610 Sports in Kansas City have announced on their website that the radio station is ending an 18 year play-by-play partnership with the University of Kansas. According to 610’s statement, the Jayhawks were looking for the radio station to make them a larger priority, which would have compromised 610’s commitment to the Kansas City Royals. As a result, 610 officials had to make a tough call and elected to amicably part ways.
Station officials stated that although they are disappointed in not being able to serve as the school’s play-by-play home, they remain committed to providing excellent coverage of the school’s sports programs. Morning show personality Josh Klingler is expected to retain his role as the football team’s radio sideline reporter.
“We greatly appreciate all the years we had with them (at KU). They’re good people down there,” Dave Alpert, vice president and general manager of Entercom Kansas City told the Kansas City Star. “We certainly appreciate their desire to be on a station where they’re not going to be bumped by other sports.”
The biggest challenge with making an arrangement work were conflicts during the months of September and October when KU’s football games would interfere with Royals baseball games. In past years when similar situations came up, KU would be bumped to KMBZ 980AM, an option the Jayhawks weren’t satisfied with.
KU hasn’t yet announced a new flagship station for their play-by-play broadcasts, but a school official told the Kansas City Star that a future announcement will be made very soon.
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.
