Warriors Extend with 95.7 The Game as Sports Radio Wars in the Bay Area Heat Up
With excitement building around the Golden State Warriors moving from Oakland into a brand new arena in San Francisco, buzz around a potential change in a radio partner was going around behind closed doors. However in the end the Warriors will remain with 95.7 The Game.
Possibly looking to take back the Warriors broadcasts was Cumulus Media's Sports 680 KNBR, the long time and more established AM sports radio station, announced their own changes to their radio coverage to Bay Area sports listeners.
Cumulus Media is shutting down its long time alternative radio station KFOG (104.5 FM) next month. Beginning Sept. 6, the station will be replaced with a simulcast of Sports 680 KNBR. During it's history KFOG had been a Triple A or Rock music station. KFOG has been on the air for 60 years.
Moving KNBR to FM radio, home of the 49ers, Giants, and the much higher rated sports station in the Bay Area, gives them the opportunity to head off any momentum 95.7 The Game might be able to build in the future.
Here are the official releases:
“The Warriors are the premiere franchise in this market and have emerged as one of the elite sports brands worldwide,” said Greg Nemitz, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Entercom San Francisco. “As the team embarks on a new era at Chase Center, we’re proud and excited to continue bringing our listeners exclusive, unparalleled coverage of the team both on and off the court.”
“We’ve thoroughly enjoyed our relationship with 95.7 The Game over the last three seasons and look forward to the continued growth and evolution of our partnership as we open the doors to Chase Center,” said Rick Welts, President and Chief Operating Officer, Golden State Warriors. “Most importantly, our fans will continue to benefit from the comprehensive and dedicated coverage of our team 365 days a year and, hopefully, through many exciting playoff runs on The Game.”
95.7 The Game has served as the radio home of the Warriors since 2016. As part of the agreement, the station will continue providing play-by-play coverage of the team and exclusive Warriors programming, including one hour of coverage prior to each of the existing 30-minute pregame and postgame programs. Play-by-play announcer Tim Roye will return for his 25th season calling Warriors basketball – joined by Jim Barnett – and will remain a regular contributor on 95.7 The Game weekday programming during the season and on select offseason dates. 95.7 The Game reporter John Dickinson will continue as the station’s dedicated Warriors reporter, covering both home and road games as well as practices throughout the season.
In addition to game broadcasts, the agreement also includes enhanced in-season daily Warriors programming on 95.7 The Game, which will feature both Warriors and NBA-themed shows, “Warriors Wednesdays” and offseason content centered around the draft, free agency and Summer League. The station will also continue select in-season call-in shows.
The Golden State Warriors have made five-consecutive NBA Finals appearances from 2015-2019, winning three NBA Championships during that time. They are one of only two teams in NBA history to share that extraordinary accomplishment. Next season, the team will play all home games at Chase Center, their new multi-purpose arena in the heart of San Francisco’s Mission Bay district. For more information on the upcoming Golden State Warriors 2019-20 season, presented by Kaiser Permanente, visit warriors.com.
The expansion of KNBR will offer listeners a stronger signal and provide a broader broadcast range for the station’s leading sports programming.
“We are excited to bring KNBR, The Sports Leader and official home of the Giants and 49ers, to a wider audience of sports listeners in the Bay Area,” said Doug Harvill, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus San Francisco. “It’s never easy to say goodbye to a station, and we want to thank the staff, listeners, and advertisers who together made KFOG the legendary and beloved station that so many of us in San Francisco had the opportunity to enjoy.”
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