Early Bird Gets The Herm: News Conference Causes Flak In K.C.

Chiefs’ Flagship Station Upset With WBH-AM’s News Conference Broadcast

K.C.’s WHB-AM carried Monday’s news conference from Arrowhead Stadium to introduce Herm Edwards as the Chiefs new head coach despite KCFX-FM, the team’s radio rights holder, having the “exclusive radio rights to do so,” according to Jeffrey Flanagan of the K.C. STAR. Chiefs Radio Network Manager Gary Coleman said that KCFX “decided Monday morning to carry the Edwards news conference that afternoon and therefore contacted both WHB and KCSP-AM to inform them not to broadcast the news conference live.” But WHB “used the audio feed of the news conference through an arrangement” with KSHB-NBC, which carried a “portion live on television.” There are no exclusive TV rights for Chiefs’ news conferences. WHB Owner Kevin Kietzman: “We have a financial agreement with [KSHB] that allows us to simulcast any breaking news they broadcast.” But Coleman added, “They are a radio station, and we have exclusive radio rights.” Chiefs Dir of PR Bob Moore: “We have an obligation to protect our rights holder” (K.C. STAR, 1/11). WHB in December complained about the Chiefs selling exclusive radio rights to KCFX to broadcast coach Dick Vermeil’s weekly news conference live (THE DAILY).