Philly Radio: Entercom, NFL Eagles Extend Radio Deal

Mike Quick, Merrill Reese

The NFL Philadelphia Eagles and Entercom Communications, the new owner of WIP 94.1 FM, have agreed to a seven-year deal that will extend the broadcast rights for Eagles games through the 2024 season. Financial terms were not revealed.

“It is with the great pleasure and pride that I announce, with [Eagles president Don Smolenski] by my side, that WIP will be the home of the Philadelphia Eagles for another seven years,” Entercom CEO David Field announced on the WIP Morning Show on Tuesday.

According to philly.com, the agreement means fan favorites Merrill Reese and Mike Quick will continue to call the Birds’ preseason, regular-season and postseason games for WIP and 11 other stations that carry the Eagles Radio Network. Longtime WIP host Howard Eskin will also continue his role as Eagles sideline reporter.

Eagles games have aired on WIP and various CBS Radio stations since 1992. The 74-year-old Reese has been the voice of the Eagles since 1977, and is the longest-tenured play-by-play announcer in the NFL.

Back in September, 97.5 The Fanatic announced a new multi-year deal to broadcast all 76ers games, bringing back play-by-play announcer Tom McGinnis for his 23rd season. The Fanatic also owns the broadcast rights to Flyers games, and WIP signed a new deal with the Phillies before last season.

Entercom closed on its merger with CBS Radio Inc. last week, making the Bala Cynwyd-based company the nation’s No. 2 radio operator with 244 radio stations in 47 markets. Entercom has said it will cut about $100 million in costs, but CEO David Field said “we will not take one cent away from the quality of the listener experience or the value we provide to advertisers.”

In addition to WIP, Entercom owns NewsRadio KYW 1060, WTDY Today’s 96.5 FM,  Country WXTU 92.5, N/TWPHT 1210 AM and Classic Hits WOGL 98.1 FM in Philadelphia.