Detroit 97.1 ‘The Ticket’ Kenny Kott Dead At 32 Following Medical Complications

DETROIT, MI. (THECOUNT) — Kenny Kott, the longtime producer and on-air contributor to 97.1 The Ticket’s The Valenti Show with Rico, has died following medical complications after suffering a medical event earlier this month, according to station officials. He was 32.

Kott was 32.

Mike Valenti announced the heartbreaking news at the start of Monday’s broadcast, telling listeners that Kott had been hospitalized for several weeks after suffering a medical emergency in early June.

“We’re heartbroken,” Valenti said. “It took a turn for the worse, and he passed away on Saturday night.”

Valenti described Kott as more than a coworker, saying he had become an integral part of the show’s close-knit team.

“Genuinely, I struggle to find the words for this,” Valenti told listeners. “He’s a part of our dysfunctional family. That’s what this is.”

A producer for 97.1 The Ticket and a frequent on-air personality, Kott earned a loyal following among Detroit sports fans for his encyclopedic knowledge of hockey, unwavering passion for the Detroit Red Wings, quick wit, infectious personality, and unmistakable laugh.

Valenti recalled often encouraging Kott to pursue even bigger goals in broadcasting, explaining that he believed Kott possessed more talent than he realized himself.

“I would always bust his chops, like, ‘Man, what do you want out of life? What is it you want, so I can help deliver this?’ And he would always say, ‘No, I just always wanted to be part of a radio show.’ And I’d say, ‘OK, well, you did that, and you’re part of the best one. So what’s next?'” Valenti said.

He continued, “I would always push him, and I said this to his wife: the reason I pushed him so hard is because I believed in him more than he believed in himself.”

Co-producer David “Hatchetman” Hull also paid tribute, describing Kott as both a trusted colleague and close friend who provided support during difficult moments in his life.

“Kenny and I sat in that producer’s box every day together, so we talked a lot about life, family,” Hull said. “Recently, I had a very personal loss and I leaned on Kenny a lot because he had dealt with a similar loss. He would let me know that things are going to be OK. Even when I wasn’t having the best of days, he would let me know, ‘It’s alright—we’re a team.'”

Hull added, “I’m going to miss him. I’m going to miss the ‘Hockey Elite’ information that man had. It’s a huge loss for us, because as Mike said, we are a team. We get on each other, we get at each other, but we all love each other, and that’s the important part. We loved Kenny, and we’re definitely going to miss him.”

Kott joined 97.1 The Ticket several years ago and became a familiar voice to listeners of The Valenti Show with Rico, one of Detroit’s highest-rated sports talk programs. His hockey analysis and behind-the-scenes contributions helped shape the show’s identity, while his humor and authenticity endeared him to coworkers and fans alike.

Last summer, Kott married his wife, a milestone Valenti noted while reflecting on the young producer’s life and future.

No additional information regarding the medical complications that led to Kott’s death has been publicly released.

Tributes from listeners, fellow broadcasters, and members of Detroit’s sports community continued pouring in Monday as many remembered Kott’s kindness, loyalty, and enthusiasm for both broadcasting and the teams he loved.

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