Sad to go...but when a door closes, a window opens???
We didn't want to go!!! We are sorry how it played out and feel bad for the people whose lives got disrupted.
But here is the REAL deal. This was simply driven by the economy. Period. EVERYONE knows what is going on across the country, and sports radio can be an expensive format. The ownership group that headed the TICKET felt they had no choice but to "cut" expenses, and they did. And painful as it is, we all have to accept that.
That said let's lay to rest some things. The biggest is this...TOM JURICH DID NOT PUT THE STATION OUT OF BUSINESS! That is so unfair to Mr. Jurich, it is ridiculous. Were there some things said at the TICKET he didn't like? I am sure of that. Did he make his feelings known? He probably did that as well. But that is no different than athletic directors across the country who are fighting for their coaches, and their teams.
Tom is getting slammed in some chat rooms and the like, and whether he cares or not, I think it is important to set the record straight. Lay off Tom Jurich! He didn't do this. This was ownership in Atlanta driven by economics, and I don't know any business that doesn't adhere to the rules of economics.
Personally, Tom Jurich helped get my show at WKRD on the air by bringing sponsors to get it rolling and I will always appreciate that a great deal. He is passionate about his teams and his programs, and he fights for them when he thinks they are being unfairly criticized. What's wrong with that??? (The correct answer is "NOTHING"). And on top of it, even if he was upset with the TICKET that isn't why they are off the air.
As Michael Corleone said to his wife when she asked, "It's just business" ...and it was just the business of trying to cut expenses by an Atlanta based company that led to this decision. Period. SO GET OFF TOM'S BACK!!!!
(And for the record, the guys in Atlanta are really good guys. Bad economies DO happen to good people too!)
Now that said, the station was doing remarkably well for a "start up". Most stations that are startups, don't really even pay attention to ratings until 15 months on the air (the 5th ratings quarter.) The ratings of THE TICKET were remarkably good, and getting better, especially given that it was a startup and they hadn't even made it to 15 months yet. There were a number of shows that "won" their time slots in sports radio and did a respectible number overall, especially, again, for such a new station. So I thank all of you, on behalf of Will and all of us at the TICKET, for your support.
To that end, we think people would be pleased if Will and I we were on the air again, so we will try very hard to make that happen in the near future. I don't know where or when (or even for certain, if) but we are going to try. I hope it will be with ESPN Radio as a tie in, as that network continues to grow and prosper even in a down economy.
Thanks to my partner Will for many enjoyable mornings, to our many sponsors, a good number of which are personal friends of Will's and I hope people who now consider me a friend as well. To our many great listeners and emailers...we valued EACH one of you, truly. I am thrilled that so many of you made us a regular part of your mornings...how cool is that??? Thanks for every minute you spent with us.
And so, to wrap it all up, all I can say is, to paraphrase what we say when we close the show, unless you know something I don't we WON'T see you tomorrow...but hopefully we will again very soon!
Bob Valvano
November 19, 2008