Industry Veteran to Host a New Half-Hour Original Podcast For the Esports Industry, Gamers, Fans, and Newcomers

NEW YORK, NY – December 17, 2019 – Cumulus Media’s Westwood One, America’s largest audio network, is inviting you to press play onEsports 30 with Kevin Knocke, the newest addition to Westwood One Podcast Network. Esports 30 with Kevin Knocke is an original podcast covering esports news and in-depth interviews with industry personalities, celebrities, athletes, influencers, and enthusiasts. 

Host Kevin Knocke is a gaming industry veteran, professionally involved in esports for nearly a decade as both an executive and personality, first as a commentator for tournaments and later as a popular event host. Initial episodes of Esports 30 have featured Indiana “Froskurinn” Black, Caleb “WavePunk” Simmons, and Alberto “Crumbz” Rengifo. Other notables are slated to appear in the future, including Dr. Lupo. 

“Esports is now big enough that it can’t rely on the sunshine and rainbows perspective that it’s the ‘next big thing’ so we need to understand how to develop a sustainable infrastructure for the long term,” said Knocke. “I’ll be inviting on guests with a broad viewpoint of the industry as a whole as well as game-specific experts who are willing to take an honest look at their game and reflect on improvements needed.”

“Kevin has a clear vision, deep-rooted experience, and a genuine passion for esports,” said Suzanne Grimes, EVP Marketing, Cumulus Media and President, Westwood One. “He’s a relatable expert offering a unique blend of interviews and honest discourse on what’s happening behind the scenes.” 

In addition to breaking down the news and business side of esports, Esports 30 with Kevin Knocke offers a look at fascinating cross-industry connections – such as the relationship between gaming and mental health, as well as the crossroads of esports and fashion. New episodes drop every Tuesday at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

About Kevin Knocke

Knocke is the Chief Creative Officer for ReKTGlobal, an esports marketing agency that owns the professional esports team Rogue, the London Call of Duty franchise, and Greenlit Content, a production and marketing services company. His media and hosting background includes esports radio shows for Bleacher Report on SiriusXM, the Universal Open for NBC Sports, and Esports Weekly at IGN, as well as various events at most big gaming conventions. Knocke has worked in nearly every role in esports, from tournament organizer to on-screen talent, team management, brand marketer, and content producer. While working in video games makes his inner child happy, seeing people making money and becoming famous playing competitive video games does feel like vindication after a childhood of being told by his mother, “Stop playing those games, they’ll rot your brain.” Kevin lives in New York City with his wife, Kathryn, and son, Elliott.

About Westwood One

Westwood One, the national-facing arm of Cumulus Media, offers iconic, nationally syndicated sports, news and entertainment content to over 250 million monthly listeners across an audio network of nearly 8,000 affiliated broadcast radio stations and media partners. Westwood One is the largest audio network in America, home to premium content that defines the culture, including the NFL, the NCAA, the Masters, the Olympics, Westwood One Backstage, and the Academy of Country Music Awards. The rapidly growing Westwood One Podcast Network delivers popular network and industry personalities and programs. Westwood One connects listeners with their passions through programs and platforms that have everyone listening. For more information please visit www.westwoodone.com.