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1250 AM The Fan’s Tobi Altizer: Big Broadcast Salaries Bad For NFL

“I don’t know that this is good. Because you could start luring good people for the leagues out early to go work in broadcasting because they’ll make more money.”

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Would the NFL game be diminished had Sean McVay and John Lynch left their respective jobs to jump into broadcasting? The Los Angeles Rams would likely be less formidable without McVay on the sidelines. The San Francisco 49ers might not have as impressive a roster without Lynch putting it together.

The Bart Winkler Show‘s Tobi Altizer made that argument while discussing the NFL broadcasting carousel and the massive salaries now being paid for the top analyst positions.

“I don’t know that this is good,” Alitzer said to Bart Winkler. “Because you could start luring — and I think this has happened with officiating — you could start luring good people for the leagues out early to go work in broadcasting because they’ll make more money.”

“What if Sean McVay did leave and go to the booth? Obviously, it’s a limited number of jobs because it’s not like there’s tons and tons of major networks. But what if McVay leaves and goes to the booth? That’s one of the best coaches in the NFL and he leaves.”

Going off Tuesday’s big news of Aaron Rodgers re-signing with the Green Bay Packers and Russell Wilson getting traded to the Denver Broncos, Alitzer asks if we’d see such moves if Rodgers or Wilson decided to take a big broadcasting salary rather than play one or two more years in the NFL.

(Granted, even ESPN or Amazon wouldn’t approach what Rodgers is reportedly being paid in his new contract with the Packers, if reports of a four-year, $200 million deal are true.)

It’s an intriguing question, but how the broadcasting carousel has played out probably shows that younger coaches and executives like McVay and Lynch are going to stay in the league while they still have the energy and competitive drive for their jobs. And top-tier quarterbacks such as Rodgers and Wilson aren’t going to retire if they believe a Super Bowl title is attainable. (Not to mention, the money is just too lucrative.)

Sean Payton left the New Orleans Saints, but admittedly needed a break. (And as of yet, he hasn’t signed on for a broadcasting gig.) Tony Romo jumped to CBS’s No. 1 analyst role when he could’ve played at least one more season. But he was also coming off a back injury that required surgery and limited him to five games in his last two seasons. (Several might point out that Romo shouldn’t be compared to the likes of Rodgers and Wilson, either.)

Also, this offseason broadcasting carousel is a phenomenon unlikely to be repeated for at least a few years. Once Amazon and Fox decide on their top broadcast teams, those positions won’t likely open up for a while. Troy Aikman is signed with ESPN for five years. Sure, there can always be churn. People leave or get fired. Changes can be made. But once this carousel stops, it may not spin again for a while.

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Charley Steiner Injured; Tim Neverett to Handle Dodgers Radio Play-by-Play

“This will be the first Opening Day that I will have missed since 1976, when I wore a younger man’s clothes.”

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photo of Charley Steiner
Courtesy: Los Angeles Dodgers

As the Los Angeles Dodgers get set to take on the St. Louis Cardinals in their first home game on Thursday, team play-by-play voice Charley Steiner has revealed he will not be doing games at the beginning of the season due to a severe back injury.

Through the Dodgers, Steiner posted a statement which said, “Over the winter, I landed on the Injured List with three compound fractures in my back. (I don’t recommend it.) With the start of the baseball season upon us, the Dodgers are ready to go – but I’m not. This will be the first Opening Day that I will have missed since 1976, when I wore a younger man’s clothes. I look forward to returning to the mic later this season. In the meantime, go Dodgers!”

TrueBlueLA.com reports Tim Neverett will handle play-by-play duties while Steiner recovers. Neverett called the first two regular season games with Rick Monday as the Dodgers started the season in South Korea. Neverett and Monday did not travel with the team, however, they called those games in a studio back home.

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Ronnie Lane and Tom Krasniqi Put a Bow on The Ronnie & TKras Show After Nearly 10 Years

“Finally, Tampa Bay can sleep easy knowing this hideous show is finally over.”

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Photo of Ronnie Lane and Tom Krasniqi
Courtesy: iHeartMedia

After nearly 10 years, The Ronnie & TKras Show with Ronnie Lane and Tom Krasniqi came to an end today as the duo broadcast their final show on remote with many listeners, friends and co-workers on hand. Earlier this month, WDAE announced changes to its programming lineup which will take place starting tomorrow. Ronnie Lane will take on a new role as host of the Tampa Bay Rays pre-game show The Inside Pitch. Tom Krasniqi will continue on in afternoon drive with producer Chris Mathis for The Drive.

Their final show kicked off with station voice Jim Cutler saying, “…Finally, Tampa Bay can sleep easy knowing this hideous show is finally over.”

And with that went three very fast hours of looking back on a nearly decade-long run for Lane and Krasniqi. “It seems kind of surreal, doesn’t it?” said Lane.

Mathis had several special guests lined up for the final show and many others left voice messages which were played coming out of breaks. Tampa Bay Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht and Chief Operating Officer Brian Ford took part in the final show. Tampa Bay Rays closer Pete Fairbanks also called in and, at first, identified himself as “Pete from St. Louis” before asking what the hosts thought of the Rays bullpen.

“I’m telling you man, when I hear all of these tributes it really brings a tear to my eye, Ronnie,” said Krasniqi. “It’s a surreal moment…It makes me feel so fortunate and blessed to be in this position sitting next to you all these years. This is one of those moments where I am almost speechless and just so incredibly overwhelmed by the support and the love that everyone has shown here today.”

Lane responded, “…Our time together is really coming to an end. I might get a little emotional before this show is over, but we have had a great time and been through many ups and downs…This business is crazy and for us to be able to do what we are doing and doing it on our terms…And for a company that believes in both of us to give us this opportunity to go in different directions with the same company is truly amazing…It doesn’t happen like this always in this business, usually it’s an ugly goodbye.”

As the show came to an end, Lane reminded everyone, “It has been a blast, but we’re not freakin’ leaving!”

“We’re not leaving folks,” ‘TKras’ said. “Thanks very much for being a part of our lives and thanks for having us as part of yours. Onward and upward. You are dismissed.”

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Tyler Murray Added to WEEI Red Sox Radio Bench

“Coming up on 13 seasons in [minor league baseball], it’s not lost on me how fortunate I am to have this opportunity.”

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Photo of Tyler Murray and logos for WEEI and the Boston Red Sox
Photo Credit: Ashley Green

The voice of the Worcester Red Sox, Tyler Murray, has been added to the Red Sox Radio play-by-play bench. WEEI made the announcement on their X account, saying, “On the heels of calling the Hockey East Tourney this weekend [and] adding to his excellent work [with the Worcester Red Sox], happy to announce that Tyler Murray will be helping to build our [Red Sox Network] bench this year! Tyler’s 1st series in the big leagues will be April 5-7 [with Will Flemming].

Murray, who has also called college hockey games on NESN plus college football and basketball games, said on X, “Coming up on 13 seasons in [minor league baseball], it’s not lost on me how fortunate I am to have this opportunity. Thank you to [WEEI brand manager Ken Laird] and [Audacy Boston Senior Vice President/Market Manager Mike Thomas], and to everyone who has reached out. Your support has honestly been overwhelming, and I couldn’t be more grateful.”

Murray’s first series will be the Red Sox taking on the Los Angeles Angels on the road, April 5-7.

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