Tampa Bay Storm Announce 2016 Broadcast Team
Monday March 14, 2016
Storm Radio adds Tampa Bay football and radio veteran Ian Beckles
Two games to be telecast locally on Bright House Sports Network
TAMPA BAY - The Tampa Bay Storm announced today changes to its radio broadcast team for the 2016 season, adding 8-year NFL veteran and 17-year radio show host Ian Beckles as color analyst. Beckles will provide commentary during all games home and away, as former color analyst Darek Sharp moves in to the role of play-by-play announcer. Long-time play-by-play announcer Jack Harris continues to be an integral part of the Storm organization, as he will provide historical vignettes for Storm Radio while also emceeing portions of Storm home games throughout the 2016 season.
Storm director of broadcasting Matt Sammon, sums up the new look for the 2016 season:
“We’re thrilled to bring Ian Beckles on board as our color analyst, as his experience in the game of football and connection to Tampa Bay sports radio listeners over the past 25 years adds an exciting new dimension to Storm Radio. We’re also excited to showcase another mainstay in Tampa Bay sports and sports broadcasting, Darek Sharp, in the role of play-by-play announcer. And as we celebrate 25 seasons of Storm football, who better to share the history of the team than the legendary Jack Harris, who has been part of the Storm for 20 of those seasons.”
Beckles, who played 8 seasons with the NFL’s Buccaneers and Eagles, transitioned to broadcasting in 1999 joining 620 WDAE-AM. He would later co-host the top-rated Ron & Ian show middays on WDAE for 12 years before leaving in December 2015. Sharp, a native of Plant City, has been part of the Storm Radio broadcast crew since 2011, and has been part of the Tampa Bay sports radio scene since its inception in 1989. He continues to host, anchor, and produce shows on 620 WDAE. Harris, a broadcasting legend in Tampa Bay for 45 years, continues to co-host AM Tampa Bay with Tedd Webb on 970 WFLA. In addition to his 20 years as Storm Radio play-by-play announcer, he has done play-by-play for the NFL’s Buccaneers, the NASL Rowdies, and the USFL Bandits while continuing to do so for the annual Outback Bowl.
The Storm’s season opener against Orlando on April 1st will be broadcast on 620 WDAE, while 14 of the remaining 15 games will air on 1250 WHNZ (July 11th at Los Angeles will air on WDAE). All games will also stream live on the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 24/7 streaming channel Lightning Power Play when not conflicting with a live Lightning broadcast, with a replay of the game the following evening. Simply search “Lightning Power Play” on your iHeartRadio app or visit TBLPowerPlay.com to listen in.
The Storm is also pleased to announce the April 1st home opener against Orlando will air locally on Bright House Sports Network (channel 47 and HD 1147), as will the May 23rd game against Cleveland. Bright House Sports Network can be found exclusively on Bright House Networks, with games streaming live via the Bright House Networks app.
The Five-Time World Champion Tampa Bay Storm is entering its 25th season in Tampa Bay. For more specific details regarding single-game pricing and availability, please contact the Storm ticket office at 813.301.6600 or visit www.tampabaystorm.com. Season tickets can be purchased by visiting TampaBayStorm.com or by calling 813.301.6600. For group sales fans can contact 813.301.6900. Additionally fans and sponsors can follow the Storm on Facebook (Tampa Bay Storm) or Twitter (@tampabaystorm) for up to date news and exclusive content.
