From the all new AverageGuyEntertainment.com:

Joe Dubin is arguably the top sports person in Nashville as it relates to awards. He has won the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award two times which is more than any other sports reporter in Nashville, including TV and Radio. Dubin won an EMMY Award last year for Best Sportscast and has been nominated for sports related EMMY’s nine times. “After 15 years in TV, I am so excited to head to radio and for this wonderful opportunity,” commented Dubin. “It is going to be one heckuva ride and I cannot wait,” he concluded. Dubin graduated from MTSU in 1997 and is very active in local charities including the Metro Animal Shelter, JDRF, the Alzheimer’s Association and others. The charity work is very important to Dubin and he plans to continue the efforts with his new position at 102.5 The Game.

Joe Dubin sat down with JD Deckard from AverageGuyEntertainment.com for a candid interview about local sports, the Penn State mess, his inspirations and more. This is the result of that conversation.

AGE: What went into the decision to leave WKRN for 102.5 The Game?

Joe: Two factors. One that is personal to me, but the other is that no one is watching local sports anymore and why should they? Information comes down in an instant on your phone, so why wait til 6 to get that info? They don’t do stories anymore, heart felt emotional ones. So why watch? Local sports is dying on TV.

AGE: After having time for the Penn State punishment to sink in, was it fair and would you have handled it different?

Joe: It is perfect since the kids were allowed to transfer. They had to hammer the program. It was un-chartered waters. [The punishment] sends a message for generations.

AGE: Where would you like the Sounds to relocate to?

Joe: Downtown, right on the river. They would bring at least 3k with them.

AGE: Is Dooley on the hot seat in your opinion and do you see James Franklin’s program passing UT?

Joe: Franklin has to have a winning season first, then we will talk. Dooley has been on the hot seat since day 1. They could win 10 games this year. They are that talented.

AGE: Can the Preds formula of growing their own talent and bringing in upper mid-level vets bring them a cup or is this similar to baseball with the haves and have nots?

Joe: Well, they can get it done, but they need to pull the trigger when they have the chance. They did it with Pekka. They should have traded Suter. They need to step it up.

AGE: Did you grow up here? If so, what teams did you follow since there were no Titans, etc?

Joe: I did grow up here. I went to Mcgavock. I’m a huge Florida state and Saints fan.

AGE: Who are your personal inspirations, sports heroes and broadcast idols?

Joe: Wow, good one. My hero and inspiration is my mom. Pretty much starts and ends there. Personally, I would love to be a writer on SNL, but I will take being a sports talk host in Nashville. Who wants to laugh all the time?

AGE: What does Joe do when he needs a break from sports? Does it include poker?

Joe: (laughing) I’m terrible with cards. My son beats me in Go Fish! I love comedies. I watch any and all comedies and I write jokes non-stop. I will make SNL someday, but I love playing racquetball. That is my escape.

AGE: Ever consider stand up?

Joe: Did it once and bombed. It’s so difficult. You have to be a special kind of crazy and i am not! But improv? I am king.

AGE: What is your and 102.5 The Game’s goal now that you’ve got Nashville legend, George Plaster back on the air?

Joe: The winner in all of this is the listener. There are now so many options for them to choose from. Sports radio is growing and growing. Sports is our escape from life and all that is going bad in our lives. We know that every Fall football will roll around and for those 3 hours during a game, we have zero cares in the world. We just want everyone to be a part of it with us.

credit: 1025thegame.com