USRN To Acquire Nine Ball Radio Networks

United Stations Radio Networks (USRN) has announced that it has formally closed a deal to acquire the 50% of Nineball Radio Networks, LLC that it did not already own, and that the assets of the national program supplier are completely owned by USRN effective immediately.

USRN will now oversee the production, distribution and affiliate relations efforts for Nineball’s entire lineup of programming. USRN has been acting as Nineball’s marketing partner to the advertising community for the last decade.

Nineball Radio Networks started as an independent provider of radio Prep Services in 2005. Since then, from its home base in the Minneapolis area, the company has branched out in program creation and representation and its lineup includes multiple services geared toward personality-driven, local radio shows as well as some long-form offering. In 2015, Nineball partnered with the Cox Media Group to syndicate the San Antonio-based ratings juggernaut, The Billy Madison Show.  Overall, Nineball services hundreds of radio stations in a variety of formats. USRN acquired half of the company in 2008, and while USRN now owns all of its assets, Nineball Radio will continue to operate its own programming properties as a distinct brand.

Concurrent with this acquisition, Nineball founder Stefan Jones will join United Stations at its New York headquarters as Senior Vice President/Content Sales and Affiliations. Jones’ resume is extensive in network radio and includes stops at Winstar, SFX and the former Dial/Global. Jones will focus on both USRN and Nineball services geared towards morning shows his concentration will be on the acquisition and maintenance of major market and/or group affiliations.

In making this announcement, USRN Chairman/CEO Nick Verbitsky commented, “Through his efforts at Nineball, Stefan has built a successful company and has also demonstrated his own ability to service the needs of radio stations all over America. Merging his efforts with ours at United Stations makes sense both creatively and economically, and we’re really excited about this opportunity.” Stefan Jones added, “There is no company in the network business that is offering better ad sales representation, better services and better programing than USRN. I’ve had a long-standing relationship with Nick and with President/COO, Jim Higgins, since Nineball started, and I can’t think of anyone else in our business that I would rather join forces with. Nineball will continue to be a formidable brand under their umbrella and I am excited about the future with USRN.”