Columnist Kravitz dropped from radio show

Indianapolis Star sports columnist Bob Kravitz is out as co-host of the afternoon show on WFNI-AM 1070 The Fan, effective immediately.

Emmis Communications Corp. on late Monday afternoon announced its decision to drop Kravitz, but keep Eddie White in the 3-6 p.m. time slot the duo had occupied since January 2008.

“After much deliberation, we have decided to have a single-host afternoon show with multiple contributors,” said Charlie Morgan, local market manager for Emmis, in a prepared statement. “This is a business decision based on both product goals and financial performance of the station.”

Kravitz’s departure from The Fan, a sports talk station, follows other changes Emmis announced on Friday involving several on-air personalities at its Indianapolis radio stations.

Morgan told IBJ on Friday that Kravitz and White, a former Reebok executive, would continue in the afternoon timeslot. But Kravitz’s contract expires April 7, and it was widely expected in the local radio station that he would be let go.

John Vincent, better known as JMV, the former host of “The Drive with JMV” on WNDE 1260 AM, still is considered by local radio sources as a potential replacement for Kravitz.

Kravitz has agreed to remain involved with the show as a contributor, although he's a bit miffed by the decision.

"It's disappointing and a little bit odd given the ratings we've produced, but I understand the decision," he said. "Business is business. They want it to be a one-man show, not two. I'm proud of everything that we did."

Meanwhile, the lineup on The Fan has undergone a severe makeover.

IBJ reported on Friday that “Big Joe” Staysniak has left as co-host of the WIBC-FM 93.1 morning show and will begin his own sports program from 10 a.m. to noon beginning early April on the Fan. Staysniak played in two Super Bowls as a member of the Buffalo Bills before finishing his pro career with the Indianapolis Colts.

His arrival shuffles former Indiana University basketball star and coach Dan Dakich to The Fan's noon-to-3 p.m. timeslot, which now is mostly occupied by the syndicated “The Herd With Colin Cowherd.”

Steve Simpson, who occupied an afternoon time slot on WIBC, has replaced Staysniak as co-host of the WIBC morning show with Terri Stacy.

Simpson’s afternoon shift on WIBC has been filled by Ed Wenck, who left the “Wank & O'Brien” morning show he had hosted with Dave O’Brien on WLHK, a country station also known as Hank. Wenck and O'Brien have been on-air partners for 14 years. O’Brien will continue hosting the morning show.