BFOA Gala
The BFOA Gala is our signature event, bringing together leaders from across the broadcasting industry for an evening of celebration, connection, and giving. Each year, we honor individuals who have made a lasting impact on our industry while raising critical funds to support broadcasters facing hardship.
March 2027
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Featuring presentations of the...
The BFOA Golden Mic Award honors an individual in our industry, acknowledging their excellence in, and commitment to, broadcasting, as well as their ongoing service to the community at large.
The Edward F. McLaughlin Lifetime Achievement Award honors a broadcaster who has made invaluable contributions to the television and radio industry.
The Philip J. Lombardo Spirit Award is bestowed upon an individual or company who exhibits the spirit of dedication and relentless drive to the BFOA’s philanthropic mission exemplified by former chairman, Philip J. Lombardo.
The BFOA Broadcast Personality of the Year award honors a broadcaster who has made significant career achievements throughout the previous year and represents the best of our industry.
Past Honorees
Golden Mic Award
2026: Mark Lazarus, CEO, Versant
2025: Brian Lawlor, President, Scripps Sports
2024: Jordan Wertlieb, COO, Hearst Corporation
2023: Jack Abernethy, CEO, FOX TV Stations
2022: Hilton H. Howell, Jr., Gray Television
2020: Dave Lougee, TEGNA, Inc.
2019: Perry A. Sook, Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
2018: Emily L. Barr, Graham Media Group
2017: Paul Karpowicz, Meredith Local Media
2016: Bob Pittman, iHeartMedia
2015: Gordon Smith, NAB
2014: Del Bryant, BMI
2013: David Barrett, Hearst Corporation
2012: Dennis Swanson, Fox TV Stations
2011: Alan Frank, Post-Newsweek Stations
2010: Michael Bloomberg, former NYC Mayor
2009: Peter Smyth & the Bordes Family,
Greater Media
2008: Anne Sweeney, Disney Media Networks & ABC TV Group
2007: Ken Lowe, E.W. Scripps
2006: Jeff Smulyan, Emmis Communications
2005: Percy Sutton and The Inner City Broadcasting Family
2004: Frances Preston, BMI
2003: Bob Wright, NBC/GE
2002: Catherine Hughes & Alfred Liggins, Radio One
2001: Lowry Mays, Mays Family and Clear Channel Communications
2000: Edward O. Fritts and the NAB
1999: John Conomikes and Hearst-Argyle Television
1998: Ralph Guild and Interep
1997: Hubbard Broadcasting and The Hubbard Family
1996: Norman Knight & Knight Quality Stations of New England
1995: The Tribune Broadcasting Company
1994: Capitol Broadcasting, Raleigh, North
Carolina
1993: Fisher Broadcasting, Seattle, Washington
1992: WGY Radio and General Electric Broadcasting, Albany, NY
1991: WOAI-Radio, San Antonio, Texas
1990: US Armed Forces Radio Defense, Secretary Richard Cheney
Lifetime Achievement
2026: Judge Judy Scheindlin
2025: Dan Mason, Chairman Emeritus, BFOA
2024: Deborah Norville, EMMY-winning journalist
2023: Richard E. Wiley, Chair Emeritus, Wiley
2022: Lesley Visser, celebrated sportscaster
2020: George Beasley, Founder/Chairman, Beasley Media Group
2018: Edward F. McLaughlin
2017: Bill Hoffman, President, Cox Media Group
2016: Charles Osgood, beloved broadcaster
2015: Dick Clark
Spirit Award
2026: Ernest Liebre, CAPTRUST
2025: Katz Media Group
Personality of the Year
2026: Stephen A. Smith
