Hosts will be no less harsh as Wolves return to KFAN

Jeff Wheeler, Star Tribune

Timberwolves General Manager Kevin McHale has been the target of harsh criticism from some on-air talent at KFAN.

Longtime on-air critics aren't expected to back off, and Clear Channel bosses appear comfortable with the adversarial relationship.

By JUDD ZULGAD, Star Tribune

Last update: May 29, 2008 - 11:42 PM

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The Timberwolves' return to KFAN after a two-year absence might mean the team will be talked about more on the station. But if some members of the Wolves front office think the tone of that discussion is going to be consistently positive, they are mistaken.

That fact was reinforced Wednesday morning, the day it was announced the Wolves had signed a three-year deal with the Clear Channel-owned property. While Paul Allen and Jeff Dubay were celebrating the team's return on the air, Dan Barreiro was doing what he does best on his "Morning Mix" blog on the KFAN website.

Wrote Barreiro: "Regarding that brand new Timberwolves-KFAN deal, Wolves talking head Ted Johnson says, 'We think this speaks volumes to where [KFAN] thinks our product is going or our team is going.' That sounds really cool and inspired ... but it has nothing to do with reality.

"Actually, we're all for this sports-inspired station being home to as many local teams as possible, but let's not mince words here: The latest announcement speaks volumes first and foremost about one thing: The lure of a pile of cold, hard cash leaving [Wolves owner] Glen Taylor's bank account and entering KFAN's."

Anyone who listens to Barreiro would have expected nothing less. The former Star Tribune sports columnist never has hidden his feelings about the woeful Wolves, or his disdain for the work of basketball boss Kevin McHale.

Barreiro isn't going to stop now. Neither are a few other members of an on-air staff who have turned chiding into an art form. KFAN lost the Vikings rights in the 1990s -- the team did eventually return -- in part because team officials did not like what they heard from the hosts.

The interesting factor in all of this -- and a point Barreiro made -- is that Clear Channel executives will be thrilled to take the Wolves' money. Anyone who has followed the media business knows that these are very tough financial times and Clear Channel, which is in the process of being sold, certainly is looking for a way to boost revenues.

So would Clear Channel suits attempt to go the extra mile to keep the Wolves happy and ask their talent to back off? Remember, former Clear Channel boss Mick Anselmo, a founding father of KFAN who often defended his talent, has been replaced by a corporate outsider in Mike Crusham.

Gregg Swedberg, vice president of programming for Clear Channel Minneapolis and another key member in the station's growth, makes it clear KFAN isn't about to change its ways.

"Everybody understands," he said. "The Wolves understand, our talent understands. When we got the new boss that was one of the things I made sure he understood. ... I'm not going to tell [the hosts] what to say. I think any broadcast partner would be smart enough to know that we have to be true to our listeners. Otherwise we don't have a radio station."

The Wolves spent their first 17 seasons on KFAN, so the franchise shouldn't be surprised by the criticism if it continues to flounder. Heck, they should just be thrilled to be back on a station where people know where to find them.

Wolves President Chris Wright seems to get this.

"We understand their on-air talent has to do their jobs," he said. "They make their living from having an opinion on sports in the marketplace. I told Mike Crusham, 'You won't get a call in the next three years from Chris Wright complaining about an opinion on your air. The only thing that I would complain about is something that is factually incorrect.' ... The good news for us is they will be talking about us and in the right format. I'm very, very happy where we landed."

Fine-tuning

Wolves radio analyst Billy McKinney agreed to a three-year deal this week to continue in that role.

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