Virginia Tech Athletics and IMG add prominent Charlotte station to list of radio affiliates

Home of the Charlotte Hornets to air Tech football games and Tech Talk LIVE for the next four seasons; two Virginia stations also sign on

August 9, 2017

BLACKSBURG – The Virginia Tech Athletics Department and the Virginia Tech/IMG Sports Network announced Wednesday the signing of WFNZ, a radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina, to a four-year deal to broadcast Virginia Tech football games in the Charlotte metropolitan area.

Also known as “The Fan,” the station will carry both regular season and postseason Virginia Tech football games and “Tech Talk LIVE!”, the Monday night radio show that originates in Blacksburg. The games and the show can be heard on 610 AM and 102.5 FM.

WFNZ becomes the first ever radio affiliate for the Hokies in Charlotte, which now ranks as the second-largest market on the Virginia Tech/IMG Sports Network behind the Washington, D.C. market.

“It is extremely important that the Virginia Tech/IMG Sports Network reflects the growth and momentum of Virginia Tech,” Virginia Tech IMG Director of Broadcast Operations Jon Laaser said. “Virginia Tech’s presence continues to expand rapidly in Charlotte, as does Charlotte as a whole.

“We are thrilled to not only bring Tech football to this key area for the first time, but to do it with the perfect partner in WFNZ.”

WFNZ, which is owned by Entercom Communications Corporation, serves as the top sports radio station in the Charlotte market – a market that currently ranks No. 22 nationally. It also holds exclusive radio rights to the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets, and its sister station, WBT, is the home of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers.

“Virginia Tech is a world-class football program and WFNZ is proud to have it as a part of our portfolio of marquee sports listenership options for the WFNZ legendary audience,” Entercom Charlotte General Manager and Vice President Matt Hanlon said. “This is a perfect match for us, and we’re thrilled to be partners with Virginia Tech.”

“I am ecstatic that one of the premier college football programs in the world has chosen WFNZ as its first radio partner in Charlotte,” WFNZ Program Director Tony DiGiacomo said. “We look forward to bringing so many of our Virginia Tech fans here in Charlotte the best coverage of Hokies football.”

The Virginia Tech Athletics Department and the Virginia Tech/IMG Sports Network also announced the addition of radio affiliates in Rocky Mount, Virginia and Winchester, Virginia to its 2017 lineup. Tech football games will be available on 1400 WINC-AM in Winchester, while WYTI AM-FM will bring Tech football and men’s basketball coverage to fans in Franklin County outside of Roanoke on 1570 AM and 104.5 FM.

The Tech football program opens the 2017 season on Sept. 3 against West Virginia at FedExField in Landover, Maryland. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.

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