Michigan Working On New Radio Deal

From Mark Snyder, Detroit Free Press

Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon is looking into a new radio deal since the current contract -- signed in 2006 -- expired after last season.

The previous deal was signed with CBS Radio, the Chum Radio Group of Canada and Radio One. U-M football was broadcast on WOMC-FM (104.3) in Detroit and CKLW-AM (800) in Canada, with basketball on WWJ-AM (950) and WCHB-AM (1200). Broadcasts of both sports were simulcast on WTKA-AM (1050). WTKA also carried non-revenue sports, including hockey and women's basketball.

Brandon said Thursday during Big Ten football media days that the deal is being negotiated by IMG but that Michigan is its partner.

It's a bit more challenging than the days when U-M only had to renew with WJR-AM (760), which covered half the country, or WWJ, with a vast local reach. U-M's deal with WJR ended after the 2005 season when the station signed with Michigan State.

CBS Radio might be a likely option because of the Detroit market's sports track record with play by play -- all four Detroit pro teams are on 97.1 FM WXYT -- and the extended reach of a 50,000-watt FM station and WWJ's strength during daylight hours.

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