Radio One, Inc. and Sportsradio 92.7 WFNZ are strengthening their sports presence in Charlotte by announcing a new partnership with ESPN Radio. The agreement, effective immediately, brings the “Worldwide Leader in Sports” to the market on a full-time basis. Giving listeners expanded access to national programming and premier play-by-play broadcasts.
The addition of ESPN Radio marks a significant move for WFNZ, which has long billed itself as the “Home of the Charlotte Sports Fan.” The station will now blend its established local talk lineup with ESPN’s nationally recognized voices. This provides around-the-clock coverage of the biggest sports stories and live events.
“ESPN has long set the standard for covering the biggest live sporting events and the athletes who define them,” said Jeff Rickard, Program Director at WFNZ. “We’re thrilled to team up for premier play-by-play and insightful nightly conversation. Combined with our award-winning local lineup, this partnership gives Charlotte the very best in local and national sports coverage.”
Through the new deal, Charlotte fans will have access to marquee broadcasts like the NBA Finals, the College Football Playoff, and Major League Baseball games. ESPN’s evening shows will also anchor the lineup. Complementing WFNZ’s local programming that already includes some of the city’s most trusted sports voices. ESPN Radio will also be heard on WFNZ during weekend programming.
With the move, the radio station drops the carriage of the Infinity Sports Network for their evening programming and on weekends.
Marsha Landess, Vice President and General Manager of Radio One Charlotte, emphasized the significance of pairing ESPN’s national reputation with WFNZ’s long-standing local brand.
“We could not be more excited to be ESPN’s new radio home in Charlotte,” Landess said. “The iconic sports brand of ESPN and the historic sports brand of WFNZ 92.7 makes a perfect combination to deliver our Charlotte sports fans the best in local and national sports coverage every day of the week on a strong and powerful FM signal. We now truly deliver the best of the best.”
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