Detroit Radio: Sports Rap Radio Goes Silent On 1270 AM

Sports Rap Radio, the first all-Black sports radio station in the U.S., has closed down. Rob Parker’s initiative aimed to provide a platform for underrepresented voices in sports-talk radio, and it’s clear he put a lot of passion into the project.

The station, which debuted on June 4 on WXYT 1270 AM, featured a lineup of prominent sports figures and a mix of hip-hop and sports talk. However, it was taken off the air on August 27.

Former ESPN personality Rob Parker, who has since worked at Fox Sports 1, attempted to launch the first all-Black sports radio station in the United States. 

“Sports Rap Radio, the idea and concept, is viable and serves the underrepresented Black community in sports-talk radio,” Parker said. “I’m proud that we were able to launch the first all-Black sports talk station in this country. I’m proud of the product the staff delivered. But I’m devastated that I couldn’t deliver this for our culture. I failed my people.”

As of 5p CT on August 27, the signal had already returned to its previous sports betting format, The Bet Detroit, carrying Audacy’s BetQL network programming.