WFNZ in Charlotte has agreed to a four-year partnership with the Virginia Tech Athletics Department and the Virginia Tech/IMG Sports Network, granting the radio station the opportunity to broadcast Virginia Tech football games in the Charlotte metropolitan area. The station will air both regular season and postseason Virginia Tech football games and “Tech Talk LIVE!”, the Monday night radio show that originates out of Blacksburg. All programming will be carried on 610 AM and 102.5 FM in the Charlotte area.
The partnership gives the Hokies an affiliate in Charlotte for the first time in school history. Charlotte becomes the second-largest broadcast area for the Virginia Tech/IMG Sports Network, surpassed only by Washington, D.C..
“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, occupies the dominant position among sports radio brands in the Charlotte market. In addition to a strong local weekday lineup, the station serves as the radio partner of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets, and its sister station, WBT, is the radio 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.”
Virginia Tech opens up its 2017 football season on September 3rd against West Virginia at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.