Boston-based WBZ-FM has "reached a multiyear contract extension with the Bruins to air all of the franchise’s games," according to Chad Finn of the BOSTON GLOBE. Bruins games have been carried by CBS Radio-owned stations since '95-96, "switching over from WBZ-AM to WBZ-FM" for the '09-10 season. What is "surprising is that Entercom made a hard push to seize the rights deal" from WBZ and make WEEI-FM the flagship Bruins station. One reason WBZ "ascended so quickly mere months after its launch is that it filled a void on Bruins talk." WEEI "features strong hockey coverage now, particularly on its website, but it paid little attention to the Bruins during its heyday as the market’s sole sports-radio superpower." When the Bruins won the Stanley Cup in the '10-11 season, WBZ "benefited greatly from its relationship with and coverage of the team." WBZ' Michael Felger discussed the announcement with partner Tony Massarotti, saying, "We (criticize the Bruins) half the time -- over half the time. But we care. It’s in our blood like it’s in your blood. So it is big, and I think it is good for you that the Bruins remain with us. We do a better job with them than they would at WEEI. That was true the day we came on the air ... and it’s true today" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/23).
