Press release: Big League signs 15 yr extension to stay at AM790

[rodneyho]

OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 15, 2006

BIG LEAGUE BROADCASTING AND LINCOLN FINANCIAL MEDIA
ANNOUNCE 15 YEAR EXTENSION AGREEMENT


ATLANTA, GA - Big League Broadcasting, LLC (BLB), the parent company operating WQXI-AM Sports Radio 790 The Zone announced a 15-year extension of their lease management agreement (LMA) with Lincoln Financial Media, formally Jefferson-Pilot Communications. The announcement was made on Tuesday by BLB owner's Andrew Saltzman and Stephen "Steak" Shapiro.

“What BLB has done with WQXI-AM is simply remarkable,” said Don Benson, president of the radio division of Lincoln Financial Media. “They have built an extremely strong brand in the Atlanta market and have earned a well-deserved reputation nationally as one of the great sports radio stations.”

“The extension guarantees that our company will operate on the 790AM frequency for the next 15 years (regardless of station ownership) and in an era where broadcasting companies are merging and acquiring one other, we needed to make sure that we had a permanent home. Clearly with this agreement, we’ve accomplished just that,” stated BLB co-owner Andrew Saltzman.

In addition to operating WQXI-AM Sports Radio 790 The Zone in Atlanta, BLB currently owns radio stations KFNS-AM/FM, Sports Talk 590 The Fan and KRFT-AM, Talk Radio 1190 in St. Louis. BLB is nationally recognized as a leader and innovator in sports radio and sports marketing.

Sports Radio 790 The Zone is a Big League Broadcasting Company. 790 The Zone celebrates its 9th year of operation in Atlanta. In addition to providing entertaining, compelling and informative sports talk, 790 The Zone is the flagship station of Georgia Tech football and men’s basketball, the Atlanta Hawks, the Georgia Force, the Chick-fil-A Bowl, the Bellsouth Classic, The Masters, and the official Sports Radio Station for the Atlanta Falcons.

In April, Jefferson-Pilot Communications became Lincoln Financial Media, after parent company Jefferson-Pilot Corporation merged with Lincoln National Corporation, an insurance and financial services company. Lincoln Financial Media owns and operates 18 radio stations in top 50 markets, three television stations in major southeastern markets, and a sports production and syndication business.

 

[70sdj]

Lincoln Financial went on to say, "We were so happy to extend our lease." "It had always been our hope to be associated with a station with a 0.9 rating, we are thrilled.!"

 

[RTibbs]

Yeah but they probably outbilled a lot of stations ahead of them in the ratings. They have loyal listeners in a desirable demographic. Do you think the Buzz with all the ratings people go ga-ga over because it is approaching 99x out bills them. No way. There is only so many head shops who can advertise on the buzz.

 

[troone]

Seriously, 790 billed $11m last year on a less than 1 share overall. That, alone, proves how important males are to advertisers...also proves that carrying 21+ minutes of inventory + cut-ins every hour is killing any chance of growing the audience!

 

[jal41]

Lincoln Financial went on to say, "We were so happy to extend our lease." "It had always been our hope to be associated with a station with a 0.9 rating, we are thrilled.!"

During the late 80's, WQXI had abandoned their music format in favor of a simulcast of their FM station (solely so that WQXI could stay on the air until something could be done to save it). Unfortunantly, the FM was not doing so well, and the FM became Star 94 (orignially AC, but later back to where they are now).

In the early 90's, when the new idea of brokered time came to play on failing AMs nationwide, WQXI was noted as the place "talk shows came to die". That didn't work out too well, since much of what was on was fly-by-night.

In 1996, they were going to affiliate with the Kidstar network, but Kidstar filed for bankruptcy. Another setback for then JP.

They briefly aired business news, but then Steak Shapiro and his business partner came to him and worked out a deal to lease the station, thus "790 The Zone" was born. I am sure that if this had not have been done, the station would have been sold very cheaply to a religious or hispanic outfit, or the license turned in to the FCC.

So...it could have been worse.

I am surprised that Big League just doesn't buy the station outright. They own 3 stations in St. Louis now.

 

[troone]

Yep, if Andrew/Steak could have known what theyd accomplish, I'm sure they would have bought it in the beginning. Still, both parties need each other.

 

[zoneguy]

Why would Lincoln Financial have the incentive to sell. BLB is paying over close to $3,000,000 a year to lease the place. It's a huge slice of guaranteed annual income. It also reminds us that BLB better keep billing over $10,0000, because the cost of their overhead after that lease coupled with the losses they are taking on the St. Louis stations doesn't leave room for a whole lot of profit.

I am sure this new lease is meant to send a message to Atlanta based advertisers that the group is going to be here for some time to come. 680 has pulled even in the ratings department and is flooding the market with rumors that BLB is struggling due to the debts from St. Louis and audience erosion in Atlanta.

 

[lilburncommunityradio]

Heres the bottom line: I am not really a sports radio fanatic! But its nice to turn on
"Southern 79" and at least hear some laughter, and the mornings are really fun and funny to listen too. WQXI may have died, but its still a great place to hear some funny radio.