Longtime Dallas sports radio host and producer Mark Friedman, known by friends, listeners and coworkers as “Friedo,” has died. Friedman’s brother announced the news in a Facebook post on Monday.
Friedman spent over two decades working in Dallas sports radio, starting at 570 KLIF in 1994 and eventually joining host Norm Hitzges in moving to 1310 The Ticket [KTCK-AM] in 2000, where he worked as a producer on Hitzges’ mid-morning show. Friedman had also been serving as the editor and digital producer for Hitzges’ new podcast.
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“It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of my brother’s passing,” Joel Friedman posted on Facebook. “Many of you knew about his health battle over the past several years, and he had been doing remarkably well considering everything he had gone through.”
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Friedman had suffered a bout of double pneumonia in the summer of 2020, an ordeal that he detailed thoroughly on The Ticket’s “The Hardline” afternoon show in February of 2021.
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In 2016, Friedo founded FriedoNation Productions, an audio production business that specializes in spoken word podcasts.
A graduate of Stephen F. Austin, Friedman also volunteered as a coach with Special Olympics Texas and was a board member on the Allen Fairview Chamber of Commerce, where he “served the community of Allen with enthusiasm and passion,” according to his brother.
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Several members of both the Dallas and the national media have posted thoughts and reactions to Friedman’s death on social media.
Mary and I are simply devastated by the sudden death of my 30-year-plus wonderful friend Mark Friedman. I’d talked to Friedo 4-5 times last week alone. He was the editor and digital producer for our new podcast “Just Wondering…with Norm Hitzges.” — Norm Hitzges (@NormsClubhouse) October 2, 2023
#Doomsday podcast listeners may notice it sounds different. That’s because we’ve lost Mark “Friedo” Friedman, a great friend who produced our podcast.
We learned of his passing yesterday. Friedo is beloved in Dallas media.
His devotion to Special Olympics touched our hearts. — Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) October 2, 2023
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Trying to process that Friedo is gone. You can’t write the story of DFW sports radio w/o @friedo1033. From KLIF to The Ticket to ESPN Dallas, he enhanced everything he touched. His health battles the last few years have been harrowing, but inspirational. Just a special person. — Ted Emrich (@tedemrich) October 2, 2023
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I helped lure “Friedo” away from The Ticket, which he never forgave me for. He was such a loyal friend and colleague. And he poured himself into our Cowboys podcast despite having dozens of other clients. He was our guy, and we’re heartbroken over his loss. https://t.co/fgWKuGoLTb — Matt Mosley (@mattmosley) October 2, 2023
Heartbroken. Rest in Peace, Friedo. @SkinWade & I probably don’t have a career in radio without this man. So many great memories from working with him at both 1310 The Ticket and to a much larger degree as our producer and APD at 1033 ESPN. He was so damn funny. So unique. Truly… pic.twitter.com/pWd2hspemF — Ben Rogers (@BenRogers) October 2, 2023
I’ve smiled a lot today thinking about Friedo. We had such an incredible stretch together 2010-2012. Feels like the 3 of us (@BenRogers) were on the road together the whole time. An incredible blur of exhilarating chaos. So many special memories from that time. I’ll miss him — Jeff Skin Wade (@SkinWade) October 2, 2023
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Mark Friedman was one good dude. He was especially encouraging to @Jeff_Coop27 as he attempted to make his way in this great but crazy business. He will be missed by everyone #RIPFriedo — Chuck Cooperstein (@coopmavs) October 2, 2023
Too much bad news today. Mark Friedman @friedo1033 was an integral force behind the growth of sports talk radio in DFW. He will be missed by many. — Gil LeBreton (@gilebreton) October 2, 2023
Friedo was the person who gave me my first shot at the Ticket and was my biggest advocate. Such a unique individual and a good friend. Friedo will be sorely missed… https://t.co/edX2YeTUe7 — The Rise of Sometimes Essential TyWalker🐔 (@TyWalker716) October 2, 2023
So saddened to learn of the passing of Mark “Friedo” Friedman. As my buddy @tedemrich shared, you can’t write the story of DFW sports radio without him. Beyond his talent, he was a beloved friend to many. — Jared Sandler (@JaredSandler) October 2, 2023
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The Argyle Eagles Booster Club wanted to share our deepest sympathies to the Friedman family who lost a great man yesterday. Mark Friedman was a big supporter of our broadcast network and helped host our podcast on his platform. Thank you for your love and support, Mark. https://t.co/rwtKh9FqKY — Argyle Eagles Booster Club (@ArgyleSports) October 2, 2023
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Longtime Dallas sports radio host, producer Mark ‘Friedo’ Friedman has died
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