The drama continues between Cumulus Dallas’ sports/talk The Ticket (KTCK) and former hosts Dan McDowell and Jake Kemp. A US District Court has ordered the duo to stop posting new episodes of their Patreon-based podcast, The Dumb Zone, as the station owner claims both violated noncompete agreements signed in 2018.
The co-hosts had previously been part of The Hang Zone on The Ticket, a talk show focused on Dallas- and Texas-area sports teams. Following unsuccessful contract negotiations, they resigned from The Ticket on July 14 and subsequently began co-hosting The Dumb Zone on Patreon and YouTube.
US District Judge Karen Gren Scholer’s order prohibits McDowell and Kemp from uploading any new podcast or audio media to the public and restricts them from commenting on social media regarding the lawsuit. Existing content on Patreon or YouTube may remain, but promotion or discussion of The Dumb Zone podcasts is not allowed.
The lawsuit alleges that the co-hosts created their podcast while still employed by The Ticket and accuses them of repurposing social media accounts originally connected to The Hang Zone for their new podcast. Susquehanna Radio has requested a temporary injunction, restraining order, and unspecified monetary damages.
Mediation between Susquehanna Radio and McDowell and Kemp, initially scheduled for Tuesday, has been rescheduled to August 29.
