That’s The Ticket… Rico Beard Joins WXYT
• Entercom announced that Rico Beard is joining Sports-Talk WXYT (97.1 The Ticket)/Detroit, plugging in alongside afternoon talent Mike Valenti on the newly rebranded Mike Valenti Show with Rico, weekdays from 2-6pm ET, beginning August 3. He will succeed Mike Sullivan, a producer and on-air contributor for The Mike Valenti show since 2014, whose last day at the station is July 31.
“Rico’s immeasurable experience covering all avenues of the Detroit sports scene has granted him a front row ticket to some of the biggest stages in sports,” said Debbie Kenyon, SVP/Market Manager, Entercom Detroit. “Rico has been on our wish list of talent to join our team for quite some time and we look forward to him joining Mike Valenti in offering a dynamic afternoon show for our listeners. We thank Mike Sullivan for his contributions to the team and wish him all the best in his new endeavor.”
Valenti commented, “I’ve wanted to work with Rico for several years now and it’s simply fantastic the occasion has arrived. Adding Rico to our show represents a massive opportunity to not only stay at No. 1 but to evolve and become even stronger. I’m really proud of the show we created. Sullivan means a lot to this show, to the station and to me personally. I’m excited about his new opportunity and wish him all the success in the world.”
Beard said, “I’m extremely blessed and honored in becoming a host on The Mike Valenti Show on 97.1 The Ticket. I was flattered when Mike Valenti himself asked me to join his show. My job will be to bring in a new voice and opinions to a show that is already one of the best shows not only in Detroit but in the sports-talk radio industry throughout the U.S.”
Beard is a Detroit native with over two decades of experience covering local pro and collegiate sports. He formerly hosted The Spartan Beat podcast and co-hosted The Ryan and Rico Show on the late Detroit Sports 105.1 — (now Beasley’s 105.1 The Bounce). Beard also worked on-air for FOX affiliates WJBK-TV/Detroit and WSYM-TV/Lansing. He’s a Michigan State University alumnus, a Heisman Trophy voter and has also served as a college professor and instructor.
