790/The Zone now part of Lincoln Financial
As I wrote a few weeks back, Big League Broadcasting, the operator of sports talk station 790/The Zone, has been having ratings issues and lost a bundle on some St. Louis radio station properties.
Now, Lincoln Financial, which has had a local marketing agreement with Big League Broadcasting for years, is buying Big League’s assets and wrapping 790/The Zone into Lincoln, which also owns Star 94. (Big League never owned the 790 signal. Lincoln had given them a long-term lease for use of it.)
Stephen “Steak” Shapiro and Andrew Saltzman, who created the Zone in 1997, will become employees of Lincoln Financial. Rick Mack, general manager of Star 94, will become the Zone’s senior vice president and general manager. Saltzman’s title will be VP/GM. Neal Maziar will remain station manager, Matt Edgar will stay on as program director and morning host Shapiro gets the new title brand manager. (That’s a lot of managers!)
This will have no immediate impact on what you hear on air. “These guys run an incredibly successful operation,” Mack said in a phone interview today. “We’re proud to be a part of it. We don’t want to mess up a good thing.”
The station for years generated revenues far in excess of its ratings, a testament to management’s plucky ability to sell its loyal listeners to advertisers and inserting sponsored segments anywhere they could. Saltzman said as recently as 2007, the Zone was bringing in $14 million in revenue despite a relatively weak AM signal (especially at night). Obviously since the recession hit, the Zone is nowhere near that number anymore.
It has also nurtured plenty of talent, including the 2 Live Stews and two mid-day hosts now on rival 680/The Fan: Matt Chernoff and Chuck Oliver.
But more recently, 680/The Fan began pulling in stronger ratings, fueled partly by the Braves. In July, the Zone ranked 22nd among men 25 to 54 while the Fan ranked 17th. The Zone recently lost the Atlanta Hawks to Cumulus, which will air the games on 99X and make 680 partners. (Dickey Broadcasting owns 680 but the Dickey family also have a stake in Cumulus Media.)
Rumors of this transaction leaked out last week but both Saltzman last Tuesday and Mack himself last Friday denied it had happened. Mack said the papers were finalized over the weekend.
This was Saltzman and Shapiro’s baby from day one. But Shapiro denied the station is in financial duress.
“Owning your own company is extremely rewarding,” Shapiro said. “We decided to trade in the day-to-day stress for the security of a great job at a great company.”
Here’s Saltzman in the press release:
“We have accomplished a great deal as entrepreneurial broadcasters, and this acquisition allows 790 The Zone to compete at an even higher level,” said Saltzman. “I am pleased with the development of this strategic partnership.”
UPDATE: Shapiro was always about promoting the Zone to me when he was the owner. But when I called him after he became a Lincoln Financial employee, he said he had to refer me to Saltzman, the designated spokesman for the Zone. (Now all on-the-record interviews with Zone employees have to be pre-cleared through Saltzman — even poor Steak.)
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117 comments Add your comment
Rich
August 30th, 2010
10:49 pm
Oh, and NOONE on that list owned half of their station.
Big Will
August 30th, 2010
10:59 pm
Hey Rich, listen to another station then you jack-wagon! You sound a little too upset about a show you don’t care about. Do you automatically jump to the show with the best ratings. If so I guess you’re listening to the Bert show Ya Hump.
Big Will
August 30th, 2010
11:06 pm
Woodstock Woody, I agree the Afternoon saloon was killed off to early.
Rich
August 30th, 2010
11:06 pm
hey, “big will”, it’s getting late and you guys go on the air at 6, might want to put down the vodka and get some sleep, just sayin.
Big Will
August 30th, 2010
11:09 pm
I can go all night long cha cha.
Atlanta Lovers "THE KIMMER"
August 30th, 2010
11:33 pm
Atlanta Radio N E E D S Kim “The Kimmer” Peterson back on the air as soon as humanly possible, especially in this sickening “Age of Obama” that is running our beloved nation straight to ruin.
Atlanta Radio has NEVER needed scum like Steak Shapiro.
Atlanta Lovers "THE KIMMER"
August 30th, 2010
11:34 pm
Yes, “running our beloved nation straight to ruin.”
There! I said it.
Not so easy ed
August 31st, 2010
12:39 am
Isn’t it interesting how these bullies have gotten theirs.
Think about all the trash they guys talked to advertisers, sports teams and anyone who would listen to their line of bologna. Steve Shapiro and Andy Salzman our big little men of Atlanta.
Reckless behavior toward anyone who didn’t play ball with them.
I’m sure your families are very proud of you.
Congratulations to the Big Gulps who run WGCL Television.
Just the goofuses’ I would want to represent my sports effort on Atlanta tv.
For you kids out there……..”bad guys do finish last.”
And for those of you scoring at home that’s no hits, no runs and 790 errors.
Anonymous bald jew broadcasting from the palm
August 31st, 2010
2:35 am
I swear by all the corn beef in brookline mass, that big league broadcasting will rise from the ashes!! I am the boss of you!
Ben Franklin B. 1980
August 31st, 2010
2:37 am
Gay steve sounds like a piney rooter.
american dream dusty rhodes
August 31st, 2010
2:48 am
Steak, you bald sum b*tch, you still owe me the money for those hookers at larry zybysko’s chanukah bash. You was buying more ass than a toilet seat, baby!
Get Real
August 31st, 2010
3:24 am
In October Wells Fargo will complete it’s takeover of Wachovia Bank N.A.. When Wells Fargo buys out Wachovia it means one thing…Wachovia is out of business!!
Slash and burn is coming for a lot of good people unfortunately… except for the guys at the top, as all of the manager kept their gigs…for now.
Now that an outsider will look at the books, I won’t be surprised if 790 is sold again.
It really is something that shouldn’t be cheered and truly is sad as a once really good station is finally brought to its knees in what looks like a foreclosure situation.
Steak and his cronies tried to big time their way into St Louis and blew all of their money. An honorable try, but they should’ve invested in Atlanta. Outside of that dummy Pollack, is anyone from Atlanta? Does anyone have any interest in the Atlanta teams? They never talk Braves and kill the Hawks. All they do is slam the Atlanta teams. No wonder they all have gone to 680.
The demise of 790……..The way the station and the Stews ran off the white listeners during the Mike Vick fiasco! It was the beginning of the end for the Zone’s impressive run. Rather than discuss the facts, the Black Hosts defended the guilty black guy, b/c he was black… the REALLY GUILTY black guy that tore down a franchise and still hasn’t recovered. Black and white people loved the Falcons before Mike Vick and the Stews anyone remember 1998 and the dirty birds?
The white hosts were accused of being racist when they differed. When the smoke cleared, 680 had become a better product, acquired new talent and gained new listeners. FOREVER.
I’m tired of hearing how the Stews are on ESPN and are syndicated and are the cash cows, they are cash cows for themselves, working for Sporting News Radio (which is bleeding money and about to go under too). Emmitt Smith was on ESPN,…it didn’t mean he was a good broadcaster.
They had a chance to be unique and great, and seemingly just became content, lazy and happy pandering to low ideas and pushing liquor…sad.
If you think for a minute this is not a not a blow for team Shapiro, you haven’t got a clue. The Dickey Brothers are laughing now as steak and the crew used to laugh at them. So much for Mike Bell’s constant blabbering about how they are the station that guys want and how they are more in tune with the listeners.
In 12 years the original listeners have gotten older…and wiser which has not been good for 790 and has been great for 680.
brave1
August 31st, 2010
6:27 am
Steak is just an employee now? Wow. Wonder how long till he gets canned.
I wonder when Dimino will finally speak the truth about the 2 Live Stews. If he doesn’t respect Rome, what does he think about guys that don’t do research and conduct interviews from reading (noticably) off a piece of paper?
Chris
August 31st, 2010
7:15 am
Any watching CSS? What is with Steak’s twitching on the air? Looks like he has something on his mind.
Papichulo
August 31st, 2010
7:45 am
Didn’t know 790 was still on the air. I stopped listening after all the Mike Vick race baiting shows a few years ago. Oh well
XM and Sirius FTW!!!
TommyJack
August 31st, 2010
9:01 am
Shapiro is the worst thing that ever happened to radio in the ATL.
Common
August 31st, 2010
9:17 am
Hey folks, I have to agree, most of the programming on 790 is weak and very amateurish, having worked in radio for a number of years I have to say that most of the stuff you tend to hear from radio personalities is all an act, however there are few personalities that are genuine. Evening drive is the second most lucrative slot in radio and they have Mike Bell running it, MISTAKE. Dave Polick (excuse my misspelling) is a breath of fresh air next to this 40+ adolescent, The “Stews” annoy me tremendously and I’m African American, so its not a “Black Thing”, the DONT know how to read copy, as another poster noted they are obviously reading questions during interviews, for God’s sake read your spots and questions BEFORE you crack your mic. When it comes to them defending Mike Vick, I do think the station chose to play along the Black/White card, and it angered some people. I have never lived in NY or LA where they have sports talk radio and have had it for awhile, I don’t know what GOOD ST radio should sound like/be, I just know what I like and what annoys me. 790 has a lot of potential but they need to grow, its not about womanizing, getting drunk and partying all the time. 680 the fan doesn’t do it for me either, even though I do like Matt and the “King”, IMHO the rest are bland and they have a couple of guys who can’t seem to help but to bring their political, conservative slant to every conversation that involves a person of color. It’s sports not brain surgery.
Doug
August 31st, 2010
9:42 am
Rocker is having a good laugh at Steak right now
About time
August 31st, 2010
10:00 am
I have yet to see anyone bring up the time Steak wanted to be on Imus in the Morning so bad that he wore a pig nose on the air during a fill-in for the Imus sports guy. He tried to run with the big boys in NYC and was sent back to ATL with his tail between his legs.
Fred Mott
August 31st, 2010
10:08 am
I agree with other posts here, 790 (aside from Steak) has/had the best talent, 680 the better signal. Reason the Braves, Hawks etc are at 680 is the signal and simulcast on their affiliated FM stations.
Chuck and Chernoff is the only “local” show on 680 that is worth listening to. Mix them, Pollack and Bell with the old Bottom Line and you would have a great sports station.
Bachelor Brett
August 31st, 2010
10:16 am
I like Steak Shapiro! Met him on the craps table a few months ago and he couldn’t have been a nicer guy! All of those folks that claims he’s obnoxious, have you listened to 680 in the mornings (perry) or drive home? Is Kincaid the most pompous guy on the radio right now? “Hey partner this is the 2,456 Buck and Kincaid show.” Can’t stand him. I would like 790 to hire David Archer for the drive home if Pollack were to leave.
levelhead
August 31st, 2010
10:20 am
JETS Fans come see your team get Slaughtered by The RAVENS at the Cheyenne grille (Peachtree Battle Shopping center) The Atlanta Home of the Ravens.
JSD
August 31st, 2010
10:26 am
I can remember when the only sports talk was Chuck Hussion for an hour on WSB and Munson on Sunday night. Now we’re spoiled rotten.
The truth is there is one great station in Atlanta but 75% of it is at 680 (Chuck & Matt, B&K, Colin) and 25% is at 790 (Chris, Bell & Nick). I wish they were all together but that’s how its laid out.
True 790 fan
August 31st, 2010
11:19 am
Chris, Nick, Bell and Hubbard keep. Make the bottom line in the morning and have Bell and D. Archer in the afternoons. My radio is on 790 all day except middays. Chuck and Kid douche-bag get me to switch over. I like it more when its the King by himself……
Trig
August 31st, 2010
11:43 am
Chris @ 7:15….I noticed that too dude!!!! I mean, Steak has always been kinda hyper like he has Restless Leg Syndrome, but this was different. It was almost like his whole body was shaking uncontrollably. But hey, I guess he is stressed out.
Steak isnt too bad a guy, but a lot of people on 790(notably Mike Bell and Nick Cellini) treated the listeners and callers like feces and even would be disparaging, or at the very least, condescending to them on the air.
Mario
August 31st, 2010
12:17 pm
I agree the Stews are turrrable. Speaking of which, after I heard Doug Stewart ask if Charles Barkley was in the Hall of Fame, I lost all respect. I would have thought he would issue a sincere apology for not doing basic homework on a big guest. I was embarrased.
I agree all the Stews do is provide silly Vick fans a place to be stupid. This morning I heard one call in and go at it with Steak. The guy was an idiot rambling about how Matt Ryan wasn’t as good as Vick. Steak just let him ramble as to not offend he “urban community” Of course he didn’t mention that he is not here because he’s a dog fighting thug, who threw away is opportunity. It was somebody’s fault. Typical Stews caller.
680 is boring but not annoying and have god banter witthout having supid Vick fans run the show. Go Maty Ice, Go Falcons and bye bye 7-Stew-Vick-90!.
Danny Del
August 31st, 2010
12:27 pm
What comes around goes around Steak. RIP chumps. Hopefully you’ll have more time to enjoy your favorite pastime… drilling glory holes for the ‘Young Guns’.
keith
August 31st, 2010
12:39 pm
I have been a 790 listener for years. I think that when Nick and Chris are at their best, it is great radio. The radio station as a whole, however, has not improved. It’s frustrating because I want them to win the battle against 680, but they haven’t done anything. They are getting beaten in the ratings and changed nothing for years. They didn’t get the Braves and are losing the Hawks. They still have their biggest issue, which is a TERRIBLE signal. In the winter, it will be hard for me to listen to them in the morning due to the signal.
They have to shake things up and go on the attack again. All they have done is sit back while 680 grows and with no counterpunch. What happened to their fight?
As far as 680, their folks are doing all the right things. You can tell they want to win. I don’t like their on-air talent. They rely too much on the good cop (Buck and Chris Rude) bad cop (Kincaide and Perry) formula. Even though I don’t like their programming, I will take their front office over 790’s any day. I don’t know any of the people at either of the stations, am not an insider…just a fan. But look at the results recently.
Wake up 790. Get back in the fight.
East Lake K
August 31st, 2010
12:48 pm
I don’t like everyone on 790, but I really don’t see how anyone could listen to 680. The whole Chuck and Chernoof dynamic has worn thin. It’s basically the same thing over and over. Bor-ing. The rest of their line-up is crap. Kinkaid is a serious tool. I hope he learns from Jay Mariotti because both are way too self rightous.
Roswell Ed
August 31st, 2010
1:15 pm
Listen here dogs and poodles.
God is great and all he does is show you luv all the time and so when you’re sleeping with a girl from the club make sure and praise him.
Hey Brisket what did you have for lunch?
All right all right all right.
And now to our man Chellini,
“What the hell is wrong with you people? If you give me another 10 months I guarantee you that I will be divorced and fat but for now I’m pumped and in luv!!!!”
Hey you’re in the dooooooooooooog house!!!
WOOF WOOF WOOF
And now back to you Mike Bell
“I have the intellect of a third grader on steroids. Yes I am funny now and then and I do know something about the circle jerk known as racing but that’s about it. Hey how are my football picks doing? Oh never mind! Better yet hand me a Scotch and put on those ‘87 reruns of Full House. Those Olsen twins are h-o-o-o-o-t.”
RUFF! RUFF! RUFF! RUFF!
Hey Dimino what have you got for us today?
“Well guys did you realize that Oil Can Boyd was 3 and five on odd days of the month that were in Daylight Savings Time.”
Well Chris that’s what happens when y-o-o-u-u-r-r-r-r-r-r in the d-o-o-o-g house!!!!
Ruff Ruff Ruff.
“Hey Ryan I heard that Mike Bell took an IQ test yesterday and everyone was hopeing that his score would equal today’s high!!”
Doug- “Even with global warming it doesn’t look good for Mike!!!!”
atlanta appraiser
August 31st, 2010
1:28 pm
I used to listen to 790, but after Chernoff and Kang went to 680 I switched. Also, didn’t like the way 790 got rid of Hometeam. Other than that, both stations to me have mediocre morning shows. Both stations have morning shows with guys who love to hear themselves talk or want to appear they’re smarter than they really are. 680 has too many classless sexual innuendos in the morning and 790 has 3 bald guys who always cut each other off. I do enjoy ChuckNChernoff, they’re just entertaining to me and they also embrace their fans very well. Who ever thinks 2 live stews is a talented show must not know what talent means. I had to stop listening to them because everything was about race and they always love to gloat about themselves. Other than that it’s WSB for me. Not surprising to me that 790 was sold, it just looked like poorly managed station. If you let your most talented people go then you deserve to go out of business. What is the job description for a Brand Manager? Is that a made up job?
steeledawg
August 31st, 2010
2:14 pm
I may not have always agreed with their opinions or personnel decisions, but the guys at 790 have given me a million laughs to and from work over the years. I hope the transition goes well and Atlanta will continue to have two sports talk stations.
Good luck to the 790 folks.
flacker
August 31st, 2010
2:39 pm
I prefer 790 to 680 although both stations do leave a lot to be desired. That said, i am certainly glad there are two sports talk stations. I can’t listen to Perry, Kincaid or as little as possible of Chernoff, all three seems to have a high opinion of their opinions and voices.
I am tired of hearing that the Stews are racist, the problem it seems is many of you are not use to hearing a point of view that doesn’t come from a non-white male. There are other points of views out there, i guess Rush, Hannity, Boortz, Savage, etc. are just telling it like it is with their opinions.
I guess the Stews having a Jewish agent, white attorney, and countless guest, who are white, is just a ruse! If nothing else i salute steak and his team for at least bringing some diversity to the airwaves. It appears that as long as the “darkies” are helping my team win on the field it’s ok, but lord forbid if they want to venture into the area that many non-black athletes venture.
Any of you remember Brian Finnerman(sp) on 680? Talk about dry and boring!
see ya salsa
August 31st, 2010
2:42 pm
I hope Tony and Wes haven’t signed those contracts yet!
Rude
August 31st, 2010
3:14 pm
OK, now that all of the employees from 680 & 790 have filled this blog, it’s time to go back to work!
Oh, and lemme give a “shout-out” to all of the former, disgruntled employees of these 2 stations for making a contribution to this blog, as well…
Sports Fanatic
August 31st, 2010
3:23 pm
As a native Georgian, I have listened to both 790 and 680 from the beginning. The best recipe for sports talk in the south is having hosts that entertain and educate the listeners, while having great chemistry with each other. This is why the majority of the posts compliment Chris/Nick and Matt/Chuck. They have the chemistry, are well prepared for their shows, and entertain daily. Every other combination on the air here is missing one or several of those components. It’s not hard to figure out, but it it is extremely hard to find it.
Steak is not playing a character here in Atlanta. He was a part owner. He could act however he wanted and did. He is just has a huge ego that rubs most people the wrong way. He definitely is not the best on-air talent and never seems prepared. He played the part of a buffoon on Imus’ show years ago. That was the act. He and Saltzman have made a great living over the years and achieved far more than any expert would have guessed. Ignoring the problems of an extremely weak signal, allowing talented hosts to leave, and a much better funded competitor making changes cost them. This ignorance combined with the horrible St. Louis investment led to their undoing. They might still believe it is only a cash flow problem sue to the economy. That would be another mistake.
Hopefully, the new owners and management will take heed to the down turn and make positive changes to restore a much needed second sports talk voice in this town. Just like having one newspaper has never been good for the sports fans in Atlanta, having one source for sports talk will prevent us from getting hard hitting sports stories and interviews of the top names in the sports we love. I remember not being able to get the baseball box scores in the morning edition of the AJC if the games were not finished by 6 pm the day before. You think that ever happened in any multi-paper city in the U.S.? No way! All the posts cheering the downfall of a second sports talk station here are from short-sided people.
I love sports and sports talk! I want the best of both for this city!
Chris
August 31st, 2010
3:39 pm
@ Sports Fanatic
I don’t think people in the greater Atlanta area are hoping for one sports radio station, they just did not like 790 the Zone and the on the air staff. Look for Steak to be let go very soon since he was not named to the many new management positions. Also, look for Mike Bell to go to another market. He is not going to wait around to be released because he makes too much money. Luckily with XM radio, and with the ability to listen to sports radio stations on the internet there are more choices.
The real question is there enough interest in the Atlanta market to support two sports radio stations. With Dickey broadcasting owning the broadcasting rights to the Hawks, Thrashers, and Braves. Then you have add the point of ESPN radio and Fox Sports radio controlled by Dickey broadcasting, it will be difficult for another ports radio station to start up.
braves win
August 31st, 2010
3:42 pm
Hey Flacker….you say the Stews aren’t racist because they have a Jewish agent and white attorney? So does every one else in the entertainment industry.
Doud Stewart is flat out racist. No doubt. I realized that when Steve nash won his first MVP and Doug couldn’t understand it. Even though all his peers and legends like Magic and Isahia praised him too.
Besides, who wants to listen to someone start and finish every sentence by saying, “man”? Give me a break, man!
Rude
August 31st, 2010
3:46 pm
Hey Rude,
Alright, Mr Smarty Pants, what makes you SO sure this whole blog was written by employees of 680 The Fan & 790?
Ben Poofter
Dear Mr Poofter,
Thanks for your inquiry, no we are not hiring at the moment. In case you’re not a former, disgruntled radio employee, understand that only “radio people” read Rodney Ho’s column. Nobody enjoys reading about radio people except radio people. Nothing inflates our senses of importance more than seeing our names in print.
That’s what makes the blogs following a Rodney Ho article so laughable. You can pick the ones that were written by Steak versus the ones written by Matt or Chuck. Obviously, Chris & Nick have a consulting firm writing for them. Regardless, all were very funny! …and for what it’s worth, I hope everybody gets to keep their jobs. Anytime there’s a change in the balance of power in radio, heads roll. Basically, we’re all good people, just a tad egocentric. Ben, I hope that answers your question?
rude
Love the zone
August 31st, 2010
4:13 pm
I hate 680 the fan, other than Chuck & Chernoff, they are old and mostly predictable. 790 has better events, and overall much better radio personalities. I do hate the number of commercials 790 has, and the fact there always the same.
680 zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Chess
August 31st, 2010
4:31 pm
Atlanta – The city that makes time to hate. This is sports talk. Bring your opinion and lunch box. Some of you guys sound like your on a Cosmopolitan magazine board. Are we not men. These guys are not journalist….journalist!! These are radio personalities. This is locker room chatter…..water cooler talk..and arm chair trash talk. You guys sound like a Dr Laura sewing club.
Are we not men.
SportsTalk Fan
August 31st, 2010
4:35 pm
Like everyone else on here, I have my own opinion of what I feel constitutes as good sports talk radio in this town. We are fortunate to have options. If 790 does go under, or if something does indeed happen, I do not think there will be many people with an issue if we are left with one sports talk station, and on that station you have : Mornings w/ the Rude Awakening, or whoever is chosen from 6-10. Nick and Chris from 10-1. Chuck and Chernoff from 1-4. Keep B and K or shake it up, for afternoon drive. Point is, if Nick & Chris had a show on the same station as Chuck and Chernoff, ratings would be through the roof.
mack daadie
August 31st, 2010
4:53 pm
ChuckNChernoff deserve morning or evening drive. But that might cause them to choke. I’m from NJ a hundred years ago, so I like Steak, Nick & Chris’ dynamic. I have a warm spot for Rude, but Laurentino makes ME choke. Leo is cool. But the one thing I cannot STAND is the smarmy nasal voice of the afternoon drive Buck Baloo! (yeah I misspelled it on purpose because he is a cartoon). He throws one pass, they win one National Championship, and he feasts on it for the rest of his life! Unreal! Try that in Jersey, Buck!
Michael
August 31st, 2010
6:13 pm
Both stations are better than Racist Radio – WSB.
Snickerz
August 31st, 2010
6:21 pm
Clark Howard’s a racist? Who Knew?
Mike
August 31st, 2010
7:54 pm
Sorry I’m missing the Young Guns tonight. I thought watching the 1st place baseball team in a playoff run against a division rival would be more entertaining.
Not trying to echo the earlier thoughts but I don’t care much for Steak.
It’s cool that Dimino “broke” the Chipper ACL story. Did it really need to be made into a commercial to declare that 790 gets everything first? I think everyone that saw a 38 year old 3B player fall to the ground while grabbing his knee had a clue it was probably bad. To run spots saying that 790 is super awesome because Dimino got a text was a bit odd and comes across as desperate. It didn’t help that the following show that’s called whatever had to have Dimino stick around.
That being said about 790, I LOVE the Thursday college football show. Please God make Wes and Tony a fixture on that station while their is still hope.
Trig
August 31st, 2010
8:42 pm
Well, I don’t work in radio so I don’t know but is it unusual for a radio station to have that many managers. Sooner or later you would assume they would have to trim the fat. I know there are large corporations that have more than 1 Vice President but I don’t know how it works at a radio station.
Seems like Steak got the short end of the stick in terms of titles. Its gonna be weird after all the years of Mike Bell and others calling him boss. Now he’s just another dude. I bet people start loving Steak all of a sudden now. LoL. That would be hilarious, but I could see it happening.
kcb
August 31st, 2010
8:52 pm
I think this is a lot worse than has come out in the press. It has been mentioned that this is an asset sales. Asset sales, as opposed to acquisition of a corporation itself, are usually done in distress deals where the buyer wants the assets but not all of the liabilities. My guess is that BLB is carrying a lot of debt that Steak et. al will have to pay back.
As far as Steak goes, he will work as long as his employment contract requires. Even if he leaves the air, he is probably going to get paid for some period of time. For those who dislike him, he will not be tossed out the door, but rather will have a graceful, planned exit.
Ultimately, control will go to Lincoln and we may see some long needed changes at 790 and hopefully hear more of DImino. Maybe they will even bring in people who like Atlanta teams and sports and will not try to tell us how great the Red Sox, Steelers, Mets etc. are.
Dan
August 31st, 2010
9:41 pm
kcb – there is a northern bias to the teams the Zone announcers love, but at least on the morning show there is no Steelers love with Nick from Cleveland in the building
790 will be broadcasting a new format with 18 months
Mikel
August 31st, 2010
10:41 pm
790 – All Peachtree-Dekalb Airport parking information. steak shapiro – used car sales, assistant manager, slidell, LA.