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KFNS Planning To Raise The Stakes in St. Louis

Jason Barrett

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According to STL Today, the new ownership group for 590 The Fan, KFNS-AM, are ready to invest in rebuilding the once popular St. Louis sports radio brand. Randy Markel and Scott Gerken, who are leasing the signal and on track to get full licensing next month, say they’re ready to not only return KFNS to prominence but also build a powerhouse and eventually add a strong FM signal.

“We plan on being big time,’’ said Markel. “It’s either go big or go home.”

Markel and Gerken, who have no prior experience in the radio business, are facing an uphill climb as the market already has other successful sports radio stations. 101 ESPN has a potent FM signal, popular lineup, and long history of ratings success. CBS Sports 920 which is operated by Tim McKernan, has formed a partnership with Emmis communications and built a strong loyal following with local listeners. That’s not taking into account additional sports programming offered by News/Talk stations KMOX and KTRS.

But Markel isn’t worried about the competitive landscape.

“Kansas City has two great (sports-talk) stations, so there’s no reason there can’t be more than one here.”

According to Gertken, the station’s goal is to offer an entirely local lineup in the future. They’ve added Dino Costa to mornings, Bob Ramsey, Jeff Vernetti, Howard Balzer and Marc Lillibridge in middays, and afternoons are occupied by Kevin Slaten. The station currently offers the Dan Patrick Show but it doesn’t appear to be part of the company’s long-term strategy.

Sports Radio News

Phoenix Suns Radio Voice Al McCoy Retiring At Season’s End

“Well I don’t think it’s any big thing because I think everybody knew this was probably going to wrap it up for me obviously.”

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Longtime Phoenix Suns radio play-by-play announcer Al McCoy has announced that he will retire at the conclusion of the current NBA season.

The 89-year-old McCoy has been the voice of the Suns for the past 51 years.

After joining the team in 1972, McCoy called games on both television and radio for the franchise until the NBA outlawed the practice in the early 2000s.

He scaled back his schedule in 2010, and called road games from a remote studio in Phoenix during the 2020-2021 season. The club’s road contests are currently broadcast by Jon Bloom.

“Well I don’t think it’s any big thing because I think everybody knew this was probably going to wrap it up for me obviously,” McCoy told KTAR News’ Gaydos & Chad on Friday.

McCoy was honored with the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s Curt Gowdy Media Award in 2007.

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Sports Radio News

Adam Schein Signs Extension at SiriusXM

“I truly appreciate the platform, power and prestige of hosting Schein On Sports every weekday on Mad Dog Sports Radio.“

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SiriusXM Mad Dog Sports Radio Host Adam Schein has inked a four-year extension to remain with the satellite provider.

“I am so incredibly elated and fired up to re-sign another long-term deal with SiriusXM, my radio home for the last 18 years,” said Schein. “I love working with the amazing people at SiriusXM. I truly appreciate the platform, power and prestige of hosting Schein On Sports every weekday on Mad Dog Sports Radio. It’s my passion.

“And I am thrilled to host our rebranded Rise and Scheinpodcast, a show to remind people why they love sports while interviewing the people in sports and entertainment that fascinate me the most and share that excitement and joy.”

Schein joined SiriusXM in 2004 and was the first voice ever heard on SiriusXM NFL Radio. He moved to SiriusXM Mad Dog Sports Radio in 2019.

“Adam is an exceptional talent with a passion for sports that is obvious every time he cracks open the mic,” said Eric Spitz, VP of Sports Programming, SiriusXM. “SiriusXM has been his home since 2004 and it has been a thrill to see his star rise over these last two decades. We’re thrilled to extend our great relationship with Adam, keep him as a mainstay on our Mad Dog Sports Radio channel, and ensure our listeners continue to get his one-of-a-kind brand of sports talk on a daily basis.”

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Sports Radio News

Doug Gottlieb: I Would Give Up Radio For Coaching Job

“I’ve told people that for the radio element to — for the right thing — I’d give it up. The (podcast), I’m not giving it up.”

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Fox Sports Radio host Doug Gottlieb recently interviewed for the vacant head coaching job at Wisconsin-Green Bay and detailed the experience on his podcast.

“I got a chance to talk to (Wisconsin-Green Bay AD) Josh Moon several times during the year after they had made their coaching job available and my approach to how I’ve done these things — and this is not the first time I’ve gone down this path, but this was a different path,” Gottlieb said on his All Ball podcast.

“This is a low-major, mid-major job, and there’s no connection there. I’ve told people that for the radio element to — for the right thing — I’d give it up. The (podcast), I’m not giving it up. I love doing it and I think there’s a very smart world where if I’m coaching I can still do this podcast and still do it with basketball people all over the country and the world, and it’s kind of like a cheat code.”

He continued by saying that seeing Shaka Smart be successful at Marquette has motivated him to continue to search for the right fit as a college basketball coach.

“That’s what I want to do. And last year when I was coaching in Israel, that also continued to invigorate me…this is something that I would really like to do. It has to be the right thing. It has to be the right AD who hits the right message.”

He continued by saying that a sticking point of negotiations was he wasn’t willing to give up his nationally syndicated radio program for the job. He was willing to take less money for his assistants pool, but also to continue doing his radio show.

Gottlieb did not get the position with the Phoenix, noting that he was a finalist but was never offered the job. The position ultimately went to Wyoming assistant coach Sundance Wicks. Wicks had previous head coaching experience and had worked with Green Bay athletic director Josh Moon at Division II Northern State. He admitted he wasn’t necessarily “all-in” on the job due to the current ages of his children and whether the timing was right to uproot his family to move to Northeastern Wisconsin.

The Fox Sports Radio host does have coaching experience. He has worked as a coach for the U.S. men’s basketball team at the Maccabiah Games, sometimes referred to as the Jewish Olympics.

Gottlieb’s father — Bob — was the head men’s basketball coach at Wisconsin-Milwaukee from 1975-1980, compiling a 97-91 record.

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