The Dolphins "are shopping their radio rights," and WQAM-AM "has emerged as a serious challenger" to the team's current home on WINZ-AM/WBGG-FM, whose six-year deal is expiring, according to sources cited by Barry Jackson of the MIAMI HERALD. WAXY-AM also "has been asked to bid on Dolphins rights and hasn’t ruled it out." However, the station instead has been "focusing on retaining Heat radio rights." WAXY and the Heat "are closing in on an agreement to extend their deal beyond this season." The Dolphins made it clear that they are "seeking a substantial rights fee." The team also "would like for the games to continue airing on both AM and FM." A former WQAM exec said that the station previously relinquished rights because it "was losing a bundle." But Jackson noted WQAM has "changed ownership since then," from Beasley Broadcast Group to CBS, and CBS "has serious interest in landing rights." The Dolphins "choose their radio announcers, with input from the station." So while analyst Joe Rose "would remain in place" whether games stay on iHeart Media or move to CBS, it is "unclear what would happen" to play-by-play announcer Jimmy Cefalo and analyst Bob Griese (MIAMIHERALD.com, 1/7).
