Several readers have e-mailed to ask me what has happened to the Bill Rosinski Show, which was pulled off the airwaves earlier this week. Basically here's the condensed version -- the syndicator, Charis Radio Network, was losing money, quite a bit of it, in fact, prompting owner Danny Fontana to cancel the show.
It was not a reflection at all on Rosinski’s work, and I'm not saying that because Bill is a friend. (We've known each other since 1995 when the Panthers came into the league).
Folks, this was simply a monetary issue.
I talked to Rosinski about the decision Wednesday.
“The company I was working for ran out of money and the business plan didn’t work – that’s basically what happened,” Rosinski said. “They decided to pull the plug.”
The Bill Rosinski Show, which started a little more than two years ago, had been on four stations but was later dropped by other markets and, as of earlier this month, could only be heard on WFNZ and Greensboro-based WBLO-AM.
Rosinski, who for 10 years was the voice of the Carolina Panthers, still broadcasts NFL games for Westwood One radio (in fact, he will broadcast the Saints-Panthers game a week from Sunday) and ACC football games ISP Sports. He said he also plans to broadcast some ACC basketball for ISP.
Bill is great at what he does, and while this has certainly been a rough few years, I'm sure he will land on his feet.
Fontana, by the way, owns the radio station WDYT-AM, whose towers are located in the Gastonia area.
WFNZ is debating on how to fill Rosinski's time slot.
The show has been temporarily replaced on WFNZ by Tony Bruno of Sporting News Radio. By the way, I think they should rename it the Tony Brutal Show because it's simply terrible. I think I heard him talk about the “man card” about 15 times in a half hour, almost vomited, and turned it off vowing never to listen again.
Look for WFNZ to have a local sports show in place during that time period before long.