Las Vegas, NV, April 9, 2025 — Last night, broadcasting and music industry leaders gathered at Encore in Las Vegas, NV for a spectacular celebration of broadcasting excellence, as BMI and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) held a 75th Anniversary Dinner and the prestigious induction ceremony for new members of the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame. The event marked the end of BMI’s historic run hosting the dinner, with plans for NAB to continue the Hall of Fame tradition moving forward.
Part of the 2025 NAB Show, the evening honored two of the most iconic figures in broadcasting: the National Football League (NFL) in television, and legendary BMI singer/songwriter John Oates in radio. The ceremony was a tribute to their profound impact on their respective industries, both shaping the media landscape and inspiring future generations.
Television Hall of Fame Inductee: National Football League (NFL)
The NFL was inducted into the NAB Television Hall of Fame for its pioneering influence on sports broadcasting, from its early days to its role as a cultural powerhouse today. Since the first televised NFL game in 1939, the league has consistently broken barriers in the broadcasting world. NFL broadcasts have become a defining feature of American television, with Thursday Night Football, Sunday games, Monday Night Football, postseason and the Super Bowl dominating primetime TV slots and cultural conversations.
Why NFL Broadcasting Matters:
Rich Eisen, renowned NFL Network broadcaster and host of The Rich Eisen Show, accepted the award on behalf of the NFL, acknowledging the league’s far-reaching impact on sports broadcasting and television culture. A special video produced by NFL Films was shown, highlighting the NFL’s journey in television history, leading into Eisen’s acceptance speech and video messages from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
“This event marks a historic moment for our industry, as we honor broadcasting icons whose contributions have not only shaped the media landscape but continue to inspire generations of creators and broadcasters,” said Curtis LeGeyt, president and CEO, National Association of Broadcasters. “Our honorees represent the heart of innovation, storytelling, and connection in broadcasting, and we are proud to celebrate their profound impact on television and radio.”
On BMI’s last time hosting what has become a highlight of NAB Show, Mike O’Neill, CEO & President, BMI said, “In celebration of 75 amazing years, I can think of no better time or way to preserve the tradition of this evening than for BMI to hand it over to our incredible partners from the start, the NAB. We believe that the broadcasting industry and the creative community will always enrich one another, and BMI is honored to facilitate that vital relationship long into the future.” O’Neill went on to introduce John Oates as the “esteemed BMI guest,” noting that the “legendary songwriter, artist, musician, and producer” has been “captivating millions of global fans and influencing countless artists with his incomparable music since joining the BMI family in 1972.”
Radio Hall of Fame Inductee: John Oates
John Oates was inducted into the NAB Radio Hall of Fame for his immense contributions to American radio as an acclaimed solo artist and the co-founder of Hall & Oates, the best-selling rock duo in music history. Oates’ timeless hit songs span five decades, transcend generations, and, as a cornerstone of American radio, remain in constant rotation across multiple radio formats.
John Oates: A Radio Legacy
In accepting the award, Oates thanked the NAB for the honor and talked about the importance of radio in his life, sharing that the music played on the stations he listened to growing up was “indelibly printed on my soul, my mind, and it’s the music that made me. I owe everything to radio.” He then performed six songs, including the Hall & Oates hits “Out of Touch” and “She’s Gone,” as well as his solo hits including “Mending” and “Pushin’ a Rock.” Oates then treated guests with “A Ways Away,” an unreleased song from his forthcoming album slated for release later this year and ended the performance with a rousing rendition of the Ray Charles classic, “I Got A Woman.”
NAB and BMI’s PartnershipThe event marked the final collaboration between BMI and NAB for the 75th Anniversary Dinner. Moving forward, NAB will continue the Hall of Fame legacy independently with its Broadcasting Hall of Fame ceremony, ensuring the continued celebration of broadcasting excellence.
In addition to poignant remarks by BMI’s O’Neill and NAB’s LeGeyt, the induction ceremony also included remarks by Perry Sook, Chairman and CEO of Nexstar Media Group and Joint Board Chair of NAB, and Collin Jones, President of Westwood One and Radio Board Chair of NAB.
Access high-resolution photos and captions from the event here.
NAB Show also unveiled the winners of its distinguished 2025 Product of the Year and newly established Project of the Year Awards during a special ceremony during the 2025 NAB Show. These honors spotlight the most innovative and forward-thinking new products showcased on the exhibit floor in 2025 and projects delivered in 2024. They celebrated breakthrough solutions shaping the future of media, entertainment and technology.
NAB Show is the preeminent conference and exhibition driving the evolution of broadcast, media and entertainment, held April 5-9, 2025 (Exhibits April 6-9) in Las Vegas. Produced by the National Association of Broadcasters, NAB Show is the ultimate marketplace for next-generation technology inspiring superior audio and video experiences. From creation to consumption, across multiple platforms, NAB Show is where global visionaries convene to bring content to life in new and exciting ways. Learn more at NABShow.com.
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America's broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.
Celebrating over 80 years of service to songwriters, composers, music publishers and businesses, BMI® is a global leader in music rights management, serving as an advocate for the value of music. BMI represents the public performance rights in over 22.4 million musical works created and owned by more than 1.4 million songwriters, composers, and music publishers. The Company negotiates music license agreements and distributes the fees it generates as royalties to its affiliated writers and publishers when their songs are performed in public. In 1939, BMI created a groundbreaking open-door policy becoming the only performing rights organization to welcome and represent the creators of blues, jazz, country, and American roots music. Today, the musical compositions in BMI’s repertoire, from chart toppers to perennial favorites, span all genres of music and are consistently among the most-performed hits of the year. For additional information and the latest BMI news, visit bmi.com, follow us on X and Instagram @BMI or stay connected through BMI‘s Facebook page. Sign up for BMI’s The Weekly™ and receive our e-newsletter every week to stay up to date on all things music.