Since the CBS Sports Radio Network was announced in June, one major market has been missing from the list of planned affiliates.
With no CBS or Cumulus owned stations already in the format, Los Angeles was the only top 10 market without an affiliate for the network. Now it appears that News/Talk 980 KFWB may be the one to take that role for the network.
The following domains were registered earlier this month: 980Sports.com, 980TheFan.com, AllSports980.com, AM980TheFan.com, LASports980.com, Sports980LA.com, and TheFan980.com. Additionally the station has placed a job opening for a Sports Sales Sponsorship Account Executive for the station and its Los Angeles Clippers play-by-play.
KFWB is owned by CBS, but is operated independent of the company by a trust managed by Shootingstar, Inc due to CBS being over the ownership limits with its other 5 FMs, 1 AM, and 2 TV stations in the Los Angeles market. Should KFWB flip to Sports it will join Clear Channel’s 570 KLAC, ESPN’s 710 KSPN, and Los Angeles Angels owned 830 KLAA in the format in Los Angeles.
INSTANT INSIGHT: While much of the early speculation has been upon an FM making the flip in Los Angeles, KFWB will more than serve the need of clearing the network in the #2 market. Should CBS or Cumulus decide to flip an FM to Sports the option will still be there but the more pressing need was being able to claim an affiliate in all major markets.
