Sports Radio News
97.1 The Ticket Morning Host Jamie Samuelsen Dies of Cancer
“At the family’s request, Bob Wojnowski announced Samuelsen’s passing Saturday night on Twitter.”

Published
3 years agoon

Hearts are broken throughout the city of Detroit. Just five days after announcing he had colon cancer, 97.1 The Ticket morning host Jamie Samuelsen lost his fight against the disease on Saturday evening. BSM offers its condolences to his friends and family.
During his Monday morning radio show on 97.1 The Ticket last week, Samuelsen told his audience about his personal battle with colon cancer, a disease he fought for 19 months. A recent infection forced Samuelsen to take a few days off from his show, but the radio host was amazingly able to remain on-air throughout the 19 month-long bout with cancer.
“Each morning since my diagnosis, I got up, turned on the radio mic and got to talk sports,” Samuelsen said alongside his morning show co-host Mike Stone. “I needed the escape from cancer, just like so many of our listeners who face hardships, grief and illness, too, they turned to us in the morning for some levity in this crazy world. So I wanted to continue to have fun and not let cancer get in the way of doing what I loved. Connecting with listeners, laughing, teasing Stoney, all of it, it helped me be normal, while continuing to fight this disease.”
A Detroit sports radio figure for more than a quarter-century, the Bay Area bred Samuelsen entered the market in 1994, quickly making himself known in print, TV and radio. After a long tenure at WDFN, Samuelsen joined The Ticket in 2012, where he was paired with evening host and longtime friend Bob Wojnowski. Then in 2016, Samuelsen moved to morning drive on The Ticket with Mike Stone, where the duo enjoyed immense ratings success.
At the family’s request, Wojo announced the passing of Samuelsen Saturday night on Twitter. If you search “Jamie Samuelsen” on social media or just follow Wojo’s Twitter feed, it’s evident how beloved and respected he is by listeners and colleagues.
I am so sad and sorry to pass this along, at the family's request. Jamie Samuelsen, the best damn friend you could ever have, a tremendous broadcaster on @971theticketxyt passed away tonight at 48. He was surrounded by his wonderful family, and he went peacefully.
— Bob Wojnowski (@bobwojnowski) August 2, 2020
I am heartbroken by the passing of my great longtime friend and radio partner Jamie Samuelsen. He was one of a kind. Smart, kind and had a great sense of humor. He battled this for over 19 months.I will miss him dearly. Love you always James K.
— michael stone (@stoney16) August 2, 2020
Such devastating news. Jamie was talented, always first class and such a wonderful person. Prayers to his family and co-workers. Just a terribly sad day for the Detroit sports scene. https://t.co/RNP3xhM9OE
— MikeTirico (@miketirico) August 2, 2020
Alright I just have to share this. Jamie really was the best and someone who always supported others. The support he gave me ever since I was just an intern is something I’ll NEVER forget. It was a true pleasure and he’ll be deeply missed. pic.twitter.com/QF0g1OOo8u
— Mike Sullivan (@MikeSullivan) August 2, 2020
Jeff Blashill on the passing of Jamie Samuelsen. pic.twitter.com/wMwc7O9piR
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) August 2, 2020
Jamie was also the perfect dad https://t.co/XVf495Ee1G
— Terry Foster (@terryfosterdet) August 2, 2020
We share in the tragic loss felt by the Detroit community at the news of Jamie Samuelsen’s passing. Jamie’s personality and spirit were felt by all on Lions game days, and his voice on the airwaves brought us together. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Samuelsen family. pic.twitter.com/9zMGzIFQmn
— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) August 2, 2020
I'm so sorry to hear the news about Jamie. My prayers are with his family and friends. He was a voice that touched so many lives and will be missed. Jamie, thank you for welcoming me to the 97.1 Family. I'm gonna miss you. pic.twitter.com/rOxef89N6r
— Rico Beard (@RicoBeard) August 2, 2020
Decades ago in what feels like a different lifetime, two young Northwestern grads were trying to make it in sports radio in Chicago. I was one, Jamie Samuelsen was the other. One of the smartest and nicest guys you could ever meet.
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) August 2, 2020
Jamie Samuelsen was everything good in this world. Those of us – all of us – who knew him well will tell you the exact same thing. He understood what was important in life. I like, so many of you, loved him very much and am devastated by his passing.
— Pat Caputo (@patcaputo98) August 2, 2020
Crushed by the passing of Jamie Samuelsen, a wonderful friend for the last 30 years. Jamie was, quite simply, one of the best people I know – smart, funny, caring and incredibly talented. Cancer is so cruel and unfair. Please keep Jamie in your thoughts. I know I will. pic.twitter.com/Q1O73XHU6R
— Dave Revsine (@BTNDaveRevsine) August 2, 2020
Absolutely stunned and saddened watching and reading all of the tributes for Jamie. Prayers to his entire family, all of his friends and the entire Detroit sports community who so clearly and deeply cherished his wit, intelligence and kindness. Just awful. https://t.co/0T0t45aABl
— Brandon Tierney 🎤 (@BrandonTierney) August 2, 2020
We join the Detroit community in mourning the loss of Jamie Samuelsen. A radio host, writer & TV personality, Jamie was dedicated to his craft and we will miss his enthusiasm for our city & sports franchises. Our thoughts & hearts are with Jamie’s family & friends at The Ticket. https://t.co/93ThCMWSML
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) August 2, 2020
“I’m having a real hard time understanding Jamie’s passing,” Samuelsen’s longtime WDFN co-host Gregg Henson wrote on Twitter. “Jamie was one of the most thoughtful, loving souls I have ever met, I always marveled how he could stay so calm and cool while I was losing my lunatic mind. He was raised by a great family and built one just like it. I can’t stop thinking about his wife and kids and how hard it is to lose a true hero, those children will have rough days ahead, but wow, they were really fortunate to have a father like Jamie. You can bet one day they will build great families too.”
One of the main motives behind Samuelsen’s decision to publicize his colon cancer diagnosis was to encourage his audience to go get a colonoscopy.
“More people under the age of 50 are being diagnosed with colon cancer than ever before,” Samuelsen said. “Make sure you talk with your doctor and get that colonoscopy.”
The 48-year old Jamie Samuelsen is survived by his wife Christy McDonald, an anchor and reporter for Detroit PBS, and their three children, Caroline, 16, Josh, 14 and Catherine, 11.

Brandon Contes is a former reporter for BSM, now working for Awful Announcing. You can find him on Twitter @BrandonContes or reach him by email at Brandon.Contes@gmail.com.
Sports Radio News
Doug Gottlieb Details Interviewing For College Basketball Head Coaching Vacancy
“I’ve told people that for the radio element to — for the right thing — I’d give it up. The (podcast), I’m not giving it up.”

Published
2 hours agoon
March 17, 2023By
BSM Staff
Fox Sports Radio host Doug Gottlieb recently interviewed for the vacant head coaching job at Wisconsin-Green Bay and detailed the experience on his podcast.
“I got a chance to talk to (Wisconsin-Green Bay AD) Josh Moon several times during the year after they had made their coaching job available and my approach to how I’ve done these things — and this is not the first time I’ve gone down this path, but this was a different path,” Gottlieb said on his All Ball podcast.
“This is a low-major, mid-major job, and there’s no connection there. I’ve told people that for the radio element to — for the right thing — I’d give it up. The (podcast), I’m not giving it up. I love doing it and I think there’s a very smart world where if I’m coaching I can still do this podcast and still do it with basketball people all over the country and the world, and it’s kind of like a cheat code.”
He continued by saying that seeing Shaka Smart be successful at Marquette has motivated him to continue to search for the right fit as a college basketball coach.
“That’s what I want to do. And last year when I was coaching in Israel, that also continued to invigorate me…this is something that I would really like to do. It has to be the right thing. It has to be the right AD who hits the right message.”
He continued by saying that a sticking point of negotiations was he wasn’t willing to give up his nationally syndicated radio program for the job. He was willing to take less money for his assistants pool, but also to continue doing his radio show.
Gottlieb did not get the position with the Phoenix, noting that he was a finalist but was never offered the job. The position ultimately went to Wyoming assistant coach Sundance Wicks. Wicks had previous head coaching experience and had worked with Green Bay athletic director Josh Moon at Division II Northern State. He admitted he wasn’t necessarily “all-in” on the job due to the current ages of his children and whether the timing was right to uproot his family to move to Northeastern Wisconsin.
The Fox Sports Radio host does have coaching experience. He has worked as a coach for the U.S. men’s basketball team at the Maccabiah Games, sometimes referred to as the Jewish Olympics.
Gottlieb’s father — Bob — was the head men’s basketball coach at Wisconsin-Milwaukee from 1975-1980, compiling a 97-91 record.
Sports Radio News
Waddle & Silvy: Scott Hanson Told Us to Lose His Number
“We didn’t call him back, so he set out what he wanted to do.”

Published
3 hours agoon
March 17, 2023By
BSM Staff
Aaron Rodgers took immense pride in the fact that he told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter to “lose his number” while discussing his future earlier this week on The Pat McAfee Show. ESPN 1000’s Waddle & Silvy said they’ve experienced similar treatment from guests on their radio show.
While discussing the Rodgers interview with McAfee, the pair admitted that NFL RedZone host Scott Hanson once told their producer to stop trying to book him for interviews on the program.
“I believe the presentation was ‘Do me a favor: lose my number after this interview’,” Tom Waddle said. “So he tried to do it politely. Scott Hanson did. Get out of here. That concept is foreign to me. How about ‘Hey, next time you text me, my schedule is full. I can’t do it, but thanks for thinking of me’. ‘Lose my number?’ You ain’t the President, for Christ’s sake. I’m saying that to anyone who would say that. ‘Lose my number?’ We’re all in the communication business. I just don’t know — why be rude like that to people? What does that accomplish? You know what it accomplished? We didn’t call him back, so he set out what he wanted to do.”
Co-host Mark Silverman then mentioned that the show once tried to book Hansen and NFL Red Zone host Andrew Siciliano together in the same block, with the idea of doing a trivia game to see who the supreme Red Zone host was. Siciliano agreed, but Hansen declined.
The pair also confirmed that an NFL Network personality had told them to lose their number, but couldn’t remember if it was Rich Eisen or not.
Silverman later joked that maybe Hanson was getting a new phone with a new number, and was politely sharing with the producer that he could lose the current phone number because he would share his new number in short order.
Sports Radio News
Seth Payne: Aaron Rodgers ‘Makes Gross Inaccuracies’ When Calling Out Media
“This is where Rodgers does this thing where he, in calling out reporters for their inaccuracies, makes gross inaccuracies in his accusations.”

Published
3 hours agoon
March 17, 2023By
BSM Staff
Aaron Rodgers is always mad at the media for the inaccurate things he says they report, but according to Sports Radio 610 morning man Seth Payne, no one is more inaccurate than the quarterback himself.
Friday morning, Payne and his partner Sean Pendergast played audio of Aaron Rodgers responding to a question about a list of players he provided to the Jets demanding they sign. Rodgers called the idea that he would make demands “so stupid” and chastised ESPN reporter Dianna Russini, who was the first to report it.
“Now to be clear, Dianna Russini didn’t say demands in her tweet. She said wishlist,” Pendergast clarified.
They also played a clip of Russini responding to Rodgers on NFL Live saying that she stands by her reporting and it is her job to reach out to confirm that it is true.
“This is where Rodgers does this thing where he, in calling out reporters for their inaccuracies, makes gross inaccuracies in his accusations,” Seth Payne said.
He added that if Rodgers is being serious, he is doing some serious nitpicking. He claims that he didn’t give the Jets a list, but that he spoke glowingly about former teammates and told the Jets executives that he met with who he enjoyed playing with during his career.
Payne joked that maybe he wrote down the names in a circle pattern so that it was not a list. Pendergast added that he could have had Fat Head stickers on his wall that he pointed to instead of writing anything at all.
In Payne’s mind, this is a case of Russini catching stray frustration. Neither in her initial tweet nor in any subsequent media appearance did she use the phrase “demands”.
“What he’s actually responding to in that instance is Pat McAfee is the one that described it as a list of demands,” Seth Payne said.
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