KIRO steals The Groz

He tweeted like a bird: Well after 14 years the second time around I am leaving KJR.  Final broadcast with Gas this Monday. What a ride....

It’s described by journalists who care about such things as the end of “one of the longest relationships in Seattle sports-radio history.”

Dave Grosby hosts his final KJR show Monday, and is expected to start in August at 710 ESPN as co-host of Kevin Calabro's show (m-f, 3t-6p).

He’s been part of KJR's midday forever (in radio years) hosting his own show from 1-3p and being joined by Mike Gastineau on "Groz with Gas" from 3-5p.

Grosby started at KJR-AM when it first changed to an all-sports format in 1991 and has been there for all but about three years, leaving for KIRO in 1993 and returning to KJR in 1996.

According to the P-I’s Jim Moore,

KJR had to make cuts and couldn’t pay the freight on the popular host’s next contract. Bonneville, with its deep radio pockets was there, like a cat, waiting for the tweeting bird.

We’re hearing that this is another move in the total makeover of the Bonneville cluster, (the KIRO's, KTTH) and surely the fruits of new Operations Director Ryan Hatch who has a long history in The Sports.

Comments

[Puget Sound]

yet another reason why when I want sports I go to 710. they replaced his earlier show with Ian early last year so Groz has been doing a show part time with Gas.
the best radio -local- show around is the John Clayton show on weekends. i know lots of radio fans on this blog don't care for sports but Clayton's show is a real jewel for Seattle.

[Ed Scherer]

The chemistry between Groz and Gas was something very special. I will miss the pairing. Good luck Groz!

[Puget Sound]

KJR had a virtual monopoly on local sports talk in this town for years. although i liked the ackerly family (they stepped up and did great work for this city with the sonics and sold the team with the hometown discount to that jerk, howard schultz) when they owned the sonics i didn't like it at the same time how they also owned kjr 950. criticism of the m's and hawks was allowed, the same criticism directed at the ackerly owned sonics was often missing. someone thought the seattle talk market (at #14) was viable enough to come in and start a local centric sports show with seattle based hosts that don't come cheap.
so local radio can work. still wish ny vinnie was around to partake.

[RagnarDanneskold]

Blatherwatch's disdain for sports and those who listen to them is obvious. Typical of lib elites who prefer the opera or Sean Penn movies. Real men are conservative, all the polls show it.

[Pete]

RD: Plenty of libs (and non-political people) like sports as well. In fact, one of the appeals of sport is that it's a common ground in which people of all classes, races, and political stripes (except you, apparently) can share their interest and passion. You don't see it on this blog mostly because it's not this blog's topic. Extrapolating BM's tastes to an entire class of people, and suggesting that you have to like sports to be a "real man" (which in turn = your fellow wingnut) are pure idiocy.

Speaking of pure idiocy, I'll miss Groz on KJR not only because of his chemistry with Gas, but because it's one less adult at a station whose morning show is often depressingly puerile. But then, I guess "real men" are by definition puerile, huh?

[Pete]

Oh, and I find Ian Furness, Groz's replacement, bland and nearly unlistenable. Somebody needs to tell him that Pullman is 300 miles away, and nobody cares about his infatuation with interviewing obscure WSU people.

[KS]

I knew Groz was on 710ESPN (KIROAM). He was broadcasting Seattle U basketball games all season - that was the first signs of his jump. Groz with Gas was an institution - that will be missed, not sure how they can pull it off now. I too agree that John Clayton is the #1 sports show on the weekends and is a class act. Kevin Calabro is also a good listen 3-6 on weekdays. The sports lineup is probably neck and neck with the talk radio - with local shows from 3-6PM on weekdays.

I know that it is sad for many over here to admit sheepishly that 710 ESPN has supplanted KJR for sports talk, although KJR still carries the Huskies.

[ABM1]

The KJR line-up without the a regular Groz show was very weak to began with & now without him it just got weaker. I expect Gasman to follow & the Huskies as well.

[joanie]

Hmm, I wondered about the loss of Groz' own show. I loved listening to him at one time. He was the best.

John Clayton is good. That's all. I like John. Some people seem to think celebrating Clayton makes them special. Clayton doesn't do a five-day one-two-or-three hour show. Groz just seems made for sports somehow. At least, he used to. So easy to listen to. Glad he's still in demand and wish him the best of luck.

[Craig]

They replaced The Groz with a show I compare to Valium. A Radio personality should have personality.

The Groz and Gas show is the only reason I turn off my sirius radio.

Oh, and while I'm at it, Mike Salk is the worst person on Seattle radio since Softy.

[Jeri]

I will welcome the Groz to KIRO. His 1-3pm show was given to Ian Furness for reasons most in Seattle refuse to believe. Yes, students that graduate from WSU actually DO live in this area. I can guarantee you that most Husky fans are not graduates from the UW. There are many radio listeners that are actually interested in what goes on in Pullman. Let us not forget our graduates from Gonzaga as well. I will certainly miss the Groz with Gas.Not everyone who listens to sports talk radio is under 25. Groz will help KC with the nuances of radio sports talk. Perhaps we will all have a great time listening to two intelligent, over 40 men with tons of fun stories and insight into sports!

[Who?]

Who is the "chick"?

[Stu]

I like Groz, but I wish KIRO/ESPN would find something else to do with him than place him with KC in the afternoons. I have really come to enjoy Jim Moore w/ KC. They're a good fit together.