Audacy to Launch 97.1 The Fan in Los Angeles

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, April 28, 2026 | 3:48pm CT

KNX-FM/Los Angeles

Audacy is expanding its Sports audio footprint with the launch of "97.1 The Fan" on KNX-FM, marking the first all-Sports FM station in Los Angeles. The station debuts May 11 at 6am PT ending its News simulcast with 50kW KNX-AM.

The new outlet will deliver comprehensive coverage of Southern California's professional and collegiate teams, along with breaking news and sports talk. Audacy said the station will feature the market's only all-live, local weekday sports lineup.

The addition of 97.1 The Fan complements Audacy's KNX News 1070, reinforcing the company's focus on local news, traffic, sports and information programming in Los Angeles. Both brands will also be available via the Audacy app, streaming platforms and social channels.

Jeff Federman, Regional President, Audacy West, said the launch comes at a pivotal time for the market, citing upcoming global events including the FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics. He described the station as a "24/7, multiplatform home" designed to engage fans and build on KNX's established local connection.

With the move, Audacy now operates 22 FM sports stations and has a presence in all top 10 U.S. markets. The company's broader sports portfolio includes more than 40 owned-and-operated stations, 160 digital sports channels and a podcast network with over 600 titles. Audacy also serves as the flagship audio home for more than 75 professional and collegiate teams and is the official audio streaming partner of Major League Baseball.

Chris Oliviero, Chief Business Officer at Audacy, said entering Los Angeles significantly expands the company's reach and strengthens its position in sports audio, noting the market's influence and passionate fan base.

Audacy has named Andrew Williams as Brand Manager for 97.1 The Fan. Williams previously led the BetMGM Network and has held leadership roles at SiriusXM and Chicago Fire FC. He will oversee the station's programming lineup, which is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.