CBS Radio Partners With Nets, Barclays Center For Multi-Year Sports And Entertainment Initiative
Alliance Also To Create And Produce Original Concerts And Events At Barclays Center That Will Be Marketed Nationwide Across CBS RADIO's Portfolio Of Stations In 27 Markets, Including All Of The Top 10
BROOKLYN (September 23, 2013) -- CBS RADIO, the Brooklyn Nets, and Barclays Center have formed a strategic alliance that combines the strengths of the powerful media and entertainment brands, resulting in increased coverage on WFAN Sports Radio 66AM and 101.9 FM of the popular NBA team, select college basketball games under the BROOKLYN HOOPS™ presented by Ticketmaster franchise, and select BROOKLYN BOXING™ powered by Golden Boy Promotions bouts, as well as the creation of first-class concert events, and exposure of the landmark arena to audiences across the country.
"CBS RADIO provides a commanding broadcast partner for the Nets and Barclays Center that delivers widespread exposure and promotion for our franchises," said Nets and Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark. "We are thrilled to continue airing Nets games on WFAN-AM/FM and expanding team coverage throughout the season, but we are just as excited about the opportunity of broadcasting other prominent events from Barclays Center, including select concerts, major college basketball and big time boxing, which will re-ignite a popular New York pastime."
Brett Yormark 9/23/13
"Today's announcement marks the union of two great companies with expertise in delivering high quality programming, appealing to a broad spectrum of sports and entertainment fans," said Dan Mason, President and CEO, CBS RADIO. "This partnership presents a unique opportunity to connect our listeners, not only in New York, but across the country, with exceptional brands and an outstanding venue, and provides CBS RADIO with content for our on-air and audio digital platforms."
A unique aspect of the agreement calls for Barclays Center and CBS RADIO to develop and jointly program a new concert series and live events hosted at the arena. These events will be promoted using the nationwide scale of CBS RADIO's 126 stations, the majority of which are located in the top 50 radio markets. These co-produced events will offer out of market consumers the chance to experience Barclays Center firsthand through customized promotions and fly-away contests.
Broadcast elements on WFAN-AM/FM include:
-- Station to serve as the flagship home of the Brooklyn Nets, continuing a partnership that has been in place since the 2004-05 season;
-- Expanded pre- and post-game shows before a number of games and the launch of the weekly "Brooklyn Nets Report" to be broadcast live during the "Joe and Evan Midday Show" (10:00 AM-1:00 PM) available on-air and online at www.wfan.com. Players, coaches, and executives will be available to discuss the team throughout the season;
-- World championship boxing makes its return to New York radio with select bout coverage of BROOKLYN BOXING™ powered by Golden Boy Promotions at Barclays Center. In addition to the live broadcasts of the fights, the station will stage a number of remote set-ups on location to provide listeners with in-depth and behind the scenes insight; and
-- Play-by-play of marquee BROOKLYN HOOPS™ college basketball games and tournaments, as well as highlights of the top-flight high school games in Brooklyn and the surrounding boroughs.
Additionally, custom content and web pages dedicated to the Brooklyn Nets and local basketball action will be available at cbsnewyork.com.
About Barclays Center
Barclays Center opened on September 28, 2012, and is a major sports and entertainment venue in the heart of Brooklyn, New York. Developed by Brooklyn-based real estate developer Forest City Ratner Companies, and designed by the award-winning architectural firms AECOM (www.aecom.com/architecture) and SHoP Architects (www.shoparc.com) , Barclays Center has one of the most intimate seating configurations ever designed into a modern multi-purpose arena, with unparalleled sightlines and first-class amenities. Barclays Center offers approximately 17,732 seats for basketball, 14,500 seats for hockey and up to 19,000 seats for concerts, and has 101 luxury suites, four bars/lounges, four clubs, and 40/40 CLUB & Restaurant by American Express.
Barclays Center is host to an extensive variety of events, including premier concerts, monthly major professional boxing cards, top college basketball, family shows, the Brooklyn Nets and soon the New York Islanders.
In addition to Barclays, the naming rights partner, Founding Partners for Barclays Center include American Honda Motor Co., Inc., American Express, Calvin Klein, Cushman & Wakefield, EmblemHealth, Foxwoods Resort Casino, GEICO, MetroPCS, Stolichnaya, and Ticketmaster. Other sponsors include: adidas, Anheuser-Busch, BlackBerry, The Coca-Cola Company, Gym Source, Haier America, High Point Solutions, JetBlue, LIU Brooklyn, New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge, SONY, and Willis.
Located atop one of the largest transportation hubs in New York City, Barclays Center is accessible by 11 subway lines, the Long Island Rail Road, and 11 bus lines.
For more information on Barclays Center, please visit www.barclayscenter.com.
About Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets were officially launched in April 2012 and play their home games at Barclays Center located at the crossroads of Brooklyn, Atlantic and Flatbush avenues. The Brooklyn Nets are part of the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division. Prior to its relocation to Brooklyn, the team was called the New Jersey Nets. Starting in 1977, the Nets played their first four seasons in New Jersey at the Rutgers Athletic Center in Piscataway, before moving in 1981 to Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford (later renamed Continental Airlines Arena and IZOD Center). They remained in East Rutherford for 29 seasons until relocating to the Prudential Center in Newark in 2010. The New Jersey Nets reached the postseason 16 times, won four Atlantic Division titles and two Eastern Conference Championships, reaching the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003. For more information on the Brooklyn Nets please visit www.brooklynnets.com.
About CBS RADIO/WFAN-AM/FM
CBS RADIO, a division of CBS Corporation, is one of the largest major-market radio operators in the United States, with stations covering news, sports, talk, rock, country, Top 40, classic hits, and urban formats, among others. The division operates 126 stations across 27 markets, including all of the Top 10 and delivers original local audio and video content, events and on-demand programming. Additionally, CBS RADIO reaches audiences through CBS Sports Radio, Radio.com and CBS Local Digital Media. For more information, visit www.cbsradio.com.
WFAN-AM/FM is the original and longest running sports station in the nation, celebrating its 26th anniversary this past July. With more listeners than any other station of its kind, The FAN provides audiences across the tri-state area with live and local programming 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is home to award-winning personalities Mike Francesa, Boomer Esiason, Craig Carton, Joe Benigno, Evan Roberts and Steve Somers. The station is the flagship broadcast home for several area sports teams, including the New York Giants, New York Mets, Brooklyn Nets, and New Jersey Devils. Listen to WFAN on-air, online at www.wfan.com and via the Radio.com app for a variety of mobile devices.
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