Andy does do the show, he'll be the second 92.3 personality to come back to the station (Chuck Booms is the first, though he was basically at 92.3 for a cup of coffee).

Unless they changed it, it is identified as "sports updates from NewsChannel 5." (Although I don't think Andre Knott would do the updates in his place, for obvious reasons... )

And indeed, Andy's WEWS' bio mentions that he was "92Q" WRQC/92.3's sports director and an on-air talent. Talk about full circle...

 

[Rusty Muck]

It has not been confirmed or announced yet, but betting on Ken Carman taking 7-midnight would likely not lose you any money at the betting window.

IMO, if that were to happen, Ken would be a VERY solid hire. Enjoyed listening to him on WARF/1350.

I'm close to throwing down some money at that window.

 

[kosar]

Seriously, I don't think Aaron's that smart.

If he were, he would have left tRBS three years ago, decided not to play the contrarian everyone loves to hate(s), never played the "I hate tOSU more than Colin Cowherd" act with wild abandon, took seriously his repeated 90%+ disapproval ratings within the widely discredited and lampooned "station surveys," or allowed for Munch or Brinda to be the de facto "Face of Cleveland" on any/all ESPN radio and TV programs instead of him, a Denver native.

Aaron's the type of kid that would preside over a station's utter demise just for the heck of it. The GKB brass have no control over him - and if Craig DID try to scoot him back to Milwaukee or Madison, Aaron's dad probably would overrule him.

It's ALL about the ego.

Besides, it's not a matter of IF they get bowled over by The Fan, it's a matter of WHEN. CBS clearly is setting up the lineup to go against WTAM and WMMS... with WKNR as collateral damage.

Great info, Nate, and OMW. I love following this board and the tweets. Great job!

Concerning #Goldwimp, I've emailed Karmazin directly about him in years past, and he always comes back saying the Cleveland market overwhelmingly likes and approves of him.

I've always thought that was complete BS. Am I right about that?

 

[vjm]

Seriously, I don't think Aaron's that smart.

If he were, he would have left tRBS three years ago, decided not to play the contrarian everyone loves to hate(s), never played the "I hate tOSU more than Colin Cowherd" act with wild abandon, took seriously his repeated 90%+ disapproval ratings within the widely discredited and lampooned "station surveys," or allowed for Munch or Brinda to be the de facto "Face of Cleveland" on any/all ESPN radio and TV programs instead of him, a Denver native.

Aaron's the type of kid that would preside over a station's utter demise just for the heck of it. The GKB brass have no control over him - and if Craig DID try to scoot him back to Milwaukee or Madison, Aaron's dad probably would overrule him.

It's ALL about the ego.

Besides, it's not a matter of IF they get bowled over by The Fan, it's a matter of WHEN. CBS clearly is setting up the lineup to go against WTAM and WMMS... with WKNR as collateral damage.

Great info, Nate, and OMW. I love following this board and the tweets. Great job!

Concerning #Goldwimp, I've emailed Karmazin directly about him in years past, and he always comes back saying the Cleveland market overwhelmingly likes and approves of him.

I've always thought that was complete BS. Am I right about that?

Craig HAS to stick up for Hammer. Though I have no concrete proof, I will go to my grave believing that Joe Goldhammer (Aaron's dad and a mega rich union lawyer) is a silent partner in GKB (and I'm not the only one who thinks that), and thus Aaron gets to play with whatever GKB's biggest toy is.

Think about it, the only stations Hammer's ever "worked" for are GKB stations...Beaver Dam, Milwaukee, and now Cleveland.

Also (as he's quick to point out) he's done radio "in New York" (meaning college radio at NYU on Poppa Joe's dime).

Call 'em Trust Fund Radio or The Bratty Bunch or whatever, Craig K, Hammer, and Chris "Negative Ned" Fedor are 3 peas in a pod...all have rich daddies, and thus they think their fecal matter doesn't offend nasal sensibilities.

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

Think about it, the only stations Hammer's ever "worked" for are GKB stations...Beaver Dam, Milwaukee, and now Cleveland.

You forgot Madison...where he was part of "Hammer and Wood" with Jordan Sherwood (no, I'm not making that up) on...drumroll please...GKB's FM sports talker here.

I have no proof of the elder Goldhammer's "silent investment" in GKB, but it'd sure explain a lot. And someone in Denver confirms that Aaron's Dad is "the biggest lawyer in Denver", so he'd certainly have a few bucks lying around.

 

[Rusty Muck]

Seriously, I don't think Aaron's that smart.

If he were, he would have left tRBS three years ago, decided not to play the contrarian everyone loves to hate(s), never played the "I hate tOSU more than Colin Cowherd" act with wild abandon, took seriously his repeated 90%+ disapproval ratings within the widely discredited and lampooned "station surveys," or allowed for Munch or Brinda to be the de facto "Face of Cleveland" on any/all ESPN radio and TV programs instead of him, a Denver native.

Aaron's the type of kid that would preside over a station's utter demise just for the heck of it. The GKB brass have no control over him - and if Craig DID try to scoot him back to Milwaukee or Madison, Aaron's dad probably would overrule him.

It's ALL about the ego.

Besides, it's not a matter of IF they get bowled over by The Fan, it's a matter of WHEN. CBS clearly is setting up the lineup to go against WTAM and WMMS... with WKNR as collateral damage.

Great info, Nate, and OMW.  I love following this board and the tweets.  Great job!

Concerning #Goldwimp, I've emailed Karmazin directly about him in years past, and he always comes back saying the Cleveland market overwhelmingly likes and approves of him. 

I've always thought that was complete BS.  Am I right about that?

Craig HAS to stick up for Hammer.  Though I have no concrete proof, I will go to my grave believing that Joe Goldhammer (Aaron's dad and a mega rich union lawyer) is a silent partner in GKB (and I'm not the only one who thinks that), and thus Aaron gets to play with whatever GKB's biggest toy is.

Think about it, the only stations Hammer's ever "worked" for are GKB stations...Beaver Dam, Milwaukee, and now Cleveland.

Also (as he's quick to point out) he's done radio "in New York" (meaning college radio at NYU on Poppa Joe's dime).

Call 'em Trust Fund Radio or The Bratty Bunch or whatever, Craig K, Hammer, and Chris "Negative Ned" Fedor are 3 peas in a pod...all have rich daddies, and thus they think their fecal matter doesn't offend nasal sensibilities.

I have yet to meet anyone here in the Cleveland metro that likes Goldhammer based upon his on-air body of work. Seriously. He is THAT poorly received in this town, disliked by some, hated by others, and vehemently despised by the rest. (When admitted left-leaning moderate friends tell me that they've had to tune into either Glenn Beck or Laura Ingraham because Aaron's act totally sinks tRBS some days, that says something.)

Craig K. puts on this "Aaron is overwhelmingly liked" act presumably to please Joe Goldhammer. That's the only logical explanation. Well, we'll see long that charade lasts after 92.3 takes WKNR to the cleaners ten-fold in the ratings and ad revenue game. Craig K. no longer can defend Aaron that way, even through the prism of continually rigged "station surveys." Whatever remained of his credibility is now on the line and will go down.

But Craig K. can't reassign Aaron to another GKB station, even if he wanted to. Joe Goldhammer will refuse such a consideration, and will demand that Aaron stay at GKB's highest profile station no matter what. Mark my words.

It's also no secret that the local media scene completely despises Aaron. Moreso, they despise WKNR as a whole for their total lack of professionalism, starting at the top and with The Bratty Bunch leading the way. They WANT WKNR to get completely destroyed by "The Fan."

 

[Tim]

It's my guess WKNR went to the junior highschool locker room vibe because somebody told them that's what men and sportstalk listeners really wanted.

As a lifelong sportsfan...I love booze and boobs with the best of them.

However, the last thing that interests me is listening to supposedly grown men on the radio acting like 12-year-olds just hitting "manhood". Or, which athlete is having sex with which actress, or which chick is hot. I call this "Howard Stern Light". It's silly. Juvenille. Embarrassing. Boring!

And, starting next Monday...we'll see if my views (just talk sports, not the other ridiculous stuff) is what most fans want. Or, maybe I'm wrong...and it's time to return to the locker room gossip.

Say what you want, agree with him or not...on WKNR...really: only veteran Greg Brinda at least talks about sports...the game...opinions about sports...not the other stuff.

 

[JustPastBuffalo]

Keilly and Booms will be working with a very talented producer. Word in Buffalo is Andy Roth hired Josh Potter from Citadel's 103.3 WEDG. Potter is one of the better young producers in the business. He spent the last five years behind the scenes (and occasionally on the air), producing for Shredd & Ragan, the highly rated and frequently #1 afternoon sports-general issue-talk show on 103.3 The Edge. Potter has well-honed instincts, is creative in the production room and knows how to put things together on the air to "make it work." The Fan is getting getting a solid performer. K&B would do well to trust Potter's instincts and respect his abilities. He'll make them sound as good as they can on the air.

 

[Ron Lee]

Thats what has turned people off to WKNR the most, IMO. The insistance that Hammer is widely beloved in town according to thier "surveys". It destroys the credibility of CK and the station, as a whole. Those surveys are so clearly phoney that you just get the feeling that they are lying to us about it.

 

[vjm]

Thats what has turned people off to WKNR the most, IMO. The insistance that Hammer is widely beloved in town according to thier "surveys". It destroys the credibility of CK and the station, as a whole. Those surveys are so clearly phoney that you just get the feeling that they are lying to us about it.

GKB is so full of Crapola (a favorite term of the late great Geoff Sindelar), their eyes are brown.

The sad part is, Tony Rizzo (being a part owner) could put his foot down more and reign Hammer in (at least somewhat) if he really wanted to.

But Rizz seems like he's content to just eat his free food, ring his cowbell, play golf, collect a paycheck, and go along for the ride.

 

[kosar]

GKB is so full of Crapola (a favorite term of the late great Geoff Sindelar), their eyes are brown.

The sad part is, Tony Rizzo (being a part owner) could put his foot down more and reign Hammer in (at least somewhat) if he really wanted to.

But Rizz seems like he's content to just eat his free food, ring his cowbell, play golf, collect a paycheck, and go along for the ride.

Completely agree. I actually like Rizz, but the other 2 girls on that show completely ruin it for me. I listen now just so I can RIP them as hard as I can on twitter.

I truly hope 92.3 teaches them a hard lesson.

 

[vjm]

YOUR weekday lineup for 92.3 the Fan:

6 - 10 a.m. - Kiley and Booms
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Andy Baskin (w/ co-host TBA)
2 - 7 p.m. - Adam The Bull (w/ co-host TBA)
7 p.m. - 12 a.m. - Ken Carman (w/ co-host TBA?)
12 - 1 a.m. Tony Bruno (FSR)
1 - 6 a.m. - JT The Brick (FSR)

 

[Ron Lee]

GKB is so full of Crapola (a favorite term of the late great Geoff Sindelar), their eyes are brown.

The sad part is, Tony Rizzo (being a part owner) could put his foot down more and reign Hammer in (at least somewhat) if he really wanted to.

But Rizz seems like he's content to just eat his free food, ring his cowbell, play golf, collect a paycheck, and go along for the ride.

Completely agree. I actually like Rizz, but the other 2 girls on that show completely ruin it for me. I listen now just so I can RIP them as hard as I can on twitter.

I truly hope 92.3 teaches them a hard lesson.

Ditto. Riz can do something about it but has chosen not to. I like Riz, and used to be a big fan. But his sitting idly by and letting all this happen has ruined him for me. At this point, its time for 92.3 to just come in an clean up the mess.

 

[Rusty Muck]

It's my guess WKNR went to the junior highschool locker room vibe because somebody told them that's what men and sportstalk listeners really wanted.

As a lifelong sportsfan...I love booze and boobs with the best of them.

However, the last thing that interests me is listening to supposedly grown men on the radio acting like 12-year-olds just hitting "manhood". Or, which athlete is having sex with which actress, or which chick is hot. I call this "Howard Stern Light". It's silly. Juvenille. Embarrassing. Boring!

It's much simpler than that.

I highly doubt that any consultant of any sort could ever recommend a sports/talk station (let alone one in a mid-major market, and the default all-sports station in town) that they need to go with locker room gossip, girly-pop bubblegum music as bumpers, talk about skinny jeans, and destroying the meaning of the word "succulent" for any self-respecting Clevelander.

Make no mistake, I pin this 'Crapola' solely on The Bratty Bunch. Craig K., Aaron and Fedor all have led sheltered careers, and have no concept on what constitutes good radio. To them, criticism is meaningless... because with WKNR as the monopoly for sports radio, they will always get attention no matter what. And advertisers will still come because no other option exists. It's all a game to them.

And, starting next Monday...we'll see if my views (just talk sports, not the other ridiculous stuff) is what most fans want. Or, maybe I'm wrong...and it's time to return to the locker room gossip.

Say what you want, agree with him or not...on WKNR...really: only veteran Greg Brinda at least talks about sports...the game...opinions about sports...not the other stuff.

Seriously, I don't even think 92.3 vs. 850 will be close to a battle. This will be over quickly.

The only question is, how long will Craig K. afford to keep WKNR and KNR2 in his portfolio, when they do suffer a massive hemorrhaging of long-angered listeners... and by extension, the inevitable decline in ad revenue?

Joe Goldhammer won't be able to bail out GKB forever.

 

[Tim]

Seems to me WKNR was a much better sports station back when they were on 1220...before Salem got involved.....the years they were the Tribe flagship. Remember?

 

[vjm]

Seems to me WKNR was a much better sports station back when they were on 1220...before Salem got involved.....the years they were the Tribe flagship. Remember?

In the mid 90's, KNR was the flagship for the Tribe, Browns (with WDOK) and the Cleveland outlet for OSU.

Cablevision (KNR's owners at the time) were really the last owners to really give a damn about making WKNR mean something.

Jacor came in and immediately moved the Tribe to WTAM in '98, and after selling WKNR off to AMFM, left them in no position to sign the Browns back in '99.

Salem then came in and (after the move to 850 so 1220 could have WHK/WHKW's preach and teach format) let KNR blow in the wind and fend for itself, as sports isn't in Salem's wheelhouse.

Finally, GKB came in and turned it into the personal sandbox for The Bratty Bunch, while veterans supposedly brought in to shore up the lineup (Rizzo, Reghi, Munch) do little except collect paychecks (Munch in all actuallity is really a salesman who does his on-air shift as a side gig).

 

[Rusty Muck]

YOUR weekday lineup for 92.3 the Fan:

6 - 10 a.m. - Kiley and Booms
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Andy Baskin (w/ co-host TBA)
2 - 7 p.m. - Adam The Bull (w/ co-host TBA)
7 p.m. - 12 a.m. - Ken Carman (w/ co-host TBA?)
12 - 1 a.m. Tony Bruno (FSR)
1 - 6 a.m. - JT The Brick (FSR)

Adam The Bull also confirmed on Twitter that they will be live/local from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

 

[DToTheJ]

YOUR weekday lineup for 92.3 the Fan:

6 - 10 a.m. - Kiley and Booms
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Andy Baskin (w/ co-host TBA)
2 - 7 p.m. - Adam The Bull (w/ co-host TBA)
7 p.m. - 12 a.m. - Ken Carman (w/ co-host TBA?)
12 - 1 a.m. Tony Bruno (FSR)
1 - 6 a.m. - JT The Brick (FSR)

Most sports radio stations, if local in the evening daypart, usually employ only one host for that slot. Plus, it's more convenient if being pre-empted by play-by-play. That's just the way I see it, though...

... One source told me that [Andy Baskin is] actually been doing sports news in the morning for the other station in the Halle Building, 98.5 WNCX, for three years. I missed that??

Given all of the other info you deliver... you're more than forgiven on this item!