Proximity Impacts Radio Prognosticators

Just a couple of hours after Colin Cowherd spent much of his show Wednesday mostly ranting to a national audience about what a mistake it would be for the Pittsburgh Steelers to trade Ben Roethlisberger, at least one Pittsburgh-based sports talk show was mostly championing a trade of the franchise's star quarterback.

From afar, it was easy (and sounded a little more sensible) for Cowherd on ESPN Radio to stress caution about possible overreactions or possibly overvaluing morals by a professional sports team. He correctly argued that Roethlisberger ranks as one of only a handful of athletes who can do what he does, and he said a trade would impact the team both short term and long term -- damaging hopes for on-field success in 2010 and potentially costing the team more for a high-round pick than Roethlisberger, with no guarantee of a performance payoff.

Conversely, "Seibel and Starkey" on 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh worked to be measured in their comments, but often sounded more like auctioneers for the troubled quarterback during their afternoon drive show. Clearly, the emotional scars were deeper closer to the story.

The Pittsburgh pair were more apt to point out the quarterback's history of problems, while Cowherd acknowledged Roethlisberger's troubles but did not dwell.

From afar, Cowherd argued the team should pull the quarterback closer and provide support systems, if necessary. With a closer view, the Pittsburgh hosts knew more from personal experience (especially Starkey who has been in the market and done a standout job for years) and were not as forgiving.

Often, the reverse happens in controversial situations. Those closer tend to be more parochial, protective and forgiving, while those farther away toss critical darts because they don't know better.

With Roethlisberger, it's interesting that the reactions are almost exactly -- and unanimously (judging by other national shows and other Pittsburgh-based shows) -- opposite.

Early and Late ... New Station, Belated Praise

One of the nation's best sports towns gets a second sports-talk radio station Monday -- its first full time on the FM side of the dial -- when 93.7 The Fan begins broadcasting in Pittsburgh.

CBS Radio has invested in the station (which was once home to one of Pittsburgh's more popular morning shows as B-94 for years), and along with bringing in talent for a mostly local lineup the network might eventually become a player for team rights and broadcasts. That remains in the future, though.

Things begin at 6 a.m. Monday with a three-voice morning show led by Paul Alexander, who has worked in Pittsburgh for several years on TV and radio. Before that, he spent most of is career in the Altoona/Johnstown/State College markets. He'll bring imporant experience and passion to the station's morning drive show.

The lineup also includes: Vinnie Richichi, brought to the station from Seattle, and Ron Cook of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; John Seibel, formerly of ESPN, and Joe Starkey of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (possibly the best sports columnist in the market), from 2 to 6 p.m.; and Gregg Giannotti from 6 to 10 p.m., who comes from WFAN in New York City.

What might be most interesting about the stationand its lineup will be the tone of shows. Pittsburgh sports talk has traditionally stressed substance over style and honesty over hype. As the market expands, though, there might be some differentiaon necessary to draw listeners -- especially to a station without team broadcasts.

There might be room in the market for the station to craft a niche, though.

Now, looking back -- and hopefully this counts as better late than never -- kudos to Steve Jones and Jerry Fisher of the Penn State Sports Network. Last Saturday with Minnesota in State College for a men's basketball game, the heavy snow prevented the Big Ten Network's scheduled play-by-play man from making it to town to work the game on TV. So, Jones, usually the voice of Penn State on radio in the region only, took the TV seat -- and did a good job working with BTN analyst Jim Jackson.

It's not easy for a team guy to move from a sometimes myopic position to an overall role, but Jones' always strong preparation certainly helped. He narrated the game's open, called the game right down the middle and set up Jackson repeatedly to make points.

With Jones off the Penn State radio broadcast, Fisher took his place. Fisher usually calls Penn State's women's basketball on radio and he slid into the men's broadcast without a problem. The good work by both was a testament to their professionalism and talent.