Max Starks named Steelers radio color commentator
Max Starks will take over as color commentator for Pittsburgh Steelers radio broadcasts. The team announced Tuesday that the former Super Bowl-winning offensive lineman will take over in the role for Craig Wolfley, who died in March.
Starks, 43, had served in a sideline reporting role for the past four seasons. He played nine seasons for the Steelers, serving as a starter for Super Bowl victories that capped the 2005 and 2008 seasons.
“I am honored to move from the sidelines into the booth for our game day broadcasts,” Starks said in a prepared statement released by the team.
“There is a long and proud history that I look forward to continuing. I have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for the men who preceded me, and I hope to bring the same level of excitement and insight that Steelers fans have come to expect from game day broadcasts.”
Starks’ promotion comes as the third major change over the past five seasons in the radio booth for Steelers broadcasts. In 2021, Wolfley took over for close friend Tunch Ilkin as color commentator after Ilkin’s death. Longtime play-by-play man Bill Hillgrove retired from that gig in early 2024 with Rob King taking over his duties last season.
Missi Matthews will continue as a Steelers audio network sideline reporter, a role she has held since 2018.
WDVE-FM (102.5) and WBGG-AM (970) are flagship stations for the Steelers Audio Network, which is available streaming and via Steelers Nation Radio.
King and Starks also will host the daily, in-season “In the Locker Room” show that airs on 970 AM and Steelers Nation Radio. That program dates to when Ilkin and Wolfley were hosts.
A Florida alumnus, Starks has worked in radio (terrestrial, satellite and streaming) for ESPN Radio, SEC Radio, NFL Radio and ESPNU. He’s worked as a color commentator for broadcasts produced by ESPN.
“Max brings a championship mindset, deep football knowledge, and an authentic connection with Steelers Nation,” iHeart Pittsburgh market president Bobbie Loesch said in a statement. “His transition from the sideline to the booth is a natural progression, and we’re confident that fans will love the insight and energy he brings to every broadcast.”
Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.
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