KEGY/San Diego Drops The Machine, Launches The Fan

Changes

After flipping Top 40 KEGY (ENERGY 97.3)/SAN DIEGO to Classic Rock-Talk 97.3 THE MACHINE in MARCH (NET NEWS, 3/2), only to encounter controversy and negative reaction from the SAN DIEGO PADRES, whose games moved to the station this season, ENTERCOM has relaunched the station as Sports 97.3 THE FAN, starting THURSDAY (4/12) at 5a PT.  The flip makes KEGY the fourth English-language all-Sports station in the market, alongside BCA's XEPRS-A (THE MIGHTY 1090) and XEPE-A (ESPN 1700) and iHEARTMEDIA's KLSD-A (XTRA 1360 FOX SPORTS SAN DIEGO).

“After a recent off-air tweet, we took the opportunity to step back, listen to the important feedback from the community and our partners, THE PADRES, and reevaluate the path forward,” ENTERCOM/SAN DIEGO SVP/Market Manager BOB BOLINGER said. “The station was always going to be largely about sports and we determined the right thing to do was to go 100% all-in. We look forward to building 97.3 THE FAN into SAN DIEGO’s best sports station, delivering the highest quality content and listening experience for the people of this great community.”

BOLINGER is referring to a MARCH 27th tweet from then-soon-to-debut morning man KEVIN KLEIN, which upset the PADRES and led to his suspension before his show even debuted in the market (NET NEWS, 3/27); KLEIN is not part of the GAME moving forward. The new weekday lineup features DAN SILEO, the only holdover from the MACHINE format, moving from middays to mornings, CBS SPORTS RADIO's JIM ROME from 9a-noon, CBS SPORTS RADIO's DOUG GOTTLIEB from noon-3p, and market veteran CHRIS ELLO teaming with former major league outfielder (and son of his namesake, the PADRES' Hall of Famer) TONY GWYNN JR. in afternoon drive. 97.3 THE FAN will also be the new home to syndicated WESTWOOD ONE NFL and NCAA broadcasts in the market, including the SUPER BOWL.

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