Change in Omaha Sports Radio

[omaha79]

That is too bad. Nick is a good guy. I hope he lands on his feet.

[Greg S]

Unfortunately NRG didn’t renew Nick Handley’s contract. I thought he and Gary Sharp made a great team.

That's too bad.

The contract that they should not renew is Josh Peterson IMO

I agree. Unsportsmanlike Conduct has become almost unlistenable to me. I wish 590 had a better alternative in that timeframe.

Sharp and Handley was probably my all time favorite duo for Omaha sports radio.

Greg

[Linkin5]

One thing I’ve noticed and don’t quite understand is when listening to Connor Happer’s show and Unsportsmanlike Conduct, there seems to be almost a disdain for Nebraska fans. They will take almost any opportunity to mock or talk down fan sentiment. It’s a weird dynamic and has made me listen far less.

Also Unsportsmanlike Conduct’s producer doesn’t know anything about sports, appears to be incompetent at his job, and gets awkwardly upset during the show.

[Greg S]

One thing I’ve noticed and don’t quite understand is when listening to Connor Happer’s show and Unsportsmanlike Conduct, there seems to be almost a disdain for Nebraska fans. They will take almost any opportunity to mock or talk down fan sentiment. It’s a weird dynamic and has made me listen far less.

Also Unsportsmanlike Conduct’s producer doesn’t know anything about sports, appears to be incompetent at his job, and gets awkwardly upset during the show.

Yeah at times Unsportsmanlike Conduct becomes unlistenable to me. It seemed to start with John Bishop once he became a Creighton play by play. He seems to go overboard at times to make sure Creighton fans think of him as one of them. He never acknowledges anymore he is a UNL alum, and worked on their play by play.

I thought Sharp and Handley had the most balanced team/show on 1620.

Honestly something seems off on this whole thing. I think we learn a lot when Handley's replacement gets named. Can't imagine this move was made by the higher ups without a replacement in the wings.

Greg

[Linkin5]

One thing I’ve noticed and don’t quite understand is when listening to Connor Happer’s show and Unsportsmanlike Conduct, there seems to be almost a disdain for Nebraska fans. They will take almost any opportunity to mock or talk down fan sentiment. It’s a weird dynamic and has made me listen far less.

Also Unsportsmanlike Conduct’s producer doesn’t know anything about sports, appears to be incompetent at his job, and gets awkwardly upset during the show.

Yeah at times Unsportsmanlike Conduct becomes unlistenable to me. It seemed to start with John Bishop once he became a Creighton play by play. He seems to go overboard at times to make sure Creighton fans think of him as one of them. He never acknowledges anymore he is a UNL alum, and worked on their play by play.

I thought Sharp and Handley had the most balanced team/show on 1620.

Honestly something seems off on this whole thing. I think we learn a lot when Handley's replacement gets named. Can't imagine this move was made by the higher ups without a replacement in the wings.

Greg

Best replacements, in my opinion, would be have their producer Jimmy just be co-host as he’s very knowledgeable, or bring in Mike Schaefer.

[Brad]

I wonder if it wasn't a cost cutting measure. If Garry does a solo show with Jimmy chiming in, they save a whole salary. Most businesses, the #1 expense is employees.

[Greg S]

I wonder if it wasn't a cost cutting measure. If Garry does a solo show with Jimmy chiming in, they save a whole salary. Most businesses, the #1 expense is employees.

Gary seemed to indicate he wasn't going to be a solo host long term at the opening of the show where he announced the change. He also seemed quite upset about the move. I didn't realize he'd been friends with Nick for so long.

[Brad]

I wonder if it wasn't a cost cutting measure. If Garry does a solo show with Jimmy chiming in, they save a whole salary. Most businesses, the #1 expense is employees.

Gary seemed to indicate he wasn't going to be a solo host long term at the opening of the show where he announced the change. He also seemed quite upset about the move. I didn't realize he'd been friends with Nick for so long.

Interesting. It just makes no sense.

[omaha79]

One thing I’ve noticed and don’t quite understand is when listening to Connor Happer’s show and Unsportsmanlike Conduct, there seems to be almost a disdain for Nebraska fans. They will take almost any opportunity to mock or talk down fan sentiment. It’s a weird dynamic and has made me listen far less.

Also Unsportsmanlike Conduct’s producer doesn’t know anything about sports, appears to be incompetent at his job, and gets awkwardly upset during the show.

As Nebraska has struggled, fan sentiment has often become a bizarre insulated echo chamber. I can't even imagine hosting a radio show in this state over the last 10-15 years. It's all finger pointing, talking about stuff that happened 15 years ago, Needing a "Nebraska guy", etc. Having listened to local sports radio off and on, I can see why the hosts become jaded and talk down to Nebraska fans. It has all become a giant group therapy session with tons of really flawed logic and poor takes.

[Linkin5]

One thing I’ve noticed and don’t quite understand is when listening to Connor Happer’s show and Unsportsmanlike Conduct, there seems to be almost a disdain for Nebraska fans. They will take almost any opportunity to mock or talk down fan sentiment. It’s a weird dynamic and has made me listen far less.

Also Unsportsmanlike Conduct’s producer doesn’t know anything about sports, appears to be incompetent at his job, and gets awkwardly upset during the show.

As Nebraska has struggled, fan sentiment has often become a bizarre insulated echo chamber. I can't even imagine hosting a radio show in this state over the last 10-15 years. It's all finger pointing, talking about stuff that happened 15 years ago, Needing a "Nebraska guy", etc. Having listened to local sports radio off and on, I can see why the hosts become jaded and talk down to Nebraska fans. It has all become a giant group therapy session with tons of really flawed logic and poor takes.

I can definitely agree to a certain point, every fanbase including Nebraska has miserable fans that are difficult to deal with. The legion of Frost fans to the very end were some of the worst and I can see how having a radio show during that time would be miserable.

I was thinking of times when fan opinions weren’t very hot take or extreme. Here’s some examples:

-Last year when Jeff Sims was turning it over fans wanted Heinrich Haarberg in, Unsportsmanlike Conduct made some comments alluding to people wanting him because he was white and local.
-Unsportsmanlike Conduct mocking people and telling them not to complain about games on Peacock. Which is funny, because their entire show is complaining.
-they were recently making fun of fans criticizing Satterfield, stating that they thought fans wanted to pay coaches more.

There are more, and I’m sure more I’ve missed as I don’t listen as much as I used to. They just seem like they’re annoyed and don't enjoy doing the show, which isn’t enjoyable.

[Brad]

So the other thing about Nick's departure that stuck me as odd today... Gary is the Play by play for Omaha Basketball. He's gone a lot this time of year...

[OmahaRedWing]

So the other thing about Nick's departure that stuck me as odd today... Gary is the Play by play for Omaha Basketball. He's gone a lot this time of year...

Yeah I thought about that too. Nick was so good about leading the show when Gary was gone. It's why it so critical to have a good co-host.

[Trips1]

Nick was great at having the all around knowledge. He could talk high school to the pro's and liked to keep it to sports. The Husker Radio Network needs to pick him up now that he can do Husker baseball again. He would be great fit for other sports of theirs.

Why is there still a mail bag and movie segment on a sports station? I would rather listen to high school basketball talk that I have almost no interest in.

[nebugeater]

Nick was great at having the all around knowledge. He could talk high school to the pro's and liked to keep it to sports. The Husker Radio Network needs to pick him up now that he can do Husker baseball again. He would be great fit for other sports of theirs.

Why is there still a mail bag and movie segment on a sports station? I would rather listen to high school basketball talk that I have almost no interest in.

The afternoon slot for Unsportman-like Conduct spends more time talking about non-sports than sports anymore. I find myself listening less and less all the time, and it used to be daily for at least an hour for me.

[Linkin5]

Nick was great at having the all around knowledge. He could talk high school to the pro's and liked to keep it to sports. The Husker Radio Network needs to pick him up now that he can do Husker baseball again. He would be great fit for other sports of theirs.

Why is there still a mail bag and movie segment on a sports station? I would rather listen to high school basketball talk that I have almost no interest in.

Why is there also a segment telling people what is on cable television at night?

[omaha79]

One thing I’ve noticed and don’t quite understand is when listening to Connor Happer’s show and Unsportsmanlike Conduct, there seems to be almost a disdain for Nebraska fans. They will take almost any opportunity to mock or talk down fan sentiment. It’s a weird dynamic and has made me listen far less.

Also Unsportsmanlike Conduct’s producer doesn’t know anything about sports, appears to be incompetent at his job, and gets awkwardly upset during the show.

As Nebraska has struggled, fan sentiment has often become a bizarre insulated echo chamber. I can't even imagine hosting a radio show in this state over the last 10-15 years. It's all finger pointing, talking about stuff that happened 15 years ago, Needing a "Nebraska guy", etc. Having listened to local sports radio off and on, I can see why the hosts become jaded and talk down to Nebraska fans. It has all become a giant group therapy session with tons of really flawed logic and poor takes.

I can definitely agree to a certain point, every fanbase including Nebraska has miserable fans that are difficult to deal with. The legion of Frost fans to the very end were some of the worst and I can see how having a radio show during that time would be miserable.

I was thinking of times when fan opinions weren’t very hot take or extreme. Here’s some examples:

-Last year when Jeff Sims was turning it over fans wanted Heinrich Haarberg in, Unsportsmanlike Conduct made some comments alluding to people wanting him because he was white and local.
-Unsportsmanlike Conduct mocking people and telling them not to complain about games on Peacock. Which is funny, because their entire show is complaining.
-they were recently making fun of fans criticizing Satterfield, stating that they thought fans wanted to pay coaches more.

There are more, and I’m sure more I’ve missed as I don’t listen as much as I used to. They just seem like they’re annoyed and don't enjoy doing the show, which isn’t enjoyable.

It's miserable all around. then you have the fans who call in and say...

"Tom didn't win a championship until he was the coach for 20 years. We got to give these guys more time. You can't expect a guy to come in and win in his first 4 years." (when coaches turn programs around in less time than that, and Tom finished in the top 10 each of his first 5 seasons).

The incessant need by the fanbase to look at everything Nebraska football through the lens of "what would Tom have done" or "how did we treat Tom", is damaging.

People act like Tom was just the coach not so long ago. Tom has now not been the coach longer than he was the head coach. Let that sink in. Combine that with constant relitigation of firing of Frank Solich....over 20 years ago, and Bo Pelini over 10 years ago now. The fanbase is just a disaster menatlly.

[Greg S]

Anyone have any thoughts on who might join Gary. My dark horse candidate is Mike'L. He left 1620 to go work for the City of Papillion and is no longer there. He is now Executive Director of the Jet Awards Foundation. I wonder if that's a full time gig.

[Greg S]

Well we should know the new co host at this time next Monday. Gary said on the show that this is the last week of the Gary Sharp Show.

[nebugeater]

Well we should know the new co host at this time next Monday. Gary said on the show that this is the last week of the Gary Sharp Show.

Slightly confused. Is Gary Sharp leaving too?

[Greg S]

Well we should know the new co host at this time next Monday. Gary said on the show that this is the last week of the Gary Sharp Show.

Slightly confused. Is Gary Sharp leaving too?

No. He stated that once they let Nick Handley go, the show had to have a name, so they decided on The Gary Sharp Show. He emphasized that would be a temporary name until they got everything settled.

[nebugeater]

Well we should know the new co host at this time next Monday. Gary said on the show that this is the last week of the Gary Sharp Show.

Slightly confused. Is Gary Sharp leaving too?

No. He stated that once they let Nick Handley go, the show had to have a name, so they decided on The Gary Sharp Show. He emphasized that would be a temporary name until they got everything settled.

Thanks

[Greg S]

Well we should know the new co host at this time next Monday. Gary said on the show that this is the last week of the Gary Sharp Show.

Slightly confused. Is Gary Sharp leaving too?

No. He stated that once they let Nick Handley go, the show had to have a name, so they decided on The Gary Sharp Show. He emphasized that would be a temporary name until they got everything settled.

Thanks

My money is on Mike'L or Jon Shriner. Long shots are either the producer on the show now (can't remember his name) or Josh from Connor's show.

[Greg S]

Sounds like we find out tomorrow who the new cohost with Gary is. Also sounds like it's someone that regularly appears on Thursdays....

[Linkin5]

Sounds like we find out tomorrow who the new cohost with Gary is. Also sounds like it's someone that regularly appears on Thursdays....

Steve Sipple?

[Greg S]

They will announce the new cohost at 9AM today.

[nebugeater]

They will announce the new cohost at 9AM today.

Good luck with the new Gig Greg! ;)

[Greg S]

Matt McMaster is the new cohost. Gary and Matt Show.

[HskrFanMike]

McMaster worked at 1620's sister station, 1400 in Lincoln, while an undergrad at NU. Presuming that some bigwig with the station's ownership group (NRG) wanted to bring him back now that he's graduated.

Sadly, it's looking like a buddy hire. Maybe some chemistry will develop, but Nick Handley was a better choice.

Handley did get reconnected with Lincoln, and will be doing Husker baseball this spring and filling in on the network. That's a good move for Nebraska's radio network.

[Greg S]

McMaster worked at 1620's sister station, 1400 in Lincoln, while an undergrad at NU. Presuming that some bigwig with the station's ownership group (NRG) wanted to bring him back now that he's graduated.

Sadly, it's looking like a buddy hire. Maybe some chemistry will develop, but Nick Handley was a better choice.

Handley did get reconnected with Lincoln, and will be doing Husker baseball this spring and filling in on the network. That's a good move for Nebraska's radio network.

I'm not sure it's a buddy hire as much as a cost savings one. I am sure with him just graduating and such his salary is much lower than what Nick's was.

I do agree though Nick Handley was much better. That being said this show is still vastly superior to USC in the afternoon. Mostly based on the strength of Gary Sharp. Also though, I can barely tolerate John Bishop anymore, and he doesn't have a tolerable cohost in Josh Peterson. I have listened to that show daily, since the beginning with Kevin and Bob. Now, I go days in a row without listening and rarely can take more than a segment or two (and might commute is often 45 minutes or more).

Greg

[Greg S]

It looks like the Hurrdat Radio Show (Ravi Lulla and Damon Benning) that's been on 590 is going to digital, and if I am interpreting this correctly, won't be on 590AM any more:

[nebugeater]

Technically not sport radio, but didn't want to start a new thread. Did a vote, and it was 1-0 that this thread was close enough.

Kent Pavelka posted on his Facebook about an hour ago that Lee Barfknecht and his wife are moving to Boston.



https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16YrkPCkVF/

[remline]

Kent Pavelka posted on his Facebook about an hour ago that Lee Barfknecht and his wife are moving to Boston.

Presumably to follow Nebraska's budding football rivalry with Boston College?

[jag42]

Interesting.... Husker sports will now be on 97.3 FM and 1490 AM (Boomer radio stations).

https://omaha.com/sports/huskers/footba ... 05b1a.html

[Greg S]

Interesting.... Husker sports will now be on 97.3 FM and 1490 AM (Boomer radio stations).

https://omaha.com/sports/huskers/footba ... 05b1a.html

I will miss them on 590. Has a strong signal.

[nebugeater]

Interesting.... Husker sports will now be on 97.3 FM and 1490 AM (Boomer radio stations).

https://omaha.com/sports/huskers/footba ... 05b1a.html

I have read on another board that 590 didn't want to renew due to all the Coverage required. KFAB was not interested; 1620 is with the Jays. It doesn't leave a lot of options.
Not sure of this is all accurate or not so who knows.

What I have looked for is the length of the contract, and have not found anything. Wondering if this is a stop-gap fix or long-term

[Brad]

Interesting.... Husker sports will now be on 97.3 FM and 1490 AM (Boomer radio stations).

https://omaha.com/sports/huskers/footba ... 05b1a.html

I didn't even know 97.3 existed until the other day. Every station was on a commercial break and I used the scan button on my radio to try and find something. My old car didn't get the second and third digital stations like the new one does.

Speaking of sports radio, Jim Rome is not on the air in Omaha anymore. I don't listen to him like I did back in the day, but when I do, listen on my computer. The other day when I was in my car, they had some other show on.

[Greg S]

Interesting.... Husker sports will now be on 97.3 FM and 1490 AM (Boomer radio stations).

https://omaha.com/sports/huskers/footba ... 05b1a.html

I have read on another board that 590 didn't want to renew due to all the Coverage required. KFAB was not interested; 1620 is with the Jays. It doesn't leave a lot of options.
Not sure of this is all accurate or not so who knows.

What I have looked for is the length of the contract, and have not found anything. Wondering if this is a stop-gap fix or long-term

The World Herald article says the contract if for 5 years.

[OmahaRedWing]

So there are some big changes happening at 1620. First it looks (or should I say sounds), like the Zone 2 is no more. 1180 is now Yacht Rock.

Also just heard today is the last day of the Connor Happer show. He did say when he announced it that both he and Josh Odson are both staying at 1620. Will be interesting to see what the lineup looks like next week.

[Brad]

So there are some big changes happening at 1620. First it looks (or should I say sounds), like the Zone 2 is no more. 1180 is now Yacht Rock.

Is 1620 taking over 101.9 the Keg on a full time basis.

Also just heard today is the last day of the Connor Happer show. He did say when he announced it that both he and Josh Odson are both staying at 1620. Will be interesting to see what the lineup looks like next week.

Hope they don't mess with too much, I like all three shows.

[nebugeater]

Mike Schaefer joins 1620, and he and Connor Happer are the new morning show from 6 - 10 AM

https://1620thezone.com/happerschaefer/



From the website, it looks like Matt McMaster will be on 10-2 with Josh Odson

https://1620thezone.com/middayswithmatt/

See no mention of Gary Sharp