B’ham Radio: Sports To End On WZNN

Birmingham sports-talk radio station WZNN ESPN 97.3 The Zone is going off the air less than two years after the station launched in August 2011, clearing the way for Paul Finebaum's new ESPN radio show to return to WJOX 94.5 FM, AL.com learned Tuesday.

The Zone's last day on the air will be Friday, according to multiple Birmingham radio sources. The station is expected to announce the news it to its staff Wednesday morning.

"We have been evaluating the sports format in light of multiple factors, including Finebaum's placement," David DuBose, the executive vice president and chief operating officer for Summit Media, which owns The Zone, said in an email to AL.com. this afternoon. "After nearly two years, it became clear the market did not support two competing sports stations.

"Therefore, we have determined we should focus on other format opportunities," DuBose added.

Summit, a new media company, recently purchased The Zone and several other stations in Birmingham and other cities  from the Cox Media Group, for whom DuBose previously worked as the Birmingham market manager.

The demise of The Zone all but assures that Finebaum's show will return to WJOX, although ESPN has yet to announce that.

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