Sports-talk switch
Longtime radio host Bill Michaels is “taking a break.”
Bill Michaels, one of the best-known names in Milwaukee sports-talk radio, is off the air.
On Friday, “The Fan,” the sports-talk station at WSSP-AM (1250), announced a new on-air lineup beginning Monday. Absent from the list: “The Bill Michaels Show,” which had aired from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Michaels had been at WSSP since 2011, a couple of months after his contract wasn’t continued at WTMJ-AM (620). He had been at WTMJ for more than 12 years, including a stint as sports director.
In what was labeled the “last segment” of the show Friday afternoon, producer Joe Zenzola read a statement that Michaels had issued to people at the station.
“There comes a time in your life when some stresses begin to drag you down. In doing so, your effort and attention (are) pulled in numerous directions, leaving you with the inability to focus on your sole task,” Michaels’ decision read. “At this time, I’m going to take a brief break from the airwaves.”
Michaels also thanked Entercom, which owns WSSP, for “helping me build a dream.”
Michaels’ show at WSSP was syndicated, at two other Wisconsin stations at first. The network eventually grew to a total of 16 stations, including one in Rockford, Illinois.
“Nobody saw this coming,” Zenzola commented after reading Michaels’ statement.
Replacing Michaels’ show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. will be “The Wendy’s Big Show,” with Steve “Sparky” Fifer and former Packers Gary Ellerson and LeRoy Butler.
The show, which had aired from 2 to 6 p.m. weekdays, will be syndicated statewide for the first time.