Barrett Sports Media Establishes 'Jeff Smulyan Award'

New Award

BARRETT SPORTS MEDIA has created an annual award for sports radio named after EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS CEO JEFF SMULYAN.

The JEFF SMULYAN Award, named after the creator of the Sports format at WFAN-A/NEW YORK, will be bestowed, according to consultant and BSM founder JASON BARRETT, on "a chosen member of the radio industry who has demonstrated a consistent ability to lead, take risks, and produce results."  The award, the first of four annual awards to be established by BSM, will be first presented at the 2019 BARRETT SPORTS MEDIA Summit in LOS ANGELES FEBRUARY 21-22.

“If JEFF SMULYAN hadn't rolled the dice to launch an all-sports station in NEW YORK CITY in 1987, and stuck to the plan when it made no sense to do so, sports radio may never have received a second chance,” said BARRETT. “JEFF's ability to lead and deliver results, combined with his willingness to take risk, not only benefited WFAN, but it remains the driving force behind EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS' success. As new threats for the sports fan's ear emerge from outside industries, it's important for us to remember who paved the way to make this possible, while recognizing those who continue to blaze new trails to help us secure a prosperous future.”

“I’m incredibly humbled and honored that this award is being named after me,” added SMULYAN. “It’s so gratifying to see the remarkable growth of sports radio since the launch of WFAN. I’m also very pleased that the award is being named in my honor... not my memory!”

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