LeBatard out at ESPN

The ESPN Radio O&Os are sucking hind tit. The one in Dallas had a Cumulus LMA but let it lapse in October and they are strictly network now. The weekday local talent got let go, the weekenders landed at the Ticket.

 

The best thing about the LeBatard Show was the dude from the Miami Zoo and Stugotz's weekend observations. Best thing about Highly Questionable was Papi. Apparently he's coming back for the grand finale.

 

I stopped listening to radio years ago and converted to podcasts. So I can not speak to the quality of LeBatard's show.

But the radio business is hurting. In Q3 IHeart, which I believe is the largest owner of radio stations, reported a 29% decline in broadcast revenues. Le Batard is reported as making three million dollars a year. Is anyone in sprots talk radio worth that much anymore? How much of this move can be attributed to a salary dump?

 

If you think the shipping container/show's producers are "a bunch of douches who never moved out of their frat houses," then, yes, you don't get the show.

 

3 million a year?

Is he starting in the radio all star game?

 

I've tried to give their new lineup a chance, but I'm not sure they could have a worse group if they tried.

Keyshawn is a complete clown, just saying outrageous stuff to get a reaction out of people, Greeny is an insufferable douche, Golic Jr. and his sidekick are irrelevant and boring. If it wasn't for Clay Travis being the other option in the morning, I'd never listen to ESPN.

I think they may have some talent there, but can't recognize it or don't know how to use it.

 

I honestly don’t know why they don’t just run their best podcasts on the radio network and add Sportscenter updates for news.

Zach Lowe, Mina Kimes, Bill Barnwell, Hoop Collective, Baseball Tonight...is such a better line-up.

 

Le Batard's show is available as a podcast shortly after it concludes.

I really doubt this was a salary dump. I think it's a case of both sides being sick of dealing with the other.

 

Dan?

 

The entire group went to community colleges and commuter schools and paid their dues for years. They are the complete opposite of frat bros. Mike, Billy and Roy were essentially guys who showed up at Dan’s doorstep and worked their way to this.

 

Le Batard was a big-time target here in the old days, but hand it to him. He built something. He was/is a talented writer (based on the limited work of his I read) and turned into a off-the-wall radio and TV character.

I love Chris Russo, who got his own damn SiriusXM channel, but I bet a helluva lot more people would listen to a Le Batard channel/show.