Who is the next big name in Cleveland sports talk?

[TheMFnewguy]

I did an internship in radio a few years back and became obsessed with sports talk in Cleveland. I frequently read this board and respect all of your opinions but have never posted. Some buddies and I were debating the other day, who do you think is the next big name in sports talk? We know guys like Triv and Riz dominate right now but is there a young guy who could take the city by storm with the right opportunity? I figured what a better place than here to get an idea of who it could be.

Here is the list I came up with of relatively young sports talkers who could possibly blow up:

Andre Knott (WTAM)
Ken Carmen (Fan)
Joe Lull (Fan)
Anthony Lima (Fan)
Will Burge (ESPN)
TJ Zuppe (ESPN)
Chris Fedor (ESPN)

I don't necessarily like all of these guys but it seems as though they would fit the bill. Did I miss anyone?

Out of this list I would say Andre Knott could be the next big name but it might have to be somewhere else. It seems like the flagship really keeps him from doing the entertaining and informative type of show he is capable of.

What do you all think?

 

[74WIXYGrad]

Though I don't listen to much sports talk nowadays, based on his being around in the right places at the right times, and quite a bit of self promotion, I would guess Anthony Lima, aka Sports Boy Tony.

I would think if Andre Knott is around long enough, he would take on Mike Snyder type responsibilities.

 

[kaysguy]

I'd say Carman. The ESPN guys are all not going anywhere beyond where they are today. Lull might get a run somewhere, but that's it for the CBS guys. Knott is OK, he has the biggest outlet right now, but doesn't strike me as a star in the making.

 

[vjm]

I did an internship in radio a few years back and became obsessed with sports talk in Cleveland. I frequently read this board and respect all of your opinions but have never posted. Some buddies and I were debating the other day, who do you think is the next big name in sports talk? We know guys like Triv and Riz dominate right now but is there a young guy who could take the city by storm with the right opportunity? I figured what a better place than here to get an idea of who it could be.

Here is the list I came up with of relatively young sports talkers who could possibly blow up:

Andre Knott (WTAM)
Ken Carmen (Fan)
Joe Lull (Fan)
Anthony Lima (Fan)
Will Burge (ESPN)
TJ Zuppe (ESPN)
Chris Fedor (ESPN)

I don't necessarily like all of these guys but it seems as though they would fit the bill. Did I miss anyone?

Out of this list I would say Andre Knott could be the next big name but it might have to be somewhere else. It seems like the flagship really keeps him from doing the entertaining and informative type of show he is capable of.

What do you all think?

Well, the first thing is that I don't consider Mike Trivisonno or Tony Rizzo as pure "sports talkers".

Triv has long branched out to talking about anything and everything. And while Rizz does talk sports, he tries to make RBS more of a "mancave" show.

As far as your list goes, out of all of them, I think Andre Knott could make some waves if WTAM ever resurrected "Sportsline" on weeknights, or if he moved on to KNR or The Fan.

Though it must be said that I don't think that we'll see M-F "Sportsline" for the forseeable future, because most nights on TAM have Tribe or Cavs games. And on off nights, 1100 has Bob Frantz, who like Triv is another guy who went from sports talk to general issues/politics (and could stop on a dime to talk sports again if something big goes down).

Ken Carmen is doing well at 92.3, and he could possibly have bigger and better things in his future (a move to middays perhaps)?

I don't see Joe Lull as being star material, but he's a good solid hand to have around.

Sportsboy Tony, Burge, TJZ, and Negative Ned are about as good as their gonna get, and are best to stay in their current roles as update guys/sidekicks/producers during the week, and hosts on weekends.

 

[fingers]

I don't consider Triv as sports talk really, but I'm guessing 92.3 is hoping Adam the Bull? They have him on from 2-7..I'm not sure he's going to take off big, though-I think 92.3 would be better to do a "mancave" type show in that slot if ratings to pick up in the next year.

 

[CleveRadioInsider]

Ken Carman, Andre Knott or Nick Camino would be my best guess for might be the next big names.

 

[Whkam1420]

I think Ken Carmen has a ton of potential but just needs to work out the kinks over time. Way too long-winded which has been a turn-off for me (remember Kevin Keane?). He does have solid opinions and nobody can question his passion.

Anthony Lima is an interesting one...he'll be doing something in this town but I'm guessing it might be TV. I've seen him fill-in on 19 plenty and I think he's better than most in this market right now. I've heard his radio show a few times on saturdays and it seems he wants to be more of a Rover than a sports guy, more in the entertainment mode.

 

[tommyguns440]

I would put Will Burge ahead of the rest of those names....

That's just me, though.

 

[CleveRadioInsider]

Adam the Bull has hosted solo the last few days. He sounds much better by himself than with Dustin Fox. Fox adds nothing to the show, I get that they want a former athlete on the station but get somebody that can handle a solo show by themselves. Fox adds little other than agreeing with Bull most of the time.

 

[Capulet]

I see Jarrod Cherry going to the ESPN Network shortly.

 

[vjm]

I see Jarrod Cherry going to the ESPN Network shortly.

More likely, GKB puts him on RBS full time.

He's on there a good chunk as it is.

BTW...

Ever notice that Cleveland sports media personalities rarely show up on KNR as guests anymore?

I know the Fan and the PD have an exclusivity deal now, but even before then, they didn't appear on KNR too much. Plus the TV anchors also avoid the Galleria.

Couldn't be that Hammer and Fedor rub these guys the wrong way now does it?

Nah.

 

[Capulet]

I see Jarrod Cherry going to the ESPN Network shortly.

More likely, GKB puts him on RBS full time.

He's on there a good chunk as it is.

BTW...

Ever notice that Cleveland sports media personalities rarely show up on KNR as guests anymore?

I know the Fan and the PD have an exclusivity deal now, but even before then, they didn't appear on KNR too much. Plus the TV anchors also avoid the Galleria.

Couldn't be that Hammer and Fedor rub these guys the wrong way now does it?

Nah.

I think Cherry will be gone soon to a sports network ( most likely ESPN ) because he played in 3 Superbowls. He is well spoken for an ex jock. The driving reason he'll be gone soon is he has an agent who will shop him. He's a marketable name with agents who made money representing him. Sounds to me like he's paying his dues, polishing his chops, and preparing for the next level.

The other sports media in town don't need KNR. KNR needs them. Rizzo, Brinda,Hooly and now Grossi sound like pros. The rest still sound like college radio. Trust fund kids.
There's more beginners on WKNR than seasoned vets. The beginners are weak. This is painfully apparent whenever 850 airs the network.

The gimmicks are lame. KNR has never sounded as gimmicky as they do now .

 

[richwithhatred]

Adam the Bull has hosted solo the last few days. He sounds much better by himself than with Dustin Fox. Fox adds nothing to the show, I get that they want a former athlete on the station but get somebody that can handle a solo show by themselves. Fox adds little other than agreeing with Bull most of the time.

I'm so glad to read this and see that it's not just me. Adam solo sounded like a quality professional and yet fun sport talker. With Dustin returning yesterday, they were back to arguing over if things are "good" or "really good" and having Foxxy simply repeat one liners in agreement with Adam. (ie: "Bad job outta you Dustin." "Bad job outta me, Bull").

Pull Carmen down to 2-7, insert Lull at night, and show Dustin the way to Columbus so he can shake hands at Alumni functions.

 

[AllMightyVoice]

Not sure I put a lot of stock in TV personalities not showing up on KNR....do you honestly think any of those guys would say "no" if a radio station called them and asked them to come on for a segment?? I would think most media guys want as much exposure as possible. Honestly I don't feel the TV guys add much anyways, I know Kiley and Booms make a big deal about Telich coming on and that dude from Channel 19 is on sometimes too. And interestingly enough I heard Terry Pluto on with Reghi a few weeks ago, so it doesn't appear The Plain Dealer has told their guys to stay off KNR.

 

[vjm]

Not sure I put a lot of stock in TV personalities not showing up on KNR....do you honestly think any of those guys would say "no" if a radio station called them and asked them to come on for a segment?? I would think most media guys want as much exposure as possible. Honestly I don't feel the TV guys add much anyways, I know Kiley and Booms make a big deal about Telich coming on and that dude from Channel 19 is on sometimes too. And interestingly enough I heard Terry Pluto on with Reghi a few weeks ago, so it doesn't appear The Plain Dealer has told their guys to stay off KNR.

That was a few weeks ago...the Fan/PD deal was just within the last couple of weeks.

Also Terry Pluto often makes the rounds to plug his books, so he's kind of a special case.

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

Was watching Channel 3's story about reaction to that whole Chris Perez thing over the weekend.

They picked up with KNR's Bruce Hooley for talk radio reaction...I suppose the NewsChannel 5 presence at the Halle Building ruled out a visit there!

 

[vjm]

Was watching Channel 3's story about reaction to that whole Chris Perez thing over the weekend.

They picked up with KNR's Bruce Hooley for talk radio reaction...I suppose the NewsChannel 5 presence at the Halle Building ruled out a visit there!

Well, Fan PMD co-host Dustin Fox also works for channel 5 as the resident Buckeye analyst (and of course there's that Baskin guy that's on before him).

Also, since WKYC has a partnership with WTAM, you'd think they'd want Mike Trivisonno's take...but Triv has a deal with WOIO to do commentaries for their 4:30 and 5:30 newscasts ("Triv TV").

 

[CleveFan]

Was watching Channel 3's story about reaction to that whole Chris Perez thing over the weekend.

They picked up with KNR's Bruce Hooley for talk radio reaction...I suppose the NewsChannel 5 presence at the Halle Building ruled out a visit there!

Well, Fan PMD co-host Dustin Fox also works for channel 5 as the resident Buckeye analyst (and of course there's that Baskin guy that's on before him).

Also, since WKYC has a partnership with WTAM, you'd think they'd want Mike Trivisonno's take...but Triv has a deal with WOIO to do commentaries for their 4:30 and 5:30 newscasts ("Triv TV").

Does WOIO still do "Triv TV?" I thought he stopped those after Sharon Reed left.

 

[vjm]

Was watching Channel 3's story about reaction to that whole Chris Perez thing over the weekend.

They picked up with KNR's Bruce Hooley for talk radio reaction...I suppose the NewsChannel 5 presence at the Halle Building ruled out a visit there!

Well, Fan PMD co-host Dustin Fox also works for channel 5 as the resident Buckeye analyst (and of course there's that Baskin guy that's on before him).

Also, since WKYC has a partnership with WTAM, you'd think they'd want Mike Trivisonno's take...but Triv has a deal with WOIO to do commentaries for their 4:30 and 5:30 newscasts ("Triv TV").

Does WOIO still do "Triv TV?" I thought he stopped those after Sharon Reed left.

I've seen a few post-Reed "Triv TVs" with Danielle Serino as Triv's moderator/sparring partner.