I work for the competition, but there is still no reason for me to celebrate the demise of WDFN 1130. Less competition means fewer voices for the sports fans of Detroit.

In addition to my duties with The Detroit News, I also work for 97.1 FM The Ticket, doing the afternoon drive-time shift with my partner, Mike Valenti. Our station has been locked in combat with WDFN for years. We won, but I do not celebrate today.

The loss of WDFN means more people are out of jobs in this rough economy. Maybe they'll find other gigs here. Maybe they'll move and try to find jobs in other cities. The problem is, there are more companies in radio laying off than hiring. Newspapers are changing every day. Radio is, as well.

We won, but I do not celebrate. I love competition. I love it in the newspaper industry and I love to be a part of it in radio. You measure yourself every day against others. Who did a better job? Who entertained or informed the people better and for longer periods? That is how we are measured.

When I was the Pistons beat writer for The Detroit News, I checked the Free Press, the Oakland Press and the Flint Journal to see if I missed something or could have done something differently. Every day was a rush.

I felt a part of WDFN because that is where my radio career began. I did a show called the Sports Doctors with Art Regner, and that was my training ground in a new medium. I knew nothing about radio. I did not understand how to get in and out of breaks and I did not know what it took to grab an audience and hold it. But I learned.

I still believe there is much for me to learn. But I feel more comfortable in radio now. WDFN gave me that chance to learn. I can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 313-222-1494.