The Charlotte Hornets have renewed their flagship radio partnership with WFNZ, ensuring games remain on the air for an 18th consecutive season. This deal, announced Thursday, expands community access and Hornets programming across the Charlotte region.
What does the renewed partnership include?
WFNZ 92.7 FM will continue as the flagship station for all Hornets game broadcasts. The station will produce a 60-minute pregame show hosted by Travis Hancock and Kyle Bailey, plus a 30-minute postgame show featuring Will Palaszczuk, play-by-play announcer Sam Farber, and radio producer Rob Longo. But the partnership is growing beyond the traditional airwaves.
Radio One Vice President Marsha Landess and Hornets Chief Business Officer Mike Behan detailed new initiatives. Coverage will expand to sister stations 105.3 R&B WOSF and News Talk WBT 107.9 with more player interviews and giveaways. Fans at the Spectrum Center can experience live pre and postgame shows from the concourse. The partners also plan community road trips for live Hornets programming.
"You will see a lot more events in the community," said Landess. "We're going to be in the community together as partners with a lot more visibility for the sports fans." This aligns with the organization's stated "Fans First" philosophy, a core part of their recent broadcast strategy.
Why is this important for Hornets fans?
This renewal guarantees stability for fans who follow the team on radio. It also significantly increases the ways fans can engage with the team off the court. Shelly Cayette-Weston, President of Business Operations for Hornets Sports & Entertainment, emphasized this point in the official release.
"Giving our fans more ways to experience Hornets basketball and stay connected to our team is central to our Fans First philosophy," Cayette-Weston said. She noted WFNZ's 17-season history of bringing games and stories to the region, praising the hosts for understanding the fanbase's passion. The expanded access aims to build deeper connections.
What comes next for the Hornets and their broadcast partners?
The renewed partnership kicks off with a full day of special programming on WFNZ. Fans can tune to 92.7 FM or stream online at WFNZ.com to hear from team members. This broadcast expansion complements the Hornets' recent television deal with WSOC-TV, creating a comprehensive media approach.
Looking ahead, the focus is on use this partnership to build community engagement and support the team's on-court progress. Fans have more avenues than ever to follow the action. You can track the team's upcoming schedule and performance on our schedule and standings pages. The organization believes these enhanced connections are vital for building long-term momentum in the NBA Eastern Conference.
