LeBatard out at ESPN

[Elliotte Friedman]

Just announced by network, called a "mutual decision."

You could tell this was coming, but still a shocker.

 

[Alma]

Eventually ESPN is going to figure out running its version of SVU/The Office reruns all day is much cheaper and more profitable to do.

LeBatard will land at some podcast network, I'm sure. I can't even imagine there's 9 people who listen to some of then names in this lineup:

ESPN & Dan Le Batard Announce Host will Leave Network in January - ESPN Press Room U.S.

 

[Cosmo]

Bring back Playmakers!

 

[BitterYoungMatador2]

Bring back Kiana’s Flex Appeal!

 

[3_Octave_Fart]

Somebody should tell Le Batard he's a better writer than this clown act he's been at for the last decade-plus.

 

[Iron_chet]

I like LeBatard and find his show the only thing I really enjoy on ESPN.

Greeny is terrible. I get why he’s on there as the vanilla option but he is so unremarkable and there’s nothing compelling about his show.

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

Joining Trey Wingo on the exit line.

 

[Alma]

Bring back Playmakers!

I'm surprised ESPN hasn't done more of that.

But 30 for 30 docs all day would do better on TV. They could shutter ESPN radio, much like Disney radio will be shuttered, and move on.

Seriously. Why is a fiddle player from The Band Perry and Sarah Spain hosting a radio show at 7 each night? Who's listening to that? Why?

At this point, ESPN Radio has to be the Russian Poetry professor in the English Department of ESPN, doesn't it? Golic's kid has a show?

 

[Spartan Squad]

I like LeBatard and find his show the only thing I really enjoy on ESPN.

Greeny is terrible. I get why he’s on there as the vanilla option but he is so unremarkable and there’s nothing compelling about his show.

You mean you don't want endless takes about the NFC East and how to fix Tom Brady?

 

[John]

My love for the Shipping Container knows no bounds.

 

[Songbird]

The Whitlock/LeBatard Show in 3 ... 2 ... ?

 

[TigerVols]

Bring back Playmakers!

You misspelt ESPN Hollywood!

 

[TigerVols]

Just announced by network, called a "mutual decision."

You could tell this was coming, but still a shocker.

Is he still gonna pay his producer out of his pocket?

 

[tapintoamerica]

I'm surprised ESPN hasn't done more of that.

But 30 for 30 docs all day would do better on TV. They could shutter ESPN radio, much like Disney radio will be shuttered, and move on.

Seriously. Why is a fiddle player from The Band Perry and Sarah Spain hosting a radio show at 7 each night? Who's listening to that? Why?

At this point, ESPN Radio has to be the Russian Poetry professor in the English Department of ESPN, doesn't it? Golic's kid has a show?

I really would love to know how ESPN Radio is doing financially because I agree that there's nothing on there worth listening to. But somehow it has to be viable, right? I wonder if it's like the conference-specific networks, which seem to be viable even if nobody actually watches them. All that matters is that they're on accessible tiers of cable/satellite service.

 

[PCLoadLetter]

This sucks. Highly Questionable is the best thing on ESPN by a country mile.

Guessing they offer it to Bomani Jones, which is the best possible alternative.

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

Bring back Playmakers!

When’s “Junction Boys” on again?

 

[playthrough]

I really would love to know how ESPN Radio is doing financially because I agree that there's nothing on there worth listening to. But somehow it has to be viable, right? I wonder if it's like the conference-specific networks, which seem to be viable even if nobody actually watches them. All that matters is that they're on accessible tiers of cable/satellite service.

I'm sure that a lot of ESPN's advertising is sold in package deals, with companies like Progressive getting a piece of everything. And local radio stations still need some of the ESPN shows to fill in gaps on the schedule. But as others have said, what a craptastic lineup.

 

[PCLoadLetter]

Funny thing about ESPN now -- there isn't a single thing they do on the radio that I would ever consider listening to, but the podcast lineup is excellent.

 

[sgreenwell]

Funny thing about ESPN now -- there isn't a single thing they do on the radio that I would ever consider listening to, but the podcast lineup is excellent.

With the money Spotify is throwing around in that space though, I'm kind of expecting people like Zach Lowe, Mina Kimes and Katie Nolan to consider that a viable option going forward too. (Maybe not Kimes - she seems like someone they've invested a lot in.) Spotify itself doesn't have a "writing" outlet, but I'm sure they could easily work something out with some of the other companies under their umbrella at this point. And ESPN has repeatedly dropped the ball when it comes to podcasts.

 

[Machine Head]

When’s “Junction Boys” on again?

working @Dude corner