By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Monday, February 29, 2016
92.9/The Game, after trying out several sports hosts a few weeks ago, has named John Michaels to replace Randy Cross at mid-days with Rick Kamla.
He started today and will air weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Michaels has been a sideline reporter for the Atlanta Falcons Radio Network since 2011. He was also an on-air personality at 790/The Game for nine years until the station dropped all local personalities in 2014 and then disappeared for good last year. (790 is now simulcasting Star 94.)
"Since John has joined CBS Radio Atlanta he has shown a true passion for his craft and, most importantly, the listeners of 92-9 The Game," said program director Terry Foxx in a press release. "John's creativity and connection to Atlanta sports will be a great addition to our programming."
Internally, John is well liked and brings great energy to the studio.
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Others who tried out for the coveted slot included Ryan Stewart of the 2 Live Stews, Dave Archer, Kevin Butler and Randy McMichael . In a purely unscientific poll I posted January 22, Stewart was the huge favorite, winning 77 percent of the vote, followed by Archer at 10 percent and Michaels at 5 percent. (I heard from one reliable source that Archer actually turned the offer down though money hadn't even been broached.)
Stewart sent a Tweet saying he is happy for Michaels:
And a former Michaels colleague and now rival Nick Cellini also sent him nice note on Twitter:
Michaels on Tuesday's show said he knows all the other dudes vying for the spot and has respect for all of them.
The station never explained why it dropped Cross in December. He was one of the original hosts from the launch of the Game in October, 2012, mostly doing mornings. The three remaining original weekday hosts left at the Game are Kamla, Carl Dukes and Mitch Evans.
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