Deke Bellavia

Deke Bellavia co-hosts #1 rated SportsTalk with Bobby Hebert, weekdays 4pm to 8pm on WWL-AM-FM and WWL.com. Born in Metairie and now living in Amite, he is a 1999 graduate of LSU with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.  Bellavia has worked in the media industry for over 10 years.

“Big Chief” Deke moved up the media ladder the old fashioned way.  Starting on a tiny station in Amite, then moving to the larger market of Hammond, Deke caught the attention of WWL.  After volunteering as a reporter for WWL Prep Round-Up, Deke quickly moved up to the host position on WWL Sports Saturday, Prep Football Round-up and as guest host of SportsTalk.  But, it was the disaster named Katrina that won Deke Bellavia the hearts of listeners across Greater New Orleans, the Gulf South and America.  His work on United Radio of New Orleans scored Deke accolades from various press including The Los Angeles Times.  His “keep it real” style and folksy wisdom generate calls from down home and as far away as Chicago, Toronto… even Saudi Arabia!

Deke is also a member of WWL’s Saints Radio Network team.  He co-hosts “Countdown to Kick-off” with the Cajun Cannon, Bobby Hebert before every Saints game…over our 39 station network. 

Yes, Big Chief is a busy man.  But he loves keepin’ it real on the WWL-AM-FM-and WWL.com…almost as much as he loves his wife Richelle, daughter "Rudy" Emma, and their 4 dogs; Winston & Webster (Lasaopsa’s) and Brooklyn & the Bronx (bull dogs).


You can reach Deke at bigchief@wwl.com