Longtime Houston radio host John McClain has been an icon in the local media scene for the better part of four decades. Unfortunately, he learned on Wednesday that his lengthy tenure at SportsRadio 610 in Houston will shortly be coming to an end.
McClain got his start in radio all the way back in 1985, covering the Houston Oilers for NewsRadio 740 for 15 years. He then moved to SportsRadio 610, where he has been for the last 24 years.
The legendary radio personality took to social media on Wednesday to inform his fans that he has been laid off, with his last show set to take place on Friday.
“This will take a few tweets,” wrote McClain. So please bear with me. For the first time in 24 years, I won’t be appearing on SportsRadio 610 because I’ve been laid off. Friday is my last day. I’d been making 6 appearances, writing 4 columns and doing 3 Houtopia Football Podcasts each week.”
1) This will take a few tweets, so please bear with me. For the first time in 24 years, I won't be appearing on @SportsRadio610 because I've been laid off. Friday is my last day. I'd been making 6 appearances, writing 4 columns and doing 3 Houtopia Football Podcasts each week.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) January 31, 2024
In a series of 12 follow-up tweets on the matter, McClain went on to express his gratitude to his colleagues at the station over the years, as well as expressing that he has no ill will towards the station after this decision.
5) I’m sad about getting laid off because I love talking about sports on the radio, but I understand the business. It’s happened to so many friends, and now I’m joining their ranks. I was treated like royalty during 47 years at the Chronicle, 15 at KTRH and 24 at @SportsRadio610
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) January 31, 2024
6) I want to thank GM Sarah Frazier and PD Parker Hillis for my years @SportsRadio610 where I was always treated with respect. I felt sorry for Parker because he had to deliver the bad news after Tuesday’s show. I have no bitterness at all because getting laid off is commonplace
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) January 31, 2024
It will obviously be an adjustment for those in the Houston area who have grown up listening to him for such a long time.
However, this is very clearly not the end of McClain’s illustrious radio career, as he still has weekly shows in Nashville, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Waco, San Antonio, and Austin that he seemingly plans on continuing.
11) I’ll still be tweeting and retweeting. I also do weekly shows in Nashville, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Waco, San Antonio and Austin. I plan to keep doing doing them as long as they’ll have me talking about the Texans and the NFL.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) January 31, 2024
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.