Infinity Broadcasting's WXYT-AM "has secured" radio
rights to the Tigers for 2001 and the Red Wings for the
2000-01 season in a six-year deal "worth more than" $50M in
guaranteed fees to Ilitch Holdings, which owns both teams,
according to John Smyntek of the DETROIT FREE PRESS. The
deal "ends 39 years of Tiger baseball broadcasts and nearly
30 years of hockey" on ABC Radio-owned WJR-AM, "considered
Detroit's signature station." Smyntek notes that both teams
are "defying conventional wisdom by moving to a much less
powerful station, at least at the onset." WJR is a 50,000-
watt station heard in "large portions" of the U.S. and
Canada, while WXYT has a 5,000-watt signal. Smyntek: "But
this deal is about sophisticated marketing muscle, an
improved Internet presence and the synergy of cross-
promotion and revenue generation" (DETROIT FREE PRESS,
9/22). Also in Detroit, David Markiewicz writes that the
"bigger benefit to the clubs might not be financial, but
promotional," as a "more effective marketing program with a
radio partner could expand the teams' fan base" (DETROIT
FREE PRESS, 9/22). Also in Detroit, Kiska & Henning write
that WXYT "will likely go all-sports" now, putting them "in
competition" with all-sports WDFN-AM (DETROIT NEWS, 9/22).
