• Loading stock data...
Monday, September 15, 2025
One Day till Tuned In! Get a Last Second Ticket!
exclusive
Media

LaVar Arrington To Host New Fox Sports Radio Show

  • LaVar Arrington, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Plaxico Burress are teaming for Fox Sports Radio’s “Up On Game.”
  • The Weekly sports talk show and podcast debuts on Dec. 5.
Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Fox Sports Radio is taking a different approach to the sports radio wars. It’s poised to debut a new weekly show featuring three former NFL stars — with no traditional host.

Fox will name LaVar Arrington, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, and Plaxico Burress as the three co-stars of “Up On Game,” a new weekend talk show and podcast.

Launching Dec. 5, the new show will broadcast live from 1-3 p.m. ET across 400 radio stations nationwide. It will also stream live via the Fox Sports Radio channel on iHeart Radio and be available as a weekly podcast.

Every week, the show will dig in on the latest big issues for athletes. But “Up On Game” won’t necessarily stick to sports. 

When asked about the big guest “gets” he wants for his new show, Arrington had suggestions from actor Jamie Foxx and wrestler Booker T to the NFL’s Tom Brady and Sean Payton.

“It’s all related. If you have the right group of people speaking on these topics it turns into magic,” Arrington said.

The 42-year old Arrington’s media profile has been growing thanks to his frequent TV contributions to FS1’s national “Speak for Yourself” TV show, as well as his previous work on NFL Network and radio shows in Washington D.C.

Houshmandzadeh, a former Pro Bowl wide receiver, joined Fox Sports Radio as a weekend personality in 2018. He also contributes to Fox Sports’ “Speak For Yourself.” 

Burress, the former wideout best-known for catching the winning pass in Super Bowl XLII, rounds out the trio.

Most sports talks shows have a host who plays traffic cop for ex-athletes now turned analysts. 

ESPN Radio, for example, tapped  “SportsCenter” anchor Zubin Mehenti to host “Keyshawn, JWill & Zubin” with ex-NFL wideout Keyshawn Johnson and former Duke basketball star Jay Williams.  Their morning radio show replaced “Golic and Wingo” after Mike Golic’s 22-year run ended this summer

But Arrington, a former Pro Bowl linebacker, said he’ll be the one driving the conversation on “Up On Game.” He’s been working in TV/radio for eight years and is looking forward to leading the discussion.

“I’ve learned quite a few good lessons to take on the role of traffic cop during the course of the show,”  he said.

Arrington praised Scott Shapiro, vice president of sports programming for Fox Sports Radio, for thinking outside the box with his casting. Shapiro likes that all three of his stars have strong points of view. 

“LaVar, TJ, and Plaxico have such unique perspectives, which will make for a truly unique and entertaining listen,” Shapiro said in a statement. “This is not going to sound like any other talk show.”

mike_golic_sr_smiling

Q&A: Mike Golic Sr. Talks TV Free Agency and Breakup of ‘Mike..

Mike Golic Sr. opens up on ESPN’s cancellation of “Golic and Wingo,”…
November 18, 2020

Arrington noted his two new on-air partners have very different personalities. Their “fire and ice” combination should make for smart, entertaining sports radio, he predicted.

While known for his football career, Houshmandzadeh is a “sports geek,” who speaks expertly about boxing, basketball, and other sports, Arrington said. “He’s such a straightforward dude. It’s just really cool listening to him speak on sports issues.”

Burress, meanwhile, grew up in the tough Tidewater section of Virginia that has produced other sports stars such as Allen Iverson and Moses Malone. 

The former New York Giants wideout has experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows. He helped upset Tom Brady’s previously undefeated New England Patriots in the Super Bowl — only to accidentally shoot himself in the thigh at a Manhattan nightclub. Burress ended up serving nearly two years in prison. His NFL career was never the same.

Said Arrington: “[Burress] brings such a cool, calm collected approach to how he speaks on topics. I just thought you got fire and ice. Both have been through so much in their lives.”

Arrington believes the unique approach of three partners will help them stand out in a crowded sports radio market. Forget forced, phony “embrace debate” arguments. The trio will use their real-life sports experiences to hold smart sports conversations about the real issues facing athletes, he said. 

Arrington also wants to avoid much of the “negativity” and “derogatory” discussion he hears on sports radio.

“Our approach to this is: We’ve been there, we’ve done that, we’ve experienced it. We want to bring more of an empowered, solution-driven conversation in terms of what these guys are going through.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jul 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Injured Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) looks on from the bench during the first half of a basketball game against the Chicago Sky at United Center.

WNBA Ratings Rise 3% in 2025 Despite Clark’s Absence

Caitlin Clark played in just 13 of 44 regular-season games.
Las Vegas Aces

WNBA Playoffs Face ESPN Fall Crunch For Final Time

The games will be spread across three networks next year.
Premier Lacrosse League

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
exclusive

Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman, Rob Dauster to Lead On3’s College Hoops..

Goodman previously worked for ESPN, CBS Sports, and Stadium.

Featured Today

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.
Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) breaks up a pass intended for Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown (85) on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game, 27-18.

Amazon Shatters Previous Ratings High for 1st NFL Game

“TNF” viewership surges 35% compared to the 2024 season average.
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese (8) pursues Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.
September 12, 2025

College Football Enters Week 3 Up 21% in TV Ratings

Total college football viewership across all networks is up big.
September 15, 2025

Chiefs’ Fall to 0–2 Dims the Spotlight on NFL’s Top TV Draw

The NFL’s most-watched team sinks to a new low since Patrick Mahomes arrived.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Sep 6, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; General view of a Fox Sports camera station before the game between the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field.
September 11, 2025

Lachlan Murdoch on Fox’s Sports Strategy, FanDuel Plans

The executive calls a forthcoming streaming bundle with ESPN “essential” for fans.
September 5, 2025

NFL’s Expected Early-Season Ratings Boost Gets Off to a Stormy Start

The kickoff game somewhat resembles the delays last year in an SNF game.
September 4, 2025

TNT Sports to Try Its Own Streaming App After WBD Split

TNT Sports will have its own app as a corporate split approaches.
Eagles
September 4, 2025

The Death of Streameast Has Been Greatly Exaggerated

Mirror sites began popping up Thursday, the day the NFL season begins.