Ed Tapscott gets new title/Bobcats Hire TV PbP Voice/Radio Deal with WFNZ Dead ? ? ?

I guess Bob Johnson feels since Ed Tapscott runs the Sting, Bobcats, & C-SET, he should get a new title. Makes sense to me . . . .


Ed Tapscott gets new title for Bobcats/Sting/C-SET Empire

Is WFNZ going to 'drop the ball' on having Bobcats games on their station? Perhaps cutting into PRIMTIME's 6pm hour is a potential stumbling block for WFNZ becoming the flagship station for the Bobcats** (lawd, please tell me its not . . . ). I thought this would be a no-brainer for the station. Who is messing this deal up? DJ 'THe Suit' Stout O-R the corporate suits in NYC w/Infinity Broadcasting ? ? ?


**I'm assuming a 30 or 60 min. pregame show for the Bobcats for a 7pm or 7:30pm start time. This would mean PRIMETIME would have to end at 6pm or 6:30pm . . .




Meanwhile, it looks like the Bobcats have hired the Grizzlies TV pbp voice to do the Bobcats games on C-SET & UPN46 . .



Grizzlies PbP Voice to pick up Mic for Bobcats

 

Sounds like they're doing Charlotte a big favor by cutting into Primetime.

 

Packman made sort of an off-hand remark

when someone suggested they have Steve Martin or one of the Bobcats broadcasters on. He said something to the effect they wouldn't be on the station unless the station is the flagship. That's understandable, but his tone struck me as funny.

 

I heard that last week . . . . I think caller asked if they could have them (Bobcats Broadcasters) on the show in the future. I'm sure if they are on WFNZ (unless they screw it up, which I'm sure they will ) they will be on a PRIMETIME & MSP on a regular basis . . .

The thing that's getting me with this whole radio contract talk thing is that the station/INfinity Broadcasting isn't looking at the big picture. It would be great cross promotion opportunity to have WFNZ involved in Bobcats coverage on C-SET and vice versa? Why open the door to another station (WBT, one of the Clear Channel Stations in CLT, etc.) to reap the benefits? WFNZ would get lots of exclusive access to the team in various ways (game nights, interviews, etc.) and promotional opportunities. I wonder what is the holdup in WFNZ & Bobcats signing a deal ? ? ? ?

 

Bad mistake if FNZ misses out on this. Of course, they still have the Knights.

 

You'd think they'd want a station with a broader reach than what WFNZ can deliver. I don't think it's WFNZ dropping the ball, rather them not being able to deliver what the Bobcats want their flagship station to deliver.

 

Here is a better idea...

K104.7 FM is floundering in the ratings,has a big signal, and is owned by Infinity. There is your answer for the flagship station. Power98 & V101.9 have too good of ratings to mess with them, even though they have the demographics that you want.

I can all but guarantee that WBT wants NO PART of the Bobcats!

 

Solution then. Have FNZ simaltelecast (sp) on 104.7 since both are owned by Infinity. Then have Bobcats use it as flagship station. If FNZ doesn't get more juice the better question is why would the Bobcats choose this gerbil powered station as a flagship. That and could you imagine Bob Johnson talking to the imbesile Heyseed?

 

There are alot of options still open, but I can assure you interviews with Hayceed are not one of them. I have attached an article from SI that describes the sports network we are developing.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/basketball/nba/03/10/bc.bkn.bobcats.regional.ap/

 

Minor bump . . . According to a blurb in today's local fishwrap, it A-P-P-E-A-R-S that WFNZ won't be the flagship station for the Bobcats . . . Apparently, station brass & the team couldn't reach a deal according to various sources. The team will now look at other statinos (Clear Channel, WBT-AM/FM ? ? ) to pick up the team. Hmmmmmm, maybe MIX106.1 will be contacted . . .They have a strong FM signal and their contract to carry the Hurricanes ended this year.

I wonder who dropped the ball on this . . Was it station mgmt., the corporate suits in NYC, or the team? I don't understand why WFNZ didn't just jump on this when it was first proposed; Its a natural fit IMHO. If your a sportstalk station, having a pro team as part of your programming benefits your station in the long run. Sign a short 2-3 year deal and if things go fine (which I think they would; Tons of cross marketing opportunities, WFNZ's gets a bigger prescene in the market, etc.) then charge the Bobcats money to air the games. I don't see a problem in letting them air the games for free in the short term. I've said it before and I'll say it again, WFNZ will always be a minor league station by not carrying a pro team in its lineup and continuing to have a sucky ass signal. I think ESPNRADIO in NYC is letting the NHL Devils air their games at no cost in the teams new radio deal as their flagship station. Why couldn't DJ Stout do the same here at WFNZ ? ? ?