Nothing beats the sound of rubber squeaking on the hardwood or the roar of the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse crowd, but let’s be real: life happens. You’re stuck in traffic on I-77. You’re working a late shift. Maybe you’re just out for a walk and want to hear the play-by-play without staring at a screen. That’s where the Cleveland Cavaliers game radio broadcast becomes your best friend. Honestly, there is a specific kind of magic in hearing a game described through the airwaves that a 4K television just can't replicate.
Radio is raw. It’s immediate. It relies on the caller’s ability to paint a picture of Donovan Mitchell’s crossover or Evan Mobley’s rim protection using nothing but words and enthusiasm. In Cleveland, we’ve been spoiled with some of the best voices in the business. If you grew up listening to Joe Tait, you know exactly what I mean. That "it’s a beautiful day for basketball" energy is baked into the city's DNA.
Where to Find the Cleveland Cavaliers Game Radio Signal
If you’re looking for the flagship, you’re looking for WTAM 1100 AM. This is the powerhouse. It has a signal that reaches across state lines on a clear night, which is kinda wild when you think about it. If you’re closer to the city and prefer the FM clarity, 100.7 WMMS is usually your go-to alternative. These stations form the backbone of the Cavaliers Audio Network.
It isn’t just about those two stations, though. The network stretches across Ohio. You might find the game on WNIO 1390 in Youngstown or WKVX 960 in Wooster. It's a massive web.
The most important thing to remember is that local blackouts still apply to digital streams sometimes. If you’re trying to use a generic radio app on your phone, you might get hit with a "content not available" message right as the ball is tipped. It’s frustrating. To avoid that, the official Cavs App or the iHeartRadio app are usually the safest bets for digital listeners within the broadcast radius.
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The Voice Behind the Mic: Tim Alcorn and Jim Chones
Since 2019, Tim Alcorn has been the lead play-by-play man for the Cleveland Cavaliers game radio broadcasts. He took over a legendary mantle, and honestly, he’s nailed it. He has this way of rising with the tension of the game without sounding forced. It feels like he’s just a guy at the bar who happens to be incredibly articulate about defensive rotations.
Then you have the legend, Jim Chones. Having a former Champ and a member of the "Miracle of Richfield" team providing color commentary is a cheat code. Chones doesn't just tell you what happened; he tells you why it happened. He’ll call out a soft screen or a missed box-out before the refs even whistle. Their chemistry is a huge part of why the radio broadcast remains so popular even in the age of streaming.
Why Radio Still Beats TV for Some Fans
You might think radio is a dying medium, but for a Cavs fan, it’s a lifestyle choice. There is no lag. If you’ve ever tried to watch a game on a streaming service while your neighbor listens on the radio, you know the pain. They’re cheering while your screen is still showing a commercial break. Radio is live in the truest sense of the word.
Also, the radio guys are often more "homer" in the best way possible. While national TV announcers have to stay neutral, the Cleveland Cavaliers game radio crew is clearly pulling for the Wine and Gold. They feel what we feel. When the Cavs go on a 12-0 run, you can hear the genuine joy in Alcorn’s voice. When they blow a double-digit lead in the fourth, you hear that familiar Cleveland heartbreak. It’s authentic.
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Dealing with the Tech Hurdles
- Battery Life: If you're using a phone, radio apps eat juice. Always have a portable charger if you're out.
- Signal Drift: If you're driving through the valley, AM 1100 might get fuzzy. Switching to the FM feed on 100.7 usually fixes it.
- Syncing Issues: Some people try to mute the TV and play the radio. It rarely lines up perfectly. You usually have to pause the TV for a few seconds to let the radio catch up, or vice-versa if you're using a digital radio stream.
Spanish Language Broadcasts and In-Arena Listening
The Cavs are pretty great about inclusivity. They offer Spanish-language radio broadcasts for home games, often featuring Rafael Hernandez Brito. His "Power" calls are legendary. If you’ve never listened to a Cavs game in Spanish, you’re missing out on some of the highest energy in sports broadcasting. It's infectious.
If you’re actually at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, you might notice people wearing headphones. They aren't ignoring the game. They’re listening to the "Real-Time" broadcast. Because digital signals have a delay, the team often broadcasts a low-power FM signal inside the arena so fans can hear the commentary without the 10-second lag. It’s a pro move for the hardcore stat-heads who want to know exactly who committed the foul while the ref is still signaling the table.
The Evolution of the Cavaliers Audio Network
The network has grown significantly over the last decade. It isn't just the game anymore. There’s pre-game coverage that usually starts 30 minutes before tip-off. They do deep dives into matchups. They talk about the injury report. They give you the "Keys to the Game" that actually matter, not just the fluff you see on social media.
Post-game is where the real gold is, though. Hearing the raw locker room quotes and the immediate analysis from Alcorn and Chones helps process a win or a loss. They don't sugarcoat it. If the bench didn't show up, they say it. That honesty is why fans keep tuning into the Cleveland Cavaliers game radio long after the final buzzer has sounded.
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Practical Steps for Your Next Game Day
If you want the best experience, don't wait until five minutes after tip-off to find your station.
First, check the schedule. If it's a national TV game on TNT or ESPN, the local radio broadcast still happens. Don't assume it's blacked out.
Second, if you're using the iHeartRadio app, search specifically for "WTAM 1100" or the "Cleveland Cavaliers" channel. Sometimes the main station feed switches to talk radio if there's a conflict, so you might need to hunt for the dedicated sports feed.
Third, if you’re out of state, your best bet is NBA League Pass Audio. It’s much cheaper than the video version and it lets you choose the home or away radio feed. It’s a lifesaver for Clevelanders living in exile.
Lastly, get a dedicated transistor radio if you're a regular at the games or spend a lot of time in the garage. There's something deeply satisfying about the tactile feel of a tuning knob and the instant, no-latency sound of the ball hitting the rim. It connects you to the history of the franchise in a way a smartphone never will.
The Cavs are in a fascinating era right now. With a young core and high expectations, every possession feels heavy. The radio broadcast captures that weight. It turns a Tuesday night game in January into an event. Whether you’re listening in a truck on the Ohio Turnpike or through earbuds at your desk, the pulse of the city is right there in the audio. All you have to do is tune in.