Fowler (r) said the team had been uncomfortable with the change in formatGetty Images
The Padres and their new flagship radio station KEGY-FM "spent the past two weeks working toward a resolution" after one of the station's hosts generated outrage with an insensitive tweet, according to Kirk Kenney of the SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE. Entercom, which owns the station, now has decided to change 97.3 The Machine "from its month-old talk/comedy/music format to all-sports and rebrand itself as 97.3 The Fan." The change began today at 5:00am PT. Kevin Klein, the host "who stirred up the controversy, will not be on the station." Padres Exec Chair Ron Fowler had said the Padres were "very uncomfortable" with a format change that he "claimed never was discussed with the team." The Padres "did not allow employees to go on the station the past two weeks as they work to resolve the situation." The format change gives San Diego "three all-sports radio stations in what already was considered an oversaturated market segment." The Padres "signed a five-year deal with Entercom that began" with the '17 season. The team’s games were broadcast on KBZT-FM last year, but a switch to KEGY was "made starting in spring training" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 4/12).
