Steve Czaban

[FVBrewerFan]

Anyone know what happened to him? For those unaware, he did a "sports" segment every morning for 25 years on the Bob & Brian show (102.9) in Milwaukee. I put sports in parantheses because often the conversation would turn to other things.

 

Anyhow, suddenly he wasn't on anymore. All Bob & Brian have said is "he quit." I heard Czaban made a comment that it wasn't about money, contract, etc. But I find that hard to believe, there was no "send off" after 25 years or anything, it just ended abruptly.

 

Just curious if any other fans of the show have heard anything?

[BrewCrewForever]

Thought I heard he made some comments about it at the beginning of one of his recent Czabecast episodes. That is his premium pay podcast. Don't know what he said, but I heard he addressed it.

[jschris]

He didn't say a lot about it on his podcast other than it was a tough decision and that he is going to deeply miss the show and the people. He also said he would elaborate later on when he could. I mean, he spent about ten minutes talking about it and that's about as much as I could distill from it.

 

His podcast is available for free and it's pretty easy to access with his app. The part that gets stuck behind the paywall is the "Football Five Ways" podcast on Fridays. Up until this week he often devoted significant time talking about Wisconsin sports, and Drew Olson is a regular guest on the show. Not sure if that's going to change now or not. I haven't listened all that much this week.

[Invader3K]

That's too bad. To be honest, I haven't listed to Bob & Brian in years, but I always enjoyed Czaban on that show.

[patrickgpe]

Rumor I heard is that czabe and drew Olson are starting a show on 94.5. His deal was expiring and couldn’t do both as they are competitors. We shall see if it’s true though.

[AdvantageSchneider]

That would be weird. Olson just left ESPN 540 for the Big 920. Czaban is entertaining but his knowledge of WI sports outside the Packers is thimble-sized.

[Outlander]

Czaben for a couple of hours would be a tough sell. It worked with Bob and Brian in the past because it is very comedic and they just have good chemistry. Olson and Czaben would be on together every now and then and I never thought it was very good.

[FVBrewerFan]

That would be weird. Olson just left ESPN 540 for the Big 920. Czaban is entertaining but his knowledge of WI sports outside the Packers is thimble-sized.

 

Yea, but that's not what made him entertaining. It was the chemistry between them, and all the non-sports stuff they drifted off to that made it fun. Nobody tuned in to get an in-depth analysis of the Brewers bullpen strategy.

[patrickgpe]

And that’s why you bring in drew. I agree a Milwaukee program with Czaban would be odd, but you let him cohost with a local guy and you may have something.

 

One doesn’t leave a paying job (especially after he lost his local am show) without something lined up.

 

I’m not one to post unsubstantiated rumors but this has a ring of truth to me.

[AdvantageSchneider]

It would seem to be an odd career move for Czaban I guess. He already has a local radio show in a larger market, and he's done national radio shows as well. Now he's going to start a local radio show in a smaller market? Seems like a very odd move.

 

Whatever he is planning to do I hope it falls through because the new sports guy on Bob and Brian stinks. Maybe Czaban can come back like the prodigal son.

[AdvantageSchneider]

And that’s why you bring in drew. I agree a Milwaukee program with Czaban would be odd, but you let him cohost with a local guy and you may have something.

 

One doesn’t leave a paying job (especially after he lost his local am show) without something lined up.

 

I’m not one to post unsubstantiated rumors but this has a ring of truth to me.

 

The Milwaukee business journal reported the rumor that Czaban is going to join 97.3.

[502 to Right]

Czaban's full national show used to run in the Madison market when I lived there in the mid-90's. I think it was part of the One on One sports radio network. I loved it. It seemed to be the right mix of serious and funny. I don't listen to Bob & Brian so I've never heard Czabe on their show.

[patrickgpe]

Pretty sure Czaban hinted at a show with drew in the coming months on the podcast this am.

[bani1717]

Seems like Tim Murray is Czabe's permanent replacement on Bob and Brian now. Interesting dynamic given that Murray is another guy from DC who I believe used to work with Czabe.

[Ewing23]

I just saw on the Pabst Theater website that Steve Czaban is coming to Milwaukee to be the guest emcee for a show on Jan 19th. Not sure what that means in terms of his future but the fact that he is coming to Milwaukee makes it hard not to think something is in the works.

[patrickgpe]

https://czabe.com/the-post/new-year-new-opportunities/

 

Sheds more light on what happened. Said on his podcast today that he may have to move to Milwaukee if this opportunity takes off.

[patrickgpe]

FINALLY announced and official. The Steve Czaban show airing on 97.3FM from 6-9am.

 

I will definitely give it a try. Pretty funny that is competing directly with B&B. Will be interesting to see how he does here.

[Outlander]

Relative to other sports talk he will do fine, nowhere near the audience of B&B. Don't know what kind of expectations they have of him.

[Invader3K]

Not to derail the topic, but is Bob & Brian still a decent show? I haven't really listened in about five years. The show started getting a bit overly political, and I got kind of tired of it.

[patrickgpe]

Its not as good as it used to be, I really only listen to the weekly brewers segment with Fireman Jim and the sports report with Tim Murray. He is just as good as Czaban IMHO.

 

Regarding expectations, sports talk in general here gets low ratings and with 3 sports talk stations, I have no idea how everyone makes enough money to keep operations running. 97.3 has been smart in starting a new station with established names that are known in the market. I think he will plunk a few listeners from WSSP and B&B and thats all 97.3 wanted. Still think it gets a 1 rating, because thats what sports talk gets around here.

[Samurai Bucky]

Its not as good as it used to be, I really only listen to the weekly brewers segment with Fireman Jim and the sports report with Tim Murray. He is just as good as Czaban IMHO.

 

Regarding expectations, sports talk in general here gets low ratings and with 3 sports talk stations, I have no idea how everyone makes enough money to keep operations running. 97.3 has been smart in starting a new station with established names that are known in the market. I think he will plunk a few listeners from WSSP and B&B and thats all 97.3 wanted. Still think it gets a 1 rating, because thats what sports talk gets around here.

Interesting how TMJ switched WKTI to ESPN Radio a few months ago. Much better than keeping it on 540AM where you had to be within a three-block radius to pick up the station.

 

I think sports talk radio is getting some more traction. I have problems getting 105.7 and 103.3 (TMJ-FM) and have a lot of static. Not cool. Will the Badgers get on an FM station or will they stay on 920AM?

[bani1717]

The Badgers have been on FM stations, haven't they? They have been on 95.7 in the past, and I thought they may have switched or may soon switch to 97.3.

[Paul77]

I think the Badgers have been on FM 95.7 since 2014 or so. I know for sure they were, not sure if they still are.