This week, Entercom Communications Corp. launched its sixth brand in the Greenville market, ESPN Upstate. It will broadcast coverage of local and national sports via radio broadcasts and online streaming.
ESPN Upstate airs on 950 WORD-AM, 1330 WYRD-AM, 97.1 FM, and WFBC-FM HD-3, and will stream 24 hours a day at ESPNUpstate.com.
Steve Sinicropi, Entercom vice president and market manager, said ESPN Upstate will have exclusive rights in the market to air major sports events from college playoffs up to the Super Bowl. The company plans to expand pre- and post-game coverage for local college affiliates and give more time to high school sports.
In addition to national programs such as ESPN SportsCenter, local sports will be covered on “The Afternoon Huddle” with Greg McKinney. He currently anchors College Football Today on 93.3 WTPT-FM prior to each Clemson football game. McKinney has done play-by-play for Greenville, Byrnes and Dorman high schools since 2012 and was inducted into the Wofford College Hall of Fame for his contributions to their play-by-play broadcasts.
“Once we get the format up and running the way we want it, I think you’ll see some more local content,” Sinicropi said.
Team coverage includes Upstate high schools and colleges, the Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta Braves.
“This past year we have had tremendous success in the sports arena with Clemson football play-by-play, Greg McKinney anchoring our College Football Today pregame show, and Carolina Panthers football with our Carolina Kick Off pre-game show hosted by The Rise Guys,” Sinicropi said. “Adding ESPN is another major step as Entercom Upstate becomes the place for sports radio in the market.”
Entercom Communications Corp. is one of the largest radio broadcasting companies in the United States, with more than 100 stations in 23 markets.
