Danny and Gallant is coming to an end on 710 ESPN in Seattle, WA. Paul Gallant confirmed on Twitter that the station has decided to go in a different direction. He learned of the news after today’s show. The show had been airing weekday mornings from 7a-10a PT.
“They had informed us about three months ago that they would be making some sort of shift to the lineup,” Gallant said on Twitter “So we’ve all been waiting on pins and needles and doing our absolute best to show that we are worth something.”
Gallant started at the station in 2019 after moving over from SportsRadio 610 in Houston, TX. He had been in the lone star state since beginning his journey in the industry back in 2011. The host asked 710 ESPN management why they decided to go down this path.
“I asked them why,” Gallant continued. “They just said they were going in a different direction. I do know that that different direction is one with Mike Salk, who hired me and was formerly in charge of all programming in the building.”
“Clearly they feel like he [Salk] is going to save the numbers,” added Gallant. “I don’t agree with that because we are living in a city that is still not welcoming people back to work, and people aren’t commuting in the same way, but whatever, that is their choice.”
As Gallant mentioned, Salk will indeed take over the timeslot, one he held prior to turning his focus to a full time programming role two years ago. Salk had previously split his time as the station’s PD and morning host while teaming with FOX Sports college football analyst Brock Huard. Brock and Salk were very successful and Bonneville Seattle is hoping Salk’s return to the morning timeslot can give their morning numbers a boost.
Although a full time radio reunion in mornings with Huard isn’t in the cards, Salk’s former partner will have a presence on The Mike Salk Show. The longtime friends and partners will also continue their weekly podcast.
In a tweet shared earlier, Salk said he wasn’t ready to dive back into hosting a show when Huard left two years ago. He acknowledged he’s now ready and excited to return to mornings, a move that will include Justin Barnes and Maura Dooley, and daily visits from Huard. Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll, former Seahawks QB turned ESPN NFL analyst Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle Mariners GM Jerry DiPoto, legendary NFL reporter John Clayton, and others will also appear regularly.
Salk helped launch 710 ESPN Seattle in 2009 and has been with the station for thirteen years. News of his return to the morning airwaves was met with a lot of positive responses on the station’s Facebook page. The unfortunate part of this story is that the return of Salk also means the end for Gallant and Danny O’Neill’s time with the station.