North Carolina Sports Network and Tobacco Road Sports Radio unite legacy experience, next-generation production and live programming to tell the stories of the people, places, sports and culture of the BOLD NORTH STATE
RALEIGH, N.C., and GREENSBORO, N.C. — August 24, 2026 — Old school and new school are joining forces to help build the future of North Carolina sports media. The North Carolina Sports Network and Tobacco Road Sports Radio today announced a major statewide content, production and distribution alliance that will combine established North Carolina sports voices with a digital-first live programming operation.
The partnership will bring “THE DRIVE WITH WD & DEZ,” hosted by Will Dalton and Desmond “Dez” Johnson, to the growing NCSN platform. It also creates a foundation for the two organizations to produce additional live shows, original series, special events and programming centered on the people, places, sports and culture of the BOLD NORTH STATE.
“This is bigger than adding another show to the network,” said Mike Waddell of Brentwood Partners LLC and the North Carolina Sports Network. “It brings together respected voices, emerging talent, statewide relationships and a modern production platform. Old school and new school are joining forces to build something that belongs to North Carolina.”
Under the alliance, Tobacco Road Sports Radio will lead audio and video production and social media execution. The North Carolina Sports Network will lead statewide partnership sales, brand development, distribution and cross-promotion.
NCSN’s YouTube platform will serve as the primary destination for full-length video programming produced through the alliance. Audio programming will continue to be distributed through Tobacco Road Sports Radio’s podcast network, while clips, interviews and promotional content will be shared across the organizations’ digital and social platforms.
“I’ve worked with David Glenn in various capacities over the past decade, so we didn’t think twice when this partnership opportunity was presented,” Johnson said. “This partnership will change how fans consume North Carolina sports, and I’m excited to bring Tobacco Road Sports Radio content to the North Carolina Sports Network.”
North Carolina Sports Network began in 2023 with Media Personality David Glenn and Mike Waddell.
The alliance brings together complementary strengths. NCSN contributes statewide relationships, established content brands, experienced sports voices and partnership-development infrastructure. Tobacco Road Sports Radio adds live audio and video production, an established Triad audience and a digital operation built for the way fans consume sports content today.
“I couldn’t be more pumped to bring ‘The Drive’ to the fast-growing North Carolina Sports Network,” Dalton said. “I’ve known David Glenn since I interned for him coming out of college, and he has remained one of my most valued mentors and friends in the business. The opportunity to team up with David and Mike Waddell is going to be a real treat.”
The collaboration also reunites Dalton and Johnson with David Glenn, one of North Carolina’s most recognized and respected sports media voices.
Tobacco Road Sports Radio has provided sports coverage in the heart of North Carolina sine 2021 on a variety of platforms
“Will and Dez understand North Carolina sports, and they understand how to connect with the people who care about them,” Glenn said. “This alliance combines trusted relationships and decades of experience with the energy, technology and creativity needed to reach the next generation of fans. Most importantly, it gives us another powerful way to tell North Carolina’s stories.”
Founded in 2023, the North Carolina Sports Network has grown to more than 74,000 subscribers and has positioned itself as North Carolina’s Fastest-Growing Sports Media Platform. The NCSN team represents more than 100 combined years of on-the-ground, insider experience in sports, media, coaching, law, marketing, business and executive leadership. Collectively, members of the NCSN team have won seven national championships and include two Hall of Famers, a licensed attorney, accomplished entrepreneurs, an executive with experience across five professional sports teams, a former NCAA Division I director of athletics and an award-winning marketing executive. Seven members of the team are native sons of North Carolina. Together, NCSN’s experienced coaches, executives and broadcasters shape content for sports fans seeking an elevated level of insider opinion, analysis and commentary. NCSN’s standard is straightforward: its commentary is grounded in first-hand experience, direct knowledge or demonstrated expertise in the field being discussed. That is the NCSN guarantee.
THE DRIVE will become part of a growing NCSN programming lineup that includes The David Glenn Show, BOLD NORTH STATE, BIG FOUR SPORTS, TCR: The Coaches Room, The Pineys, The North Carolina Sports Awards, Road to Augusta and other original programming and events. The alliance will also create opportunities for Dalton, Johnson, Glenn and other NCSN personalities to collaborate across live shows, interviews, events and new programming, including the BOLD NORTH STATE Tour and TRL: The RIDE LIVE.
“This is a long-term alliance between people who believe North Carolina deserves its own sports media platform,” Waddell said. “We want to cover more than scores and headlines. We want to tell the stories of the people, places, traditions, communities and culture that make this the BOLD NORTH STATE.”
THE DRIVE is scheduled to appear on NCSN Weekday Afternoons LIVE beginning September 1, 2026. Additional programming, distribution and guest announcements will be released through the North Carolina Sports Network and Tobacco Road Sports Radio.
ABOUT THE NORTH CAROLINA SPORTS NETWORK
Founded in 2023, the North Carolina Sports Network is a statewide sports media and content platform focused on the people, programs, businesses and communities that define sports across North Carolina. With more than 74,000 subscribers, NCSN is North Carolina’s Fastest-Growing Sports Media Platform. Its team combines more than 100 years of first-hand experience across coaching, athletics administration, professional sports, broadcasting, law, marketing, business and entrepreneurship. NCSN creates live programming, original storytelling, interviews, events and partnership-driven content for sports fans seeking an elevated level of insider opinion and commentary grounded in direct experience and demonstrated expertise. NCSN properties include The David Glenn Show, BOLD NORTH STATE, BIG FOUR SPORTS, TCR: The Coaches Room, The Pineys, The North Carolina Sports Awards, Road to Augusta and additional original programming. For more information, visit ncsportsnetwork.com and follow @TheNCSportsNet.
ABOUT TOBACCO ROAD SPORTS RADIO
Founded in 2021, Tobacco Road Sports Radio is a North Carolina-based digital sports media and production company delivering live sports programming, podcasts, interviews and event coverage across audio, video and social platforms. Its programming connects fans with the teams, personalities and stories shaping sports throughout the Triad and across North Carolina.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Mike Waddell
North Carolina Sports Network
michael@brentwoodpartnersllc.com
804-467-2079
Desmond “Dez” Johnson
Tobacco Road Sports Radio
tobaccoroadsportsradio@gmail.com
336-564-8355
Podcasts/Media
ACC Football
NFL/Carolina Panthers
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