Major Detroit Announcement For 97.1 The Ticket, Detroit Tigers And Red Wings
DETROIT (CBS Detroit) CBS RADIO's 97.1 The Ticket (WXYT-FM) in association with Olympia Entertainment, announced today live on-air a long-term sports and entertainment alliance with the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings. WXYT-FM signed an exclusive multi-year agreement to broadcast games for the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers.
The comprehensive multi-year agreement is an extension of a partnership that first began in 2001, and includes play-by-play rights to both teams, as well as marketing and promotional activities across the company's portfolio of local stations in Detroit.
CBS RADIO owns and operates WWJ-AM, WXYT-AM, WDZH-FM, WOMC-FM, and WYCD-FM, offering the most 24/7 live and local sports, news and music programming in the market.
"We've enjoyed a tremendous relationship with CBS RADIO as the broadcast home for the Red Wings for the last 14 seasons," said Tom Wilson, President and CEO of Olympia Entertainment. "The fans in Hockeytown and throughout the state of Michigan have come to know 97.1 The Ticket and its extended radio network as the broadcast home for Red Wings action and we're excited to extend the relationship as we celebrate our final two years in Joe Louis Arena and transition into the new Detroit Events Center."
"There is something special about listening to a Tigers game on the radio, and the team at CBS RADIO continues its standard of excellence in their coverage of Tigers baseball," said Duane McLean, Detroit Tigers Executive Vice President of Business Operations. "97.1 The Ticket and the Tigers radio network, in addition to the partnerships with the local CBS RADIO stations, play an integral role in engaging fans with the ball club. This partnership is a commitment to connect the community, Michigan, and Tigers fans across the country with the old English D."
Debbie Kenyon, Senior Vice President/Market Manager, CBS RADIO Detroit said, "97.1 The Ticket and all of CBS RADIO are thrilled to continue our relationship with the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings and Olympia Entertainment. We truly believe the Tigers and Red Wings are the best partners in sports. It's an exciting time for Detroit, largely because of the Ilitch family and the work their organizations are doing to bring new life to downtown."
Highlights of the agreement include:
- Play-by-play announcer, Dan Dickerson, will continue to host the Detroit Tigers pre- and post-game shows, as well as "Hot Stove," an off season show airing weekly to keep listeners up to date on the Detroit Tigers.
- Detroit Red Wings announcer Ken Kal will host "Inside Hockeytown" weekly throughout the hockey season.
- WWJ-AM will add three new one-hour shows including "Inside The Arena," to keep fans up-to-date on the development of the new Detroit Red Wings hockey stadium; "Inside The Ballpark," which will include the latest news and information about the Detroit Tigers upcoming season, and "Inside District Detroit," focusing on all things related to the expansion of "The District."
Additionally, the new partnership includes CBS RADIO's Detroit stations assisting Olympia Entertainment in the production and marketing of select concert and entertainment events. WYCD-FM's Downtown Hoedown is currently produced in partnership with Olympia Entertainment and the Opening Day Block Party at Grand Circus Park in Detroit is produced by WXYT-FM with the assistance of the Detroit Tigers. Both the Downtown Hoedown and the Opening Day Block Party have successfully drawn more than 100,000 people to the city of Detroit annually.
