Columbus Crew SC today announced that it has extended its partnership with CD102.5 FM, ensuring that the locally owned and operated alternative rock station continues as the official English-language radio home of the Black & Gold in 2016. The deal includes simulcast audio from Neil Sika and Dwight Burgess as well as the return of the weekly radio show “Inside Crew SC” on Sunday nights. The partnership extension is for the 2016 and 2017 Major League Soccer seasons. Per club policy, further terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“We are proud to continue our partnership with CD102.5 as Crew SC's official English-language radio home in 2016,” said Crew SC President of Business Operations Andy Loughnane. “Working closely with CD102.5 allows us to continue our mission to connect Club and City. CD102.5 is a staple of the Columbus broadcast and arts scene, with a dedicated listenership that aligns closely with our brand. We are excited to continue our relationship with Randy Malloy and his team.”
Sika and Burgess were recently named play-by-play and color commentator, respectively, under Crew SC's expanded television deal reaching 100 percent of the Columbus market and will have their audio simulcast on CD102.5. Sika is set to begin his 10th complete season with Columbus Crew SC after joining the club's radio coverage full-time in 2007. Burgess, meanwhile, returns for his 21st season on the microphone, bringing more than three decades of soccer-specific broadcast experience. The CD102.5 broadcast will also be the local coverage available when Crew SC plays on national television in 2016.
CD102.5 FM has been locally and independently owned and operated with the same format for the past 26 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.
“We are excited to be able to announce our continuing partnership with Columbus Crew SC as the club's official English-language radio partner,” said Randy Malloy, Owner/President of CD102.5 FM. “We were present at the first-ever Crew SC contest in 1996 and have been involved ever since. When Andy Loughnane asked us last year if we wanted to be the radio broadcast partner, it was an easy decision to be part of this great Columbus team. We are thrilled to be asked to continue this partnership and broadcast Columbus Crew SC on WWCD 102.5 FM.”
As an additional element of the deal, Sika and Burgess are set to continue their popular radio show “Inside Crew SC” on Sunday nights throughout the season on CD102.5, airing from 8:00 - 9:00 p.m. ET. The show features reaction and analysis surrounding the club, complete with interviews from current Crew SC personnel as well as both local and national soccer personalities. The first show is slated to air on Sunday, February 28 at 8:00 p.m. ET. Following Crew SC's season-opening match in Portland on Sunday, March 6, Inside Crew SC will air during a special window on Monday, March 7 from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. ET.
Single-match tickets for available sections at all Black & Gold regular-season home matches in 2016 are now on sale to the general public. Tickets are available through ColumbusCrewSC.com, by calling a Crew SC ticket representative at 614-447-2739 or by visiting Ticketmaster.com. Information on becoming a Crew SC Season Ticket Member for the 2016 season is also available at http://bit.ly/2016CrewSCSTM.
