Valenti Criticizes Costa's Jack Campbell Coverage

Mike Valenti questioned how Jim Costa handled coverage of the Lions linebacker's injury on 97.1 The Ticket, and Costa responded on air.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Football

Empty football field under stadium floodlights at night, with a single scuffed football resting at midfield on the turf. — Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell's injury became the center of an on-air clash on 97.1 The Ticket between Mike Valenti and Jim Costa this week. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Mike Valenti criticized Jim Costa's Monday morning show for dedicating time to Jack Campbell's on-field injury in every hour. Costa responded on the air Tuesday morning after receiving many listener messages.

Why it matters

The exchange highlights how sports talk hosts in Detroit handle injury coverage of local players and how on-air disagreements play out in public. Valenti said the injury affected him emotionally and he could not stop thinking about it.

The criticism came from Valenti's afternoon drive slot, while Costa's Monday morning show covered the injury in each hour. Valenti had not yet publicly responded to Costa's Tuesday remarks as of Wednesday.

The players

Mike Valenti

Mike Valenti is a sports radio host on 97.1 The Ticket in Detroit who hosts the afternoon drive slot and previously co-hosted a gambling podcast with Jim Costa.

Jim Costa

Jim Costa is a sports radio host on 97.1 The Ticket in Detroit whose morning show covers the Lions and local sports, and who previously co-hosted a gambling podcast with Mike Valenti.

Jack Campbell

Jack Campbell is a linebacker for the Detroit Lions whose on-field injury on Monday prompted the on-air debate between Valenti and Costa.

The details

Valenti, who hosts the afternoon drive slot, criticized Costa's Monday coverage of Campbell's injury during his own program. Costa addressed the criticism on the air Tuesday morning, and Valenti was off the air Wednesday. The two previously co-hosted a gambling podcast, but 'Cash The Ticket' is not airing this fall.

Monday: Jack Campbell suffers an injury on the field, and Costa's morning show covers it throughout the day.
Tuesday morning: Costa responds on air to Valenti's criticism.
Wednesday: Valenti is off the air and has not yet commented on Costa's response.
This fall: The 'Cash The Ticket' podcast featuring Valenti and Costa will not air.

Season Trajectory

The on-air dispute unfolds during a Lions season in which Campbell's health affects a key defensive role. Local sports radio in Detroit has become a space where hosts debate coverage priorities for the team's players.

Fans following the Lions can track Campbell's status through the team's injury reports, which will determine his availability for upcoming games. The broadcast disagreement itself does not change game schedules or roster decisions.

The takeaway

Injury coverage on sports radio can become a point of personal and professional tension between hosts. Listeners who follow both shows get a fuller picture by hearing each side's explanation directly.