Here’s Hoping New Sports Talk Station Turns Down the Volume

ATLANTA, Georgia--I don’t know if low key works anymore in sports radio, but it certainly would be nice if Atlanta’s newest sports station Dave FM 92.9 would take that approach when it goes on the air this fall.

Yes, if you haven’t heard there will be a third sports talk station to go along with 790/The Zone and 680 The/Fan (simulcast on 93.7). Actually if you add to the mix Fans 2 and 3, which air on AM stations 1230 and 1340 respectively, there will be five sports station in the nation’s eighth largest media market. And don’t look now but six is a possibility.

What’s precipitating this most recent move is the advent of 24-hour CBS Sports radio network, which, we assume, will provide a large chunk of national programming. Obviously there will be major emphasis on local sports too.

Although I am not a huge sports talk fan, I do like ESPN Radio and some of what they do, particularly shows like Mike (Greenberg) and Mike (Golic) in the Morning and The Herd with Colin Cowherd.

The former offers great guests, solid opinions usually delivered in an intelligent manner. OK, so they do act silly now and then, but that’s part of the M&M shtick and helps them attract listeners. Cowherd is another who brings good guests and solid thoughts. He will turn up the volume now and then, but he is a reasoned individual, and his opinions make you want to listen.

Sometimes a raving maniac, Maddog Russo's
superior knowledge of all sports supercedes the sthick

I could go on and on critiquing sports talk show hosts—Mad Dog Russo on Sirius/XM is a raving maniac at times, but is highly respected for his overall knowledge of sports. Rarely can someone speak about the full spectrum of sports as well as The Mad Dog. And John Feinstein, the noted author, is also doing a gig on Sirius/XM with Bruce Murray. Like him or not—and he can be rather snarky—he know his stuff and has been around the block numerous times.

What irks me is that most talk radio hosts use an “in your face” approach. It’s almost like their day wouldn’t be complete if they couldn’t punch somebody in the mouth over whether today’s Olympic basketball team was better or worse than the original dream team. Ok, valid discussion, but we don’t need to put on the gloves to talk about it. Imagine Bob Costas discussing that topic. It would be very analytical, he would have an opinion, but most of all he would present in a way that would be largely low-key and respectful of the audience.

Now not everyone has the interviewing skill of a Bob Costas. In fact as far as sports interviewers go, Costas is at the top and you have to drop several rungs to find No. 2. But there is no reason, sports talk hosts can’t turn down the volume a bit and not act like every show is a Fox Sports Radio slugfest. And believe me Fox Sports is not the only network or station that does things that way. Unfortuantley many of those loudmouths are actually very smart, but camoflauge their abilities under the cloak of bombast.

So, back to Atlanta’s new entry into the sports radio business. Here’s hoping that what we hear is a new level of sophistication. Certainly CBS nationally has the resources to do it right and if the local station does the same, a fourth sports radio outlet might be a nice addition to the Atlanta market. Whether there are enough sponsors for four station is another question for another time. BTW, that sixth station? NBC is also launching a radio network. Details coming soon.

Quick takes…a favorable schedule and the solid additions of starter Paul Maholm and outfielder Reed Johnson will assure that the Braves are in this race to the finish—be it wild card or division title. It is hard to imagine that the Nationals will remain as hot as they have been over the past few weeks, thwarting, at least up until the past few days, a Braves attempt to gain ground…Sad to hear about Montee Ball, a great running back for the Wisconsin Badgers, who was beaten up in an unprovoked attack on Wednesday (July 31). Doctors think he might have a concussion and his status for this season remains uncertain. What is certain is that the thugs who did this need to be taken off the streets pronto…Football is definitely in the air with the Falcons opening their pre-season against Baltimore August 9.

The Readers Write…Our blog on the Paterno scandal (Removing Statue Good; NCAA Penalties Not So Much, July 22, 2012) generated several interesting comments. As expected they run the gamut from those supporting the decisions to those wh think it wasn't enough:

"Now all we have to do is find out when the NCAA first knew about the Sandusky mess. For some reason I kind of doubt this story snuck up on the NCAA." Washington, DC

"Very nice piece...I would have favored a bigger fine with less impact on scholarships. I don't have a problem with the 4 year ban on post season play, in light of the ban handed out at USC." Atlanta

“I too have to question why the NCAA sanctions for two reasons. One, with JoePa being dead and University President Graham Spanier and some other top-level officials being ousted, who are you punishing? Second, I believe this goes outside the realm of active players being involved such as grade tampering, illegal payments, and other direct violations. Though I knew Joe Paterno would be held culpable by not reporting Sandusky's child abuse acts to authorities instead of his athletic director, and the Freeh report affirmed that." Atlanta

"We're a PSU family and I agree with all the penalties. Only disagreement was when the head of the NCAA spoke about their mission of maintaining integrity and academics - why then do they allow Kentucky to run their basketball program with kids who are there for one year and out?""One quibble. I don't think the athletes are at the heart of college sports. It is a game played for fans and alums, at least at major schools. You can argue it was pressure from these two groups behind the desire to win at all costs. I think the penalties sent the right message to the right people. I know there may be eligibility issues, but at least the younger players can transfer. Just my thoughts." Harrisburgh, PA

"I don't think PSU victories dating back to 1998 needed to be vacated as part of NCAA sanctions. It's as if the players never bled, sweated, worked hard on and off the field, did the right thing, represented the school well, or...graduated. Do you know who NOW is the last winning quarterback on record? Yep. Mike McQueary. Can you spell i.r.o.n.y?!? Coach Bill O'Brien has a massive Mt. Nittany to climb. Saddens me on all counts. Still, victims' healing has to stay paramount. How much more can the Big Ten add to the punishment, though?" Elizabethtown, PA

 "Too lenient." Atlanta