Entercom Buffalo and Pegula Sports and Entertainment have agreed to extend their long-standing broadcast partnership between WGR Sportsradio 550 and the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres through the 2020-21 Seasons. The announcement extends a play-by-play relationship with one of the most passionate and loyal fan bases in pro sports.
Entercom Buffalo VP/GM Greg Ried called the deal a win/win for both organizations. “WGR is delighted to extend our partnership with Pegula Sports and Entertainment in carrying the Bills and Sabres play-by-play and additional programming. The Bills and Sabres are Western New York’s passion and an important element of this community. It is a privilege to work with Pegula Sports and Entertainment and their world-class team of professionals. They have both the success of our teams and the success of our community at heart.” With the new agreement Entercom will be expanding and adding positions in its WGR Sports Marketing Department.
“Entercom has been a tremendous radio partner to us and we are pleased to extend our relationship,” said PSE COO Russ Brandon, who serves as president of both the Bills and Sabres. “Continuing to unite Bills and Sabres radio properties on one network best serves the needs of our passionate fans, as we move forward as One Buffalo. We’re excited to continue working with WGR as we pursue the same goal of providing a one-stop shop for all sports radio coverage in Buffalo.”
The WGR Bills and Sabres radio networks are collectively heard on more than 20 radio stations across New York State, Northwestern Pennsylvania, and Southern Ontario. John Murphy, Mark Kelso, and Sal Cappacio will continue as the Bills Broadcast Team. Rick Jeanneret, Dan Dunleavy, and Rob Ray remain as the Sabres radio team.
In addition to being the official flagship station for the teams, WGR will continue to air Sabres Hockey Hotline on weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to noon, with hosts Andrew Peters and Craig Rivet. The Bills-themed John Murphy show, with Murphy and former Buffalo Bill, Donald Jones, can now be heard from noon to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Both shows will also be simulcasted on MSG television.
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.
