COLUMBUS –The Columbus Crew today announced a new partnership with 95.5 The Game, making the station the new English-language radio home of the Black & Gold. 2014 marks the first year of this partnership with the newly established Wilks Broadcasting affiliate, with 95.5 The Game scheduled to air the club’s full 34-match Major League Soccer schedule, beginning March 8, 2014 at D.C. United. The announcement was made on-air this morning by Crew Chairman and Investor-Operator Anthony Precourt during 95.5 The Game’s signature studio program, the FN’A Show.
Launched earlier this year on April 1, 2013, 95.5 The Game specializes in local and regional sports content, highlighted by current partnerships as the radio home of the National Football League’s Cleveland Browns and the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association. The Black & Gold join these historic Ohio franchises as the station’s first Columbus-based professional sports partner.
“Strategically, we think having Crew games on a sports-talk radio format is a natural fit for our brand, and 95.5 The Game is a strong new station that is committed to building its professional sports products in Columbus,” said Crew Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing Mike Malo. “Being on the station that already carries the Browns and Cavaliers is a great spot for the Crew. They have also shown a real desire to deliver compelling soccer content in our market, and we look forward to partnering with them as we both continue to grow the fan base in our region.”
As part of the new agreement, each Crew contest will be accompanied by a half-hour pre-match show and a half-hour post-match wrap-up. Additionally, the Crew and 95.5 The Game are partnering on new shoulder programming and digital content initiatives. Details surrounding these elements will be released ahead of the 2014 season.
“This is a very exciting time for the Columbus Crew, with a new owner, a new Head Coach, new players and a new broadcasting partner,” said Jeff Sanders, Executive Vice President of Programming for 95.5 The Game. “All of us at 95.5 The Game are looking forward to being part of a new era of Crew soccer and a successful season.”
English radio broadcast talent for matches on 95.5 The Game and additional regional broadcast details for television and Spanish radio will be announced at a later date.
2014 season tickets, group tickets, premier seating and 10-match plans are already on sale, along with a special Holiday Pack, while information for purchasing single-game tickets for all Crew regular-season home games will be released at later date. Tickets are available by calling 614-447-CREW and online.
