The Yankees are "entering the final year of their radio contract with WCBS-AM," and they "probably are looking for Red Sox-like money" from their next deal, according to Bob Raissman of the N.Y. DAILY NEWS. WCBS, which has held the rights since '02, "currently pays $13 million per year" for the rights, less than the $18M annually the Red Sox receive from their broadcast partner. WCBS "has an 'exclusive' bargaining period" for the rights, but ESPN Radio 1050 N.Y. "will be a player." Acquiring Yankees games "would instantly fill a huge void for a station hustling for ratings," and "would instantly turn up the competitive heat" on WFAN-AM. But there is a "major stumbling block for ESPN 1050 -- its weak signal." The station "can alleviate the problem by purchasing a station with a strong signal," and sources said that ESPN "has shown interest in buying" WRXP-FM. However, Raissman wondered if the Yankees would "decide to glom the money at the expense of being stuck" on 1050 if ESPN "does not acquire a station with a big-time signal, but comes in with the biggest bid." Meanwhile, Raissman cited sources as saying that former Yankees rights-holder WABC-AM "may be interested in bidding." Also, the Yankees, like the NFL Giants, could "take their radio rights in-house" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 2/13).
