Many in the sports radio industry consider the days of a good old-fashioned radio war long gone. Rarely do talents from competing radio stations throw verbal shots across the bow. This past weekend may have ignited a new battle in the City of Brotherly Love. After LeBron James signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, an outpouring of emotion filled the airwaves of 97.5 The Fanatic.
Hosts celebrated the moment on air and across social media. The station, which also serves as the flagship radio home of the franchise, temporarily rebranded as 97.5 LeBron. In a moment that shifted the culture surrounding Philadelphia basketball, one talent from the station's chief competitor took a different route. That's when the first shots were fired.
"When LeBron James signs with the Sixers, Spike Eskin [94WIP afternoon drive host] comes on the air and says he's counting down the days till LeBron James leaves Philadelphia. Maybe some of its schtick, but I couldn't have been happier," said Fanatic midday host Jon Marks.
The art of a radio war begins with moments. Despite weeks of saying that he would not want LeBron James in Philadelphia, Eskin's comments in the moments following James signing hit a different tone. In today's attention economy, anything and everything can be critiqued. Knowing when to pick your spots as a competitor is the first step.
"We [Philadelphia sports fans] have a reputation, and some of it's deserved. But the way Spike handled his first comments about LeBron signing in Philadelphia, that's not the reputation I want," explained Marks. "Opening the show at two o'clock and saying it's the worst day of your life, that's going to give Philadelphia sports fans a running stereotype. WIP embraces that, and this is what you get."
#philadelphia #lebron
Hosts celebrated the moment on air and across social media. The station, which also serves as the flagship radio home of the franchise, temporarily rebranded as 97.5 LeBron. In a moment that shifted the culture surrounding Philadelphia basketball, one talent from the station's chief competitor took a different route. That's when the first shots were fired.
"When LeBron James signs with the Sixers, Spike Eskin [94WIP afternoon drive host] comes on the air and says he's counting down the days till LeBron James leaves Philadelphia. Maybe some of its schtick, but I couldn't have been happier," said Fanatic midday host Jon Marks.
The art of a radio war begins with moments. Despite weeks of saying that he would not want LeBron James in Philadelphia, Eskin's comments in the moments following James signing hit a different tone. In today's attention economy, anything and everything can be critiqued. Knowing when to pick your spots as a competitor is the first step.
"We [Philadelphia sports fans] have a reputation, and some of it's deserved. But the way Spike handled his first comments about LeBron signing in Philadelphia, that's not the reputation I want," explained Marks. "Opening the show at two o'clock and saying it's the worst day of your life, that's going to give Philadelphia sports fans a running stereotype. WIP embraces that, and this is what you get."
#philadelphia #lebron
2 months ago
