Quick Column: KSTP AM 1500

Within the last month KSTP AM 15oo announced they're switching from a talk format to an all sports format. They will pick up ESPN programming and be known as The SportsTalk Station.

This has been a part of news where KSTP Channel 5 announced a re-hiring of their former sports anchor/director Joe Schmidt and hired a very talented and intelligent former KFAN employee, Darren Wolfson. Just the signing of Wolfson, who had been without a full time job and freelancing for a year, piqued my interest.

KSTP then announced that they were going to the sports format. And even more recently Phil Mackey, announced on his twitter that he would be leaving KFAN where he interned and worked for five years to co-host a 12-2pm show with Patrick Reusse. Phil is a young graduate of the University of Minnesota and is supremely knowledgeable about so many things but covered the Vikings and the Twins for the radio station.

Also today, Tom Pelissero, of the Green Bay Press-Gazette said that he was joining KSTP AM 1500. Pelissero, covered the Packers for the Green Bay Press-Gazette and was their assistant sports editor.

I guess what I want to say is KSTP AM 1500 is making itself completely more relevant to younger sports listeners in the Twin Cities market by adding Darren Wolfson, Phil Mackey and Tom Pelissero. I haven't ever though of them as a formidable sports talk station that was actually listenable but with my knowledge of these guys from the work they've done they are going to give KFAN a run for their money in some segments of the radio industry.

Now, I also don't know if they're all tied in with radio but I bet some will transition to some of their television coverage because it's been so bad for years, not only talent but information. Photojournalism has been fine, but they can use a hand with talent and information output.

It makes me almost wish I had taken that part-time production job at KSTP Channel 5 a couple years ago. I could have been in a place to switch paths by now and open it up with these sports minds. Time to try it out now then I guess.

I'm on the bandwagon, way to go KSTP AM 15oo, ESPN radio!

(Now...too bad I didn't think of looking for a job there until now....let's look now I guess.)