If you’ve spent any time stuck in Atlanta traffic on the Downtown Connector, you know the voice. It’s smooth, authoritative, and usually right in the middle of a heated debate about whether the Falcons are actually "cursed" or just poorly coached. Carl Dukes 92.9 The Game has become a staple of the city's sports culture. He isn't just another guy behind a microphone; he is the last man standing from the station's original 2012 launch. Think about that for a second. In a world where radio lineups change faster than a Georgia weather forecast, Dukes has stayed put.
It’s kinda wild when you look at how he got here. Before he was the "compass" of the afternoon drive in Atlanta, he was a big deal in Texas. He put in fourteen years in Houston, working for KTRH and calling games for the University of Houston. When 92.9 The Game (WZGC-FM) launched in October 2012, they needed someone who could bridge the gap between hard-hitting analysis and genuine fan connection. They found that in Dukes.
The Survivor of the 92.9 Lineup
Radio is a brutal business. People get fired. Stations flip formats. But Carl Dukes? He’s the "sports talk survivor." When the station first hit the airwaves, the lineup looked a lot different. Remember when former NFL quarterback Kordell Stewart was his co-host? That was the early vibe. It was flashy, but it took a while for the station to really find its identity.
Dukes stayed the course through management changes, rating fluctuations, and the eventual shuttering of local rivals like 790 The Zone. He’s the only original host left. That’s not just luck. It’s because he knows how to talk to Atlanta, not just at it. He doesn't fake the passion. Whether he’s questioning Trae Young’s leadership or breaking down a brutal Bulldogs loss, there’s an authenticity there that listeners sniff out instantly.
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Why the Dukes and Bell Dynamic Works
Everything changed in 2015. That was the year Mike Bell joined the show. On paper, they’re opposites. Mike Bell is the high-energy, raw, "tell-it-like-it-is" guy who isn't afraid to say Raheem Morris should be fired to his face. Carl is the regulator. Mike Conti, the station's brand manager, once described Carl as "Mike's compass."
They actually met way back in 2001 at a Super Bowl in New Orleans. They hit it off immediately, laughing at the same jokes and realizing they shared a similar philosophy on sports. But for years, they were competitors. While Dukes was building his name at 92.9, Bell was holding it down at 790 The Zone. When the stars finally aligned to pair them up, the "Dukes & Bell" show became an afternoon juggernaut.
Honestly, five hours of daily sports talk is a marathon. Most shows tap out at three or four. But these guys do 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. every weekday. That’s a massive amount of content. To fill that time without losing the audience, you need more than just stats. You need a relationship. You need to be the guys people want to hang out with while they’re sitting in gridlock on I-85.
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More Than Just a Radio Host
You might see him on NBA TV calling G-League games for the College Park Skyhawks. Or maybe you've caught his "Behind the Curtain" segments on YouTube. Carl Dukes 92.9 The Game isn't a one-dimensional personality. He’s a multi-platform broadcaster who has guest-hosted on national stages like ESPN’s SportsCenter and First Take.
His background is actually pretty fascinating. He’s the son of a decorated U.S. military veteran, which explains that "steady hand" reputation he has. He grew up on Army and Air Force bases, learning a specific kind of discipline. He played football in high school and went to Texas State University, but a knee injury ended his playing days. That’s when the radio bug bit. He started at WOAI in San Antonio as a "third wheel" on a Top 40 morning show before realizing sports was his true lane.
Handling the Heat: The Trae Young Controversy
You can't be a sports host in Atlanta without catching some heat. A few years back, Dukes and Bell got into a bit of a "Twitter storm" regarding Hawks star Trae Young. Dukes has been vocal about wanting more than just offensive numbers from Trae—he wants winning and leadership. Some fans loved the honesty; others felt it was too harsh.
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But that’s the job. Dukes has said he doesn't care what people think about his life or where he’s been. He only cares about being comfortable in his own shoes. Once he reached that point, he says, he actually got "really good" at radio. He’s not there to be a cheerleader for the local teams. He’s there to reflect the frustration and the hope of the fan base.
The Connection to the Community
One thing you’ll notice if you go to a live remote broadcast at a brewery or a stadium is the crowd. People don't just listen; they show up. Dukes has mentioned that success for him is seeing people drive an hour or two just to hang out for a show. It’s about the connection.
In the most recent ratings books, Dukes & Bell have consistently pulled high shares in the key Men 25-54 demographic. We’re talking about a 7.3 share in some periods, finishing near the top of the market. While numbers matter for the suits, for Dukes, it’s about whether the city is talking about what he said at the barbershop that morning.
Taking Action: How to Engage with Carl Dukes 92.9 The Game
If you're looking to get the most out of Atlanta sports coverage, don't just be a passive listener.
- Download the Audacy App: This is the easiest way to catch the show live or listen to segments you missed. They chop up the best parts into podcasts so you don't have to sit through five hours if you're busy.
- Watch "Behind the Curtain": Check out their YouTube channel around 11:15 a.m. for their pre-show meetings. You get to see the raw, unedited takes before they polish them for the radio.
- Follow the Socials: Carl is active on Twitter (X). If you have a hot take on the Braves' trade deadline or the Falcons' draft picks, tag him. He actually pays attention to the digital pulse of the city.
- Check the Live Remotes: Keep an eye on the 92.9 The Game events calendar. Meeting these guys in person is a totally different experience than just hearing them through your car speakers.
Carl Dukes has navigated over a decade of Atlanta sports drama with a level of consistency that is rare in this industry. From the highs of a Braves World Series to the literal "28-3" lows of the Falcons, he's been there to talk us through it. He’s the veteran presence in a station that has seen its fair share of turnover, and as long as there are sports arguments to be had in Georgia, you can bet he’ll be right there in the middle of them.