Sports Talk Host

RadioJobs; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401K with company match

Paid Vacation

Job summary

Cumulus Media | Westwood One is seeking a Sports Radio Talk Show Host for a remote-based role. You will host shows, craft segments with the producer, and actively engage listeners across live reads, calls, and social media to drive ratings.

The ideal candidate has 1–3 years on-air experience, strong knowledge of national sports headlines, and the ability to interact with audiences in real-time. Competitive pay and benefits are provided.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years on-air experience in radio.
• Ability to craft engaging, opinionated sports content.
• Familiar with live production and audience interaction.

Responsibilities

• Host shows that entertain, inform, and engage listeners.
• Plan segments, produce content with the producer, and share ideas.
• Read live commercials and handle breaking sports news on air.

Skills

On-air experience

Storytelling

Interviewing

Audience interaction

Content planning

Live reads

Social media engagement

FCC rules knowledge

Tools

Adobe Audition

On-air automation

OpX system

Job description

Company Overview

Cumulus Media is an audio-first media company delivering premium content to a quarter billion people every month - wherever and whenever they want it. Cumulus Media engages listeners with high-quality local programming through 384 owned-and-operated radio stations across 84 markets; delivers nationally-syndicated sports, news, talk, and entertainmentprogramming from iconic brands including the NFL, the NCAA, the Masters, US Soccer, AP News, and the Academy of Country Music Awards, across more than 7,800 affiliated stations through Westwood One, a leading national audio network;and inspires listeners through the Cumulus Podcast Network, an established and influential platform for original podcasts that are smart, entertaining, and thought-provoking. Cumulus Media provides advertisers with personal connections, local impact and national reachthrough broadcast and on-demand digital, mobile, social, and voice-activated platforms, as well as integrated digital marketing services, powerful influencers, full-service audio solutions, industry-leading research and insights, and live eventexperiences. For more information visit www.cumulusmedia.com.

Position Overview

Cumulus Media | Westwood One has an immediate opening for a Sports Radio Talk Show Host. In this role, you’ll be responsible for hosting shows that generate ratings through entertaining, informative, interesting, compelling, topical, personable, likeable, and interactive content. The ideal candidate must have a deep understanding of how to go beyond the latest sports news, headlines, and events to craft an entertaining and unique product – working closely with your Producer to plan and produce a quality show through creative ideas, segments, and production elements; getting into and out of current sports events, teasing/telling stories, providing opinion, and insights while actively interacting with listeners in real-time. An unparalleled worth ethic, drive, and passion for Sports/Sports Talk goes a long way to being successful in this role.

Candidates will preferably have and – if hired – will continue to maintain a dedicated social media audience that they can engage both on and off the air, as well as during major sporting events.

This is a remote based position.

Key Responsibilities & Qualifications

Key Responsibilities:

• Produce a compelling radio show by using creativity, imagination and exercise of independent professional judgment in writing, producing, interviewing, taping or broadcasting on-air content – intelligent and self-confident; yet likeable, reasonable, and capable of understanding various viewpoints
• Capable of vivid storytelling – execute compelling teases that keep the audience hooked
• Deliver fact-based opinions in a confident manner with a willingness and capability to professionally support those opinions
• Ability to interview newsmakers with sharp, short, open-ended questions that provoke fascinating answers
• Successfully manage callers and guests keeping the show moving while directing the organic interactivity that surfaces through phone calls, social media, text messaging, and chat
• Be a great orator, but also a terrific listener – understands how to talk WITH the audience, not AT the audience
• Intelligent and self-confident yet likeable, reasonable and capable of understanding various viewpoints
• Read live commercial copy on air
• Handle emergency/breaking sports news/news or weather live, as needed
• Willing to work with and respect other hosts
• Team player – open to heavy collaboration with Producers and Executive Director

Qualifications:

• 1-3 years of on-air experience
• Knowledge of current sports headlines, stories, leagues, teams, owners, players, fan bases
• Must have experience with on-air automation systems, Adobe Audition and basic computer software programs
• Network radio and OpX on-air automation system experience preferred
• Must have suitable Wi‑Fi connection and speed as announcer will be producing shows from home on provided company equipment
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite and social networking
• Strong knowledge of all FCC rules and regulations
• Socially informed and perceptive; up‑to‑date and in tune daily with national trends and/or specialized knowledge of topics/events related to on‑air discussions
• Demonstrated upbeat personality, informative, entertaining and engaging on the air; able to relate to audience
• Pleasant, charismatic and well‑controlled voice; excellent pronunciation
• Excellent verbal and written communication and editing skills; proficient in grammar; ability to make others feel comfortable on air
• Demonstrated creativity and imagination
• Collaborative – work well in a team environment
• Audio demo of monologues, storytelling, on‑air interviews, commentary, live commercial reads, etc. must be added to online profile/application

Pay Range

USD $65,000.00 - USD $75,000.00 /Yr.

What We Offer

• Competitive Pay
• Focused, responsible and collaborative work environment with the ability to ask, "what if" and try innovative solutions
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance coverage
• 401K with company match
• Paid Vacation, Sick & Holiday time off
• Parental leave time off benefits, life insurance, disability insurance, wellness, and an employee referral bonus program

For more information about Cumulus Media, visit our website at: https://www.cumulusmedia.com/

EEO Statement

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