June 7th 2024.
A new and exciting development is taking place in the world of sports radio in Detroit. As reported by CBS News, a former sports anchor, Rob Parker, has launched the first all-Black-led sports rap radio station in the city. The station, called Sports Rap Radio, made its debut on AM 1270 on June 4th and is making waves as the only Black-owned radio station in the country to feature all Black sports hosts.
Parker, who is no stranger to the sports broadcasting scene in Detroit, expressed his enthusiasm for this groundbreaking achievement. "This is history-making," he stated, "and we just believe that the time has come." With the support of his team, which includes longtime friend Dave Kenney, former NBA player BJ Armstrong, and former Detroit Country Day football star and University of Michigan wide receiver Maurice "Moe" Ways, Parker is confident that this venture will be a success.
The inspiration behind Sports Rap Radio comes from Parker's observation that, just four years ago, there were no Black full-time sports hosts on the radio in Detroit. "In a city that's nearly 80% Black, I looked at that as a problem," he explained. With this new platform, Parker hopes to provide a space for Black voices to be heard and represented in the world of sports broadcasting.
The journey to launch Sports Rap Radio was not without its challenges. According to Detroit Metro Times, the station was originally set to launch on May 16th but faced delays due to a two-year lease agreement with Audacy, the owner of WXYT. However, the station finally made its debut on June 4th, taking over the spot formerly occupied by Audacy's syndicated BETQL Network.
Parker is no stranger to the world of sports media, with a resume that includes co-hosting "The Odd Couple Show" on Fox Sports Radio and working for major outlets like ESPN and FS1. He was also the first Black sports columnist at the Detroit Free Press and has written for other platforms such as The Detroit News and Channels 4 and 7. In addition to his work in broadcasting, Parker is also an entrepreneur and owns the Sporty Cutz barber shop on West Seven Mile Road.
The response to Sports Rap Radio has been overwhelmingly positive, with many people reaching out to see how they can support the station. "The response so far has been just tremendous," Parker shared. "You wouldn't believe how many people have asked, 'What do we need to do?' I tell them, 'We're going to need everything,' but it's shaping up and we'll be ready to go."
This groundbreaking achievement by Parker and his team is a testament to the power of determination and perseverance. As the saying goes, when one door closes, another one opens. And for Parker, this new door has opened up a world of possibilities for Black voices in sports broadcasting.
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