Red Zebra and MASN sign long term deal Riggins Show to be the centerpiece.

By: Jim Williams
The Examiner

Red Zebra and the Mid Atlantic Sports Network have come together on a long term deal that will have The John Riggins Show simulcast on Triple X ESPN radio and MASN starting in February.

MASN was looking to expand its Washington, DC programming which of course includes the Nationals and Georgetown University sports. The Baltimore based regional sports network is attempting to strike a balance and cover the entire mid Atlantic region.

The John Riggins Show which airs from 4pm till 7pm will be the centerpiece of the new deal between the two locally owned media giants.

Riggins the Hall of Fame for Redskins star has a show that should appeal to people throughout the region. His guests are national in scope from both the sports and entertainment arena’s and anyone thinking that all the shows focus is on the Redskins would be wrong. It is a very diverse and entraining show with Riggins being helped by his partners Gary Braun and Kevin Sheehan who keep the program moving.

So what about The Anita Mark Show on Baltimore’s ESPN 1300AM that now holds down that spot on MASN? Well the good news is that she is not going to be part of the mix but there some programming decisions to be made. Marks could hold down the 3pm till 5pm shift and Riggins could do the 5pm till 7pm slot, nothing is set in stone as of yet but fans of both personalities can rest assured that there will be plenty of the two radio/TV personalities on MASN.

Red Zebra and the Mid Atlantic Sports Network brings together two of the regions most powerful sports owners in the Redskins Dan Snyder and the Orioles Peter Angelos. There will no doubt have a number of promotional opportunities that will advance both locally owned broadcaster companies and fans should be the winner in this deal.

MASN’s radio relationships with ESPN 1300 in Baltimore and Triple X ESPN in Washington are bright moves and will give them access to fresh local programming for years to come.

Barring any last minute snags look for the Orioles to move to ESPN 1300AM/WHFS-FM soon. That will give the O’s plenty of cross promotion with the two Charm City talkers plenty of time to talk to players and front office people.

Meanwhile, the new Triple X deal to buy 104.1/103.9FM WGMS should make them the leaders to land the Nationals in 2008. That would give MASN access to both the TV and radio sides of both area professional teams, not a bad thing.