April 5, 2002
TEMPE, Ariz.-The Sun Devil Sports Network and Arizona State University have signed an exclusive five-year agreement with Emmis Phoenix to broadcast Sun Devil athletics, ASU Director of Athletics Gene Smith announced Friday. The agreement begins July 1, 2002.
Emmis Phoenix, which owns Newsradio 620 KTAR and ESPN 860 AM, will broadcast Sun Devil football and men's basketball, along with the coaches' shows for football coach Dirk Koetter, men's basketball coach Rob Evans, women's basketball coach Charli Turner Thorne and baseball coach Pat Murphy.
Sun Devil football will be aired on Newsradio 620 KTAR and ESPN 860 while men's basketball will be carried on ESPN 860 AM. The Dirk Koetter Show will be carried on Newsradio 620 KTAR while the other coaches and athletic director shows will be aired on ESPN 860.
"This agreement between SDSN and Emmis Phoenix, on behalf of ASU, represents a tremendous opportunity for Sun Devil athletics," says Smith. "Our fans will have the opportunity to listen to Sun Devil football on two signals, Newsradio 620 KTAR and ESPN 860. ICA is committed to deliver ASU athletics over the air. We are indeed pleased to be associated with these fine stations, which enjoy a superb corporate image and reputation within the state of Arizona and throughout the country."
"Having this top collegiate program back in our line-up, helps strengthen our commitment to the community," says Mary Nyren, VP/General Manager of Emmis Phoenix. "We now offer our listeners all their favorite local teams, and a great variety of sports coverage. Emmis Phoenix and ASU form a quality team."
"ASU Athletics and The Sun Devil Sports Network are extremely pleased to be going home to Newsradio 620 KTAR and ESPN 860," says Lee Rosenthal, General Sales Manager of the Sun Devil Sports Network. "Newsradio 620 KTAR had been the home of ASU Athletics for 18 years prior to a three-year hiatus. The strength of KTAR coupled with the branding of ESPN Radio makes this a great sports partnership. Newsradio 620 KTAR's reputation and integrity as Arizona's only news station made them our first choice. We look forward to many years as partners with Newsradio 620 KTAR and ESPN Radio 860."
The Sun Devil Sports Network is part of Viacom Outdoor Sports Marketing, a division of Viacom Outdoor Inc. and part of Viacom Inc. Viacom Inc. is one of the world's largest entertainment and media companies, and a leader in the production, promotion and distribution of entertainment, news, sports and music.
In addition, Tim Healey, the "Voice of the Sun Devils" for the past four years, will continue to provide the play-by-play for ASU. Former ASU quarterback and 1987 Rose Bowl Most Valuable Player Jeff Van Raaphorst will enter his seventh season as football color analyst on the Sun Devil Sports Network. Former Sun Devil basketball star Lionel Hollins will continue in his role as color analyst for men's basketball. Healey will host the Rob Evans, Charli Turner Thorne, Pat Murphy and Gene Smith shows, while Newsradio 620 KTAR's own Brad Cesmat will host the Dirk Koetter Show.