yahoo
Great opportunities often come to those who wait.
For the last eight years, Myron Medcalf and Matt Jones have occupied the same timeslot on ESPN Radios Sunday morning lineup.
The show grew into a steadfast and reliable pairing, but rumors about a move to weekdays surfaced for years whenever ESPN Radio adjusted its daytime lineup.
So when the network announced another shakeup earlier this year, the rumor mill started again.
After waiting so long for an opportunity to join the weekday lineup, could Matt & Myron finally earn a spot in the main event? It starts with rumblings and a maybe, said Medcalf about hearing the rumors for years regarding Matt & Myron making the move from weekends to weekdays.
It felt real in the last six months.
Then in the last three months, it felt very real.
Until I got the call that it was official, I didnt do my celebration till then.
Beginning August 3, Medcalf and Jones will join ESPN Radios newly reshaped weekday lineup in the 3-5 p.m.
timeslot.
The revamped schedule, which also includes the return of Mike Golic Sr.
and Mike Golic Jr., is the networks latest programming adjustment following Clinton Yates departure in March.
An Opportunity Worth Waiting For Medcalf has loved radio his entire life.
He grew up in a family of nine and said radio was a constant in his household.
The son of a preacher, he said car rides with his father sparked his interest in pursuing a career in the medium.
Since joining ESPN in 2013, Medcalf said he sought opportunities with ESPN Radio while continuing to cover college basketball for the network.
He never approached the work with a specific destination in mind.
Instead, he focused on appreciating every opportunity while navigating his path through the industry.
Dream come true! Excited to join @ESPNRadio s daily lineup from 3-5p ET with @KySportsRadio and the rest of the incredible talents across the board.
Want to thank all of our listeners and the folks at @MAXX.
Cant wait to get started! https://t.co/CqvXgFFOTK Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) June 29, 2026 I got an opportunity to be a part of my childhood dream job on the weekends and loved it, explained Medcalf.
I was happy to have an opportunity to tell the world about whats coming up on Sundays.
Ive always been happy with being in the mix.
Over the past eight years, as he and Jones continued building the shows foundation, Medcalf said being passed over for previous weekday openings never bothered him.
I didnt look at it like the call may never come.
Instead, I looked at it as whats for me will be for me.
I knew we had a good show and people believed in us, said Medcalf.
I dont know enough to know what happens behind the scenes.
Therefore, I dont know enough to worry about it.
Every day, Im just a dude thats happy to be a part of this.
If they would have told me Sundays is where its at, I still would have been happy.
Medcalf said the call came after he and Jones received a text asking if they had five minutes to speak with ESPN Radio executives.
While the pair initially feared what might come from that brief conversation, the result was the best news we ever heard, Medcalf said.
Working With Matt Jones He considers his relationship with Jones one that has grown into a brotherhood.
Covering college basketball, Medcalf said the following Jones built with Kentucky Sports Radio is among the most impressive accomplishments he has seen in the audio business.
The two share mutual respect, both personally and professionally.
Matt deserves this at the end of the day.
Hes built himself and KSR from the ground up.
Theres not a grassroots operation that you can compare it to, explained Medcalf.
He didnt just show up to ESPN and say give me a shot.
This is a guy that deserves everything he has and everything hell get in the future.
Moving from weekends to weekdays presents a new challenge for a show that has occupied the same timeslot for years.
Medcalf plans to balance the weekday program with his college sports coverage and regular appearances across ESPN platforms.
As August 3 approaches, Medcalf believes having an established formula will ease the transition.
Meetings with management, staff, sales and digital teams become much easier when the show has already proven it works.
A lot of times when youre putting a group together and hoping it works, youre spending so much time on the chemistry element, explains Medcalf.
How many shows need six months to a year to develop before the chemistry is there? Thats not Matt and I, and thats what ESPN Radio wants.
We were told they love that were already a show and dont have to build our show.
I dont feel pressure about doing something new, its just doing something I enjoy more frequently.
The increased workload represented Medcalfs biggest concern when he accepted the role.
Over the years, he said radio talent were often siloed into their radio responsibilities.
With little opportunity to contribute elsewhere across the network.
However, ESPN assured him he would continue providing the same quality journalism and productivity while adding weekday radio duties.
Were in an era where people really support versatility in our business.
That wasnt always the case, said Medcalf.
You see so many people doing multiple things across the network under the ESPN umbrella.
Ive certainly benefitted from that..
The fact that people believe I can do this in addition to everything else, that to me why I feel so validated.
The Power Of ESPN Radio Over the years, many throughout the industry have questioned whether ESPN still valued its radio and audio division the way it once did.
At one point, ESPN Radio featured programs hosted by Dan Patrick, Colin Cowherd, Dan Le Batard and Mike & Mike , among others.
More recently, however, the network has welcomed back Rich Eisen.
While also elevating Freddie Coleman and investing in Evan Cohen, Chris Canty and Michelle Smallmon.
When August 3 arrives, both Golics will return, while Medcalf and Jones move into afternoon drive.
As a longtime consumer of ESPN Radio, Medcalf believes the new lineup reinforces the companys commitment to the audio platform, especially as the competition between traditional and digital media continues to evolve.
ESPN definitely believes in radio, audio, and the future, said Medcalf.
You have this great combination of established giants of the industry.
Add in shows that are continuing to grow with amazing people.
All I see is that ESPN is still all in on the radio side and investing big resources into it.
You feel it internally.
This is a company that goes for it, and the lineup makes that undeniable.
Beginning August 3, Matt & Myron plan to bring the same energy and approach from weekends to weekdays.
Medcalf compared the move to taking the Sunday show into the main event.
Drawing on shared experiences from the nations biggest cities to its smallest towns, the duo hopes to welcome even more listeners into the shows family.
Success would be getting response, engagement and all the stuff that matters with these things without giving up our show, explained Medcalf.
We do our show, and it hits.
I just want to make people feel something.
In an industry often driven by constant change and immediate results, Medcalfs journey serves as a reminder that not every opportunity arrives on your preferred timetable.
Sometimes the biggest break comes after years of preparation, persistence and the belief that your chance will come.
On August 3, Matt & Myron wont introduce a new show.
Theyll simply bring one thats been waiting for its moment.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries.
Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
John Mamola John Mamola is Barrett Medias sports editor and daily sports columnist.
He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success.
He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medis Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia.
Connect with John by email at [email protected].
linktr.ee/johnmamola The post Myron Medcalf Reflects on the Long Road From Sunday Mornings to Primetime at ESPN Radio appeared first on Barrett Media .