That was in 2004, pretty much the peak of the market. At the time there was chatter that KRBE would go for $120M were it put up for sale.Mike Stude sold KRTS-FM at the perfect time. Not long after the sale closed, radio licenses started to lose their value.
A few years ago, I had a conversation with a former KRTS staff member. I won’t reveal their identity, but let’s say very high up the food chain. In the early 00s they were quite aware that station valuations were going nuts.
Stude was considering selling 92.1, and asked his top people what the best time would be. Several times they told him “not yet.” 2004 rolled around and station sale prices were insane. They finally told him “now.”
KRTS was expecting to get $60M for the 92.1 signal. They got $72.5M. The sale was timed perfectly.
In the 19 years Radio One owned KROI it lost almost 90% of its value, probably close to 95% if inflation is considered, with SBS paying $7.5M. The stick might go for much less than $5M were it put back on the market.