The Golden State Warriors and Entercom’s 95.7 The Game (KGMZ-FM) have reached a multi-year agreement to make the San Francisco-based sports station the new radio flagship of the Bay Area’s NBA team, it was announced today.
“We’re excited about our new partnership with 95.7 The Game and the opportunity to provide our fans with increased coverage of the Warriors in a centralized location,” said Warriors President & COO Rick Welts. “Under the terms of this partnership, virtually every Warriors game – including the playoffs – will be broadcast on 95.7. Additionally, our fans will benefit from increased programming overall throughout the year, including extended pre and post-game shows, more in-season programming, a dedicated off-season presence and numerous call-in shows featuring front office staff, players and broadcasters. We look forward to working in conjunction with an extremely talented group of individuals at 95.7 The Game and its parent company, Entercom, as we continue our journey through one of the most exciting times in the history of our franchise.”
Plans for 95.7 The Game’s expanded Warriors programming include an additional 60 minutes of coverage to each of the existing 30-minute pre and post-game programs, heightened in-season daily Warriors coverage featuring both Warriors and NBA-themed shows, Warriors Wednesdays and off-season programming centered around the draft, free agency, summer league and the continuation of selected in-season call-in shows. 95.7 The Game will continue to employ a dedicated Warriors reporter who will cover both home and road games and practices throughout the season. Radio play-by-play announcer Tim Roye will return for his 22nd season calling Warriors basketball, and will also appear regularly on 95.7 The Game programs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the season and on selected off-season dates.
By moving to 95.7, the Warriors join approximately one dozen NBA teams that are currently carrying their games on the clarity of the FM dial, as well as a fast-growing roster of professional sports teams that partner with Entercom stations to deliver best-in-class sports content, including the Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, Miami Heat and Kansas City Royals. Additionally, as part of this agreement, in-market network affiliates have been established with KRTY (San Jose) and KUIC (Vacaville), stations that reside next to 95.7 on the dial (95.3).
“We are truly excited about this new relationship with the Golden State Warriors,” said David Field, President and CEO of Entercom. “It is a privilege to partner with such an extraordinary organization. We look forward to bringing our listeners exclusive, unparalleled coverage of the team both on and off the court.”
“We know that our fans turn to us for the best-in-class sports content from the teams and leagues they care about the most,” said Steve DiNardo, Vice President and General Manager of Entercom’s 95.7 The Game. “The Warriors are one of the most popular basketball teams in the world and we are proud to deliver play-by-play broadcasts and 24/7 team coverage to local fans in the Bay Area and to be the official home of Warriors basketball.”
Prior to partnering with 95.7 The Game, the Warriors flagship station for each of the last 32 seasons, and for 40 seasons overall since the team moved to the West Coast in 1962, had been KNBR 680 AM.
“We’d also like to thank KNBR and the management at Cumulus for being a valued and trusted partner for nearly four decades,” said Welts. “KNBR has been a staple of the Bay Area airwaves for many years and we’ve been extremely fortunate to enjoy such a terrific long-standing relationship.”
Last season the Golden State Warriors won an NBA-record 73 regular-season games en route to making a second-straight appearance in the NBA Finals. For more information on the Golden State Warriors 2016-17 season, presented by Kaiser Permanente, visit warriors.com.
Jason Barrett is the President and Founder of Barrett Media since the company was created in September 2015. Prior to its arrival, JB served as a sports radio programmer, launching brands such as 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He also spent time programming SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY. Jason also worked on-air and behind the scenes in local radio at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years on the national stage, producing radio shows for ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT. Among them included the Dan Patrick Show, and GameNight.
You can find JB on Twitter @SportsRadioPD. He’s also reachable by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
