Lame Duck Raiders Bad Business for Entercom; 'The Game' (95.7 FM Sports); Gruden Doesn't Do Weekly Show with Damon Bruce Who Is Pretty Pissed Off; With A's Leaving, The Game Has Little Game; Wednesday Sports 415 Media Schmooze

 SPORTS RADIO is quite lucrative to the station because sports in general is huge; big business jock radio dominates the media landscape even if you're not inclined to follow sports; that said, the revenue streams that are generated make gargantuan globs of money for local and national outlets.

The Giants are healthy money makers for KNBR and Cumulus even if the team stinks; they drive the car and butter the bread; so to, the 49ers. Relationships are vital to the cog that brings in the big dough; the GM; the star players and non-star players do frequent interviews on their respective flagship station. KNBR relies on its weekly chat with Kyle Shanahan, 49ers coach; John Lynch; its GM also does the talk circuit. Teams around the league and their home stations have similar relationships. It's called business and it benefits both.

Except for the Raiders and Entercom and its stations; KCBS (all news and carrier of Raiders' football games on Sunday) and 95.7 FM (The Game)

Jon Gruden, that coach racking up the big money (at $10M a year for 10 years) doesn't do a Monday call-in show with PM drive host, Damon Bruce even though he's contractually obligated; by extension, so too the Raiders. It's to the point now that Bruce routinely rips Gruden and the Raiders about this situation --I don't know if that's good business to air your dirty laundry but I applaud Bruce for being honest because the Raiders, even in good times, are absolutely the WORST sports franchise in the world to conduct business with; Entercom and its minions are experiencing this for the first time and are both embarrassed and royally ticked off.

Beyond the obvious discomfort is the fact that the Raiders horrific act on and off the field is bad business for their broadcast partner; try to sell Raiders' football now when the team is one foot out the door in Oakland and headed to Las Vegas probably next year (playing in a college stadium when the new one will be ready, maybe, in 2020).

Damon Bruce

Gruden doesn't do any shows. The worst part is the Raiders organization doesn't care and almost flaunts its giddiness --some things will never change.

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE...

"The Game:" has a lame duck Raiders and a soon-departed Oakland A's who will leave its flagship come 2019. As Susan Slusser of the Chronicle reported the A's will be on a more franchise-friendly station --maybe KFRC if they can buy the current religious station; or snatch up some AM or FM outlet that will actually talk about the team. 95.7 FM hosts rarely talk A's baseball even when the team shined like it did this year.

Yes, frankly in good times, the A's don't generate the same traction as do the Giants but given the fact that KNBR is so embedded with the Giants that's never been surprising.

To its credit, KNBR builds its entire talk structure around the team. The A's haven't been able to garner that treatment with The Game. It's unpleasant if you're an Athletics fan but it's fact.

Then again, with the Raiders about to become extinct on their Entercom client and the A's on a different station for 2019, that leaves the Warriors as the only sports team (and a golden one) left.

Good sports-talk radio is mostly host-oriented but having teams on the domain not only brings in more money and revenue streams, but prestige too. That counts both ways. Just ask KNBR and Cumulus during the Giants' run of championships in 2010, '12, and '14.

Tony Bruno: 'Game Changer'

TONY BRUNO


*95.7 FM 'The Game' continues to struggle ...especially in the key morning drive (5-9 AM) ; despite repeated new morning shows and experiments, Entercom's FM All-Sports outlet is lagging behind its own projections.


*Enter popular and talented Tony Bruno--I've learned through the grapevine that Bruno was contacted by a key Entercom (which owns The Game) exec out of its corporate SF office making initial contact. It's not known what was discussed but put two and two together.


*Bruno already does a weekly half-hour spot with Damon Bruce. It's funny, smart, edgy, and often controversial --in a good way. It's one of the most compelling thirty minutes of content in local radio.


*Bruno, out of Philadelphia, is a very special, ultra-talented personality but who is deemed difficult to work for. Often times, good people fit that description --Bruno is not alone. But he would need to change his professional MO otherwise he'll forever be stuck here.


*The Game has a new PD--his first project is well-known in local broadcast circles: Get rid of these guys. Because they're a disaster. Enter Bruno. Maybe.


*Game Changer: Again, Bruno comes with baggage but a "Bruno In The Morning" would rearrange the ratings deck for 95.7 FM. Bruno is expensive too (try about $300K a year and 3 years guaranteed --just for an example) but good people are expensive.


*Bruno loves the Bay Area and would probably JUMP at a chance to host his very own show but there is one significant problem (among a few others): Bruno's mother is 91 and lives in Philly. Bruno is thought to be against moving to another city while his mother lives out her sunset years.  Then again, that's why you talk and negotiate--anything is possible.


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Damon Bruce Called Dwight Howard A Little Bitch On SF Sports-Talk Radio Thursday (Audio)

 Ya'll know Damon Bruce, right?


Bruce likes to stir a lot of shit up on SF FM Sports-Talk and does a good job, at least most of the time. It's invigorating radio and it works.


Well, not always. But we digress.


Bruce was at it again on Thursday afternoon and he didn't mince words, calling Houston Rockets center, Dwight Howard, a bitch. Not once, but multiple times. (AUDIO here at 1: 28)


Bruce was out castigating Howard because Howard said after Wednesday night's game "I'm still a 'champion." Huh?

I agree with Bruce --I just might have used a better adjective. Putz? Uh, supreme schmuck come to mind, but that's just my opinion.


 




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Damon Bruce at 95.7 The Game: Smart Sports-Talk Radio; Perfect Posty Tomsula; Pete Liebengood On Radnich; Radnich on Vicky Nyugen; KTVU; KQED Nuggets; Friday Rundown

 FRIDAY FIRST TAKES

When he's on, like he was after the silly 49ers press conference introducing new coach, Jim Tomsula, The Game's (95.7, FM), PM talker, Damon Bruce, can be rather spectacular. Can be.

Those of you that watched that rather unintentionally funny bizarro had the same thoughts I do: God, am I hearing what I'm hearing?

I listened to the presser, (or maybe depresser) on the all-sports station and immediately after, Bruce was pitch-perfect in his assessment. (Here's an audio link--give a listen) He ridiculed Tomsula like most of us. He also mocked the proceedings with near eloquence like a champion race-car driver. Better yet, Bruce, with an assist from an astute caller, did a hilarious impression of the NFL's domestic violence commercials with deep and heavy breaths --just like the actors on the screen. It was both entertaining and incredibly funny, and even more to the point, brilliant because it was completely spontaneous --no silly sound effects nor song parodies needed. (By the way, in case you're wondering, NO, Bruce didn't parody domestic violence).

Bruce is by no means everyone's cup of coffee, including me; he's an acquired taste --matter of fact, there's times where he becomes obsessed with telling all of you just how great he is, which is fine only that Bruce comes off as narcissistic and annoying. Sure, you have to have an ego because that's the center of gravity in the sports-talk business, all media members for that matter but there's also a fine art of keeping it on the inside. If that's Bruce's only negative issues, I can deal with that.

He's a breath of fresh air in a market that could use some. He sometimes wanders off into foreign territory and gets into trouble but that's a small price. He certainly learned a lesson. He's also helped immeasurably by a very nifty update woman, Gianna Suter-Franco, who's smart and compliments both Bruce and the show in general. Smart radio is good radio. It doesn't dumb down its audience nor does it coddle the stupid business that has become an unfortunate staple of sports-talk radio.

Bruce is a welcome respite from the usual suspects --he doesn't mince his words. I was delighted to listen to his show on Thursday and make it a habit of listening when I'm in the car. You should too.


ITEMS...ITEMS...ITEMS


*He said that: Pete Liebengood, who used to work with Gary Radnich at KRON checks into 415 Media with a potent quotable: On Radnich: "I'd never want to share a foxhole with him."


*It bears repeating: The rank and file at KQED is major irritated that almost every manager makes about $200,000.


*A constant: dead air on KSFO --especially in the late night and early morning. Maybe it's a sign from God.


*Allen Martin on KPIX: still not taking Liz Cook too seriously. Funny, I feel the same about Veronica De La Cruz.


*I get asked --a lot: "Why do you write about KGO Radio so much?" Respect for the once-mighty call letters. Which is a far different view from some of the miscreants who work at that place now--some of whom should know better.


*Sure, the Giants are the toast of the town but it's the 49ers that rule the airwaves. Just listen to the commotion post-Harbaugh. Yeah, I know the Giants still play in SF and the Niners play in Santa Clara, but that's all anyone is talking about.


*From a sage social 415 Media observer: If Willie Brown were mayor of SF, the 49ers would have never moved to the South Bay.


*The reason why KNBR's ratings tanked last month is the increasing migration of their listeners to turn the dial while they run a THOUSAND hours worth of commercials.


*Azenith Smith, a reporter at KTVU, has improved dramatically to the point where I not only like her work, I look forward to it. I would not have said that a few months ago.


*Dennis Richmond was universally detested at Jack London Square to a point where most of the staff avoided him.


*Gary Radnich said this the other day on Knibber: "Vicky Nyugen looks like a person that was terrorized in a prison for eight years without food."


*Those of you that will say I'm kissing Damon Bruce's tuchas should ask Damon himself about some of the things I've said about him---to his face.


*Kate Kelly is supposedly splitting from PIX although her on-air presence has been noticeably eradicated of late anyway. Kelly: at one time a spitting image of Princess Grace.


*The Mrs. Doubtfire house on Broadway and Steiner: did we really need 5000 live shots on that matchbox of a "fire." Slow news day ...again.


*If "The Game" had smart radio on in the morning, it would be near perfect. And yes, it's a helluva lot better than KNBR. But that's like saying a corned-beef sandwich at Tommy's Joynt beats Denny's.
As I said last month, KRON's Jacqueline Bennett is leaving --last day is Jan. 28.


*Underrated weatherguy: Paul Deanno at PIX.


*Overrated: Bill Martin at KTVU. Although it's not Martin's fault that they have more teases at Channel 2 than a Broadway strip club.


*The Tom Vacar, John Fowler, and Rob Roth watch at 2: still working but the suits wants all of them to depart the premises sooner rather than later.

*I'm glad the Chronicle hired a woman, Audrey Cooper, editor-in-chief. Now if only she can fix that crappy website, SFGate. What a complete disaster.


*Speaking of fixing: If Kevin O'Brien were to go to KRON --and that's a pipe dream --he could make KRON worthwhile again.


*Way overrated: Heather Holmes. Please, I don't get it. And that part too.


*If less than 1 percent of you were paid subscribers of this 415 Media I could sleep at night. (Psst, 9 bucks for a YEAR!--Or two Starbucks for God's sake.)


*Stan, I tried, I really tried. (And just like that, he's gone!)


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TGIF

Lee Hammer Temporarily Running KGO Radio; Damon Bruce and Gianna Suter-Franco Super 1-2 Punch At The Game; KQED Radio Power Trip; Thursday Breakfast Liners

 THURSDAY BREAKFAST LINERS

*KGO Radio is being temporarily run by KNBR top suit, Lee Hammer.

*The Game's, (All-Sports-95.7 FM ) PM talker, Damon Bruce and his news update woman and occasional sidekick, Gianna Suter-Franco, were a phenomenal 1-2 punch on the sports-talk radio scene on Wednesday. Topic one, of course, was the Raiders/49ers announcement of new coaches and if you listened, it was the very best and smartest act from the duo, including some of the funniest and more pointed phone calls from the lunatic fringe, the callers. Hail to the "Butcher Boy". (More on all of this in a later column).

*NBC Bay Area, (KNTV) Will Adams--a good guy in a tough business that doesn't get enough credit and should be acknowledged here--thus, he has.

*Mounting siege mentality at KQED Radio --between one of the hosts and a few people behind the glass. Sounds to me like a power trip run amok.

*If that local station that might be pursuing the local TV sports anchor really wants him, add a few zeros to the contract and you'll get him. Make that more than the usual.

*Speaking of KNTV, a big congrats to Laura Garcia-Cannon, morning news, for her 15th anniversary. Another classy dame is getting even better at NBC San Jose.

*Jason Barrett, PD at 'The Game': When the content and show is good, like Bruce's, then I'll say it so. You did good in PM Drive. So there.

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Damon Bruce Interviews New Oakland Mayor-Elect, Libby Schaaf On 95.7 The Game; Candid One-On-One; Refreshing Back And Forth On A's/Raiders Future (Audio)

 I was listening to Damon Bruce interview new Oakland Mayor-Elect, Libby Schaaf on All-Sports, 95. 7 FM, The Game.

It was a very spot-on interview both by Bruce and the more-than-candid Schaaf who didn't sound like the typical rah-rah politician.

The subject matter was Oakland and its commitment, or lack thereof, in keeping the A's and Raiders in town.

As Bruce noted during and after the interview, the new mayor-elect has a lot more important matters on her plate than trying to woo billionaires to maintain residence in a city that has a multitude of problems but also lots of buzz too. She was sincere, or at least she sounded sincere. Perception is the key. It was refreshing and so was the banter between Madam Mayor and Bruce. Certainly better than another soon-to-be, ex-mayor who didn't sound too good.

When he's on his game, Bruce offers up a plethora of all that's right on the Game. I've often said he's a pretty damn-good interviewer too--too bad we don't get more of this on the station but in time maybe we will.

This type of adult-sports programming wouldn't happen on rival KNBR; they're more into trivial pursuit and making sure their clients are happy. But 95.7 provides a welcome relief from the relative minutiae from 680 and Bruce's interview on Wednesday afternoon with Libby Schaaf was more than welcome.

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Separated at Birth: Seth Rogen and Damon Bruce

Seth Rogen

(Legends)

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Damon Bruce is Already Ranting and Raving and Screaming and Yelling But Not About Women

(95.7 The Game)

Glaser and ND Watkowski Weren't Chummy; Overworked/Exposed Cook May Have Been Impetus Behind De La Cruz KPIX Hire; Damon Bruce scores Guest Coup over KNBR's Tolbert; Thursday News and Notes

  So, from a number of KGO-TV staffers, Leigh Glaser, who's set to leave this Sunday after 23 years at 900 Front, wasn't a big fan of News Director, Tracey Watkowski... Supposedly, Watkowski is a control freak. That wasn't what accelerated Glaser's decision to leave; she was ready to split and wanted to be with her family.

On the other hand, the polarizing Watkowski, who's been monitoring weekend newscasts with a mounting urgency, was known to call into the assignment desks and producer's box and make a lot of rash inquiries, including talent. Watkowski wasn't going after Glaser directly but some of her busy bees may have passed on some notes. Weekend newscasts, particularly Sunday nights, generate some of the highest viewer numbers in the Bay Area and Channel 7 in particular. The good news for Watkowski is that given KGO's fairly solid numbers her status is safe but some veterans aren't thrilled with her mercurial style. Factoid: Glaser's sudden decision to leave was announced to the staff via an e-mail by Watkowski. Draw your own conclusion.

*Veronica De La Cruz is set to join KPIX in May and will work the 6 and 10 News. We told you that and made an inference about what may have led management to look for a "prominent hire." Turns out, according to my spies at PIX, Elizabeth Cook, who was almost the face of the operation working the 5, 6, and 11 newscast, seemed to be burning out. Cook is a capable news reader and proverbial "cutesy female anchor look" but PIX's early-evening numbers have been steadily down and just recently they have been getting killed by KGO. The De La Cruz hire is the first major move by PIX upper management. She came to the city via MSNBC and will work alongside Ken Bastida.

NEWS, NOTES, and COMMENTS: Score round one of the guest wars between KNBR and 95.7 FM, "The Game" to Damon Bruce. Bruce, who began his new show on Monday, had highlighted his first guest, retiring Cal basketball coach, Mike Montgomery. Only problem was KNBR's PM driver, Tom Tolbert, had also told listeners "we're trying to get in touch with 'Mike Montgomery...turns out Montgomery did his scheduled 10 minutes with Bruce and about 30 minutes later, went on the air with Tolbert. Kudos to Bruce and The Game which seems to be attracting the better guests and scored another coup by nailing down Giants MGR, Bruce Bochy on its morning show a few days earlier. The latter was especially embarrassing for KNBR considering Bochy was on the A's flagship station. Probably helped that one of the Game's AM drivers is ex-Giant, Aubrey Huff...A note about Bruce: only heard bits and pieces of his first show and while I've had my ups and downs with the new Game PM host, he's at least a breath of fresh air and more than an alternative to commercial spot-heavy, KNBR with 800 hours of commercials, traffic and sports updates. While KNBR's Tom Tolbert has the advantage of Giants/Warriors lead-ins and a better signal and 50K-watts, Bruce's edgy repertoire will sway a few listeners over to FM...Freaky situation over at legendary leftie airwave Berkeley's KPFA where a bigwig was fired only she locked herself into the back office and blocked the door and has the support of many of her staffers...

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Exclusive: The Game Wanted KNBR's Larry Krueger to Team with Damon Bruce; Inside Story

 During their negotiations to bring Damon Bruce over to  3-7 PM, Entercom's 95.7 The Game courted KNBR personality, Larry Krueger to work as a two-man team with Bruce, according to several broadcast sources close to the story.


Kruger was interested enough to weigh the offer seriously and Bruce, who normally doesn't like being a part of a "team set-up" was OK with the arrangement.




But Krueger balked, according to a source, over the specifics of the contract, and continues on as the co-host of the popular "Gary, (Radnich) and Larry Show" on KNBR from 9-Noon.


At that point, The Game finalized their deal with Bruce who, according to my sources, got a four-year contract worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $200-250K a year. Only the first year is guaranteed.


Bruce begins at The Game from 3-7 PM beginning March 31st.


*Rich Lieberman 415 Media Exclusive


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Damon Bruce/Gary Radnich Secret War at KNBR; 'They Both Couldn't Stand Each Other'; Nearly Came to Blows inside Cumulus Building

 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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