He is one of the best people you’ll ever meet. He is knowledgeable, caring, and has an unforgettable voice. He can easily carry a conversation – no matter the topic. He is a media star in Indiana.
He is … Michael Grady.
Michael Grady is adding “sports reporter” for WRTV-6 to his job title.
On a day particularly tough in the media business for many folks in Indy — CBS affiliate moving from WISH-TV to WTTV, IndyStar cutting staff — I’m choosing to focus on the good.
Michael Grady, better known as MG or simply, Grady, is joining WRTV-6, the local ABC affiliate, as a sports reporter. He’ll work beside sports director Dave Furst and reporter Brad Brown.
Now don’t worry, he’s still staying on board as co-host of his popular sports show, “The Grady and Big Joe Show,” on 1070 The Fan, and he will remain the voice inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse for Pacers games as the public address announcer. At the moment, he’s undecided as to whether he’ll continue on as PA announcer for the Indiana Fever next summer.
By the way, he didn’t just become the Pacers’ public address announcer overnight. He earned it, in part, by emceeing games the year before and being the PA announcer for Fever games prior to Reb Porter retiring from his longtime post with the Pacers.
Grady is a product of Warren Central High School. He busted his butt announcing games on the school’s radio station, WEDM 91.1 FM. He then attended Vincennes University and as a student, began working at Emmis Communications.
His first job was producing a pet show on WIBC – seriously. He understood that 1) he had to learn the ins and outs of the business, 2) prove he could do it, and 3) earn a job doing what he wanted: sports. He also produced Bob Lovell’s weekend sports show, “Indiana Sports Talk.”
Grady did all that and more, and then a few years later, 1070 The Fan was born. WIBC slide over to 93.1 on the FM dial. Grady would the be named executive producer by Kent Sterling, the program director at the time. A couple years later as the station added more local programming, Grady was named the co-host of “The Grady & Big Joe Show,” which from the outside is a big hit.
Grady is terrific at keeping his audience, touching on various subjects not limited to sports. His other passions include pop culture and fashion. He has nearly 15,000 followers on Twitter, which is a testament to his hard work, engaging personality, and the trust others have in him.
He also is a great guy. He gives back to the community often, either by appearing at local events to lend a hand or by emceeing them. When I’ve needed something — advice or his resources — he’s been extremely helpful. And I know I’m not the only one.
His advice to those aspiring to be in the media business: Say ‘yes’ to any opportunity.
Without a doubt, Grady will be fantastic. He already has the knowledge, the passion, and he’s very comfortable in front of the camera. Throughout the year, he’s been a frequent guests on the the local stations to discuss local happenings in the sports world.
During the Pacers’ 2014 playoff run, Grady traveled to the away games — in Atlanta, Washington D.C., and Miami — and not only aced his talkbacks, but he also did a sensational job with Mark Boyle as the game analyst on the Pacers Radio Network.
Whatever Grady has his hands on has been successful.
Adding additional responsibilities won’t be easy for MG. Yes, it’s more money and visibility, but it’s also more commitments and less free time. But Michael’s a guy who thoroughly loves sports – particularly the NBA – and talking about them, so it shouldn’t be a problem. Credit Grady’s hard-working mentality, as well as his wife, Deandra, for being a team player.
Grady joins Chris Denari, Greg Rakestraw, and Kevin Lee as Indianapolis media members who are incredibly talented and have a variety of checks coming their way for different gigs.
As there are more avenues than ever for sports media, RTV6 chose to go with a familiar, friendly voice already in town. It furthers the argument that media folks no longer can only be good at one thing – whether that’s reporting, writing columns, anchoring or hosting a radio show. To make it, you have do it all, and that now also includes but is not limited to Twitter, blogs, and podcasts.
More of Grady in Indianapolis is a good thing.
But if I was ESPN or FOX Sports 1, I’d hire Grady immediately and not look back.
Appreciate you all. As an Indy lifer it's amazing to continue to converse w/u everyday here, at Pacers games, @1070thefan, and now on @rtv6.
— Michael Grady (@Grady) August 11, 2014