A couple thoughts:
- Sports on 97.1 would make sense *if* the major professional sports leagues are back in action *and* the station lands rights to a team actually worth having. Absent BOTH of those things, I don't think it'd be a wise move.
- How about Rock or Classic Rock on 97.1? A straight-ahead Rock format would have minimal music overlap with KROQ (given KROQ's recent changes), and would offer an opportunity to rehire Kevin & Bean, if desired. I would bring back the KLSX branding under this scenario, too. Classic Rock would give listeners who are currently "settling" for KLOS another option, and similarly, would offer an on-ramp to rehire Kevin & Bean.
Of course, if Entercom is strongly desirous of having a station that hypertargets female listeners (especially Caucasian female listeners), perhaps moving 97.1 to a Hot AC / Adult CHR sound is something that would be on the table? Instead of targetting KIIS exclusively (and doing a poor job of it), maybe slide the station between KIIS and KBIG? I envision a station that sounds musically similar to New York's 102.7 WNEW-FM. A very upbeat AC a la Chicago's 100.3 She-FM is another option.
Vanilla Soft AC would step on 94.7's toes and would be unwise.
A dark horse candidate could be Country (105.1 might fold like a cheap tent), but I cannot see that happening, and it's a move I would not recommend at all.
I, too, have noticed the steady slide at KALI. AQH share was much stronger immediately following launch. Any curiosity listening has long since vanished.