Another thing to consider in terms of a format flip at DAVE; Paying Mara. The last time that 92.9 flipped (Z to DAVE) Mara, who has a great contract, was sitting at home for six weeks getting paid to watch The Price Is Right. If DAVE were to flip to a format not geared towards Mara's strengths (Rock, Cheese or Klezmer) they would have to buy her out. I am sure Norm Schrutt, her agent, wrote the contract so that Mara gets a nice payday if she leaves. Mara is the identity of the frequency. If the new format is in her wheelhouse, than she stays, if not, she goes and costs CBS some more coin as she exits Colony Square.
That said, when I take over as PD of 92.9, Mara a) stays put, b) is allowed to be herself, unlike what she was told by Michelle Engel, c) will remain the identity of 92.9 and will still have the highest Q at the station. Heck if she wants, she can have little Charlie come in and spin the Wiggles on Sunday mornings.