Bram Weinstein has no history of play-by-play, but has been a pregame host of team radio broadcastsBRAM WEINSTEIN
Washington Football Team Senior VP/Media Julie Donaldson "made a nontraditional choice by hiring Bram Weinstein, a longtime local radio host and former ESPN anchor," as play-by-play announcer, with former NFLer DeAngelo Hall joining Weinstein and Donaldson "in the booth as an analyst," according to Les Carpenter of the WASHINGTON POST. The 47-year-old Weinstein "does not have a history of play-by-play, but he has been a pregame host of the team's radio broadcasts in the past." He is "best known for a seven-year run as an anchor at ESPN, but he has also hosted local sports talk shows." Weinstein "hosts a talk show on ESPN 630" from 3:00-6:00pm ET. Hall replaces Chris Cooley, who "had not been expected to return." Donaldson and team Head of Digital Marketing & Programming Marcus Stephenson both have said that they "want to create a different approach to the game-day broadcasts, moving away from football banter." The new presentation "will be more interactive, involving fans, and will include references to pop culture and players' social media accounts in the hope of drawing a new and diverse audience" (WASHINGTON POST, 8/12).
SHAKEUP WAS INEVITABLE: In DC, Matthew Paras notes Weinstein "will be the third play-by-play man in franchise history," replacing Frank Herzog and Senior VP/Content Larry Michael. Michael last month "abruptly retired days before a Washington Post story detailed accusations of sexual harassment toward former employees." He had "served in the role for 16 seasons." The team's previous radio booth "consisted of Michael, Cooley and Rick 'Doc' Walker." A source said that Walker "will not return to the booth, but is expected to be part of the team's overall programming" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 8/12).
