The Washington Redskins agreed Monday to sell the team’s radio station, The Team 980, to the Urban One broadcast network.
Urban One will carry Redskins games, as well as pre-game and post-game content, on WMAL 105.9 FM and 630 AM.
The pending sale is another significant shift for Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, who controls Red Zebra Broadcasting — the company that owns The Team 980. In 2017, according to the Washington City Paper, Snyder began selling off his other radio properties.
In March, The Team 980 rebranded itself from “ESPN 980,” though it remains an ESPN affiliate.
Monday’s deal will have to be approved by the Federal Communications Commission.
“We believe the future of The Team 980 is in great hands with Urban One,” said Terry Bateman, chairman of Red Zebra Broadcasting, in a press release. “We view this as an opportunity for Urban One and the Redskins to build a close partnership to continue to provide the Redskins’ fans with unparalleled access and content, keeping The Team 980 as the fans’ destination for the best Redskins coverage.”
Urban One is an African-American-owned network based in Silver Spring, Maryland.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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