The Hornets are "believed to be close to a new radio deal," and rumors are that Clear Channel's new all-sports FM station in the area "could be among the contenders," according to Erik Spanberg of the CHARLOTTE BUSINESS JOURNAL. Clear Channel this week "disclosed plans to start an all-sports format on its lower-powered 98.7 frequency by Aug. 28." The Hornets, who were on WFNZ-AM last year, have "made no commitments" for '14-15. Hornets Exec VP and Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Pete Guelli said that WFNZ is "among the stations still in the running." Meanwhile, sources said that news-talk station WBT-AM, the Hornets' flagship station from '88-02, "can be ruled out." Sources said that the two sides "discussed a Hornets-WBT pairing this summer, but talks have ended" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/13). In Charlotte, Mark Washburn noted the news Fox Sports-affiliated station will be the city's "first on the FM dial" of the sports variety. Charlotte, with three sports stations already, is "one of only five regions among the nation's top 25 radio markets without an FM station" for sports (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 8/13).
