The Mailman is delivering in a different capacity - as a radio talk-show host. Because of the NBA lockout, it's uncertain how long he'll be a regular on the air.
Karl Malone, who led the Utah Jazz to the NBA Finals the past two seasons, began his new job Monday, hosting a two-hour afternoon show on KXTA radio in Los Angeles."It's not that I'm bored; I've got a lot of things to do," Malone said 90 minutes before hitting the airwaves. "The weird thing about it - of all the places, I'm doing this in L.A. You know what I'm saying?"
Malone hasn't exactly been a fan favorite locally, especially last spring when he led the Jazz to a four-game sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference finals.
Nevertheless, Malone said he loves Los Angeles.
"This gives me something to do during the lockout," he said. "I'm excited about this. I'm going to say things that are on my mind. We don't want it to be boring. I'm not going to make stuff up just to get listeners."
Malone, who has established himself as one of the top power forwards in NBA history, will work five days a week with Vic "The Brick" Jacobs, who has hosted the 1-3 p.m. show since the station went to an all-sports format on March 10, 1997.
The station, also known as XTRA Sports 1150, just completed its first season carrying Los Angeles Dodgers baseball games.
"This is a great day for Los Angeles radio," said Tom Boman, the station's sports director. "It's ironic that he had to come to Los Angeles to get his own show. We're glad to have him as part of the family."
Midway through Malone's first show, it was announced on the air that an agreement was reached for the show to be carried in Salt Lake City, starting today, on KALL 910 AM.
Malone said he wouldn't do such a show unless it was carried in Utah, where he's played for 13 years.