Re: What is the history of the Oakland A's on Bay Area Radio
> I am curious? Since the A's moved to Oakland decades ago,
> What have been their Bay Area Radio flagships? I recall in
> the late 70's and early 80's they were on KSFO-560(I assume
> because they lost the Giants to KNBR-680?)What stations
> broadcast the A's before KSFO? I remember years later(the
> 90's), when they were on KNEW-910 and KATD-990.
>
They started out on KNBR as I recall, KSFO got them in the 1981 season, Not in the late 70's,when they were sold To Roy Eisenhart."BillyBall" KSFO lost them/gave them up, when Ron Unkafer owned the station, in the 92/93 season they have been on KNEW,KFRC,KABL,KFRC and now on KYCY/KNTS.
Before they came to KSFO they were on a College Station for a while,(KALX)Just before Charlie Finley sold them. And after the KNBR (first Years) they moved around alot till KSFO/Golden West got them in 1981. I was at KSFO for the Giant's, the Loss of the Giants to KNBR, and the start of the A's thru King B'cast owership of KSFO. Also for the loss of the 49er to KCBS. During GWB owenership.
Baseball and Football has become such an expensive proposition for stations,
unless your a sports outlet, most of them dont what teams anymore.
Stations used to pay B'cast rights and were able to sell the team to advertisers. In the Past 20 or so years, Team's are selling there own
advertising, asking for rigths fee's and that the station absorb the production fees to get games on the air. Station's just can't make any money. PLUS they loss 4-5 hours of inventory that they can be selling. (The A's have been selling their own B'cast for at least 20 years.)
Thats why Luckoff/KGO walked on the 49ers. KNBR Has an ownership interest in the Giants, thats why it works for them. The Niners on KNBR is most likly a loss
Leader for the station, but it does let them control all the SF Teams...Good for a sports station...The 49ers now sell their own B'cast...Tought when your
not doing well, but you do get your Broadcast rights fee's too.$$$
My Guess is that the A's are Brokering the time on KNTS (Paying) Because Salem is an organization that sells airtime to broadcasters...Why else would you
join in progress...Chezzey. Plus Salem has a consevative agenda that they don't want interupted,unless it's for money. I have been told all the sports they do carry pay for their time, SJ State, Santa Clara etc.
The A's will most likley end up on KTRB when they move to the Area...I read that
Ken Pries was at the County Meeting saying A big Transmitter tower would be good for the bay area, and good for Bay Area sports teams
.
What a GOOD Citizen.
