Audacy/Kansas City Launches Sports ''96.5 The Fan''

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, August 8, 2024

KFNZ-FM (96.5 The Fan)/Kansas City

Audacy launches 96.5 The Fan on KFNZ-FM, a new Sports outlet and the new FM home for Kansas City sports, effective August 15 at 6am CT. The sports talent, commentary, analysis and play-by-play coverage previously heard on KCSP-AM (610 Sports Radio) will now be heard on 96.5 The Fan -- marking Kansas City's first full-time FM Sports station. This FM sports destination will be the new flagship station of the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and broadcast all pre, regular and postseason games. Chiefs games will be simulcast on WDAF-FM (106.5 The Wolf) for the 2024 season.

The station will also serve as the play-by-play home of the Kansas City Royals, Kansas State University and University of Missouri men's basketball and football. The station's weekday programming and play-by-play content will also be heard on KFNZ-AM (The Fan AM 610), formerly known as KCSP-AM (610 Sports Radio), with select Royals games airing exclusively on The Fan AM 610.

"Kansas City has the most passionate sports fans in the country, and they deserve a one-stop destination for premium sports content year-round," said Audacy Kansas City Senior Vice President and Market Manager Roxanne Marati. "This is an exciting time for KC sports, and our exclusive partnership with the World Champion Chiefs, local content and engaging personalities with unrivaled sports knowledge will fuel fandom, bring listeners closer to the action and keep them connected to their favorite teams."

"We have enjoyed a strong partnership with Audacy over the past few years and are excited for them to launch 96.5 The Fan heading into the 2024 football season," added Kansas City Chiefs Vice President of Partnership Strategy and Development Kim Hobbs. "In addition to being the new home of the Chiefs and the flagship station of the Chiefs Radio Network, 96.5 The Fan is going to take a strong lineup and offer exciting and entertaining sports content throughout the year through the power of the FM dial."

96.5 The Fan replaces ALT 96.5 (KRBZ-FM). As a result, longtime ALT 96.5 afternoon drive show, "Church of Lazlo," starring Lazlo, Slimfast and Snowcone, will move to KQRC-FM (98.9 The Rock), weekdays from 2-6pm CT starting August 8. "Church of Lazlo" will continue airing on ALT 96.5 via simulcast until August 14 at 6pm CT. The station will sign off at that time, and 96.5 The Fan will launch at 6am CT on August 15.