Little Rock Radio: Salem Operating KKSP Under An LMA

The civil dispute over a Little Rock radio station came to an abrupt end March 23 with businessman Larry Crain buying out his disgruntled partner’s interest. Crain and Steve Renfro had been involved in a civil lawsuit over the operation of Sports KKSP 93.3 FM in Little Rock.

Earlier in March, the judge in the case  found Crain in contempt of court for  “deliberately thwarting” the work of a court-appointed receiver, who took over business operations at Capital City Broadcasting LLC.  The receiver was appointed after Renfro filed a complaint with the court stating the company had become “deadlocked in the management and operation of its affairs.”

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Crain was sentenced to a five-day suspended jail sentence, which required him to comply with the receiver.

Days after the case appeared to be heating up, with an appeal filed by Crain to the Arkansas Court of Appeals, the parties reached a settlement.

Another lawsuit, filed by Bo Mattingly’s Sports Personality LLC, is heading to trial later this year, according to Arkansas Business.  The LLC claims Crain isn’t upholding his end of a contract, including a renewal that would have lasted through 2016.

KKSP 93.3 FM (5.6 Kw) Red=60dBu Local Coverage Area

As the legal battles continue, Crain is selling KKSP, as well as another station he owns, KHTE 96.5 FM, to Salem Media Group.

Salem Media is awaiting FCC approval on the acquisition andf pending approval is operating the stations under an LMA. Salem has jettisoned sports on KKSP and flipped to its ChristianAC Format, branding as The Fish.