Lightning, WDAE to Honor Late Steve ''The Big Dog'' Duemig

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, November 13, 2019 | 4:24pm CT

Steve Duemig

The Tampa Bay Lightning and Tampa Bay's Sports Radio WDAE (95.3 & 620) will honor the late Steve Duemig, a Tampa Bay radio legend, during Saturday's game against the Winnipeg Jets. They will officially re-name the iHeartMedia Tampa Bay suite inside AMALIE Arena as the "Duemig Den" in a ceremony during the first period.

"'The Big Dog was an icon across the Tampa Bay sports media landscape," said Lightning CEO Steve Griggs. "Steve was never afraid to tell it like it was while still serving as a proponent for all local teams, including the Lightning. That transparency earned him the trust and adoration of fans throughout the Bay Area and the country. We are proud to honor Steve and his legacy with a permanent space inside AMALIE Arena where he will always be among the fans that he enjoyed broadcasting to so much."

"Steve Duemig was a legendary, one of a kind talent that created a bond with his fan base like few others have," added iHeartMedia Market President Chris Soechtig. "The Big Dog was a true champion for Tampa Bay Sports and is deeply missed by his iHeartMedia family. We are honored to join the Tampa Bay Lightning to create a permanent tribute at Amalie Arena."

Duemig, affectionately known as "The Big Dog," didn't pull punches when it came to Bay Area sports and it was that authenticity that earned the respect and the listenership of fans in Tampa Bay. Duemig was a radio staple for nearly three decades, starting his career with WFNS from 1991 through 1996, and then hit the airwaves on WDAE in 1996 through his final show in February of 2018. Duemig also served time as the Lightning's radio color analyst for two seasons, hosted a weekly call-in program on FOX Sports Radio and also co-hosted a program on The Golf Channel. Before his time in radio, he spent 13 years as a professional golfer with the PGA of America.

Duemig died in May after a fierce battle with brain cancer. He is survived by his wife Jennifer, daughter Jill and siblings Ken and Lisa.

In his honor, the Lightning and WDAE are honoring Duemig's lasting impact as a Tampa Bay sports icon by placing a permanent bronze plaque in the newly named Duemig Den, located at Section 108 of AMALIE Arena, forever immortalizing "The Big Dog" at every Bolts home game.