Craig Karmazin’s Good Karma Brands will acquire ESPN’s local radio properties in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.
Good Karma began operating ESPN’s “ESPN 1000” WMVP Chicago via LMA in September 2019. This deal will convert that to a purchase along with 1050 WEPN New York and “710 ESPN” KSPN Los Angeles. Good Karma will also take over the LMA of “98.7 ESPN” WEPN-FM New York from Emmis Communications that is currently contracted to run through August 31, 2024. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed outside of agreeing to a long-term affiliation agreement to continue broadcasting ESPN Radio content.
Good Karma also owns “ESPN” branded Sports stations in Cleveland, Madison, Milwaukee and West Palm Beach as well as additional stations in Milwaukee and Beaver Dam WI.
Tim McCarthy, who served as SVP/General Manager of the New York and Los Angeles properties, exited ESPN in September due to the pending deal. McCarthy had been with ESPN parent Disney/ABC since 1990 and also served as SVP/Audio & Play-By-Play for ESPN Radio.
ESPN parent Disney will retain 1110 KRDC Los Angeles and “103.3 ESPN” KESN Allen/Dallas TX.
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/216860/good-karma-acquires-espns-new-york-los-angeles-chicago-properties/
Lance Venta, RadioInsight (2021-12-13)