ESPN Radio New York got some “beachfront property” when they announced a move from 1050 AM to 98.7 FM on Thursday.
But ESPN brass said it was a merely a coincidence that the move comes months before the radio rights for the Yankees and Mets become available.
“That is coincidental. Finding a New York FM is like finding a beachfront property. We didn’t have any timetable in mind as to rights for play-by-play partners,” said Traug Keller, ESPN’s Senior Vice President of Production.
“We had this in mind, when the right deal came available, could we make it happen for the New York sports fan. It is not being able to get the Yankees or the Mets. Even though we love the Mets and the Yankees. We certainly would entertain and any partnership that makes sense, but that was not the driving force for doing this.”
The Post reported Wednesday that the move was done in part to give ESPN the opportunity to bid on the Yankees radio rights with the Mets as a backup plan. The Yankees are currently broadcast on WCBS 880 AM and the Mets are on WFAN 660 AM.
The move to FM will occur Monday at 12:01 a.m. The station will still be simulcast on 1050 AM until it changes over to a full-time ESPN Deportes radio channel in conjunction with Hispanic Heritage month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15).
The switch will also signal a change in the station’s daily coverage with Stephen A. Smith joining Ryan Ruocco in the 1-3 p.m. slot. Ruocco currently airs from Noon-2 p.m. weekdays with Robin Lundberg. Patrick McEnroe has also been hired to do a Saturday show from 10 a.m.-Noon.