Viva Medias B's
12-29-2004, 09:44 AM
With the departure of Jay Mariotti from WMVP-AM (1000), it has an impact on the White Sox radio status. This upcoming season is the last one on the current contract between WMVP and the White Sox. Previously, Mariotti's presence on WMVP was a source of great contention between the Sox and the station. No one here needs an explanation why.
Speculation had been that the White Sox (and Bulls) would move to WSCR-AM (670) because of the issue with Mariotti on the current Sox flagship. The White Sox went so far as to have the Score's midday show with Terry Boers and Dan Bernstein broadcast right from Tucson Electric Park during spring training. While there has been contention between WSCR and the White Sox in the past, Reinsdorf has always managed to have a decent rapport with the Score. In an odd sort of way, Reinsdorf and (as the Tribune reported) his "friend and advisor" Ken Harrelson have had a rather cozy relationship with the ultracontroversial WSCR morning host Mike North.
Adding to that, WSCR's 50,000-watt clear channel signal strength (as opposed to WMVP's 50,000-watt directional signal) would widen the White Sox braodcast net at night across the Midwest through 38 states and Canada. Moreover, the White Sox have had a history with the 670 AM frequency when it was WMAQ.
However, in the time since, is has been reported here that Infinity Radio which owns WSCR became furious at Major League Baseball over the latter's deal with XM Satellite Radio over carriage of all MLB games in 2005 and beyond. One rumor was that Infinity told its stations across the country not to even negotiate with MLB teams. That would be a complete disaster for baseball. For example, could you imaging KMOX-AM (1120) in St. Louis without the Cardinals? That alone is mind-blowing.
I initially blamed Bud Selig for this mess. Upon further review, however, I blame the cheapskate, money-grubbing executives of Viacom which owns Infinity. The reason you cannot hear the streaming of Infinity-owned stations over the Internet is because Viacom opposes it. They oppose it because they want to make money off the streaming. The same issue rears its ugly head with the MLB/XM deal. Money. Money. Money.
And now with the other shoe dropping with the Mariotti ouster from WMVP, it appears that the White Sox will remain on an inferior radio station.
Speculation had been that the White Sox (and Bulls) would move to WSCR-AM (670) because of the issue with Mariotti on the current Sox flagship. The White Sox went so far as to have the Score's midday show with Terry Boers and Dan Bernstein broadcast right from Tucson Electric Park during spring training. While there has been contention between WSCR and the White Sox in the past, Reinsdorf has always managed to have a decent rapport with the Score. In an odd sort of way, Reinsdorf and (as the Tribune reported) his "friend and advisor" Ken Harrelson have had a rather cozy relationship with the ultracontroversial WSCR morning host Mike North.
Adding to that, WSCR's 50,000-watt clear channel signal strength (as opposed to WMVP's 50,000-watt directional signal) would widen the White Sox braodcast net at night across the Midwest through 38 states and Canada. Moreover, the White Sox have had a history with the 670 AM frequency when it was WMAQ.
However, in the time since, is has been reported here that Infinity Radio which owns WSCR became furious at Major League Baseball over the latter's deal with XM Satellite Radio over carriage of all MLB games in 2005 and beyond. One rumor was that Infinity told its stations across the country not to even negotiate with MLB teams. That would be a complete disaster for baseball. For example, could you imaging KMOX-AM (1120) in St. Louis without the Cardinals? That alone is mind-blowing.
I initially blamed Bud Selig for this mess. Upon further review, however, I blame the cheapskate, money-grubbing executives of Viacom which owns Infinity. The reason you cannot hear the streaming of Infinity-owned stations over the Internet is because Viacom opposes it. They oppose it because they want to make money off the streaming. The same issue rears its ugly head with the MLB/XM deal. Money. Money. Money.
And now with the other shoe dropping with the Mariotti ouster from WMVP, it appears that the White Sox will remain on an inferior radio station.