The final categories of the 2018 Barrett Sports Media awards recognize the Top 20 Major and Mid-Market sports radio stations and the Top 5 Original Sports Podcasts. Taking the top spot among Major Market Sports Stations this year was 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston. This was The Hub’s third victory in four years. They regain the top spot after surrendering it last year to WFAN in New York. Spots two through five belonged to Sports Radio 1310/96.7 The Ticket in Dallas, KNBR in San Francisco, WFAN in New York, and WEEI in Boston.
In the Mid Markets, 101 ESPN in St. Louis took top honors once again. The other Top 5 finalists included 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh, 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland, 104.5 The Zone in Nashville, and 105.7 The Fan in Baltimore.
Barrett Sports Media President Jason Barrett said, “98.5 The Sports Hub and 101 ESPN were nominated last year for Marconi Awards because of their exceptional ability to drive ratings and connect with local listeners. They’ve earned great respect and appreciation from our executive committee for their ability to be difference makers for the format, and we congratulate Mike Thomas, Mary Menna, John Kijowski, Chris ‘Hoss’ Neupert, and the entire Sports Hub and 101 teams on their well-deserved honors.”
BSM also introduced a new category this year, the Top 5 Original Sports Podcasts. The inaugural recipient of the award is Barstool Sports’ Pardon My Take. PMT won the top prize in a category which had 89 podcasts eligible for consideration. Rounding out the Top 5 were the Bill Simmons Podcast, ESPN’s 30 for 30 Podcasts, The Woj Podcast, and the Pat McAfee Show.
“The success of Pardon My Take has been well documented for quite some time,” added Barrett. “What this honor tells folks is that Big Cat and PFT Commenter haven’t just struck a chord with fans, they’ve become a huge hit with executives as well.”
For the full results of the BSM Top 20 Major/Mid Market Sports Radio Stations and Top 5 Original Sports Podcasts, visit http://sportsradiopd.com.
