Cumulus Media has released the following statement regarding the passing today of KGO/KSFO San Francisco OM Kevin Metheny:

It is with a heavy heart that I confirm what many have contacted us about tonight. Kevin Metheny, legendary broadcaster and friend to many in our industry, passed away suddenly this afternoon. Kevin was Operations Manager of KGO and KSFO in San Francisco at the time of his death and a beloved and highly respected member of the Cumulus operations team. Out of respect for Kevin’s family, we have no additional details to provide at this time, but want to share the following quote with you. Please attribute the following quote to John Dickey, Executive Vice President, Programming and Content for Cumulus:

“Kevin Metheny’s sudden passing this afternoon is a devastating personal and professional loss for his broadcasting family at Cumulus, and for the entire radio industry. Kevin was a legendary broadcasting talent who touched many lives in his remarkable 44-year career, and whose successes made an indelible mark on radio. His reputation and accomplishments are simply unparalleled and we are grateful for having had the opportunity to work with him as PD of WJR in Detroit and most recently, as Operations Manager of KGO and KSFO in San Francisco. His Cumulus family extends our deepest sympathies to Kevin’s loved ones. We will miss him profoundly.”

Kevin Metheny had a long illustrious radio career including a four year stint as Program Director of 66 WNBC New York where then afternoon host Howard Stern coined him “Pig Virus” (which would get changed to “Pig Vomit” as portrayed by Paul Giamatti in Stern’s movie Private Parts). Metheny would later have a long tenure at Clear Channel eventually rising to head of programming at their Cleveland cluster and then Regional Vice President of Programming. He left Clear Channel in 2008 to become Program Director of WGN Chicago. He joined Cumulus in 2013 to Program WJR Detroit before moving to San Francisco this past June.