A repost of an article originally written on 3/13/09 profiling the new KIRO ESPN sports radio alongside the incumbent 950 KJR. Today is KIRO’s first day under their new format.
The new 710 ESPN Seattle sports radio revealed their daily lineup earlier this week, and it’s clear they are making a push to displace 950 KJR AM as the region’s premier sports talk station. We’re here to break down the head-to-head daily shows and let you in on what to expect when April 1st comes around and 710 hits the airwaves.
Morning Show
950 KJR AM: Mitch in the Morning, local, 6:00 AM-10:00 AM.
710 ESPN: Colin Cowherd, national, 7:00 AM-11:00 AM.
Not much of a battle here. Mitch should retain most of his listeners, while transplant fans will probably prefer the nationally syndicated Cowherd. All the Mitch haters out there might migrate to what serves as ESPN’s midday show (since Cowherd takes the air from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM on the East Coast), but for the most part, it will be a Mitch massacre.
Result: Mitch dominates Cowherd, retains listeners, maintains foothold in Emerald City.
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Remember Playmakers? It was ESPN’s first successful foray into TV drama and it was amazing.
Playmakers made an accurate depiction of the NFL, while maintaining a fictional setting around a made-up team. With a surprisingly thuggish Omar Gooding (brother of Cuba; you may remember him from his time on Nickelodeon’s Wild and Crazy Kids or ABC’s Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper) playing the featured role of running back Demetrius Harris, the cast of relative unknowns was well put-together and lent good acting chops to supplement the football action. Unfortunately, ESPN was forced to cancel the show after just one season thanks to the NFL, who takes control over these types of things.
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DeMarcus Cousins
The backlash of John Calipari’s move to Kentucky has reached Seattle.
The former Memphis coach indirectly bestowed the gift of hope upon University of Washington basketball fans when he switched employers Tuesday.
Hope in the form of 6’10″ high school center DeMarcus Cousins, the number-four prospect in the country who has reopened his recruiting process following Calipari’s departure. Cousins had been committed to Memphis, though had not yet signed a National Letter of Intent.
A potential “one-and-done” player, Cousins had Washington and Kansas State on his short list of destinations before committing to Calipari and Memphis. With Memphis likely out of the picture, and Kentucky already two scholarships over the limit, K-State and UW have to be considered favorites to land the talented big man.
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