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Artwork for SportsTalk
Illinois Football
Illinois Basketball
Illinois
Big Ten Conference
Big Ten
NCAA
Illinois Women's Basketball
College Football
Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois Men's Basketball
Illinois Volleyball
NCAA Tournament
Transfer Portal
Basketball
Michigan
College Basketball
NBA
College Football Playoff
Ohio State
Purdue

A daily look at the latest in sports, mostly focused on the Illini. A variety of guests join the program, and the News-Gazette sportswriters make Mondays their own.

PublishesDailyEpisodes300Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Sports

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Artwork for SportsTalk

Latest Episodes

Joey Wright, Evan Conn and Bob Asmussen chat about Illini football and the MLB trade deadline, plus a conversation with Mahomet-Seymour football coach Jon Adkins and players Eli Dyer and Beau Back.

IHSA Assistant Executive Director Sam Knox joins the show to chat about the upcoming high school football season.

Steve Kelly and Loren Tate welcome News-Gazette sportswriter Scott Richey to the studio to recap Big Ten Media Day, then talk to Tim May (FanStreamSports.com) on Ohio State football.

Homer native and college football fan Josh Johnson joins The News-Gazette's sports writers to chat about his quest to visit 100 stadiums.

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Josh Johnson
Traveler documenting college football stadiums, Bloomington-based
Independent/Personal project
Episode: Josh Johnson | 7-27-2026
Mylas Copeland
Illini emcee for basketball and football events
University of Illinois
Episode: Mylas Copeland & David Keenan | 7-23-26
David Keenan
Four-time Twin City Tournament champion
Twin City Tournament / local golf scene
Episode: Mylas Copeland & David Keenan | 7-23-26
Brandon Brown
Covers Michigan athletics for about 15 years
Michigan Wolverines coverage
Episode: Scott Richey, Brandon Brown | 7-22-26
Chris Wilkerson
Head football coach, Eastern Illinois Panthers
Eastern Illinois University
Episode: Chris Wilkerson & Matt Lucas | 7-21-26
Matt Lucas
Prep sports coordinator, News-Gazette, in-studio guest
News-Gazette
Episode: Chris Wilkerson & Matt Lucas | 7-21-26
Jake Munroe
Former Champaign Central standout, Angels minor leaguer
Los Angeles Angels
Episode: CU All-Stars, Jake Munroe and Matt Lucas
Leigh McGuirk
Director of Social Media for Illinois Athletics
Illinois Athletics
Episode: Leigh McGuirk | 7-17-26
Mark Wilson
New athletic director at Eastern Illinois University
Eastern Illinois University
Episode: Mark Wilson | 7-16-26

Hosts

Joey Wright
Host of Sports Talk on DWS / News-Gazette; long-running local radio presence
Steve Kelly
Host of the show; prominent local sports radio voice
Loren Tate
Co-host; conducts interviews and discusses Illinois athletics
Scott Richey
Co-host / guest analyst; News-Gazette beat writer

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 23 ratings
  • Great content, questionable audio quality

    As a long time Illini football season ticket holder, living outside CU, I greatly appreciate this podcast. I give the content an A grade, but the production (and this is true for each and every WDWS podcast) a C grade. Feedback, over modulation and callers that you can’t hear are a constant and definitely a problem.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    illinidodgers
    United States4 years ago
  • Terrific Show

    Fantastic post game show, very capable house, Scott, Evan, Trent. Terrific regular callers including Steve from Peoria. Does tend to attract some Negative Normans who like the sound of their own complaints, but they quickly crawl back into their cracks when the light comes out on Illini wins.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Erebiz
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audio quality and production sometimes notes as a point of feedback in reviews.
Prospective guests should fit the Illinois sports ecosystem and local community angle.
Content covers a lot of Illinois sports, with strong local flavor and knowledgeable hosts.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

CU All-Stars, Jake Munroe and Matt Lucas
Q: What is the biggest difference you've noticed between college pitching and professional baseball in AA?
The biggest difference is the presence of multiple secondary pitches and the ability to mix offerings, which forces a more varied approach and careful usage of mistakes; in AA you can't rely on a single pitch as much as in college.
Mylas Copeland & David Keenan | 7-23-26
Q: What does it take to win the Twin City Tournament, given the format and courses involved?
Keenen explains the need for versatility across two different courses and the endurance to handle a 54-hole championship, emphasizing familiarity with both Lincolnshire and Champagne Country Club as a competitive edge.
Josh Johnson | 7-27-2026
Q: What sparked your mission to visit 100 stadiums?
Johnson turned his love for football into a documented journey starting in 2022, motivated by a desire to see a wide range of venues and share the experience with others, while also balancing family commitments.
SportsTalk 7-14-26
Q: What impact does Tanner expect from the Rockies' return to the rotation after IL stints and spring training?
Tanner discusses adjusting to bullpen roles vs. starter roles and how being able to contribute in multiple contexts has helped him adapt to the big leagues, with an emphasis on keeping velocity and command under fluctuating conditions.
Elizabeth Lumpkin Robinson & Brian Ames | 7-9-26
Q: What makes this coaching transition special for the Illinois program?
Robinson highlights the program's existing success, the supportive leadership at the university, and the opportunity to build on a legacy while bringing her own bold, student-centered approach to developing players and enhancing team culture.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About SportsTalk

What is SportsTalk about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A fast-paced local-sports show centered on Illinois athletics, with a rotating cast of hosts who riff on early-season results, recruiting news, and postseason implications while weaving in interviews with high school and college coaches, beat writers, and former Illini players. Episodes frequently cover IHSA and Big Ten happenings, college basketball and baseball, and the broader landscape of Illinois sports, often mixing game recaps, scheduling chatter, and community-local perspectives. Noteworthy is the consistent emphasis on Illinois programs and Midwest prep-to-college pathways, along with a strong anchoring by News-Gazette reporters and veteran radio hosts who blend analysis with light, relatable banter. Potential listeners include Ill... more

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How many subscribers and views does SportsTalk have?

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How many episodes of SportsTalk are there?

SportsTalk launched 9 years ago and published 300 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on SportsTalk?

Recent guests on SportsTalk include:

1. Josh Johnson
2. Mylas Copeland
3. David Keenan
4. Brandon Brown
5. Chris Wilkerson
6. Matt Lucas
7. Jake Munroe
8. Leigh McGuirk

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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