NEWSTALK 99.7FM & AM 630 WPRO Adds Providence Basketball

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, August 6, 2018

Providence College Athletics and its multimedia rights-holder, Learfield, have announced a five-year agreement with Cumulus Media, Inc. to become the official radio home of Providence College men's basketball on NewsTalk 99.7FM & AM 630 WPRO.

"WPRO is a big part of the culture of radio in Rhode Island and Southeastern New England," Providence College Men's Basketball Coach Ed Cooley said. "I believe this will provide our fans the opportunity to get more coverage and access of Friar basketball. We are looking forward to hitting the airwaves on WPRO, the new home of Providence College men's basketball."

Beginning with the 2018-19 basketball season, Friars men's basketball games, in addition to all pregame and postgame network programming and the Ed Cooley Radio Show will be carried live on NewsTalk 99.7FM & AM 630. Ed Cooley Radio Show will air on select weeknights throughout the basketball season. John Rooke and Joe Hassett, who have been the voices of Friar Basketball for more than 30 years, will call all Friar games this season.

Cumulus Media Providence Market Manager Holly Paras states, "Providence College is the premier Men's College Basketball program in Southern New England. We are so proud to have them return to the airwaves at NewsTalk 99.7 FM & AM 630 WPRO! We are enthused about the partnership and look forward to many great seasons of Friar Basketball."

With this move, NewsTalk 99.7FM & AM 630 will actively promote their brand as "Home of Providence College Basketball." The Cumulus Media agreement marks the first time Providence College men's basketball will be carried concurrently on an AM & FM signal in Providence. The new relationship also provides additional branding opportunities for Friar basketball, including live remote broadcasts at the Dunkin' Donuts Center and during "Late Night Madness," the kickoff to the basketball season, and station appearances by other stations in the Cumulus Media Providence cluster (92PRO-FM, Lite Rock 105, HOT 106).

"We are very excited to be partnering with Cumulus Media to have all Friar games air NewsTalk 99.7FM & AM 630 WPRO," Providence College Athletics Director Bob Driscoll said. "Cumulus Media has the top radio brands in our market and this will provide unlimited marketing and exposure opportunities for Friar men's basketball. This is a tremendous partnership for our basketball program and our fans."