WTIC-A/Hartford Drops UConn Sports, WUCS (97.9 ESPN) Picks 'Em Up

Old and New

ENTERCOM News-Talk WTIC-A/HARTFORD will let its contract to air UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT athletics at the end of the current men's and women's basketball seasons after 26 years, and crosstown iHEARTMEDIA Sports WUCS (97.9 ESPN) is picking up the games under a 10 year deal with rights holder IMG SPORTS.  The deal includes regular season and post-season play-by-play for football, men’s and women’s basketball, and men’s hockey, plus select UCONN Olympic sports events and the Women’s Basketball Coach’s Radio Show with GENO AURIEMMA, the Men’s Basketball Coach's Radio Show with KEVIN OLLIE, the Football Coach’s Radio Show with RANDY EDSALL, and the Hockey Coach’s Radio Show with MICHAEL CAVANAUGH.

“Our new relationship with iHEARTMEDIA and 97.9 ESPN provides UCONN Athletics with a powerful reach and the prospect of building an extensive affiliate network throughout the state and the NORTHEAST,” said UCONN Director of Athletics DAVID BENEDICT.  “Our new partnership with a dedicated sports platform hosted by the most powerful sports and media company in the country, will offer fans and listeners more opportunities to interact with our teams and coaches.”

“This partnership joins three iconic brands,” said iHEARTMEDIA Region President STEVE HONEYCOMB. “Having UCONN sports on iHEARTMEDIA’s 97.9 ESPN has been our long-term goal.  This is the perfect partnership and offers even more entertaining programming for UCONN Nation.”

“We couldn't be happier about teaming up with the UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT Athletics and finally having UCONN sports on our station,” said 97.9 ESPN PD BEN DARNELL.

“I have the highest respect for UCONN Athletic Director DAVID BENEDICT and his goals for the university,” ENTERCOM SVP/Market Manager PHIL ZACHARY said in a saparatepress release. “Having grown up in CONNECTICUT, there’s a special place in my heart for UCONN Basketball. However, I couldn’t justify what they were seeking when compared to more successful partnerships ENTERCOM enjoys with elite Power 5 institutions.”  ZACHARY, as Market Manager in BOSTON, oversaw sports rights deals for Sports WEEI and News-Talk WRKO-A/BOSTON over the years.  HUSKIES play-by-play voice JOE D'AMBROSIO is also a sports anchor and fill-in host on WTIC; no determination on talent has been yet made.

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