Sports media landscape changing
The sports broadcasting business is always changing. We have seen more than 100 people lose their jobs at ESPN. We have seen new sports-specific networks pop up with NBC and CBS. Individual sports and leagues are getting their own networks like the NFL, MLB and the NBA. I spoke to Jason Barrett from Barrett Sports Media, who has been in the business over 20 years and in that time leading stations in four of the top 20 markets in the country. I asked him about the changes in the sports media landscape.
Nach on Sports: How has the landscape changed in sports broadcasting?
Jason Barrett: When I look at it now, obviously there’s a lot that’s changed, especially if you just go the last two years. I mean with the ESPN changes, FS1 has made a bigger play on the TV side. Even radio has drastically changed if you just look at the network space CBS launched a few years ago, NBC did that, ESPN has changed a ton and Fox Sports Radio has helped themselves the last two years. I have been in the business 20 years, if you go back 20 or even 10 years you could say that at that point. This business is constantly going to change. It’s never going to stay the status quo.
NOS: How has it changed for a young person trying to break into this business, is it harder?
JB: I think it’s actually easier. I think you can build your own brand today in a way you couldn’t 15 years ago. When I started out, I was having to send out cassette tapes, via mail to program directors. I think people today have a much easier shot, you even see people who make a living from their own YouTube channels today. You could never do that 10 years ago. So, I do think it’s easier. But, that said, don’t get me wrong, that doesn’t mean that if you have a good YouTube channel or good podcast you’re going to be a sports radio star. But, what it points to is that there are a lot more jobs today. Some of it still comes down to great talent, versatility, work ethic. All the same things that I had to prove 10 to 15 years go about myself, but there are certainly more avenues today to make your name known to people and to get your work out to people.
NOS: Do you see more women going into play-by-play roles after we see Beth Mowins calling a Monday Night Football game this fall?
JB: I do and I give the Oakland Raiders a lot of credit because they took a chance on Beth a few years ago, giving her opportunities during the preseason. I was in the Bay Area when they did that and thought it was a great move. Look, the bottom line is, if someone is good it shouldn’t matter if they’re male, female, black, white, Hispanic, Asian. It doesn’t matter. If they’re good, they’re good. There is no reason why a woman can’t do a good job calling a game. I mean Doris Burke does games, and she is excellent, Beth Mowins is good. There are even going to be better ladies coming down the road. If you look at sports radio, go back 10 to 15 years ago, you didn’t have women doing talk shows and leading shows. Now you see women like Kristine Leahy involved in shows. If you go around the country to some local markets you will find even more. Sarah Spain is on the national network, Amy Lawrence, and so it’s good to see. I think there’s plenty of room in this business for people from all different backgrounds and the more perspectives we have out there, as long as the talent is there, that’s all that should matter.
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Anthony Nachreiner is the host of The Nach on Sports Show, Northwest Montana’s only sports talk show, which airs every weekday from 3-5 p.m. on 600 AM KGEZ and 96.5 FM.