It's time to resume my role as the new Mel Bracht of the local sports media!
Yesterday morning, KREF 1400AM – the long-running Norman-based AM sports radio outlet – shook the local sports media world when they announced they're partnering with I Heart Radio and taking over the beaming 94.7-FM frequency, and in the process, flushing something called The Brew down the toilet.
Here are some quotes via press releases:
“We are thrilled to enter the sports talk arena with such an outstanding lineup,” [I Heart] Area President Jon Phillips said in a release. “This talent base is very aligned with Oklahoma University sports and we feel this will give us a unique advantage in creating content that is focused on the biggest sports entity in the state… We feel this partnership will greatly benefit both parties and ensure that Sooner fans can get reliable, accurate and timely coverage.”
Casey Vinyard, owner of SportsTalk Media, which is the banner KREF operates under, added, “Our team of talented on-air sports talk professionals welcomes the opportunity to bring ‘The Home of Sooner Fans’ to a large FM signal in addition to our 1400 AM signal and streaming platforms. On behalf of the entire SportsTalk Media team, I’d like to thank Jon Phillips and iHeartMedia Oklahoma City for partnering with us at KREF.”
Just like every other American male, I don't listen to as much sports radio as I once did thanks to all the choices of the attention economy, but I guess I approve of this news. Outside of Sam Mayes and their morning guys, The Franchise can be unlistenable at times, and there's only so much Regular Jim Traber mouth-breathing about poker and bitcoin a man can handle in the late afternoon, so it will be nice to have another FM sports channel to flip to while I'm in the car, and too lazy to connect my phone to bluetooth.
In addition to the FM switch, The Ref – which I guess is what it's called now – also parted ways with local Six-Star Superprep Rivals 100 Midlands Parade All-American OU Fanboy James Hale. It looks like James is now going the Patreon route. That's probably a good move for him. He will still be able to connect with his loyal followers, stalk 17-year-old high school football recruits, and have plenty of extra time to keep the cars of OU coaches clean and shiny. Well, that is if Carey Murdock doesn't beat him to it.