The landscape of sports talk radio continues to change in Indianapolis.
Longtime sports voice Mark Patrick is out at WNDE, after the two sides couldn’t come to an agreement. His last show was July 20th, 2011. Two days later, WNDE had this to say on their website:
“Mark’s contract was coming up on renewal and both parties decided to not renew and part ways.”
Patrick had been on the air since January 4, 2010, when he began his second stint on WNDE. Prior to that, he was with the station for 17 years, including a role on the Bob & Tom Show.
Sports talk radio has shuffled over the last five years.
In December 2007, 1070 WIBC moved over to FM, and allowed for an all sports station, 1070 The Fan. Bob Kravitz and Eddie White began the “Kravitz & Eddie” show on January 7th, 2007.
Neither Kravitz or Eddie had radio experience so this combination took time–but they turned out to be a great tandem. The trouble was paying both voices when the station wasn’t as profitable while they could pay one person to have a show. So they did. When the two left, they were the highest rated sports talk show in Indy.
After Charlie Morgan was brought in as program director of, there was a big change. JMV, now the afternoon host on 1070 The Fan quit WNDE in November, 2009 and then had to wait for his non-compete clause to join 1070 The Fan.
I don’t know JMV personally, but he comes off as just another guy but with a radio show and he has gained a faithful audience over the years. So JMV moves to the big boys, opening a spot on WNDE, thus Patrick returns.
But now about a year and a half later, WNDE has pulled the plug, primarily because JMV has dominated the ratings and MPOS (Mark Patrick On Sports) wasn’t turning a quality profit.
Indianapolis needs another columnist, and they need more quality sports talk hosts. I understand I am not an expert, but I believe Indy needs more voices.
Like my friend Kravitz always says, teams in Indiana are lucky to only have him. For instance, the Colts would get torn apart for decisions and ways they handle things both on and off the field.
The Indianapolis Star is dying so the columnist idea is not going to happen, at least not until ESPN Indianapolis debuts (my guess in a year). Also, there aren’t many options with sports talk radio. The best time slot, from 3-6 pm, JMV essentially owns. WNDE has thrown in the towel and I can’t even get a signal on the north side of Indianapolis for XL950. And that’s a shame.
I am bias because I interned with Kravitz & Eddie and have gotten to know them very well. But they put a great and unique product over the air. Eddie taught me a lot but I’ll never forget his goal–it went something like this:
“My job is to entertain and brighten up the day of the listeners on their way home. I want to give the listeners information that they tell their wife or kids. Not just sports…it’s more than that.”
Indianapolis is the Amateur Sports Capital of the World. Just this upcoming year there is the Big Ten Football Championship, Super Bowl, and Big Ten men’s and women’s basketball tournament. There is plenty of talent out there, both scribes and on-air. I would love to see more voices in Indianapolis. There just needs to be.
Indy just doesn’t have much to offer from a sports talk radio side. Most of the guys wouldn’t make it in other markets and it’s a shame this state doesn’t have top talent.
I hate the fact that I am at more Pacers games, for example, than some of the hosts. If they are the “expert,” how about they watch the games, hear what’s going on in the locker room and get some insight.
I know radio stations aren’t making money anymore, but surely they have enough to pay better than average talent. Heck WNDE may be an all-national, local station. Pretty pathetic.
I’m was a very active listener in the sports talk radio sector. It’s amazing that none of the stations can keep a consistent lineup. K&E are gone, JMV moves, MP only sticks around a year, Dakich has more “off” days than anyone I know, and 950 isn’t even worth listening to.
I suppose that’s why I turn to my iPod & Satellite radio much more often.
I agree. It is really unfortunate that Mark Patrick is gone. JMV is essentially a knucklehead as are his loyal listeners. Taking Mark out of the 3-6 basically sink holes the IQ component for that drive time.
In such a sport-crazed state, I just wish there were more outspoken media. Unfortunately, jobs are being cut rather than added.
I REALLY miss Mark Patrick on the radio. I drive every day and his show with Ace just made my day. I cannot stand listening to JMV! He is arrogant and not very knowledgable about sports, especially around central Indiana. I can’t stand how he trashes people in local sports. Have been listening lately ONLY because of the crap on WNDE now, and JMV is trashing the Brickyard every single day. He does it with other sports as well as teams, coaches and individuals. Hey DUDE, if you don’t want to be here, LEAVE!! Let’s put Mark Patrick in “his” spot on 1070AM, or maybe we can get MPOS on a decent FM channel to put 1070 out of its misery with this goof. MPOS was “far better” than any other sports show around here. Too bad the Powers-That-Be could not wait just a little bit longer while JMV completely destroys the 3:00-6:00P slot on 1070. I have a lot of CD’s that I would much rather listen to. JH
I totally agree with you John, I hate JMV also i think he sucks & since MPOS if gone now i just listen to FM 92.3 WTTS. I am hoping Mark gets back on air sometime soon. He for sure made my ride home from work a good one, i even turned it on at home even. Thanks.
Quality drive-time radio has taken a hit!
MPOS was very entertaining and a nice contrast to JMV’s rough style.
Very much hope Mark Patrick re-appears in Indy soon!
Based on his influence and history of jobs in Indy, I have a feeling he will remain…in some capacity.
Although now with his son coming on strong in the majors, maybe he will opt to spend more time with family.
This was actually MPOS’ third stint at WNDE. He first hosted in the late 80’s when WNDE first switched to all sports. I believe it was the first local sports talk show in the area.
As far as I’ve read, his jobs went like this:
He began at WNAP in 1980, then a 17-year stint on WNDE/Bob & Tom Show, WISH-TV in 1990, MPOS begins on Fox Sports radio, nationally syndicated in 2001, return to WNDE 2010.
Unless I’m missing something.
MPOS SUCKS
MPOS should come back to radio, either locally to Indianapolis or nationally. I am a Hoosier transplant in Southern California and really miss hearing Mark talk Indiana sports. We need to start a push to bring him back.
MPOS is missed! Sports talk radio have degenerated into loudmouths with no more skill, style, manners or knowledge than the average Cub Bleacher Bum.
ベビー キッズ ジュニア pico ピコ…
Indianapolis media loses another sports voice – Mark Patrick out at WNDE | Vigilant Sports…