D-C Radio: WMAL Splits for Sports July 1

Cumulus Media and ESPN Audio will launch a new sports/talk radio station for the nation’s capital on July 1 - ESPN 630 on WMAL-AM.

The WMAL 630 AM / 105.9 FM simulcast will split with the successful news/talk format continuing on WMAL-FM and its digital platforms.

The new sports/talk station will be the home for ESPN Radio weekday talk programming in Washington, D.C., including Golic and Wingo (6-10 a.m. ET) hosted by Mike Golic and Trey Wingo, The Stephen A. Smith Show (1-3 p.m.) and the exclusive national radio outlet for the NBA (including playoffs and Finals) and MLB (including postseason and World Series). The station will also carry Washington Redskins NFL games as part of an expanded content partnership with the team and sports/talk shows hosted by local personalities.

Jake McCann, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Washington, D.C., said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with the two biggest sports brands in D.C. – ESPN and the Washington Redskins. We look forward to creating compelling content for our listeners and advertisers as a natural expansion of our relationship with the Redskins.”

Traug Keller, Senior Vice President, ESPN Audio, said: “It has been a great experience working with Cumulus to launch our new ESPN Radio station in D.C. Now sports fans in the nation’s capital will be able to listen to ESPN’s big personalities including Mike, Trey and Stephen A. with expert opinions, reactions and analysis to the top stories and ESPN’s championship events.”

Golic said: “Washington D.C. is a great sports destination with a passionate and involved fan base. We can’t wait to bring the unique style of Golic and Wingo to the nation’s capital next month on the new ESPN 630.” 

Wingo said: “I’m happy we’ll be heard in our nation’s capital. My first job out of school was there and my son played football at Georgetown so I’m excited for Golic and Wingo to be part of the D.C. scene. Also, little-known fact, I was the one who told Alex Ovechkin to scream like a caveman during the Capitals Stanley Cup parade,” Wingo added jokingly.

WMAL 630 AM (10 Kw-D, 2.7 Kw-N, DA2)

The station will announce its full line-up in advance of the July 1st start date.