I was on my way to a Spring Training game in Goodyear, when I realized I forgot my money and ID. Then I checked my phone on the way back home and got an email I didn’t believe at first. However, it comes from Tony Cafarelli, a promotions director at Entercom, so it looks legit.
Also, KNBR’s website shows the noon-to-three slot on KTCT as “TBD.” And like that … he’s gone.
San Francisco, CA — 95.7 The GAME (KGMZ-FM), The Bay Area’s New Sound for Sports, today announced a series of moves to its weekday lineup. Starting on Monday, March 31, KNBR veteran Damon Bruce will anchor The GAME’s afternoon drive from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Afternoon anchors Ric Bucher and Chris Townsend will shift to mornings as part of this move.
“This is a great day for 95.7 The GAME and Bay Area sports fans. For years, Damon Bruce has been one of the strongest, most opinionated and passionate personalities in Bay Area sports. He understands what it takes to compete and win in this market,” said Steve DiNardo, Entercom San Francisco’s Vice-President and Market Manager. “Just as exciting is moving Ric Bucher and Chris Townsend to morning drive. In just 14 months, they have developed strong chemistry and a loyal following. We feel like we have the perfect team in the perfect time slot to grow The GAME.”
Damon Bruce is a San Francisco radio veteran. A staple with KNBR between 1998 and 2000, Bruce returned to KNBR in 2005 as a host of “The Damon Bruce Show” on KNBR 1050. He first gained national exposure hosting Sports Overnight America before leaving to become a SportsCenter anchor on ESPN Radio. Bruce has also filled in on the Jim Rome show and has hosted SportsCenter for ESPN International. He later was a fill-in host on Fox Sports Radio and Sporting News Radio, as well as the CBS Sports Network, before rejoining KNBR. Additionally Damon has hosted Pre and Post-Game shows for the San Francisco Giants and San Francisco 49ers.”
“I’m truly excited to join 95.7 The GAME and Entercom Communications. The Bay Area has a one-of-a-kind sports scene, one of the hottest and most exciting in the country today. Bay Area fans are some of the most passionate fans in the country, and I can’t wait to start and kick off a new drive-time experience for Bay Area sports fans,” said Bruce.
Bucher, a 20-year Bay Area native, joined 95.7 The GAME for afternoons in 2012, having previously served as a Bay Area-based NBA reporter for ESPN’s SportsCenter and NBA studio shows, as well as a senior writer covering professional basketball for ESPN The Magazine. In addition to his hosting duties, Bucher is currently the Golden State Warriors Sideline Reporter and NBA Insider for Comcast SportsNet, and also writes for the NBA beat on Bleacher Report. Townsend, a 14-year Bay Area native, previously hosted The Pulse and The Chris Townsend Show, as well as the pre-game Dugout Show & post-game A’ Talk shows on 95.7 The GAME.
“I’m excited about the chance to give the day’s first take on sports, as well as expand on the lighter side of our current show. I like the idea of helping our listeners get their day off on the right foot — not only with sports knowledge to exchange with friends and workers but a laugh or two as well,” said Bucher.
95.7 The GAME is the largest radio market FM Sports Station in California and the flagship radio station for the Oakland Athletics and Oakland Raiders. Effective March 31, 95.7 The GAME’s new lineup will be:
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6:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Bucher and Towny with Ric Bucher and Chris Townsend
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10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Haberman & Middlekauff
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12:00-3:00 p.m. The Wheelhouse with John Lund & Greg Papa
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3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. The Damon Bruce Show
Damon Bruce takes the spot formerly held by Ric Bucher and Chris Townsend, which means he’s going from KNBR’s “B” station (1050) to a drive-time spot at the station he used to mock incessantly. That’s quite a step up for Bruce, who just four months ago became a nationally known figure for all the wrong reasons with his infamous “sports has lost its way because women are giving directions” rant.
“Bucher and Towny” replaces “The Rise Guys,” the morning show that featured Whitey Gleason, Mark Kreidler and Dan Dibley.
Bruce fills the most important slot in talk radio, a spot which for KGMZ has equated to a game of musical chairs since Jason Barrett took over as Program Director. Brandon Tierney and Eric Davis used to host from 3-to-7, then Davis left and was replaced by Bucher. Then Townsend replaced Tierney after the New York native bounced to CBS Sports Radio.
One thing to note — Barrett’s name was not mentioned in the email from Carafelli. I haven’t heard whether he’s still employed by Entercom, but that may be something to monitor.
