D/FW Radio: Mike Rhyner Retires From KTCK the Ticket

Mike Rhyner

Mike Rhyner, the Texas Radio Hall of Famer who helped create the first all-sports radio station in Dallas-Fort Worth, is calling it quits.

Rhyner posted a formal video announcement on social media Monday afternoon. The Dallas-Fort Worth sports and media world flooded social media with warm wishes to Rhyner, who departs KTCK 1310 AM / 96.9 FM The Ticket after 25 years.


Rhyner was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame in 2014. He has co-hosted the “The Hardline” on “The Ticket” since its inception in 1994.

The Star-Telegram reports Rhyner, who turns 70 in August, was integral to starting KTCK/The Ticket in January 1994, said he had conferred with others in his position over the years to learn how to know when to walk away.

Most of them told him that he would know when the time was right.

“I didn’t believe it but now I see that they knew what they were talking about,” Rhyner said. “The time is right. It has been my life for 26 years, probably more than it should have been. I loved everything about the radio station. I loved being on the air, being with the guys, the road trips with the guys. I will miss it terribly, no doubt.”

Messages of appreciation came from the Texas Rangers, Dallas Stars and just about every sports journalist and radio personality in North Texas.

“Happy retirement to the legend,” the Stars posted on Twitter. “Mike Rhyner had an incredible career at [”The Ticket”] and helped form sports talk radio in DFW. Enjoy retirement, Rhyner!”

Dallas Mavericks television play-by-play voice Mark Followill thanked him for hiring him at the station at 22 years old.

“I’ve been so lucky to have two decades with the Mavs and other broadcast accomplishments that don’t happen without Mike taking a chance on a 22 [year] old who had a little something but was headstrong and argumentative,” Followill posted on Twitter.

Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman thanked him with a “heartfelt thank you.”

Listening to @dfwticket and hearing Mike Rhyner make the announcement that he’s moving on to the next phase of life. Like many, my afternoon’s of listening to The Hardline won’t be the same. You’ve given us so many years of radio gold. A heartfelt “thank you” to @theoldgreywolf

— Troy Aikman (@TroyAikman) January 6, 2020

Rangers Hall of Fame radio voice Eric Nadel congratulated Rhyner on the execution of his retirement announcement.

“Well done my friend! I’m not a fan of farewell tours and you managed to avoid one,” Nadel said.

Brad Sham, the voice of the Dallas Cowboys, said Rhyner helped change the radio landscape.

“You made your mark. Changed the market and the industry and never cut a corner,” Sham posted on Twitter. “Kudos to you, friend.”