In Atlanta, Rodney Ho reported WZGC-FM "will become the official flagship" of the Falcons. Team Owner Arthur Blank said that the deal "is three years" at $3M per season. The station, which was "already an affiliate for the Falcons this past season," also will "have to pay extra expenses to pay broadcasters and producers well into the six figures" (AJC.com, 1/31).
WHO YOU CALLIN' BUMS? The Dodgers announced that announcer Vin Scully will return on SportsNet LA and KLAC-AM for the '15 season, while Charley Steiner will take the play-by-play role for games in which Scully does not appear. Steiner will work with color analysts Orel Hershiser and Nomar Garciaparra on SportsNet LA, and with Rick Monday on KLAC. Meanwhile, Jaime Jarrin and his son, Jorge Jarrin will call Dodgers games on KTNQ-AM. All SportsNet LA games also will be presented in Spanish, with Pepe Yniguez and Fernando Valenzuela on the call (Dodgers).
CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT: The Royals announced that radio play-by-play announcer Denny Matthews, who has served as the team's broadcaster since its establishment in '69, "has agreed to a four-year contract extension." The new deal, which was announced Saturday during the final day of the team's FanFest, "will keep Matthews with the Royals through their, and Matthews’, 50th season" in '18 (K.C. STAR, 2/1).
