Youngstown signs three-year deal with Cumulus Broadcasting

Published on June 30, 2005 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Youngstown SteelHounds News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO -Youngstown SteelHounds General Manager, George Manias, announced today that the team has signed a three-year agreement with Cumulus Broadcasting LLC making the broadcast company the official radio home of the SteelHounds through the 2007-08 season.

"Our partnership with Cumulus and ESPN Radio specifically helps the SteelHounds establish credibility right from the start," said Manias. "When people think of pro sports, ESPN is a brand that immediately comes to mind. Aligning ourselves and being associated with ESPN automatically identifies us as a premier professional sports organization."

The SteelHounds will have all 64 of their regular season games as well as all Central Hockey League Ray Miron Cup playoff games broadcast on WBBW- ESPN Radio 1240. The station will also carry the SteelHounds pre-game show and fourth period show prior to and after each broadcast. Bob Hoffman will serve as the "Voice of the SteelHounds" on ESPN Radio 1240.

"With the professionalism and enthusiasm exhibited from SteelHounds Owner Herb Washington, General Manager George Manias and Coach Jean Laforest, the Steelhounds Radio Network will be good for Youngstown and good for sports radio fans of ESPN 1240," said Tim Roberts, Director of Radio Operations for Cumulus-Ohio. "All of our sister Cumulus stations in Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania along with ESPN 1240 including Y103, K105, ROCK 104, HOT 101, WSOM, WPIC, and WLLF are all very motivated to support our new partnership with the Steelhounds. Plus, with a fabulous new arena in town to go along with it, this situation is ideal. We couldn't be more pleased here at ESPN 1240, the new Voice of the Steelhounds!"

As a part of the SteelHounds and Cumulus agreement, ESPN Radio 1240 will also broadcast a weekly hockey show on a TBD night beginning in October. SteelHounds broadcaster Bob Hoffman will host the show.

"It is great to be a part of such a powerful sports brand in ESPN and also to have the partnership with Cumulus," said Hoffman. "When people think sports in the Mahoning Valley they naturally think of WBBW- ESPN Radio 1240 and when they think hockey they will be thinking of the SteelHounds."

Cumulus Broadcasting LLC consists of eight stations in the Mahoning Valley including Rock 104, Hot 101, K-105, News Talk 790, 96.7 The River, WSOM AM 600 and Y-103 along with ESPN Radio 1240.

"Cumulus Radio in Youngstown is very excited about our new partnership between our all sports ESPN 1240 and the Youngstown SteelHounds Hockey CHL Franchise," said Christian Aleshire, ESPN 1240 Program Director. "Being the flagship station for the SteelHounds broadcasts with a veteran play-by-play voice like Bob Hoffman takes us to a whole new level here at WBBW."

The SteelHounds begin play this fall in the new Youngstown Convocation Center. For more information please contact the team's media relations department at (330) 747-PUCK (7825).

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Central Hockey League Stories from June 30, 2005


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