After 27 years affiliated with Cox Media Group’s 580 WDBO Orlando, the NBA’s Orlando Magic will move to iHeartMedia’s “96.9 The Game” 740 WYGM Orlando/96.9 W245CL Deltona for the 2018-2019 season.
WYGM will air every Magic game from preseason through postseason as well as ancillary programming including the daily “Magic Drive Time”. Hosted by Dante Marchitelli, the show will air from 6-630p weekdays throughout the NBA season. Marchitelli, who serves as pregame host/sideline reporter for Magic games on FOX Sports Florida, will be accompanied by a different member of the Magic organization each day including Head Coach Steve Clifford, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman, General Manager John Hammond, players, broadcasters and front office personnel.
Dennis Neumann and Richie Adubato will continue to serve as the play-by-play and analyst for the game broadcasts with Brandon Kravitz hosting pregame, halftime, and postgame shows as well as sideline reports during games.
The Orlando Sentinel adds that the new deal with WYGM is for three years.
The Orlando Magic have announced that FM 96.9 The Game will serve as the new flagship home for the Magic Radio Network.
Every preseason, regular season and postseason Magic game is broadcast on the Magic Radio Network, with radio affiliates across the state of Florida. FM 96.9 The Game will serve as the flagship station in Orlando, where you can also listen on AM 740.
“We are extremely excited to continue our relationship with iHeartMedia and expand upon it by naming FM 96.9 The Game our new flagship station for the Magic Radio Network,” said Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins. “iHeartMedia and FM 96.9 The Game will bring our product to our fans and stakeholders in a first-class manner. We thank ESPN 580 Orlando for 27 excellent years of serving as the radio home of the Magic.”
Dennis Neumann will provide the play-by-play for every game, Richie Adubato takes on the color analyst duties for all home games, while Brandon Kravitz serves as pregame, halftime and postgame host for all games, and will provide sideline reports for all home contests.
“We are thrilled about this expansion of our partnership with the Orlando Magic and iHeartMedia,” iHeartMedia Division President Linda Byrd said. “This is an exciting time to be a Magic fan and an exciting time for FM 96.9 The Game. Adding Orlando Magic games to our programming lineup truly solidifies our radio station’s position as Orlando’s Sports Leader!”
In addition, “Magic Drive Time,” hosted by Dante Marchitelli, will return for its eighth season and air Monday-Friday from 6-6:30 p.m. on FM 96.9 The Game, AM 740 and the iHeartRADIO app throughout the NBA season. Each day, Marchitelli will be joined by a different co-host, including a rotation of Head Coach Steve Clifford, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman, General Manager John Hammond, Magic players, broadcasters and front office personnel. Fans will hear all the latest Magic and NBA news from people in the know. Marchitelli enters his 20th season with the Orlando Magic and also serves as pregame host/sideline reporter for FOX Sports Florida.
FM 96.9 The Game is Orlando’s sports leader. FM 96.9 The Game serves as the flagship station of UCF Knights athletics, the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Orlando City Soccer Club and NASCAR. You can also listen on AM 740 and the free iHeartRADIO app, available at 969TheGame.com.