SB Nation Radio to Become the SportsMap Radio Network

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Sportsmap Radio Network

Gow Media is changing the name of its sports radio network, SB Nation Radio, to SportsMap Radio Network. Gow has owned the network for over ten years, when it acquired the assets of Sporting News Radio. Shortly thereafter it rebranded the network through partnerships to become Yahoo Sports Radio for five years and then SB Nation Radio for four years. Effective July 27, Gow will continue to provide the same shows and sports updates to affiliates across the country but will now do so with its own name.

"We have benefitted from brand partnerships with great companies such as Yahoo and SB Nation but have ultimately concluded that we no longer want to be subject to the fate of another brand. Strategically, it is important to build our own brand," said David Gow, CEO of Gow Media. "For our sponsors, we maintain our large audiences, with a network of over 500 affiliate stations. For our affiliates, our strong lineup remains. What is different, though, is that by operating as SportsMap, we can partner with multiple entities (vs. a single brand partner) in the development of new content and the expansion to digital platforms."

In the past 90 days, Gow has already tapped into partnerships that have enhanced its 24/7 lineup, adding industry talent such as Scott Ferrall through Sportsgrid and Tony Bruno and Eytan Shander through Jakib Media.

"Top to bottom our lineup has never been stronger. We have gotten great feedback from our affiliates," said SportsMap Radio Network Program Director Craig Larson. "We have recognized that we don't need to create every show ourselves. Through partnerships, such as Sportsgrid and Jakib Media and others soon to come, we can assemble a lineup that is best-of-breed."