In Southfield, Michigan, a groundbreaking new sports radio station has launched in Detroit. Led entirely by Black hosts, this station is a first for the city and the country. Rob Parker, a former Detroit sports anchor, is spearheading this initiative with Sports Rap Radio on AM 1270. He recognized the lack of Black representation in Detroit’s sports radio and assembled a team of co-owners to address this issue.
Just four years ago, Detroit had no full-time Black sports hosts on the radio, despite the city being nearly 80% Black. Parker saw this as a problem and sought to change it through Sports Rap Radio. One of his key co-owners, Maurice “Moe” Ways, a former football star and mentee of Parker, brings a fresh perspective to the station. Ways’ NFL dreams were cut short by injury, but this opportunity allows him to contribute to the conversation in sports radio.
The launch of this Black-owned radio station marks a significant moment in Detroit’s media landscape. The station offers an all-local lineup from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and includes some local programming on weekends. With this diverse team of hosts, Sports Rap Radio aims to provide a platform for new voices and perspectives in the world of sports broadcasting.