As a fitting kickoff for its Audacy Sports vertical – which packages the company’s sports-focused radio stations, networks, streaming channels, and podcasts under one banner for advertisers – Audacy will leverage several of its key sports brands on its own Radio Row at this week’s NFL draft in Detroit.
Hosts from five of Audacy’s all-sports stations, its Infinity Sports and BetQL networks, and several of its sports podcasts will provide analysis, opinion and behind-the-scenes access for fans during the draft. Other events include a draft party to celebrate round one on April 25, and a private concert with award-winning country singer and rapper Jelly Roll.
Live station broadcasts, all available nationwide via the Audacy app, will include: WEEI-AM-FM Boston midday hosts Andy Gresh and Christian Fauria, and an all-night round-one draft party co-hosted by Rich Keefe and “6 Rings and Football Things” podcast hosts Andy Hart and Nick Stevens; “670 The Score” WSCR Chicago PM drive hosts Danny Parkins and Matt Spiegel, and Chicago Bears reporter Mark Grote live from Bears headquarters Halas Hall.
Also represented will be “97.1 The Ticket” WXYT-FM Detroit midday hosts Doug Karsch and Scott “Gator” Anderson, PM drive’s “The Mike Valenti Show with Rico,” plus NFL Draft preview and round one draft shows; “106.7 The Fan” WJFK-FM Washington DC’s midday show host Brian Mitchell, and “The Team 980” WTEM Washington DC’s afternoon host Craig Hoffman.
Following each broadcast-live draft pick, Audacy’s Infinity Sports Network’s JR Sportbrief and Bart Winkler will break down each selection, and “draft capsules” will detail each pick’s strengths, weaknesses and overall potential. In addition to its analysis, BetQL Network’s “BetMGM Tonight” will feature a live tracker of the draft’s most popular prop bets, and provide updates on the odds and outcomes as the night progresses, with additional coverage on social media.
Among the Audacy Sports Podcasts offering breakdowns, thoughts and recaps are “6 Rings,” Brian Baldinger’s “The Best Football Show,” David Haugh and Dan Wiederer’s “Take The North,” Hoffman and former NFL tight end Logan Paulsen’s “Take Command,” as well as all local and national NFL podcasts, including “Reception Perception: The Show.” Baldinger along with Mark Schlereth, Jason La Canfora and Ross Tucker will join Audacy Sports stations across the U.S. and local team podcasts to break down the best prospect fits for each team heading into draft weekend.
According to its estimate, Audacy Sports reaches 43 million monthly listeners across the country.