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Listening to Sports Radio

Will Brown by Will Brown, December 04, 2025

Sports fan cheering next to radio

With the popularity of online sports podcasting only growing, it begs the question, “Who is listening to sports on the radio anymore?” Interestingly, sports radio still holds a place in the hearts of Americans, with several local and nationally broadcast shows continuing to attract huge audiences. But how popular is it, and will the sector be able to face the competition from online distribution for much longer? We’ve answered these questions and more in this comprehensive guide.

What Are the Best Sports Radio Shows?

Although sports fans have a plethora of resources to get their sports talk fix, radio continues to be a highly trusted source of information, news, and sports entertainment. The nationally-syndicated most listened to sports radio shows attract over one million unique listeners per month, while local stations also attract high listenership.

To get this guide started, we’ve provided details on the most popular sports radio shows in the USA, before looking at some statistics that indicate the strength of the sector. We then discussed the unique values of radio, the impact of podcasts, the challenges facing the sector, and the future outlook of sports radio.

What Are the Most Listened to Sports Radio Shows?

In the United States, the sports radio sector includes a mix of nationally syndicated programs and regional shows. The national shows attract the largest audiences, with The Dan Patrick Show one of the most popular. Broadcast weekdays from 9 AM Eastern time, the show is broadcast as a part of the Fox Sports Radio package and attracts roughly one million unique listeners a month.

Another hugely popular show broadcast nationally through Fox Sports Radio is The Herd with Colin Cowherd. Known for its broadcasting of both video streams and distribution on digital and AM/FM affiliates, the show once attracted an audience of 15 million unique listeners through its radio broadcast.

Christopher Russo’s Mad Dog Sports Radio show and The Rich Eisen Show are also hugely successful. It’s not just the national shows that have attracted loyal fanbases, though. Major metropolitan regions tend to cater to local tastes, such as New York’s WFAN sports talk station or Boston’s Felger & Mazz.

The best sports talk radio shows have distinguished themselves with their expert insights, high-profile guests, amusing segments, and region-specific takes on everything from the NFL to the Olympics. It’s interesting to note, though, that many also offer podcast versions of their shows to increase their reach across the globe.

Sports Radio Listenership Statistics

Despite the advent of video streaming services, audio remains a key component of the sports broadcasting ecosystem. A recent report by Edison Research found that 64 percent of sports fans engaged with audio content for sports. Interestingly, another recent report found that of those listening to sports audio, 59 percent tuned into traditional AM/FM radio compared to 36 percent using podcasts.

Sports radio demographics indicate that the audience is primarily male and middle-aged, with 76 percent of listeners being over the age of 35. Despite declining listenership in AM and FM radio, sports radio continues to perform well. According to one survey, sports fans backing a local team spent 73 percent more time using sports radio than digital media.

One of the biggest appeals of sports programming on the radio is that audiences tend to listen for longer durations. This makes it a lucrative draw for sponsors, with a survey by Audacy and Vision Insights finding that sports fans listening to sports radio were 40 percent more likely to engage with brands advertised on the station. This has been especially effective for online sports betting apps which heavily promote on the radio.

Sports radio tends to be most popular when it covers major US leagues. A study by Westwood One found that throughout the 2024-2025 season of the NFL, roughly 64 million Americans tuned into the radio to get their coverage. So the answer to, “Who is listening to sports on the radio?” A majority of sports fans.

The Unique Value of Sports Radio

While we can’t underestimate the impact of digital media on sports radio, there are plenty of unique value propositions offered by radio that the alternative media doesn’t quite address. For instance, the availability of local stations means that regional fans can find location-specific content backing their major league teams.

Unlike podcasts, too, which are usually released in scheduled blocks, the full-day programming of sports radio means that broadcasters can offer live, real-time information and reactions to breaking sports news. This can include commentary on in-play games or responses to press conferences as they unfold.

There also tends to be more opportunities for audiences to participate in broadcasts. The ability to call in to the best sports radio shows creates a more authentic and communal quality and can even democratize sports commentary. Of course, the employment of veteran broadcasters or sports-loving comedians also adds an element of professionalism, prestige, and entertainment.

Impact of Sports Podcasts on Radio

While it would be fair to assume that the advent of podcasts would have drastically reduced the number of people listening to sports on the radio, the sectors actually mostly work in tandem. Many sports radio shows now publish versions of their shows as podcasts, helping them to maintain audiences and attract more sponsorship opportunities.

This means that if a listener misses a live AM or FM show, they can find highlight reels or the full show on demand. That said, the uncensored, self-produced allure of podcasting has attracted some major talent away from the radio space. The most notable example is The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, which moved to a podcast format in 2021.

Podcasting has also introduced a new generation of pundits to the sports broadcasting landscape, including comedians and athletes such as Travis Kelce. Podcasts also tend to appeal more to younger fans who may not drive or have access to a radio, with the irreverent and casual structure of podcasts appealing to many listeners.

The most listened to sports radio shows have also utilized streaming apps to allow for greater access to archived programs or bonus content, such as the ESPN Radio App, iHeart, Audacy, and TuneIn. Rather than impacting the content and listenership of sports radio, podcasts have simply expanded how audiences can interact with the shows.

The Challenges Facing Sports Radio

Although sports radio demand has remained strong despite declining general listenership on AM and FM radio, there always remains a threat that podcasting could take over. Major streaming services such as Spotify have made lucrative deals with the best sports radio personalities, such as Bill Simmons, which could continue to lure current talent away to the digital space.

Other services, such as Netflix and DraftKings, have also been heavily investing in sports radio, so cash-strapped local stations may struggle to match the offers of the giant tech companies. Considering several digital services such as YouTube are free, many may be tempted to end paid subscriptions with Sirius XM and other radio services.

With remote work and flexible schedules now becoming prevalent, the reliability of drive-time audiences is also being impacted. Many who do drive, too, now have access to digital shows on demand through smart speaker systems, allowing individuals a more personalized listening experience.

There is also the statistic that the bulk of radio’s listenership is over 35 years old, with younger listeners more likely to use digital services. If sports radio fails to make lasting inroads with younger sports fans, they are likely to be overtaken by the more accessible digital streaming services.

The Future of US Sports Radio

Before looking to the future, it’s interesting to consider its past impact. So how did radio affect American sports? In its early days, the medium allowed for games to be broadcast to millions of fans for the first time, introducing local teams to a national audience. As radio developed, it fostered a culture of expert sports insights and fan engagement, which only became more influential by the turn of the century.

With the advent of digital radio and online streaming, the future of traditional sports radio is likely to lean more heavily into digital content. This may include more video streams of radio shows, revolutionary sponsorship deals, and crossovers with sports broadcasts or other shows.

There’s no denying that younger listeners will continue to migrate away from AM and FM sports radio, but the content itself will undoubtedly be grounded in broadcast radio traditions. It’s also more likely that regional stations will try to pivot more towards a digital presence to remain sustainable. In any case, all signs are pointing toward a bright future for sports radio.

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