The Battle for Seattle (Sports Radio)

If you're tired of listening about who the traffic update girl boned over the weekend, or who men age 18-44 that live in the Kent/Renton area voted as hotter in "The Bigger Dance" - Lisa Gangel or Rebecca Stevenson - on your morning drive listening to KJR-AM 950, you now have options, Seattle sports fans.

Yes, there is now a station that actually talks about sports: KIRO-AM 710.

I'm personally thrilled to hear KIRO come to the big kids table after having to endure years of the KJR monopoly on Seattle sports. My biggest gripe on KJR has always been the morning lineup, with Mitch Levy going off on a neurotic tirade about something pointless like the warm plate his salad was served on at a restaurant the night before, while whipping boy co-host Steve Sandmeyer agrees, laughs, and seldom provides a contrast in opinion.

In other words, I want to actually listen about sports topics, which I can say with the utmost honesty, I've gone from my morning commute from Green Lake to downtown while never hearing about actual sports topics discussed in that amount of time on KJR.

I've also been envious of my friends in random places like the Tri Cities that get ESPN radio programs such as The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Mike and Mike, and the V Show with Bob Valvano, while a major market like Seattle does not. So when KIRO brought the aforementioned ESPN shows to its lineup (and a host of others), it was welcomed with open arms from this sports fan. Mix that in with some intriguing new local programs, such as Brock and Salk, the Kevin Calabro Show, and of course, Seattle Mariners baseball, and you may have a battle on your hands if you're KJR.

In all seriousness, this is about having options versus choosing one over another, which is great for us fans. And KJR's UW coverage is second to none, well maybe second to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.

So enjoy, Seattle sports fans - You now have options.

And by the way, I'd take Stevenson over Gangel.