Sports Fan Radio Network
Encyclopedia
The Sports Fan Radio Network was a sports talk radio network that existed from 1996 through 2001, when it abruptly folded.
time NFL scribe Howard Balzer.
") from ESPN Radio
and Keith Olbermann
also hosted a few shows.
, which had the major backing of industry giant Clear Channel Communications
. Determining that the network could not compete with ESPN
, Fox
, and One on One Sports
, Sports Fan Radio Network began dismantling. Donnellan was immediately fired one week before the Super Bowl
, leaving J. T. the Brick as one of the few remaining hosts, hosting two live shifts plus replays throughout the day. The network folded in May 2001, ceding most of its affiliates to Fox.
took an approximately 6 year break from radio broadcasting, during which she underwent treatment for cancer. She returned in sporadic guest hosting gigs in 2007, and in April 2008, returned full-time as the co-host of "Brantley and the Babe" on WHBO
in Tampa Bay
.
Papa Joe Chevalier
hosted on Sports Fan from 1996 to 2000; he moved to One on One Sports (later Sporting News Radio
) until 2005, then followed on several independent syndicators and networks, until his death in 2011.
After the folding of Sports Fan, Frank Andrews, whose real name is Angelo Fracassi, changed his stage name to "Zig" and went to work in his native Western New York, for the now defunct radio station WNSA
. After that station was sold off, Zig landed a job at Sirius Satellite Radio
, where he hosted NHL
Live (until that show moved to XM) and is currently a weekend anchor for Sirius NFL Radio
and Mad Dog Radio
.
Jim Brinson also ended up at WNSA; he later went on to TV station KOHD
and is currently a personality on Time Warner Cable SportsNet.
Soren Petro now hosts "The Program" in Kansas City on 810 WHB, one of the largest sports talk stations in the country (covering six states).
After the dissolution of SFRN, J. T. the Brick was almost immediately hired by Fox Sports Radio, where he is today.
Scott Ferrall
now works at Sirius Satellite Radio
, on Howard 101, in the same time slot as he did on SFRN.
Bill Lekas
went to Sporting News Radio
. Now on Sirius XM Radio
Scott Kaplan
and Sid Rosenberg
would go on to be the original co-hosts of The Sports Guys on WNEW-FM. Kaplan now works at XEPRS-AM in San Diego
. Rosenberg went on to greater fame as a co-host at WFAN
, working alongside the likes of Joe Benigno
and Don Imus
, and is now at WAXY
in Miami.
Tim Ryan
is now with the NFL on Fox
and Sirius NFL Radio
.
There was also a weekend host by the name of Chris Russo (not the same Chris Russo
of Mike and the Mad Dog
fame); his location is unknown.
Rocco Pendola hosted a show on the network. He is no longer in radio.
Geoff Nathanson went on to work in television and radio as a play by play announcer and host at LA powerhouse radio station KNX 1070. He also developed into the go-to guy for TV sportscaster parts and commercials, working in a famous LeBron James Powerade spot, a Lance Armstrong Nike commercial, a Gordie Howe IBM spot and a David Eckstein Del Taco commercial. He has appeared as a recurring character in the ABC Family Channel series, "Make it or Break it" as well as on "Providence", King of Queens" and hosted the World Championship of Fantasy Football on Versus.
(the flagship station of Frank Andrews's and Papa Joe's program), took its call sign
from the network. Today, it is KYDZ
, a children's radio
station.
Launch
SportsFan Radio Network officially debuted in 1993 with 80 hours of programming per month. Based in Las Vegas, the network broadcast its flagship show "SportsFan Tonight" from the Sports Theatre in the Las Vegas Hilton. Original hosts of the show were Geoff Nathanson and longtime NFL scribe Howard Balzer.
1994-2000
By 1994, SportsFan expanded to a 24/7 format, 7 days a week. The signature show, SportsFan Tonight moved its broadcast location from the MGM Grand in 1994. Later it moved to the sportsbook at the Mandalay Bay. The daily line up included baseball's all-time hit leader Pete Rose, as well as a stable of young talent. Others hosting shows over the years included former NFL QB Sean Salisbury, former NFL All-Pro Tim Ryan, Fox and CBS host James Brown, longtime broadcaster Pat O'Brien, former NBA Coach Matt Gougas, NHL great Phil Esposito, and former NFL All-Pro Bob Golic. SportsFan boasted other fine young talent including JT the Brick, Rob Tepper, Chuck Powell, Soren Petro, Rob Fischer, John Rabe, Jim Brinson, Dave Cokin, and others. By the late 90's, SportsFan partnered with CBS Sportsline to broadcast two shows daily. One program was hosted by Craig Carton, the other "The Drive" with Scott Kaplan and Sid Rosenberg. Later they landed a handful of other significant names, landing Nanci Donellan (a.k.a. "The Fabulous Sports BabeThe Fabulous Sports Babe
Nanci Donnellan, best known by her title of "The Fabulous Sports Babe," is an American sports radio broadcaster, currently broadcasting on WHBO in the Tampa Bay, Florida area. She is best known nationally for being syndicated across the United States on both ESPN Radio and ESPN2, from 1994 until 2001...
") from ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio is an American sports radio network. It was launched on January 1, 1992 under the original banner of "SportsRadio ESPN." ESPN Radio is located at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut...
and Keith Olbermann
Keith Olbermann
Keith Theodore Olbermann is an American political commentator and writer. He has been the chief news officer of the Current TV network and the host of Current TV's weeknight political commentary program, Countdown with Keith Olbermann, since June 20, 2011...
also hosted a few shows.
Closure
In 2001, however, the network began facing intense pressure from upstart network Fox Sports RadioFox Sports Radio
Fox Sports Radio, abbreviated FSR, is an international radio network consisting of sports talk programming. The network is a service of Premiere Networks...
, which had the major backing of industry giant Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. is an American media conglomerate company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. It was founded in 1972 by Lowry Mays and Red McCombs, and was taken private by Bain Capital LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP in a leveraged buyout in 2008...
. Determining that the network could not compete with ESPN
ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio is an American sports radio network. It was launched on January 1, 1992 under the original banner of "SportsRadio ESPN." ESPN Radio is located at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut...
, Fox
Fox Sports Radio
Fox Sports Radio, abbreviated FSR, is an international radio network consisting of sports talk programming. The network is a service of Premiere Networks...
, and One on One Sports
Sporting News Radio
Yahoo! Sports Radio, formerly Sporting News Radio is a United States sports radio network that broadcasts sports news, talk, scores, and highlights 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. On August 1, 2011, it was announced the network would change its name to Yahoo! Sports Radio, effective...
, Sports Fan Radio Network began dismantling. Donnellan was immediately fired one week before the Super Bowl
Super Bowl XXXV
Super Bowl XXXV was played on January 28, 2001 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida to decide the National Football League champion following the 2000 regular season. The American Football Conference champion Baltimore Ravens defeated the National Football Conference champion New York...
, leaving J. T. the Brick as one of the few remaining hosts, hosting two live shifts plus replays throughout the day. The network folded in May 2001, ceding most of its affiliates to Fox.
Former hosts
After being released by Sports Fan, The Fabulous Sports BabeThe Fabulous Sports Babe
Nanci Donnellan, best known by her title of "The Fabulous Sports Babe," is an American sports radio broadcaster, currently broadcasting on WHBO in the Tampa Bay, Florida area. She is best known nationally for being syndicated across the United States on both ESPN Radio and ESPN2, from 1994 until 2001...
took an approximately 6 year break from radio broadcasting, during which she underwent treatment for cancer. She returned in sporadic guest hosting gigs in 2007, and in April 2008, returned full-time as the co-host of "Brantley and the Babe" on WHBO
WHBO
WMGG is a talk radio station in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. WHBO is licensed to serve the community of Dunedin, Florida, USA, and is owned by Genesis Communications....
in Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is a large natural harbor and estuary along the Gulf of Mexico on the west central coast of Florida, comprising Hillsborough Bay, Old Tampa Bay, Middle Tampa Bay, and Lower Tampa Bay."Tampa Bay" is not the name of any municipality...
.
Papa Joe Chevalier
Papa Joe Chevalier
Armand "Papa Joe" Chevalier was a sports radio and talk radio host from Las Vegas, Nevada. His show, "The Papa Joe Show," was heard on Sporting News Radio until 2005. Papa Joe had brief stints in independent syndication, on , and Sports Byline USA, and the now-defunct Sports Fan Radio Network...
hosted on Sports Fan from 1996 to 2000; he moved to One on One Sports (later Sporting News Radio
Sporting News Radio
Yahoo! Sports Radio, formerly Sporting News Radio is a United States sports radio network that broadcasts sports news, talk, scores, and highlights 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. On August 1, 2011, it was announced the network would change its name to Yahoo! Sports Radio, effective...
) until 2005, then followed on several independent syndicators and networks, until his death in 2011.
After the folding of Sports Fan, Frank Andrews, whose real name is Angelo Fracassi, changed his stage name to "Zig" and went to work in his native Western New York, for the now defunct radio station WNSA
WLKK
WLKK is an American radio station located in Wethersfield, New York. Broadcasting on the frequency of 107.7 MHz, the station is currently owned by Entercom Communications and is operated out of the company's studios in Amherst, New York, a suburb of Buffalo...
. After that station was sold off, Zig landed a job at Sirius Satellite Radio
Sirius Satellite Radio
Sirius Satellite Radio is a satellite radio service operating in North America, owned by Sirius XM Radio.Headquartered in New York City, with smaller studios in Los Angeles and Memphis, Sirius was officially launched on July 1, 2002 and currently provides 69 streams of music and 65 streams of...
, where he hosted NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
Live (until that show moved to XM) and is currently a weekend anchor for Sirius NFL Radio
Sirius NFL Radio
Sirius XM NFL Radio is a Sirius XM Radio channel on 88 completely dedicated to the National Football League. Its personalities include Marty Schottenheimer, Shannon Sharpe, Pat Kirwan, Adam Schein, Peter King, Randy Cross and Bob Papa....
and Mad Dog Radio
Mad Dog Radio
Mad Dog Radio is a Sirius XM Radio station which broadcasts sports talk, sports news, and play by play. The channel is located on channel 86 on the XM service and channel 123 on the Sirius service. This channel officially started broadcasting on November 12, 2008...
.
Jim Brinson also ended up at WNSA; he later went on to TV station KOHD
KOHD
KOHD is the ABC affiliated television station for Central Oregon that is licensed to Bend. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 51 from a transmitter in the city on Awbrey Butte west of U.S. 97. Owned by the Chambers Communications Corporation, the station has studios on...
and is currently a personality on Time Warner Cable SportsNet.
Soren Petro now hosts "The Program" in Kansas City on 810 WHB, one of the largest sports talk stations in the country (covering six states).
After the dissolution of SFRN, J. T. the Brick was almost immediately hired by Fox Sports Radio, where he is today.
Scott Ferrall
Scott Ferrall
Scott Ferrall is an American sports talk radio personality who currently broadcasts for Sirius XM Radio on Howard 101. His voice is easily recognizable by his crackling....
now works at Sirius Satellite Radio
Sirius Satellite Radio
Sirius Satellite Radio is a satellite radio service operating in North America, owned by Sirius XM Radio.Headquartered in New York City, with smaller studios in Los Angeles and Memphis, Sirius was officially launched on July 1, 2002 and currently provides 69 streams of music and 65 streams of...
, on Howard 101, in the same time slot as he did on SFRN.
Bill Lekas
Bill Lekas
Bill Lekas is a sports talk show host and anchor for Sirius XM Satellite Radio. Lekas co-hosts the Sunday Drive with Steve Torre on Sirius XM NFL Radio . He also hosts Nightcap and The Weekend Playbook on Mad Dog Radio . Prior to joining Sirius XM, Lekas co-hosted the Morning Show on Sporting News...
went to Sporting News Radio
Sporting News Radio
Yahoo! Sports Radio, formerly Sporting News Radio is a United States sports radio network that broadcasts sports news, talk, scores, and highlights 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. On August 1, 2011, it was announced the network would change its name to Yahoo! Sports Radio, effective...
. Now on Sirius XM Radio
Scott Kaplan
Scott Kaplan
Scott Kaplan is an American sports radio personality, currently based in San Diego, California. For many years, he was partnered with Sid Rosenberg, first hosting The Drive on Sports Fan Radio Network, and later The Sports Guys on WNEW-FM. He is currently the morning drive time host on XEPRS-AM, a...
and Sid Rosenberg
Sid Rosenberg
Sidney Arthur Rosenberg is an American radio personality currently heard weekday mornings on 1010 WINS in New York City, and afternoons on WQAM in Miami, Florida....
would go on to be the original co-hosts of The Sports Guys on WNEW-FM. Kaplan now works at XEPRS-AM in San Diego
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
. Rosenberg went on to greater fame as a co-host at WFAN
WFAN
WFAN , also known as "Sports Radio 66" or "The FAN", is a radio station in New York City. The station broadcasts on a clear channel and is owned by CBS Radio...
, working alongside the likes of Joe Benigno
Joe Benigno
Joseph S. Benigno is an American sports radio personality. He co-hosts the 10am-1pm weekday show on WFAN in New York City.-Early Years:...
and Don Imus
Don Imus
John Donald "Don" Imus, Jr. is an American radio host, humorist, philanthropist and writer. His nationally-syndicated talk show, Imus in the Morning, is broadcast throughout the United States by Citadel Media and relayed on television by the Fox Business Network.-Personal life:Imus was born in...
, and is now at WAXY
WAXY
WAXY is a radio station licensed in South Miami, Florida broadcasting on 790 kHz with a sports talk format. The station is owned by Lincoln Financial Media, which was previously known as Jefferson-Pilot Communications...
in Miami.
Tim Ryan
Tim Ryan (American football)
Timothy Edward Ryan is a former National Football League defensive tackle. He is currently an NFL analyst on the NFL on Fox and the host of "Movin' the Chains" on Sirius XM NFL Radio.-College career:...
is now with the NFL on Fox
NFL on FOX
NFL on Fox is the brand name of the Fox Broadcasting Company's coverage of the National Football League's National Football Conference games, produced by Fox Sports...
and Sirius NFL Radio
Sirius NFL Radio
Sirius XM NFL Radio is a Sirius XM Radio channel on 88 completely dedicated to the National Football League. Its personalities include Marty Schottenheimer, Shannon Sharpe, Pat Kirwan, Adam Schein, Peter King, Randy Cross and Bob Papa....
.
There was also a weekend host by the name of Chris Russo (not the same Chris Russo
Chris Russo
Christopher Michael Russo , known as the "Mad Dog," is an American sports radio personality who is best known as the former co-host of the widely popular Mike and the Mad Dog sports radio show with Mike Francesa, which was broadcast on WFAN in New York City and simulcast on the YES Network...
of Mike and the Mad Dog
Mike and the Mad Dog
Mike and the Mad Dog was an afternoon drive sports radio program based out of WFAN in New York City that featured Mike Francesa and Christopher "Mad Dog" Russo talking sports and taking phone calls from listeners. From 2002 onwards the show was simulcasted on the YES Network...
fame); his location is unknown.
Rocco Pendola hosted a show on the network. He is no longer in radio.
Geoff Nathanson went on to work in television and radio as a play by play announcer and host at LA powerhouse radio station KNX 1070. He also developed into the go-to guy for TV sportscaster parts and commercials, working in a famous LeBron James Powerade spot, a Lance Armstrong Nike commercial, a Gordie Howe IBM spot and a David Eckstein Del Taco commercial. He has appeared as a recurring character in the ABC Family Channel series, "Make it or Break it" as well as on "Providence", King of Queens" and hosted the World Championship of Fantasy Football on Versus.
Former station
At least one affiliate, KSFN in Las Vegas, NevadaLas Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
(the flagship station of Frank Andrews's and Papa Joe's program), took its call sign
Call sign
In broadcasting and radio communications, a call sign is a unique designation for a transmitting station. In North America they are used as names for broadcasting stations...
from the network. Today, it is KYDZ
KYDZ
KOIL is a radio station licensed to serve Bellevue, Nebraska, USA. The station is owned by NRG Media and the broadcast license is held by Waitt Omaha, LLC.-Programming:KOIL broadcasts a News/Talk format to the Omaha metropolitan area...
, a children's radio
Children's radio
Children's radio is a radio format aimed primarily at pre-teen children. Examples include the Radio Disney network of radio stations, XM Kids satellite radio channel and in the UK Fun Kids....
station.