Cumulus Classic Rock “92 KQRS” 92.5 KQRS-FM Minneapolis has named Michelle Tafoya as co-host of Tom Barnard’s morning show.
Tafoya will continue in her role as sideline reporter for NBC’s Sunday Night Football. She has long been involved in Minneapolis radio, starting as host and reporter for 1130 KFAN and later hosting an afternoon talk show on CBS’ 830 WCCO from 2009-2012. She also served as co-host of ESPN Radio’s syndicated Mike Tirico Show.
Cumulus Media announces that it has appointed Emmy Award-winning sportscaster and NBC NFL sideline reporter Michele Tafoya as co-host of the KQ Morning Show on 92 KQRS-FM in Minneapolis, joining longtime KQRS morning personality Tom Barnard. Tafoya signed on as Barnard’s co-host on Tuesday, September 6, 2016. The show airs weekdays on KQRS from 5:30AM-10AM CST.
Tafoya continues to serve as NFL sideline reporter on NBC’s Sunday Night Football, a position she has held since 2011, after more than a decade at ABC/ESPN, where she held a variety of on-air roles, most notably as a reporter for Monday Night Football and ESPN’s NFL studio programs. NBC’s Sunday Night Football has been primetime television’s #1 show for the past five TV seasons – a feat accomplished by only three other TV shows since 1950.
Tafoya was a part of NBC’s Rio Olympics coverage and served as a sideline reporter for NBC’s coverage of Super Bowl XLVI and Super Bowl XLIX, the most-watched show in U.S. television history with 114.4 million viewers. She previously hosted The Michele Tafoya Show on WCCO News Radio in Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Scott Jameson, Program Director and Operations Manager for KQRS and Vice President, Classic Rock for Cumulus Media, said: “We’re thrilled to expand Michele’s role to co-host, paired with legendary morning man Tom Barnard who just celebrated his 30th anniversary at KQRS. While most Americans know Michele from her NFL coverage on NBC’s Sunday Night Football, she’s a terrific, local talk talent we’re happy to have more of.”
Barnard said: “From the first day I met Michele, I’ve wanted to work with her on a full-time basis and now I am happy to have that chance. She’s the ultimate professional.”
Tafoya said: “I’m excited to be spending more time with Tom and his cadre of pals. We’ve developed great camaraderie over the past couple of years. Radio is such a fun, free-flowing platform where we can talk about anything at all, and Tom makes it easy.”
