Detroit Radio..Reports Say WMGC-FM Flipping To Sports

There could be a another sports formatted station on-air soon and it could include at least half of the “Drew & Mike” duo.

According to Crain’s Detroit Business, Greater Media Inc.’s WMGC-FM 105.1 will change formats, dropping AC for  sports and as early as August.

Crains quotes a source at indicating Drew Lane, previously of “Drew & Mike” on WRIF-FM (101.1), could be  a potential show host.

Both stations, WMGC and WRIF, are Greater Media-owned.

“Like other broadcasters, we are always exploring our options, but we don’t have any specific plans at this time,” Heidi Raphael, Greater Media’s vice president of corporate communication, told Crain’s.

It has been a number of years since another sports radio stations competed with WXYT 97.1 The Ticket in the market.

Clear Channel owns WDFN 1130,AM The Fan but that frequency primarily consists of nationally syndicated shows from Fox Sports Radio.

Crain’s cites radio insiders as saying that Greater Media has been pursuing rights to ESPN Radio content, which would be a good start to step in the ring with the long-standing success of “The Ticket.”

WCAR 1090 AM has been airing ESPN Radio but according to Radio Insight,  Birach Broadcasting  over the weekend has given up the affiliation with the Worldwide Leader and signed on with NBC Sports Radio.

WXYT's rating dominance is largely because it has the rights to air live all four of Detroit's professional sports teams' games. The radio contracts for the Detroit Lions, Tigers, Red Wings and Pistons don't expire until 2015, meaning it would be more than a year before a flipped WMGC could theoretically pursue and air pro games. University of Michigan football and men's basketball games are aired on CBS Radio-owned WWJ 950 AM under a five-year deal signed in 2011.