After seeing their partnership with Audacy’s 980 WTEM dissolve, the NFL’s Washington Commanders have signed a three-year deal with iHeartMedia to carry their games on Classic Rock “Big 100.3” WBIG-FM.
The deal will include marketing partnerships across the iHeart Washington portfolio with talent from across the cluster having a presence at events such as Commanders’ Draft and Training Camp activities, while the franchise will be represented at shows like HOT 99.5’s Jingle Ball, WMZQ-Fest, DC101-derland and WASH Holiday. Archived games will also be heard on the iHeartRadio app.
WBIG-FM replaces WTEM and Cumulus Media’s pair of Conservative Talk 105.9 WMAL and Sports “ESPN 630” WSPZ as home to the franchise’s broadcasts. It also renews the long-time association between the team and the station’s morning host Don Geronimo as both were heard on CBS Radio Hot Talk 106.7 WJFK through much of the 1990s through 2006.
The deal gives iHeartMedia radio broadcast rights to 18 of the 32 NFL franchises.
Today the Washington Commanders announced a new three-year partnership deal with iHeartMedia D.C. to be the team’s exclusive radio broadcast partner. Beginning in the 2022 season, live gameday broadcasts will run on iHeartMedia’s BIG 100.3 FM and be featured on the station’s website and on the iHeartRadio app, iHeartMedia’s free all-in-one digital music, podcasting and live streaming radio service. This new partnership will expand the team’s reach across the DMV, giving more fans the ability to listen and engage with the Washington Commanders on a daily basis and helping to grow the team’s fanbase in the region.
In addition to the team’s radio gameday broadcast, this partnership will offer a robust lineup of exclusive programming across iHeartMedia D.C.’s radio stations and on the iHeartRadio App. New this season, fans will also be able to access archived radio broadcasts of the team’s games anytime via the Commanders channel on the iHeartRadio App.
“We are excited to team up with iHeartMedia as we enter our inaugural season as the Washington Commanders,” said Jason Wright, President of the Washington Commanders. “After careful consideration and a thorough evaluation process, we chose iHeartMedia to join our growing list of strategic partners because of their shared commitment, creative approach and aggressive plan for elevating the fan experience through their prioritization of our football games, content and events across their many radio and online platforms. With the largest reach in the DMV, and as the most downloaded and streamed podcasting publisher in the United States, iHeartMedia outperforms competitors in every demographic and daypart. We feel confident this partnership will be a win for all parties involved, but especially for our fans who will benefit from expanded access and content within the DMV and beyond.”
With a shared emphasis on creating engaging fan experiences, this partnership will also connect Commanders fans to iHeartMedia D.C.’s large portfolio of talent, including DJs and artists, through in-market team and iHeartMedia events such as Commanders’ Draft and Training Camp activities and iHeartMedia’s HOT 99.5’s Jingle Ball, WMZQ-Fest, DC101-derland and WASH Holiday.
“The Washington Commanders are an iconic brand that we are excited to join forces with,” said Kevin LeGrett, President of iHeartMedia Sports. “President Jason Wright and his team are doing great work on the branding of the Commanders and the passion fans have for this team is infectious. This is going to a powerful partnership.”
“iHeartMedia DC is thrilled to announce the inaugural broadcast partnership with the Washington Commanders,” said Aaron Hyland Region President iHeartMedia. “We are incredibly excited to deliver all of the live Washington Commanders action to the DMV and beyond by utilizing BIG100 and iHeartMedia’s unmatched reach in broadcast, podcast, streaming audio and live events.”
The partnership with the Commanders represents iHeartMedia’s 18th National Football League partnership.
This story first appeared on radioinsight.com