The Yankees have signed a one-year extension with WCBS-AM through '13 to serve as the team's flagship radio station. WCBS has aired the team's games since '02. Announcers John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman are expected to return to the booth next year (CBS Radio). In N.Y., Phil Mushnick writes the "surprise" move by the Yankees shows "how eager CBS Radio is to keep them from ESPN." The deal also "adds likelihood to a major move into the New York market of the new CBS Sports Radio Network." Sources said that CBS is "shopping for an N.Y. station." That could be a precursor to a station dedicated to CBS Radio's national programming while CBS "prepares a long-term deal for that station to carry the Yankees." Meanwhile, the Mets "will be in position to benefit from a bidding war" between WFAN-AM and ESPN Radio 98.7 N.Y. There also are "possibilities that could create shared programming between WFAN and CBS Sports Radio and cable's CBS Sports TV Network, essentially creating an all-day rival to both ESPN's radio and TV" (N.Y. POST, 8/31).
