Adding Yankees radiocasts to the mix of Jets, Knicks and Rangers would help change the equation – drastically. But how much would ESPN be willing to pay for the radio rights to Yankees baseball? And would pinstripe honchos be satisfied having their games go out over ESPN-1050′s weak signal? That situation could be corrected if ESPN ever purchases another station with stronger reach.

There also has been talk about the Yankees buying a radio station. With the radio biz in the toilet, and in the current lousy economic climate, that is not likely to happen. – Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News

The above quote is part of a story regarding the expiring agreement between the Yankees and WCBS 880 at the end of next season. Raissman speculates the future of John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman may also be a question mark. For as insufferable the duo is to opponents of the Yankees, there is a certain charm their bumbling brings to the broadcast. I find it hard to imagine a Yankees win without the self serving “Theeeeee Yankees Win” from Sterling. Also, what would the airwaves sound like without Waldman cooing over Derek Jeter, or sulking during a playoff thrashing?

What was most interesting was the concept of the Yankees starting their own radio network. I have mentioned my belief the future of media might be segmentation. No, I am not an executive, but as a listener I believe radio is short of subject matter experts. It’s impossible to know everything in detail for the entire world of sports. Technology has closed the gap between Joe Fan and Joe Radio Host. When the callers know more than the host its time to evaluate the situation.

The YES Network, despite the 24/7 kool-aid, is a well run entity. Their programming is fresh, produced well, and high quality. My two favorites are Yankeeography’s and Centerstage with Michael Kay. With that said, it’s impossible to just talk Yankees 24/7/365 on television so you have Nets basketball and college football programming.

Would a radio station modeled after the YES Network work? Imagine 24/7/365 Yankees talk? From a marketing standpoint you could infiltrate the consumer all day, control the message, and produce your own game broadcast. Maybe you bring the Brooklyn Nets over and add them to the mix.

It doesn’t sound feasible due to the economy, but it’s an interesting thought nonetheless. Imagine the hair on the back of CBS executives head stand up when they lose more WFAN listeners to the radio version of Al-Yankzeera. The only place where you could hear Joe Girardi, or any Yankees personnel for that matter, would be on their own branded radio station.

Right now the economy makes radio a losing proposition. If anyone was going to pioneer a team generated radio station, and make it successful, it would be the Yankees.

Mike Silva is a freelance writer and radio host since March of 2007. This website is his own personal "digest" of New York Baseball He's also hosts NYBD Radio on Blog Talk Radio and 1240 AM WGBB. Check out his sports media commentary at www.sportsmediawatchdog.com. Check out his official website, www.mikesilvamedia.com

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Tags: Bob Raissman, ESPN Radio, John Sterling, New York Yankees, Suzyn Waldman, WCBS 880, WFAN