Bobcats on WFNZ

Again, it's the budget. 40+ games on the road adds up to a lot of extra expenses to travel even one additional guy. Business is still business and in the oversaturated sports marketplace, ad dollars are pretty scarce in this economy and the ratings that the 'cats pull in aren't exactly the kind that have advertisers knocking down the door.

To add to what Test123 said, my understanding is that the Bobcats wanted to stop radio coverage all together but the league told them no.

 

Yessssssssssssssssssssssssssssss BigVito, I realize there are expenses involved in running a pro team. But I think having a full time Commentator on the team ads to the quality of the broadcast (yesssssssssss, Brevin is just starting out but I'm willing to give him a little latitude at this point). Just like N-O-T having an in-depth pre & post game show as in years past affects the quality of the broadcast and NOT having a weekly call in show (like the Panthers do at BoA Stadium) hurts them in giving the fans a chance to meet the players up close and personal.

Looking back at it now, Bob Johnson should've jumped at the chance to make 101.9 FM his own sportstalk station, but he didn't. It could've added some value to the franchise and he wouldn't have the team in the position it is in now (5k watt sportstalk station that can't be heard outside of the city limits). The fact that he was looking at not having the games on the radio shows that he is simply dirt cheap and doesn't have the chops at being an owner. I wish he would hurry up and sell the team and get out of here (which of course will take longer now that the economy is in the crapper) !!!!!!!

 

It is not unusual in the NBA for radio to have a color commentator at home and the play by play guy be solo on the road.

I can not remember 101.9 ever being for sale. Even Bob Johnson knows that would have been a big financial mistake. I would think CBS would have to have had $40 Million or so for 101.9 back then. Stand alone stations have a hard time competing with groups. He would have only made his money back when he sold the station.

About the middle of this coming year Charlotte will become a PPM rated market. Personal People Meters are pager like devices that record what radio stations you are listening to and sends that data back to Arbitron when the unit is placed in a cradle to recharge. PPM has shown in other markets that Play by Play sports (other than NFL) returns very low ratings.

I would not be surprised if the NBA winds up being Internet only broadcasts in the next few years...

t123

 

Doesn't that depend on the market though? I would think a station like WFAN (NYC) or WEEI (Boston) would have better ratings since they are flagship radio for flagship franchises (Red Sox/Mets/Giants/Rangers/etc.) . Plus, those stations are 50k watts and have a much wider listening area vs. WFNZ. WFAN is the highest generating sports talk station in the country, right? Even with a small readjustment downwards ratings wise, I would think that they are still doing pretty well revenue.