Saturday, June 22, 2013

So, What's Going On?

You're asking ME?

We've had some fun the past couple of days.  The whole thing is wearing Your Plainsman out.

But I'm always ready to speculate.

Those of you who have followed this site for awhile have surmised that in my job I encounter internal business decisional processes.  I've never encountered one quite like the one facing Cumulus right now, but it seems to me that if Richie Whitt's suggestions are accurate, we might have some notion of what is happening this weekend.

First, we may surmise that what is going on is governed in large degree by their current contracts.  I don't recall seeing anywhere that their contracts are in fact expiring, and what's happening now does not necessarily suggest that they are.  It is not impossible that their current agreements allow them to receive offers from other stations during the term of that agreement which Cumulus would have the opportunity to match, although that would be unusual.  More than likely, Cumulus has that right if Bob and Dan wish to go elsewhere at the end of the contract term.

[PS:  I have a specific reason for wondering about whether Bob and Dan's contracts are at an end, and that is the six-month noncompete we're hearing about.  It is not impossible that there is a noncompete that would take effect at the end of a mere contract expiration/nonrenwal, but those are of questionable validity unless very carefully drafted and supported by specific types of consideration -- Texas law is notoriously unclear on this subject.   A noncompete would have more teeth in the event Bob and Dan quit in the middle of a contract term.  And frankly, since parties frequently don't like to think real hard about the end of a relationship when a contract is being negotiated, a lot of times separation provisions tend to be somewhat general and vague.]

What does this mean?  What's happening?

Well, first thing is, Bob and Dan must take some kind of written offer back to Cumulus so they will know what they need to match.  Which means that CBS has to have made them a written offer.

So they take it back to Cumulus and say, here ya go.

What are Cumulus's rights at this point?

Of course, I don't know what their contract provides, but I think it is unlikely that even if Cumulus matches, Bob and Dan would be required to stay at The Ticket.   No employer wants high-profile employees to stay if they're itching to go, even on the identical terms offered by the competitor.  The employees have indicated their desire to go, and the employer feels held up.  Bad scene.   Personal services are not like other types of contract, where requiring a party to continue with a contract if terms were matched would not create the same kind of internal discomfort (renewing an exclusive product supply contract, for example.)   So if they're gonna stay, it's gonna have to be on terms where they're real damned happy and The Ticket is achieving some other strategic objective -- smiles all around.

The flip side of this is that Bob and Dan are not required to take the CBS offer, even if Cumulus does not mirror the terms of the CBS offer.  The CBS "offer" is only that -- an offer.  CBS cannot unilaterally create a contract (unless Bob and Dan have independently promised to go to CBS if Cumulus doesn't mirror the offer, which would not be prudent for reasons I'll get to in a minute.)   My suspicion is that rather than an "option" to get Bob and Dan to say by matching, this is more like what parties sometimes call a "right of negotiation," an opportunity to get a gander at a competing offer and then the ability to negotiate terms that would persuade Bob and Dan to stay voluntarily.

Another reason for thinking that this is not a lock-step procedure is that personal services agreements are frequently not just dollars and cents.  There may be incentives and promises that the current employer couldn't possibly meet because it doesn't have the same setup as the competitor.  So I'm thinking this is more like "if you've got an offer to go somewhere else, you've got to bring to us and give  us a chance to persuade you to stay with a new deal you'd like."  This is not an unfavorable thing for Bob and Dan, because it means that the competitor is going to have to come up with one helluvan offer to discourage the employer from trying to keep the employees.

If I'm right that it's not a strict "option" type of renewal clause, it is a good thing for people wanting Bob and Dan to stay (including me), because it gives Cumulus the flexibility to put together a package for Bob and Dan that include incentives other than, or in addition to, the ones offered by CBS.  Maybe even less money, but other goodies that Bob and Dan would find attractive.  This is why Bob and Dan should not have made any side deal with CBS to accept the offer if Cumulus doesn't mirror.

So that's what's happening this weekend, if Cumulus hasn't already punted.  Lots and lots of lawyers, plus agents for Bob and Dan.  There might even be a bidding war going on.

What might an appealing BaD package include?

Confessors have speculated that Bob and Dan might be promised PM drive, which would almost require some kind of promise that Mike would be retiring at the end of his current term (late 2014 -- speculation) -- or perhaps well before; after the 20th anniversary?  (Did someone say they heard Danny or someone say "RIP Corby" or the like?)   This would be possible in the scenario I suggest.  It also would require Mike's participation in this whole scene.  And his willingness to consider something like this may have been the inspiration for Dan's sudden sentimentality in addressing his "leader," the not-all-that-Old Grey Wolf.

So:  I'm thinking this is not strictly a "Cumulus has the opportunity to match" scenario.  It's probably more like "Cumulus has the right to see CBS's written offer and try to make a deal."

But  .  .  .  incredible as it may seem, I could be wrong.  But unless Cumulus has already said adios, this is probably one sizzling weekend in the inner sanctum of the CTO and various lawyers, agents, HR types, and, of course, the very talented gentlemen under discussion.

I'm not seeing anything online suggesting that this game is over.  So at present, I'm not getting too excited about wondering who will do middays.

Let's hope the CTO deal CBS yet another disappointment.

*     *     *

ThePlainsman1310@gmail.com
@Plainsman1310


69 comments:

  1. Bob tweeted this cryptic message less than an hour ago: "@SportsSturm: Thank you for caring about this unfortunate situation. There is no point in commenting as it develops. There will be time for that I'm sure."

    Hmm.

    ReplyDelete
  2. in bad radio speak, I follow a team, not a player, and if the players (bob and dan) leave, cant say ill follow, im a ticket guy. I love them, but if competing with the hardline, im staying home at the ticket

    ReplyDelete
  3. @scotts merkin

    That is a ridiculous line of thinking. So, you refuse to listen to anything other than the Ticket regardless of what they put out? How about just listen to the shows you like whether they are on the Ticket, The Fan or ESPN.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. so u are not a fan of a team? you just arbitrarily choose to follow the best player to every team in each sport witj no allegiance? ive been in dallas 20 yrs, but im chiefs till I die, I dont care if my favorite chief left for the cowboys

      Delete
  4. Lads there is one word to describe and sum this up. LEVERAGE. Cumulus is the black man, the Pi1s are the white BITCH in this situation.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Agree, 11:19. The Ticket isn't some mom and pop shop anymore, it's a giant corporate entity just like all the other stations. You hear Mike and the others complain about it all the time. I'm with BaD no matter where they end up because IMO they're the best show out there.

    ReplyDelete
  6. re: bob's tweet. is it just me or would cbs, if they end up with the winning bid, not going to be too happy to hear bob referring to them leaving the ticket for the fan as an "unfortunate situation"

    that tweet makes me think that they wanted to stay at the ticket and something fell through and they weren't anticipating cumulus punting and this is not a money grab move. if i were cbs i would feel like a prom night dumpster baby after that bob tweet.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ben and Skin's non-compete with ESPN was 60 days, fwtw

    ReplyDelete
  8. I suspect that what Bob considers "unfortunate" is this being leaked and playing out in public

    ReplyDelete
  9. Just listened to Friday's WTDS, Bob lets slip that "the new establishment" has a Kip Winger theme. It sounds like a done deal. I just hope that they don't bring in Substitute Teacher Radigan for any period of time. His stints during Dry Dock are an instant channel switch for me.

    Jake is ready for prime time, but I'm not sure the chemistry with Sean makes for compelling radio.

    ReplyDelete
  10. They were talking about Danny during the Kip Winger thing. Bob was referring to "the new establishment" as Danny's new bar as having a Kip Winger theme. Go back and listen and it will make more sense.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Bob and Dan should stay on the Ticket teat at middays. They aren't good enough to make me not listen to the misers, or Hardline, or Stern, or any number of podcasts. BaD radio is the last of last resorts for me. As for when Rhyner retires, the Hardline should be Corby, Danny, and Jake. Oh and Donovan is useless dead weight.

    ReplyDelete
  12. @corbydavidson: Leave me alone, Wimbledon starts in a day. And yes I'm aware if the impending situation, and no I'm not talking. But I love everyone. -11:37pm

    ReplyDelete
  13. This Confessor is seriously concerned Lew Dickey is going full Mark Davis on the little Ticket, and BaD Radio is the first victim. Our beloved station has been the outlier in the the corporate machine that is Cumulus, and only its ratings and income have saved it thus far. My guess is the suits in the ATL have finally had enough. Mark Davis was #1 in his midday slot when they let him go... And it put KSKY on the map when they picked up "the gift wrapped package laying on their doorstep." CBS has been far more aggressniff to lure away Ticket talent... And my guess this "unfortunate" event as Bob is calling it is a combo platter of CBS playing hardball at a time they know Cumulus wont mind saving $$ and breaking up the one station they haven't fully been able to control.

    A sad day all around...

    ReplyDelete
  14. Not that this matters that much, but just curious....

    Spittle is being given a lot of credit for negotiating the deal. I'm curious how involved a PD is in contract discussions.

    I always pictured program directors as more like a manager in baseball. It's the GM that negotiates the contracts.

    ReplyDelete
  15. @scotts merkin

    I don't think most radio listeners "follow the team". They follow the format, or follow the talent. If BaD go 10-2, then I'll likely switch over to them for my noontime listening. If they move to one of the drive-time slots, I'll have a harder decision.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I don't see anything wrong with brand loyalty.

    There is better cereal out there and there is better beer out there, but I like what I like and see no reason to change.

    I was big fan of Greg Williams and wanted him to succeed (how'd that work out for me?) but I listened to RAGE under two circumstances - when the Hardline went into a commercial block and when Corby talked about tennis or golf.

    Depending on what the Ticket threw out there, I would probably give Bob and Dan a listen in middays. But in a head to head contest with the Hardline, the same rules would apply.

    No point in giving Bob and Dan "a chance" - I already know what they've got.

    Hopefully, this all gets worked out and things go back to normal Monday.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Corby Davidson just made an in studio cameo appearance on the Shake Joint. Weird occurrence on a Sunday morning. He said he had to pick up 4th of July Ranger tickets for his parents. He joked around for a minute and told Sean and Jake they are doing a great job. A foreshadowing of things to come e.g. TSJ leading into THL????

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anon Ron:
    With all due respect I think your Brand Loyalty argument is flawed with respect to this situation. If Cheerios decided to replace the content with corn flakes but Special K now replaced their cereal with Cheerios would you stick with the corn flake just because you like the yellow box? Weird. I would go with the cereal that tastes good to me, not the frcking shiny yellow box.

    ReplyDelete
  19. @Shawn Slocum

    Lew Dickey is the wild card in all this to me. Does he think he made a mistake with Davis? If so, he might be willing to rethink that decision. If not, then CBS is ready to pick up the refugees again. He has the numbers in front of him. He can see how long the boys have hammered the competition in their time slot. Does he really want to see BaD go head to head in afternoon drive against a weakened THL? Does he want to monkey with station chemistry so much so that it might cause irreparable harm? Sports talk is one of the few money makers for him. He is one of the few that sees how Rush has cost him money. These Pot and Hitler boys actually bring in dollars. I'd like to think the prudent move would be to keep talking and see if they can get something worked out. BaD leaving would mean a gaping hole in mid days and severely undermine the station chemistry.

    As to station loyalty, ie player vs team, it really isn't the same. It is more like a good chef that changes restaurants. I know how he works, I know what he makes and if he moves over to new digs I am likely to follow the gravy trail behind him.
    Consider this scenario though, If BaD was going up against THL and Corby was talking tennis yet again or bogging down on some topic I would be ready and willing to punch out. The same can be said of Dan. The two worst bog downs on the station in competition to see who can bog down the least. Who did Big Dumb Danny warn about managing the back end? Corby. Who did he speak to Cat about over the air? "It's always him Cat!" Corby. and by the same token who drifts off on into their own world and soaks up two segments about themselves? Dan. Finding a competing bog down would force me to punch out of both.

    The Missile Crisis analogy holds up. It is either going to be scorched earth and craters or not a damn thing happens and we go about our lives as before.

    ReplyDelete
  20. The day the Hardline is "Corby", Danny, and Jake, thats the day it becomes the "out-of-work line"!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Slinky said:

    "The day the Hardline is "Corby", Danny, and Jake, thats the day it becomes the "out-of-work line"!"


    You need to leave open the possibility that you may have a case of good ole day syndrome or grandpa syndrome. At some point the Ticket does need to transition to the next generation of talent.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Flawed argument, Anon.

    If the product doesn't change, I'm happy.

    If the product changes, that's a new situation.

    Like I said, whether I would listen to Bob and Dan middays depends on what the Ticket puts in that time slot.

    If they put Bob and Dan in afternoon drive, I will stay with my routine, until the Ticket changes its product in afternoon drive.

    Contrarian retort, you have the floor.

    ReplyDelete
  23. My demographic profile is what the Ticket targeted - it worked .
    Its a good move for Bob , he takes his craft serious and treats the world in manner that I respect .
    I do know , whatever happens , Bob will proceed with dignity and in a professional manner .
    I know nothing of the inner workings of a Radio show and what comprises a " team " -
    It will be interesting to watch how the Ticket Morphs through this change with corporate guidelines , a tight budget and high expectations from Cumulus and no " hands on Big Bro " love from MR .
    Whatever happens , Happens - I hope it works out for everyone .

    Watson , The clues and facts were right in front of us -Lets go get a cup of tea with Inspector Gilbert . .

    ReplyDelete
  24. @Anon Ron

    When confronted earlier and after being called a stooge among other things for sticking with THL my main question was, "What are my options?" At the time it was RAGE and GaC. In this scenario I might have the option of BaD. As stated earlier if Corby is off on some trip into some subject I could not care less about I now have a different alternative. Yet another exposition on the greatness of Nadal? And you know he can't resist Wimbledon. I am so out of there and no the door cannot hit you in the ass if you are moving fast enough and I certainly will be. The conundrum for me is the competing bog down of Corby and Dan in which case KXT and KHYI win my TSL. CBS can create competition for THL by this move. Yes, there will be loyal listeners, but there will also be those of us who will look around when the same stale offerings are brought to the table and decide there might be something better on down the dial.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anon Ron,
    I will take the floor back.. My post implied that BaD would basically stay the same quality when they cross over - perhaps it is a bad assumption. My other working assumption is the Fan will move them over to the same time slot which one would think would ensure the biggest crossover audience share. My bottom line argument is BaD vs. BaD replacement will be superior without the added issue of having to decide between BaD vs. Musers or BaD vs. THL. The ball will be in the Fan's court regarding which time slot they fill.

    ReplyDelete
  26. If BaD must go, I want TC and Jake. Nobody thinks much of TC, it seems, but I think he has the sports brain that could replace Bob....eventually.

    ReplyDelete
  27. @cactus
    I think ur giving dickey too much credit, I'd be surprised if he cared to view bad on a personal level. Trust me, the frantic calls are being made from cat to bennett and bennett to atlanta this weekend. Db has fought pretty hard to keep the little one in tact, but lew didn't know or care who mark davis was, just numbers on a page

    ReplyDelete
  28. Sean and Jake just said that 'there were vacations coming up' and that they were 'filling in' Monday, Wednesday and Friday next week. I wasn't recording but I was listening for what time of day and they didn't say. If someone was rolling on the end of the Shake Joint just now go back and check it. I don't remember anyone saying they were going on vacation this week. I could be wrong though.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I think I am too old to enjoy IJB on a daily basis. I relate to the life references that come up on BAD, probably more than any show. I don't think BAD can pull me away from the musers, but can THL. I THINK, B&S beat any of the ticket bench, but the Sirois boys would be my pick.

    At the end of the day, I hope things don't change.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Anybody else catch the return music to the norm/bad mix? "Money Grabber" by Fitz and the Tantrums. Mmmmhmmmmmm. "Don't come back anytime I've already done my time, this is your payback, money grabber."

    ReplyDelete
  31. BradC,

    They said vacations were coming up, and they'd be filling in Friday, then Monday-Wed of the following week. Pretty sure that's what they said, anyway. I did think it was curious they didn't say who they'd be filling in for, though.

    ReplyDelete
  32. So if all this comes down in some manner - The Landscape will change on the DFW Sports scene .
    The price of playing Poker goes up substantially - Can Cat fill a time slot in a corporate world that is results driven ?
    BTW :
    I believe Bob was referring to the " unfortunate " situation as an Apology to the Listeners that bits and pieces of the back room got out , Bob had heartfelt sympathy for not being able to fully disclose facts to a loyal audience ?
    I do not view their suspected move as anything except a business driven decision . Cumulus is servicing a huge debt ( as read on MTC )and are cutting Labor costs across the country . The suits at CBS don't play for second place , Spittle may come out of this as a " CBS Stud " ie. carving out the cancer at the Fan while infusing proven talent ?
    Don't know much about the " Dickeys " except they have decent BBQ :) , ( Thank You Henny Y. ). Servicing Corporate debt in our current interest rate environment should not be difficult , Two ticks at the Fed Reserve and " Cheeks " will tighten at Cumulus .

    BTW : Brand Loyalty start to die in the 70's .( Chevy , Ford , IH , etc ) ?

    ReplyDelete
  33. I think a lot of folks are hitting on some of what's happening. Cumulus is more than happy to reduce some salary load (i.e. not match). And it is an opportunity to break up some of the Ticket old guard and bring a rogue-ish station into the corporate fold.

    There's no chance in hell Cumulus promotes from within on this one. Some anon had it right in the other thread. They're gonna cram some out of market blowhard with a local jock and call it a day.

    ReplyDelete
  34. An out of market "blowhard" with a local jock is still going to cost money. Its not as though letting Bob and Dan walk is saving the full salary. There will likely only be some small incremental savings. Promoting from within would be the real cost saving move. That would be virtually free labor.

    ReplyDelete
  35. After what Cumulus did in Denver and San Francisco and to Mark Davis don't be too sure they aren't gone. They blew up whole stations in both markets simply because the payroll was too high. Didn't matter that they were market leaders, they just cost too much.

    One question though.....if their contracts aren't up why all the drama?

    ReplyDelete
  36. Barry Horn ‏@bhorn55 30m
    Ticket-types not optimistic Bob and Dan will stay at 1310. Looks like mid-day at The Fan.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Barry Horn is now reporting they are going mid-days. If true, I guess they must be working under the theory that they'd rather shoot for winning mid-days vs trying to compete with dominant drive-time shows.

    ReplyDelete
  38. If it's to do middays it can't be anything more than a pure moneywhip (including perks, etc.), can it?

    ReplyDelete
  39. If all this is true. Even the part about Cumulus bringing in a national guy to be paired with a local host for middays, then I think we really are seeing the beginning of the end of The Little One as we've known it for lo these darn near 20 years. And that's sad.

    ReplyDelete
  40. ap brings up some good points in the previous thread. What of Gribbs? Does Shoopy come out of retirement to work for CBS? In some ways if The FAN could pull off getting not only BaD but also McGruber, I'd say that's a big boy big balls move.

    Yes, I'm officially trying to ferret out Grubes.

    Grubes, we know you're out there. Let us hear from ya, pal. Anything you'd like to say regarding this turn of events? I know we'd all love to get your take.

    ReplyDelete
  41. @YOKOYOLO

    Grubes is working for FSSW now. I'd sure like to hear from Jer or Grubes or both.

    ReplyDelete
  42. For all their talk about loving dirty noon to three, I seriously doubt BaD go to mid-days at the fan while B&S keep p.m. Drive. I like B&S but they are a better fit in mid-days. BaD radio is a stronger show. Plus, Sturm keeps score at everything in life. You really think he'd make that move?
    Supposedly, Spittle has even mentioned that they would evaluate where they were July-ish, and see if any other moves need to be made

    ReplyDelete
  43. Surely Grubes isn't under contract/working with a no compete. But then again, if Grubes would come out and play perhaps we'd get the answers to these and other fine questions.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Why would Grubes betray the confidence of his friends for us anonymous a-holes?

    ReplyDelete
  45. If BaD is going to Fan middays, that's a little disappointing. If they're leaving, I'd rather hear it is for a drivetime slot, preferably PM.

    If this ends up a powerplay move to acquire the Ticket PM drive somewhere down the road and they and what's left of the Hardline flip-flopped slots, I'd be ok too. The Corby Show -- er, Hardline -- has run its course. Mike's obviously checked out. I don't hate Corby, but it's hard for me to swallow a PM drive show on a sports station that spends so little time talking sports.

    If you can't tell, BaD is my favorite local show. It's the last show that still combines the Ticket non-sports appeal with capable sports knowledge. Neither The Musers or The Hardline have a lick of sports knowledge, interest in sports, or the ability to talk about sports and sound intelligent. In that regard, there is little difference between them and most of the ESPN/FAN local shows. It just so happens, that right now, The Ticket non-sports talk is slightly better than the competition's sports talk.

    If it's worth anything to an influencer reading out there: I will follow BaD radio wherever on the dial they go. "Brand loyalty" has deteriorated enough over the years that I won't accept less of a product just to wear the Ticket badge. Times have changed (for me, anyway.) I'll listen to whoever has the best show. Just so happens ESPN and the Fan both have garbage, so I still get to spend all my time on the Ticket. But that gap is narrowing with some of the recently worn out product (Musers/Hardline.) That gap would officially close for me (for at least one time slot) if one of them nabbed BaD radio.

    Finally, Donny Doo. I'm sure he is a nice guy, but sports radio ain't his forte. His lack of sports knowledge is far too obvious; he just latches on to whatever sports statement someone else makes and acts like he knows it too "Yeah, yeah, I think that's right. It was Michael Jordan." "Oh no, it's not? I could've sworn. Are you sure?" Obviously he was hired primarily to provide that forced black/white juxtaposition with Bob, likely to try to extend their demographic appeal. Problem is, he isn't "brother" enough to pull it off. Hell, he doesn't even have a respectable radio voice. Surely he would get "left behind" in any of the final arrangements because he is not a part of the show's success.

    Anxious for Monday, assuming we get some closure...

    ReplyDelete
  46. Hey Myko:

    The mid-day move would likely be short lived as it would all but ensure they would get massive crossover between stations. I would bet about the time Rhynes was ready to retire in a couple of years BaD will make the move to afternoon. Perhaps much sooner if CBS management senses big momentum.

    As for why they would make a move? Perhaps cumulus initial offer was a real low ball offer not even matching current salary? What would you do?

    ReplyDelete
  47. ap, if you're out there, something funny is going on at The Unticket site. Just tried going there twice to listen to Friday's WTTDS and there's some Japanese site in its place.

    ReplyDelete
  48. For those P1's/confessors who may not be familiar with what happened at WBAP and Mark Davis 18 months ago, he ruled the local news/political talk landscape and had for more than a decade, as well serving as a regular fill-in for no less than El Rushbo. It was contract time and Cumulus gave Davis a lower contract offer that was, as Davis said afterward, was insultingly low. The contract expired and they kept negotiating for a period of weeks but to no avail - Cumulus wouldn't even keep Davis' salary the same. Finally he walked. A very short time later, Salem (KLTY/KSKY locally) picked him up and it's been a magical move according to Davis, including a healthy salary, a healthier corporate environment (all according to Davis on-air), and picking up the weekly Friday fill-in gig for Bill Bennett's nationally-syndicated early AM show.

    I can't help but think its same song, second verse in Cumulus land. The C-listers that replaced Davis are completely unlistenable and BAP's ratings have suffered ever since, but ATL doesnt seem to care. Dickey needs to cut overhead, and The Fan looks like they're all too willing to be the next beneficiary of Dickey's cost-cutting regardless of the end-product (let alone unprecedented chemistry and longevity that has created "America's Favorite Radio Station"). I too feel BaD Radio is the best show on the Little Ticket and short of any brand loyalty previously described, BaD would give serious battle to THL if/when they move to PM drive if it were actually to happen. I would be listening more than just during breaks or Corby fringe-sports talk. Musers would be hard to dethrone but THL is definitely vulnerable, and middays even in the short-term would be an absolute slaughter.

    "The power of ra-di-o!..."

    ReplyDelete
  49. BaD Radio could move to CBS, only have them under Cumulus again in the next 12-18 months. CBS already split off the Outdoor/billboard division in order to sell, so a radio sale could occur too. It is closer than you think.

    If BaD goes up against THL, as a non-DFW resident, I would go to radio.com or the CBS Radio app over IHeart. It is a better show.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Plainsman axxxed an open question yesterday that needs to be re-axxxed:

    Just what is going on with MaSS right about now?

    If I remember correctly, Scot himself in these very com boxes in a not so under-the-table like manner hinted at the possibility of a return in the not so distant future. And when pressed if whether Birmingham was more of trial run/grooming for a much more substantial gig, he wouldn't confirm or deny it.

    Is it out of the realm of possibility that the CTO knew that when BaD's contract came up that they were not going to offer them their market value and therefore had already begun to make plans without them? Grooming 2 guys who would work on the cheap, who were local, and who would tow whatever company line/put up with whatever because they're not in a position to do otherwise?

    The Mark Davis/WBAP thing is something that ought not be overlooked. Cumulus/The Dickeys are indeed shedding salaries of anyone whom they deem they can live without and still get by. DA has been pointing this out for months now; giving several examples of those "too big or profitable to fire," fired; and fired solely due to salary considerations.

    MaSS as BaD Lite? It isn't that crazy of a thought.

    ReplyDelete
  51. tsj, b&q and cds have all already scheduled to fill in for bad radio between now and the end of the july. this was done well before all this news became public. it is to fill in for their vacation time that they had coming. this will happen no matter what happens with the bad negotiations.

    ReplyDelete
  52. I love all the Hardline is on it's last legs talk. Mike just isn't into it as he used to be. Corby sucks. Um....last I checked the show is getting 10s in the ratings. 10s!!!! So, please quit all this stupid talk. The numbers don't lie.

    ReplyDelete
  53. So Anon, that sounds plausible at first glance, but it seems to me that in recent years they have opted for the staggered vacation more often than not (where Dan will be gone 2 weeks, then Bob, then Donnie). But even if that's not the case, you're talking about a vacation that is over a month long. With the exception of Bob's trip to adopt his baby, no one, much less BaD gets that kind of vacation.

    ReplyDelete
  54. @412
    You have the reasoning skills of a tree sloth on Ambien. Or better yet, Richie Whitt.

    ReplyDelete
  55. So, we are all anxious for tomorrow, and practically speaking, how does the Ticket handle this? Do the Musers do a segment on it in the morning? Does Norm throw it to some fill-ins without mention of BaD? I'd have to think the Musers will chat about this over a 7:55/8:15 segment at some point, and THL will use the 5:15 slot. But, does that happen tomorrow?

    ReplyDelete
  56. There's no way anybody on The Ticket airwaves will comment on this ordeal until it has reached its conclusion--whatever that conclusion may be. Expect maddening silence.

    ReplyDelete
  57. Hey The Radish:
    Not sure what the hell you are doing to land you on a Japanese site - I just verified WTDS from Friday is still up at the Unticket.com perhaps you typed in the URL Untokyo.com

    ReplyDelete
  58. Thanks for the info, 424. Don't know either, but it happened. I'll give it another go... And yep, there she is. Thanks again.

    ReplyDelete
  59. When does the next IJB throw down? Could get some perspective from that front.

    ReplyDelete
  60. IJB has relegated itself to every Thursday tapings - typically posts late evening on Thursdays. I agree with your premise unless they believe they are under a gag order. Remember they could be fired for stuff said on their pod cast if it paints a negative picture of their bosses/company.

    ReplyDelete
  61. Food for thought. If cumulus ownership continues to run 1310 into the ground with low ball offers perhaps the next 3 to 5 years we see the old band getting back together on the FM dial.

    ReplyDelete
  62. I don't really care which station Bob and Dan are on. With technology these days, you can listen to both stations pretty easily. I wonder about all of their precious audio.... I guess that's their property, right? If they do end up switching, I look forward to a Donnie-less program. I think that experiment has run it's course. Maybe it was for diversity...and I know he's been with the company forever, but he started getting on my nerves more and more with the over-laugh-talking and generic sports opinions. If it was up to him, Jose and M Young would still be Rangers.

    Anyway, I think Bob and Dan are both intelligent and wouldn't be switching to the 3rd ranked, consistent bottom feeder station if they didn't feel like it was the right thing to do. I think they end up in PM drive eventually and frankly, I think that's a good thing. They probably won't overtake The Hardline, but maybe some decent competition will force THL to step their game up.

    I think we're fortunate to be able to have this many choices for quality entertainment. I'll listen online and then use the Unticket archives for any favorite segments I missed. I think the broadcast clocks run pretty similar, but you can usually catch one on while the other is in commercials.

    KT left the Ticket for The Fan...who's to say that BaD won't assist the Fan with poaching some of the other JV talent that isn't under contract????

    I see nothing but good things.

    ReplyDelete
  63. I know there is a zero chance of anyone from the Ticket addressing this directly. It was merely wishful thinking out loud.

    The longer this goes, the less it feels like they are going to be there on Monday. Especially considering Davis and the other stations Cumulus has gutted recently.

    ReplyDelete
  64. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  65. My Rangers/Donnie comment should've said "Josh and M Young" not "Jose"

    ReplyDelete
  66. @theradish,

    Correct. If Culmulus fires a 60+ y.o. white man and is in court because they fired him knowing he had Parkinson's, there is no question that Cumulus would not renew contracts of others. Cumulus also decided to let Paul Finebaum go when his ratings were big in the south and that show was actually syndicated out of Birmingham and on SiriusXM. They let him go to ESPN and they may let go of Clay Travis (outkickthecoverage.com) from 104.5 the Zone in Nashville since Travis already works weekends for NBC Sports Radio

    Cumulus also let go others in Chicago recently like their city cluster's General Sales Manager (June 6) and host Fred Winston from WLS-FM (April 3).

    Again, Cumulus had had top brass changes in command. Jan Jeffries is out as the one who changes format and in her exchange it is Cumulus EVP/co-COO John Dickey. All of this is easy to find guys.

    ReplyDelete
  67. AlwaysSplitYourEightsJune 23, 2013 at 5:47 PM

    Apropos of nothing...

    If Danny's new Twilite Lounge has even a modicum of success, he'll be gone in the next 12-18 months, too.

    Can't serve two masters. That's biblical, yo.

    ReplyDelete
  68. Bob Sturm (@SportsSturm) tweeted at 6:36 PM on Sun, Jun 23, 2013:
    We are staying home for years to come. In the end, just can't leave you or our brothers or the special thing we have all built. #1310

    ReplyDelete