Sports Byline USA
Sports Byline USA is a national sports radio network based in the United States. Sports Byline USA is also the name of the flagship program on the network. It was launched on October 24, 1988. Sports Byline USA is located in San Francisco, California. Nationally, the network claims programming is heard on numerous radio stations, Sirius Satellite Radio channel 122, and on CRN Digital Talk Radio Networks channel 2. The station is also available on several international stations and is the main sports programming of the American Forces Network.
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| Type | Radio network |
|---|---|
| Country | |
| Availability | National, through regional affiliates and satellite radio |
Launch date | October 24, 1988 |
| Webcast | Listen Live Listen Live (mp3) |
Official website | sportsbyline |
Ron Barr, the creator of the show, wanted to give sports fans across the nation the chance to call in and talk to their favorite athletes. He takes listener calls on major issues in the sports world.
Sports Byline USA's staff includes Chairman/Host, Ron Barr, and its limited partnership group. Included in the group are 20-time Wimbledon Champion Billie Jean King, former NFL running back Darrin Nelson, super sports attorney Leigh Steinberg and other successful business professionals. Bill Walsh, the Hall of Fame and 3-time Super Bowl winning coach, was on the Sports Byline USA Partnership Advisory Board of Directors.
Barr is a longtime sports broadcaster, announcer and journalist, announcing games for various college and professional teams, including the Washington Huskies, the Seattle Sonics, the Boston Celtics and the California Golden Bears. Barr began his career with the Washington Post and has worked as a sports anchor for KIRO-TV in Seattle and former NBC affiliate KRON-TV in San Francisco.[1]
Sports Byline USA had signed on to be the radio distributor of broadcasts of the All American Football League, with the games being produced by Touchdown Radio Productions. The AAFL suspended operations in March 2008, one month prior to its launch, and has yet to begin play as of 2011.
On June 30, 2009, Sports Byline USA signed an advertising sales representation agreement with Focus 360 LLC. Focus 360's Chief Executive Officer, Phil Brown, said that the National Focus network and syndication division will sell Sports Byline USA to advertisers on a stand-alone basis as well as in conjunction with National Baseball Network, another major sports network represented by National Focus.