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Saints, WWL radio agree

870-AM to continue to broadcast games through 2007 season


Friday January 31, 2003


By Brian Allee-Walsh
Staff writer

Don't touch that radio dial, fans.

The Saints and WWL radio have reached a five-year agreement that will keep the games on 870-AM through the 2007 season, officials announced Thursday.


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The agreement begins March 1 and runs through Feb. 28, 2007. It grants WWL radio exclusive rights to broadcast games in the Greater New Orleans area, as well as through an extensive network of regional affiliates in and around the Gulf South.

"Both the Saints and WWL 870-AM hold a special place in the hearts of sports fans in New Orleans, and we are both happy and excited to carry on this partnership for another five seasons," Saints executive vice-president of administration Arnold Fielkow said.

"This long-term agreement keeps the Saints in a familiar spot on the radio as both our football team and our radio station continue to push forward and upward toward greater heights for our supportive fans."

Phil Hoover, vice-president/general manager and market manager for Entercom New Orleans, which owns WWL, said WWL's 50,000 watt clear channel station gives the Saints the opportunity to "super serve" fans across the Gulf South and beyond.

"The Saints and WWL 870-AM are a winning combination -- one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL on one of the most powerful stations in America," Hoover said. "The broadcast team of Jim Henderson, Hokie Gajan, Kenny Wilkerson and Buddy (Diliberto) is simply one of the best in the league. We're thrilled about what the future holds."

As part of the deal, the Saints and WWL will transport fans from the Gulf South to home games at the Superdome via charter buses. Also, the Saints and Entercom will conduct one-on-one chalkboard strategy sessions with sponsors of Saints football and Saints radio.

PLAY BALL!: Conrad "Connie" Kowal has been hired as the Saints senior director of marketing and business development, replacing Wayne Hodes, who has joined the Tampa Bay Devil Rays as vice president of sales. Kowal's 22-year career in professional sports is highlighted by a 14-year stint with the Chicago Cubs, where his primary duties included sponsorship sales, event marketing and the operation of the franchise's minor-league clubs.

Hodes spent the past three years in New Orleans as director of sales and marketing.