One of Knoxville’s longest and well-known sports talk shows, SportsTalk, can be heard on weekdays, 3-7 p.m., with local media legends John Wilkerson and Jimmy Hyams.
Stay up-to-date with the latest in Tennessee athletics Monday thru Friday on your afternoon commute as SportsTalk brings you the best coverage of the University of Tennessee. With over 60 years of combined coverage in Knoxville, the co-hosts have a plethora of connections and pride themselves in bringing their audience credible information.
SportsTalk is presented by
Mobley Brothers Roofing and Renovation!
SportsTalk welcomes guests every week from around the country that range from NFL reporter John McClain, ESPN broadcaster Jerry Punch and Brent Hubbs of Volquest, who hands off the latest in Tennessee recruiting. Wilkerson and Hyams also bring on play-by-play broadcaster of the Tennessee Titans, Mike Keith, former Tennessee Basketball assistant coach, Mark Pancratz, and Vols Baseball coach, Tony Vitello, seasonally.
Each show begins with the news & notes section where Hyams breaks down what is currently going on in the world of sports. Stay glued in until 6 p.m. where the two unravel The ‘Sports Fix @ 6 that comes with a prize each and every day. SportsTalk is 99.1 The Sports Animal’s longest-tenured show as the two co-hosts have been partners since 1998 – back when the show was aired in the afternoons on 990 WNOX.
SportsTalk welcomes calls or texts at 865-656-9900 as the large and loyal listening base ask the two co-hosts questions regarding Tennessee football and everything else. For a complete layout of SportsTalk prior to the show, and updates on guests and times during the show, follow @SportsAnimal991 on Twitter.
About the Hosts
John Wilkerson is a 1988 graduate of the University of Tennessee and has been working in Knoxville radio ever since. The longtime voice of the Tennessee Baseball team has been seen at Lindsey Nelson Stadium since the 1990 season and has acted as the Tennessee football and men’s basketball studio host for IMG’s Vol Network dating back to 1994. You can hear Wilkerson all over the 99.1 The Sports Animal airwaves – year around – as the seasoned radio veteran has broadcasted high school football in the Knoxville area since the mid-90s. The VFL also hosts 99.1 The Sports Animal’s NFL Report that is carried every Sunday from 10am to 12:30pm during football season. Follow John on Twitter HERE.
Jimmy Hyams has been breaking the top sports stories in Knoxville since 1985 after spending 16 years in Louisiana where he began his career. The four-time Tennessee Sports Writer of the Year and two-time Tennessee Broadcaster of the Year is a registered Heisman voter and wrote for the Knoxville News-Sentinel from 1985-1998 before transitioning into talk radio. The acting Sports Director for Cumulus Knoxville, Hyams also covers SEC football for Lindy’s Magazine. The former collegiate baseball player has been with 99.1 The Sports Animal for over 20 years. Jimmy announced his retirement effective March 31, 2023. You’ll still hear Jimmy on the station from time-to-time. Follow Jimmy on Twitter HERE.

Frequent Co-Host/Contributor
Vince Ferrara is another name you will hear on SportsTalk as the versatile voice joins John & Jimmy routinely on the show each week either filling in for the guys or as the Tuesday 4pm hour guest. Ferrara has been covering Tennessee athletics for Learfield/IMG’s Vol Network since 2013. – acting as a game analyst and play-by-play announcer for Tennessee baseball alongside lead voice John Wilkerson. Vince handles the Vol Network UT Football and Men’s Basketball pregame interviews, as well as halftime hoops stats report and on the Vol Network pregame show outside Gate 21 at UT Football as “Mr. Microphone.” He’s the play-by-play voice of KOC High School Football Game of the Week on AM 990 partnering with analyst VFL Jay Graham. Vince also is a regular panelist on WATE-TV 6’s highly rated Sunday morning TV show The Sports Source. You may also find hit doing play-by-play on SEC Network+ on the Watch ESPN App or MMA for various regional promotions on pay-per-view. Find his broadcasting samples and demos at VinceSports.net. Read his blogs on UT and much more. Follow Vince on Twitter HERE.

Show Producer
Sam Forman produces 99.1 The Sports Animal’s afternoon show, SportsTalk. Sam was the Sports Director at WUTK’s sports department at the University of Tennessee. He also joins the list of intern success stories at our station. He, like numerous before him, took advantage of his opportunity with hard work and an understanding of the local sports scene to turn that internship into a regular staff position. Sam hosts the longtime station racing show, The Lead Lap, with co-host Chris Bernard. Listen to the show podcasts here. Sam is a Philadelphia Phillies fan and the friendly voice you’ll hear when you call in to talk to the guys on the show. Follow Sam on Twitter HERE.
Daily Features
3:05 – News & Notes (Image Matters)
6:05 – The Sports Fix at Six (sponsored by many different businesses providing prizes)
Weekly Features
MONDAYS
3:35 to 4:35 – Dr. Jerry Punch – ESPN (New Balance Knoxville)
5:05 – Rob Lewis – Volquest
TUESDAYS
4 to 5 – Vince Ferrara – 99.1 The Sports Animal/Vol Network (Waters Equipment Company)
5:05 – Danny White – UT AD *Every other week
5:35 – John McClain – Freelance NFL Writer
WEDNESDAYS
4:05 – Mike Keith – PBP Voice & Director of Broadcasting for Tennessee Titans
5 to 6 – Mark Pancratz – Former Vols Staffer (Gambuzza’s Barber Shop)
THURSDAYS
4:35 – Mike Murray “Slap Shots Hockey Segment” – Knoxville Ice Bears GM
5 to 6 – Brent Hubbs – Volquest (Diversified Enclosures & Screen)
FRIDAYS
3:35 – Jesse Smithey – 5StarPreps
4 to 4:30 – Al Brown – Former basketball coach (Matlock Tire Service & Auto Repair)
6:15 – Steve Hamer – Vols hoops VFL (A.G. Heins Company)
Seasonal Features
Mon 4:35 – UT Media Day Coverage Report (Games & Things)
Mon 5:35 – HS Football Breakout POTW
Mon-Fri 5:50 – UT Football Practice Report (Pools By Heritage)
Mon 6:15 to 7 – The Officiating Hour w/Gerald Hodges – SEC Replay Official (AG Heins Company)
Varies – UT Opponent Preview
Fri 4 to 5 – Pigskin Panel with John Chavis and Heath Shuler (Phoenix Conversions)
Fri 5 to 6 – Picks Panel with a different guest picker each week (Twin Peaks)
Fri 6:15 – UT Football Practice Report (Pools By Heritage)
Fri 6:25 – UT Injury Report (sponsored by Fox and Farmer)
Fri 6:35 – UT Football Preview (sponsored by RJ Young)
Seasonal Interviews
Mon & Fri 5:35 – Tony Vitello – Vols Baseball head coach
Listen to the SportsTalk 📱 PODCAST below! Scroll through the archive to hear some great content from SportsTalk!
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