Lakers Ink Multi-Year Broadcasting Deal With ESPN Radio 710

Lakers Leaving KLAC For ESPN Radio Next Season

The Lakers have agreed to a multi-year broadcasting agreement with ESPN Radio 710 L.A., moving the team's games from current rights holder KLAC-AM beginning next season. ESPN Radio 710, starting with the '09-10 season, will carry all 82 regular-season games and any playoff games, as well as pre- and post-game coverage and preseason games. Lakers Exec VP/Business Operations Jeanie Buss, in a statement, said that the decision was influenced by the "strength of the ESPN brand and the substantial investment the company has made in the L.A. market." Lakers radio play-by-play announcer Spiro Dedes and analyst Mychal Thompson will move with the team to the new station (Lakers). In L.A., Tom Hoffarth notes the Lakers last season made a "big deal celebrating their 30-year relationship" with KLAC. But the fact that ESPN Radio 710 could "promise more with having its new studios in the ESPN facility currently being built as part of L.A. Live across the street" from the Staples Center "made the change easier for the franchise" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 12/12).

EVICTION NOTICE: ESPN Radio 710 Marketing Dir Bill Lennert said that the Clippers, whose game are currently broadcast on ESPN Radio 710, "will not be on that station next season." Lennert: "We will have only the Lakers starting next year." Clippers VP/Communications Joe Safety said in a statement, "Right now we're looking forward to the remainder of the season at 710 ESPN. ... As this season unfolds we'll certainly be reviewing all the options" (L.A. TIMES, 12/12).