Tampa Radio: Sports Remains On 1010 AM, Bubba Teases Return

WHFS-FM 98.7, also known as 98.7 The Fan, ceased its all-sports programming Thursday at 3 p.m., with several on-air personalities being let go, according to TampaBay.com.

Previously owned by CBS Radio, WHFS-FM and WHFS 1010-AM, were among 13 stations in Tampa; Charlotte, N.C.; and Philadelphia dealt by CBS in a swap with Beasley Broadcast Group Inc. In exchange, CBS got five total stations in Philadelphia and Miami.

WHFS-FM is promising a new format starting January 5, 2015; for now the station is stunting with holiday music.   Kent Dunn, Beasley's vice president and market manager for its Tampa-St. Petersburg cluster, said that CBS Sports Radio and USF sports will continue to be heard on 1010, which also carries Bulls baseball, women's basketball and softball.

USF spokesman Brian Siegrist said the school had been aware of the changes. The contract between CBS and IMG College Multimedia, which owns broadcast rights to USF sporting events, extends 2½ more years.

Siegrist said school officials are trying to determine whether a short-term or permanent switch to 1010 fulfills the contract obligations.

Screenshot of 98.7 FM Website

"To those who listened and laughed with us everyday, thank you!" Justin Pawlowski, co-host of the Fan Interference 98.7 morning show, tweeted Thursday afternoon. Pawlowski declined comment when reached a couple of hours later.

One of the station's original voices, national and local sports-talk radio veteran Todd Wright, attributed the demise of 98.7 to misguided leadership. Wright opted out of his afternoon co-host gig with former Bucs defensive tackle Booger McFarland after seven weeks in 2012, and he was fired after only six months.

The change prompted speculation in radio circles and social media that it paved the way for radio personality Bubba "The Love Sponge" Clem to return to the Tampa Bay market.

The station promised a new format to launch Jan. 5, which coincides with a date Clem has cited on his Twitter account for a return.