Red Zebra Broadcasting is selling sports station “The Team 980” WTEM in Washington, DC to Urban One. As part of the deal, the new ownership group has agreed to carry all Washington Redskins games, and all pregame and postgame programming. Redskins owner Daniel Snyder is a primary investor in Red Zebra.
With the addition of WTEM, Urban One increases its presence in the nation’s capital. The company already owns and operates 93.9 Kiss FM, Majic 102, talk WOL 1450AM, 92.7 WDCJ, Praise 104.1 and Spirit 1340.
In a prepared statement, Urban One CEO Alfred Liggins said the acquisition presents a tremendous opportunity for his company, one which assures WTEM remains locally owned.
“We have deep roots in the greater Washington, DC area and are well aware that The Team 980 has always been a fan favorite,“ Liggins said. “Red Zebra has a track record of producing great programming that engages our hometown sports fans. We look forward to working with the Washington Redskins organization to continue this tradition.”
The Team 980 will not be the only station airing Redskins games this season. Red Zebra reached a prior deal with Cumulus Media to broadcast the team’s games on 105.9 WMAL-FM and 630 WMAL as part of the Redskins Radio Network.
“We believe the future of The Team 980 is in great hands with Urban One,” Red Zebra chairman Terry Bateman said. “We view this as an opportunity for Urban One and the Redskins to build a close partnership to continue to provide the Redskins’ fans with unparalleled access and content, keeping The Team 980 as the fans’ destination for the best Redskins coverage.”
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.
