Gary Radnich is a quietly giddy man this Wednesday as the leading protagonist with Damon Bruce, his now ex-adversary at KNBR, where Bruce has now left and about to work the afternoon drive at 95.7 FM The Game.Both Radnich and Bruce couldn't stand one another and at one point nearly came to blows in the Cumulus elevator one day after Radnich ripped into the younger Indiana Hoosier in a newspaper article.
Bruce's departure to rival The Game was not centrally directly to his wrath with Radnich but set in motion and may have accelerated his move out of the KNBR 1050 Siberia into The Game.
Bruce openly ripped Radnich on the air on several occasions and mocked his frequent non-sports interest. In short, the two couldn't stand each other. The war was most evident during and immediately after both men were paired into a team in August of 2011 on 680. The show suffered from the start with no chemistry whatsoever and turned into a disaster when it was abruptly cancelled. Radnich took an immediate two-week "vacation" and according to several station sources, offered a mild ultimatum to management: It's either me or Bruce.
At that point, Larry Krueger was reunited with KNBR; re-hired to work with Radnich from 9-Noon and Bruce was given his own show to KNBR's secondary outlet, "KNBR 1050 AM", in the middle of the dial with a considerably weaker signal and virtually no promotion from the station. In other words, radio Death Valley. Although Bruce's show picked up a loyal listener base and delivered respectable ratings he was never able to gain any traction into the 680 fortress and Radnich's presence played a part in that dynamic and was chief among Bruce's desire to seek work elsewhere.
Radnich was not the only individual figure Bruce didn't get along with; in fact, I was told by a current KNBR staffer who once worked with Bruce that he had virtually no friends at KNBR. "Nobody liked working with him; producers, interns, staff people, salespeople--he was very difficult. Everybody hated him." This matter probably probably was in the forefront.
When news of the Bruce move to The Game broke late Tuesday morning both Radnich and Krueger didn't mention the transaction, (naturally), but I'm told, privately, Radnich was elated. And to be fair, I'm guessing Bruce was feeling much the same.
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Damon does not work well with others, that's just who he is. Anybody who goes to war against Radnich, good luck.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a big Bruce fan but seriously... no one gives a shit about Radnich anymore...CSN Bay Area ran his fat ass of the air...he's a clown....the Giants didn't want him anywhere near AT&T Park. ...Radnich has been done for so long it's laughable.
DeleteDamon "Turd In The Punchbowl" Bruce.
ReplyDelete"no friends" in any workplace is a slow death march. You see it in the corporate world all the time. Carly Fiorina is a good example when she ran HP. It doesn't matter how good you are, how talented you are or what kind of numbers you generate. Eventually, the inertia generated from hate and resentment will cost you your job. The radio business is no different from any other business.
ReplyDeleteIt was reported that Fiorina, the wannabe political pundit and politician, tried to bully the Los Altos Hills City Council a few years ago. Her "do you know who I am" act didn't go very far in that town!
DeleteI won't miss smart-ass Dibley, but will miss Kreidler's insight.
ReplyDeleteAnd Bruce for Towney & Bucher sucks.
But the alternatives on KNBR (except for maybe Ratto) are worse.
Agree, agree, agree. Kreidler was good, and Bruce needs a little humility. The only good radio on KNBR is with Ratto, Marty Lurie, and Ted Robinson.
DeleteGary Radnich is an insecure, pompous ass who is threatened by anyone who he feels is moving in on his territory. He takes constant low blow, cheap shots at anyone he works with, but if he's called on it he'll say something inane such as: "Oh, hey, you shouldn't take it so seriously, I was only kidding!" Yeah right Gar! He hated Damon Bruce, and another guy he really hated when he was at KNBR briefly was Scott Ferrell. In short, Radnich hates anyone who is perceived to be a threat. That's a sign of someone who is very insecure and not at all sure of himself. Unfortunately in many major cities, there are other 'sportscasters' such as Radnich, who remain popular even though they care little about sports. Radnich's wise-guy Don Rickles act wore thin years ago, and it's very clear the guy has been coasting and stealing paychecks for quite a while. But as bad as Radnich may be, Bruce is nothing but a loud-mouth know-it-all who thinks his own farts don't smell. Good luck getting any listeners at 'The Game' Damon! That place is a funeral with very few listeners ever checking in.
ReplyDelete"Radnich's wise-guy Don Rickles act wore thin years ago, and it's very clear the guy has been coasting and stealing paychecks for quite a while."
DeleteJust wondering why KNBR continues to pay Radnich big bucks if his act wore thin years ago. It's not like Cumulus is a philanthropic organization.
Maybe Radnich is insecure, who cares? Lieberman just wrote that Radnich is the biggest media personality in the bay area. Those of us who dislike Radnich are free to avoid him. I'm tired of reading the same complaints over and over and over again.
I get it, some people, a few people, really dislike Radnich. Fine, enough already.
More than a few. That guy will be finished here in a few years. He's a tired old man.
DeleteHe's a tired old man?
DeleteSo, why does KNBR continues to pay him big bucks? Just because Cumulus is so generous?
If there was someone fresh out there that they wanted at that slot, he would be gone. Ratings are solid, his act is tired. First moment of slippage, it's the gold watch.
DeleteBruce & Ferrell a threat to Radnich, I hardly think so. The genius that thought pairing Bruce with Radnich would be compelling radio should be working at McDonald's. Ferrell's act belongs on nights or overnights. Bruce better save some of that guaranteed money, he's going to need it. Radnich does not have to look over his shoulder. Once again, if you do not like what you are hearing or seeing, you're in charge, change the station or turn it off.
DeleteSo there's no one else KNBR wants and his ratings are solid. Guess KNBR and the listeners who tune in just don't agree with you.
DeletePeople are robots. They have no brains. That's why they listen to Radnich and value every word he says. People have no clue and some of the posts here reflect this lack of mental aptitude. Radnich is getting paid based on his reputation, which tumbled down the hill along with Ronn Lowenstein's (you know him as Owens) not too long ago. However, the Bay Area sports fan doesn't care. This is the worst sports media market in the nation. There's no objectivity. KNBR is nothing but a vehicle to PROMOTE the Giants, tolerate the 49ers and Warriors, give scant attention to Stanford and Cal athletics and not give a shit about the Sharks, Raiders and Athletics. Comcast is nothing but a vehicle to PROMOTE everyone. The key word is PROMOTE. The Chronicle's baseball writers (Shrillman and Shea, not Slusser) are the same way.
DeleteWell apparently anon@4:42 is much smarter than the rest of us and an anti-Semite to boot.
DeleteReally, if you are so much smarter than the rest of us robots in the Bay Area media market, why waste your time commenting here.
@4:42 just described every Democratic voter.
DeleteAm I the only one who likes both Radnich and Bruce? Radnich provides the mature, seasoned fan conversation, while Bruce provides the more fanatical east-coast style banter. Radnich is a home body, Bay Area guy, who has not seen much of the world (unless you count his college days and short stint in Columbus). Bruce provides the broader perspective on things, having worked in other markets. Bruce does his homework, is intelligent, and can engage in thoughtful dialogue. Radnich doesn't bother with the details, but instead relies on his history in the business and experience to provided a different perspective. Net-net, I like both, and think they're the best two sports radio hosts we have (although, I would have put Ralph ahead of both, by-the-way).
ReplyDeleteRich - I don't think this below is accurate?
ReplyDelete"At that point, Larry Krueger was reunited with KNBR; re-hired to work with Radnich from 9-Noon and Bruce was given his own show to KNBR's secondary outlet, "KNBR 1050"
Bruce was ALREADY at 1050 and left to go to 680 and then WENT BACK to 1050.
No?
To clarify, Damon had already been on 1050. His return to KNBR BFE in his second stint was a three hour show. He previously had been on 12-4.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad all the comments here point out Damon's tremendous ego. He reminds me of the Hindenberg and we all know what happened to that blimp...LOL.
ReplyDeleteDamon Bruce is the clearly the best local sport show host in the Bay Area. It may be a low bar, but he has the smartest & most entertaining local show.
ReplyDeleteword
DeleteGary is the only person who puts sports in its perspective. After a loss a player might be dissapointed, after a bad season, a play might be dissappointed,,,,,but still goes home to a large bank account, gated community, beautiful wife,live in anny, condo in Hawaii...while the fans making minimum wage agonize over the season and call sports radio as if its the most important thing in the world for them.
DeleteRemember King James addressed his detrators once after the playoffs...saying that they go back to their miserable lives after booing him....and he goes back to his rich lifetstyle. But what is also true is that the people who cheer him also go back to their miserable lives...while he goes back to his rich lifestyle. Lebron said it all....which is why when Gary puts the importance of wins and losses in its place for the common man.....its refreshing
Both Radnich and Bruce are really polarizing. I remember talking to a tow truck driver in the city a couple years ago who was towing my car who hated KNBR but liked Bruce because he wasn't a homer. The tow truck driver was not a Bay Area native. Tolbert and Ratto are the only non homers in the KNBR bunch as far as regular hosts. That means they don't not talk about the local teams because that's what listeners want to talk about and their employers are the Giants', Niners' and Warriors' flagship and they're smart enough to not piss off their bosses. I hate Bruce, by the way.
ReplyDeleteNobody will miss Douche Bruce from KNBR. Nobody listens to that other station either so it's a win win. Bye Byeeee
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised to hear that D. Bruce had no work friends at work. I would also expect once things settle down at 95.7 and after several months of 0.9 ratings, that he opens his flaphole again on his masochistic views as a last ditch effort for some publicity.
ReplyDeleteI don't know it makes any difference that Bruce moved to Radnich..1050 was worse and more revenge right there...like banishment.
ReplyDeleteMy opinion is that the both of them have opinions that are more often wrong then right,and neither EVER learns a thing.
"My opinion is that the both of them have opinions that are more often wrong then right,and neither EVER learns a thing."
DeleteComing from Stan, that's funny. Tell us again about who Noelle Walker was married to.
Rich, your focus on Bruce/Radnich just gave me a great idea for a Radio Program...
ReplyDeleteImagine if we had a Republican and Democrat on the same radio program. Similar to CrossFire on CNN.
How about Pat Thurston vs Barbara Simpson?
I agree, Damon is the best local show and he tips out at about a 7/10. The bar is so low it's crazy. When the Niners and Giants stink then the entire Cumulus-SF cluster will truly fall apart.
ReplyDeleteWhy are you even talking about these idiots? They are unworthy of radio, but the industry has fallen into disrepute in recent years, hiring screamers and know-it-alls like Bruce, and faux comedians like Raddy the fatty. (Or is Fitzie the fatty?)
ReplyDeleteDamon is the best sports talker in the Bay, with Krueger next, and then Ray Woodson. The rest are just blather. Bruce and Krueger have the cojones to actually badmouth Giants management, where nobody else does. Woodson actually has an intelligent show, the guy focuses on analysis, not put downs. Bruce and Krueger were really good in their short stint on the Niner pre-game show. Krueger probably figures he can wait out Radnich through the end of Raddy's current contract, then KNBR will say siyonara to Raddy and his big salary. The on-air conflict of Raddy with 4X an hour Kate Scott varies between hilarious and really strange. As far as bringing back Ralph to an occasional stint somewhere -- no, please no, not that...
ReplyDeleteDamon nearly came to blows with more than one employee at KNBR. Damon Bruce is a bully who when confronted cowers. Much like his "hero" Bob Knight.
ReplyDeleteFYI: Larry Krueger cannot stand Damon Bruce....
Damon is generally not liked by ANYONE at KNBR, especially PD Lee Hammer, with whom Damon was constantly clashing and then bad mouthing behind the scenes. Hammer is glad to be rid of the bloviating loud mouth, and it will be interesting to see if he gives any kind of 'bump' to the 'Game.' I doubt it, even though their PD Jason Barrett has been raving about the moves his station has made. Frankly, it doesn't matter who is on the air at 'the Game.' Outside of a few lonely Raider and A's fans, very few people even know the station exists. Their signal is too weak and they have yet to make any kind of dent in KNBR's ratings in their three years on the air. I'm sure Radnich is laughing to himself that Damon thinks he's going to a better place, having left KNBR's 'Siberia,' (15050 am) to go to a station that is even more obscure.
ReplyDeleteGary would have put Damon in the hospital. Not that Gary is a tough guy. but Bruce is a pussy.
ReplyDeleteI like that Radnich has no control on his own ego. Its a sure thing that if you criticize him about something..he reacts by doing more of it. NEVER fails. Now,the jerk talk of late is Kruegers privileged life and connections. Also,Like with the weekend Weather man on KRON?, Radnich thinks it validates him to say he's now in those circles...WITHOUT saying it.
ReplyDeleteThe Bentley, the groping other woman and telling his wife live on TV who's boss ..What'eva you say...his vain ego is too do it more. 415 and my blog he pours over.
He's now mining Kreuger for more of what I'm sure Kreuger will regret. Its important to Radnich. What he owns defines him. Even what his friends own. And he's as predictable as dirt.
Stan complaining about Radnich. That's fresh!
ReplyDeleteYears ago The Game was known as "KKHI" - it was a classical music station. It had a poor signal - it always has had a poor signal. That's why it was a classical music station. Stations with bad signals generally air specialty formats because those interested the format (Jazz, Classical) will do whatever's necessary to hear the station. And usually, they don't have much in the way of competition. The Game is trying to execute a mass appeal format on a specialty format signal. Can't work.
ReplyDeleteFor the people who agonize over each game, Radnich is the devil. For the people who work as a cashier at HomeDepot for 8 hours and then comes home and calls talk radio to tell the host that in their knowledgeable opinion....Mark Jacksin needs to have the warriors run more pick-and-rolls,,,,,Radnich is poison to those people.
DeleteMeanwhile Radnich keeps it real, tells everyone not to have so much angst over a group of people who care nothing about them. A group of people that will bolt to another team for a couple extra dollars. A group of people who win or lose lead a blessed life financially and care nothing about you.
That kind of talk is "idiotic" to some..
For people who dont have a life and hunger to live vicariously through the accomplishments of others......Radnich is not for you....because Radnich comes right out and says it....if you had a happy life, with a great wife and kids, and close friends and neighbors, and have a job ..you are living the american dream and probably dont need to agonize over the minutia of each and every sports play. And if you are missing out of those things in life there are plenty of other shows that will pick apart every play for you and show you more sympathy for your anger.