Q&A with The Fabulous Sports Babe

She has fought off cancer. She dropped more than 100 pounds. Now she's recovering from double knee-replacement surgery. And she says she's "more fabulous than ever.'' Nanci Donnellan, a.k.a. The Fabulous Sports Babe, returns to Tampa Bay radio when she joins former Bucs linebacker and long-time radio host Scot Brantley on WHBO (ESPN Radio) 1470-AM. Brantley and the Babe debuts Friday and will run each weekday from 3 to 6 p.m.

Back in 1981, Donnellan started on sports radio right here in Tampa Bay. She moved to Seattle and then on to become what is believed to be the first (and still only) woman to host a nationally syndicated sports radio talk show when she signed on with ESPN in 1994. In 1998, Donnellan continued her national show despite going through treatment for breast cancer. She eventually moved to Sporting News radio until 2001 when her show was canceled. Shortly thereafter, she left public life by retreating to her home in Gulfport. Over the past couple of years, she has filled in as guest host on various radio shows, but today makes her full-time return. Donnellan, who never reveals her age (she’s believed to be in her early-to-mid 50s), spoke by telephone from her home as she applied ice packs to her new knees.

How is your health?
I'm okay. I've got new knees now. I'm 2 inches taller. I'm like the bionic woman.
And you're cancer free?
This fall will make 10 years. It changed my life.
How so?
I'm more fabulous than ever. (Laughs) I have a whole new perspective on things. Suddenly knowing who the backup third baseman is for the Arizona Diamondbacks, let alone his actual stats, isn't so important anymore.
Why did you walk away from radio after your last job?
It was getting tiresome. I continued to work through my treatments (for cancer). I came back here to Tampa Bay and had my treatments at Bayfront hospital. I probably would make the same decision again, but when I got sick, I never really allowed myself to heal properly. It got to the point that my immune system was so badly burned, I couldn't even drive. I was wiped out. I needed to get away when I did.
What did you do?
I was here and I love it here. I know people call it God's Waiting Room, and I feel like I have to defend this place to other people, but it really is a great area. I hung out by the pool. I'm a beach girl. I did that. I didn't pick up a newspaper for six months. I didn't watch television for a year. I didn't listen to radio for two years. I reconnected with family and friends. That was the big thing.
And?
Well, you're not going to believe it, but I started working in fashion. We have this internet company called pjsplus.com. We make exercise clothes, yoga clothes and so forth for plus-sized women. I didn't know I had that in me. It's a mom-and-pop type of thing, but I've really enjoyed it.
When did you start getting the itch to get back into radio?
Well, I filled in for different people here and there and probably last (fall), I started thinking about it. And this opportunity came along with Scot and I thought it would be great because I worked with half the people who are there now.
Is sports talk-radio different than it was when you last did it full-time more than seven years ago?
Well, the amount of information available now to fans is so much greater than it used to be. In the old days, I'd go out to the Bucs press conference then come back and tell people what the coach had to say. Now, people know what the coach is saying as he is saying it.
What makes good talk radio?
Passion. That's the big thing. But now there's so much yelling going on. Too much of it, I think. I thought talk radio and everything would be kindlier and gentler following 9/11, but boy, was I wrong. It went the other direction. There's more yelling and screaming than ever before.
You did a little yelling, but you never came off as malicious.
Well, I don't suffer fools. I'm still not going to listen to some guy go on and on about his fantasy team. This is still an entertainment business. We can't ever forget that.
What kind of show do you want to have?
Well, Scot and I are different so there should be some fireworks. I love Scot. I covered him when he played for Bucs, so we go back. He does a great job and I look forward to coming in with him, talking about my football team here, my baseball team and my hockey team, which, by the way, better get itself straightened out.
Before we let you go, break down the teams for us. What do you think of the Rays these days?
My gut reaction is "Who are you guys? You're going to do away with 100 years of tradition and take spring training out of here? And now you want to build a $450-million stadium and I'm supposed to help you pay for this? I'm not paying for this. How about winning a few games first and then come see me.''
The Bucs?
I gotta tell you, those two guys — Jon Gruden and Bruce Allen — come off as a couple of smart-(expletive) frat boys to me. But Gruden gets a lifetime pass from me because he brought a Super Bowl champion here and I never, ever thought I would see that in my lifetime. So Gruden is okay by me.
The Lightning?
In the NHL, everybody makes the playoffs. If you can't make the playoffs then you pretty much (stink). Right? I mean, you, me and four guys could put together a team and get close to a playoff spot, no? But they're going to get the No. 1 pick and I really like John Tortorella. I think he's a terrific coach. So I think the Lightning is going to be okay.
So you're back. Is this the start of something big? Where are you going to be in five years?
Five years? All I know is what I'm doing five minutes from now and that’s turning over the ice bags on my knees. That's as far ahead as I think these days.

Comments

[Tim]

Way to go Nanci !!! You have stayed true to the Tampa bay area and it's great to have you back.. Hope to meet you at a Rays game..

When you get a chance knee Scott in the sack for me and tell him it's from "Tim from Brooksville".. He'll understand..

[OX]

The Babe's back on the radio? Send me the Tampa help wanted pages, I'm quiting my job and leaving New England.

OX

[Adam]

Whoopee.... this is the woman who bumped my call about the Storm/Predators game to talk about signing Jake Plummer. It's a good thing we can't hear the station unless we're in the parking lot.

[Gumby]

Give 'em hell, Babe. And, when all else fails, give 'em the old Gillooly. Whoo-ah and Huzzah!!

[Giles]

I'm fairly new to the area and didn't know the Babe started here. What a coup to have her back!!!

[bill gates]

You forgot Amy Lawrence on ESPN Radio, so The Babe isn't the only one. I can understand why you forgot Amy. She sucks.

[Bob Merc-The Shift]

Hey Nancy, Bob from Scranton, Pa. here. Take care of those knees...I have rheumatoid arthritis and had my hip replaced about 4 years ago. my hip is fine but the RA spread thru me and disabled me. God Bless you...my roomate had that double-knee replacement and he cried every night in our hospital room. It is a tough surgery to go through. Needless to say I admire you grit. I'll be listening when I can. I do a sports-talk radio show live on the internet from my home since I'm pretty much home-bound anymore...give it HELL Nan...and welcome back...God Bless You!

[Bill]

I like Scott B. a lot. He is personable, humble, well informed and was a great ball player. I'm glad he quit when he did. Life is to short to risk it for the game. Always gave 100%. Most personable announcer and entertainer. Nancy is okay, she has a good understanding of the history of many sports. I'm glad she has improving health. Seems like nice enough person.

[marcquark]

Amy Lawrence doesn't do a solo host talk show. She reads scores and gets updates from a ton of others.

She doesn't take calls from all over on every subject and every team.

That's a huge difference.

[Diane Reynolds]

Nanci:
So glad to hear that you are doing better. I had heard about your bout with cancer from my sister.

All the best!

[Jeff Chaiko]

I was just thinking about the lunch hours I spent listening to the Fabulous Sports Babe" in the 90's on the ESPN station in Reading, PA, and wondered what you were doing these days. I went to Google and found you. I am glad you are still doing that thing you do. If you are on the internet somewhere, I am going to find you. I loved it when you blew up those people from Columbus, OH. I am glad to hear all is well. Have you interviewed Joe Paterno lately? This looks like it may be a special year at Happy Valley.

A fan for life,

Jeff Chaiko

[ryan mcevoy]

great to have you back

ryan from alfred ny

[Jason]

Just found out the Fabulous one is back on the air. Great News! It's been many years since we had the opportunity to hear her on WDFN 1130 in Detroit. Glad you are healing well and back to doing what you do best. I guess you weren't kidding when you said "Mother needs her medicine" : )

Will look for you on the internet tomorrow - after all it is "Huuuuump Daaaaaay".