Columbus Crew SC today announced that it has partnered with CD102.5 FM, making the locally owned and operated alternative rock station the official English-language radio home of the Black & Gold in 2015. The deal includes simulcast audio from Dwight Burgess and Neil Sika as co-hosts, as well as the return of the weekly radio show “Inside Crew SC.” As part of the agreement, all 34 Columbus Crew SC matches will be simulcast on CD102.5 FM. Per club policy, further terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“CD102.5 is an authentically Columbus institution, and this partnership represents strong alignment between the emerging millennial demographics of our sport and the passionate listenership of their audience,” said Crew SC President of Business Operations Andy Loughnane. “CD102.5 will become a seamless extension of our brand.”
Burgess and Sika, recently named co-hosts of Crew SC's local television broadcast, will have their audio from Time Warner Cable SportsChannel's coverage of Black & Gold matches simulcast on CD102.5. In addition, sideline reporter Ashleigh Ignelzi is slated to join the duo for home matches at MAPFRE Stadium. The CD102.5 broadcast will also be the local coverage available when the club plays on national television in 2015.
Furthermore, Burgess and Sika are set to broadcast their radio show “Inside Crew SC” on CD102.5 weekly. The show features reaction and analysis surrounding the club, complete with interviews from current Crew SC personnel and opposing players and coaches.
CD102.5 FM has been locally and independently owned and operated with the same format for the past 25 years. Known for its alternative rock music, it is one of the only independently owned alternative stations in the top 100 markets in the country.
“CD102.5 is very excited to embark on this new level of our relationship with Columbus Crew SC as its official radio home and team partner,” said Randy Malloy, Owner/President of CD102.5 FM. “We were on-site at the very first Crew SC game as the radio sponsor and have been consistent supporters of the team in subsequent seasons, so it feels appropriate that as CD102.5 celebrates its 25th Anniversary here in the Columbus community, the partnership with Columbus Crew SC would come full circle. Being the broadcast partner only strengthens the already great community ties our respective organizations have. We look forward to an exciting season with Columbus Crew SC.”
The Black & Gold begin their 20th season on March 7 at Houston and return home to MAPFRE Stadium for the Opening Match on Saturday, March 14 against Toronto FC at 7:30 p.m. ET. Tickets are available at ColumbusCrewSC.com. For a limited time, fans can purchase a $26 Upper Level ticket to the Opening Match and only pay $18 courtesy of MAPFRE Insurance. To take advantage of this limited-time offer, fans should visit www.ColumbusCrewSC.com/AllofColumbus.
Fans can also enter to win an all-access pass to MAPFRE Stadium in the form of a pair of tickets to every public event held at the venue during the 2015 calendar year, such as Crew SC home matches, Rock on the Range 2015 and more. Fans can enter at www.ColumbusCrewSC.com/MAPFRE, with the sweepstakes ending on March 31.
