Radio isn't what it used to be. For decades, if you wanted to hear the latest pulse of the city's sports scene, you tuned your dial to 1050 AM or, more recently, 98.7 FM. But the landscape of ESPN New York Radio underwent a seismic shift in late 2024 that still has fans and industry insiders scratching their heads. They dropped the FM signal. Just like that. It was a move that felt both inevitable and incredibly risky, signaling a new era where the "radio" part of the name is becoming more of a legacy brand than a literal description of how people listen.
Honestly, it’s a weird time to be a sports fan in the tri-state area. You’ve got the legendary Mike Valenti over at WFAN dominating the ratings, and meanwhile, the folks at Good Karma Brands—who operate ESPN New York—decided that paying millions for an FM lease just didn't make sense anymore. They’re betting the farm on an app and a grainy AM signal at 1050. It’s bold. Or maybe it’s just survival.
The 98.7 FM Exit: What Really Happened
Let’s get into the weeds of the business side because that’s where the real story lives. For years, ESPN New York broadcasted on 98.7 FM through a lease agreement with Emmis Communications. It was a pricy neighborhood. We’re talking about a lease that reportedly cost somewhere in the ballpark of $12 million to $15 million annually. When you’re competing against a local juggernaut like WFAN, those overhead costs are a heavy lift.
On August 31, 2024, the music stopped. Literally. The lease expired, and Good Karma Brands opted not to renew it. Instead of the crystal-clear FM signal that reached cars from the Jersey Shore to the tip of Long Island, the station retreated to 1050 AM and pushed everyone toward the ESPN New York app.
It was a pivot. A "digital-first" strategy, they called it.
But talk to any commuter stuck in the Lincoln Tunnel, and they’ll tell you the truth: AM radio sounds like it’s being broadcast from a tin can underwater. Static is the enemy of sports talk. This move essentially ceded the traditional "car radio" territory to WFAN. If you’re driving a 2015 Chevy and haven't figured out how to sync your Bluetooth, you’re probably not listening to DiPietro & Rothenberg anymore. You’re listening to Boomer and Gio because they’re still right there on the FM dial.
Why ESPN New York Radio Still Matters Despite the Signal Swap
You might think losing an FM signal is a death knell. In any other market, maybe. But New York is different. The talent roster at ESPN New York Radio is still heavy-hitting enough to pull people across platforms.
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The morning show, featuring Rick DiPietro and Dave Rothenberg, has developed a cult-like following. It’s loose. It’s chaotic. It feels like a bar conversation that happens to be broadcast to thousands of people. DiPietro, the former Islanders goalie, brings that "pro athlete who actually has a personality" vibe, while Rothenberg plays the Everyman fan perfectly.
Then you have The Michael Kay Show.
Michael Kay is the face of the station. Period. As the voice of the Yankees on YES Network, his reach is massive. Along with Don La Greca and Peter Rosenberg, the show has been the primary rival to WFAN’s afternoon drive for years. The chemistry there is legit. La Greca’s legendary rants—usually about the Rangers or some minor slight—are the stuff of viral legend.
- Don La Greca's "rhythm of the game" rant remains a masterclass in sports radio theater.
- Peter Rosenberg brings a hip-hop and pop culture crossover that most sports stations lack.
- Michael Kay provides the institutional gravity that keeps the show credible with the "old guard" of New York sports fans.
Even without the FM signal, these guys are the reason people bother to download the app. You don't follow a signal; you follow a voice.
The Good Karma Brands Factor
When Craig Karmazin’s Good Karma Brands took over the operations of ESPN New York, the philosophy changed. They aren't just a radio company; they are an events and sales company. They look at the bottom line differently than a massive conglomerate like Disney (which still owns the ESPN brand but stepped back from local radio operations).
To Good Karma, the value isn't in the 98.7 FM frequency—it's in the ESPN New York Radio brand name and the direct connection to the fans. They’ve leaned heavily into local events, like the "Beach Bash" or live remote broadcasts from training camps. They want to own the digital space because that’s where the data is. On an app, they know exactly who you are, where you’re listening, and how long you stay. On FM radio? It’s all Nielsen diaries and guesswork.
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The Ratings War: A David vs. Goliath Story
Let’s be real: WFAN is Goliath. They’ve been at the top of the mountain since the 80s. When Mike and the Mad Dog started, they defined the genre. ESPN New York has always been the "other" station, the scrappy challenger trying to pick off listeners.
The ratings since the FM drop have been... interesting. Initially, there was a dip. Of course there was. You can't remove the easiest way to listen and expect numbers to stay flat. However, the station has seen a surge in "streamies"—people listening via smart speakers, phones, and desktops.
- WFAN Strength: Massive legacy, dominant FM signal, "The Fan" brand identity.
- ESPN New York Strength: National ESPN resources, high-profile talent like Michael Kay, younger demographic appeal via Peter Rosenberg.
The battle isn't just about who has more listeners anymore; it's about who has the most engaged listeners. Advertisers are starting to care more about a podcast download or an app stream than a passive listener who just happens to have the radio on in a waiting room.
Technical Hurdle: Is AM Radio Dead?
There’s been a lot of talk in D.C. lately about the "AM Radio in Every Vehicle Act." Politicians are worried that car manufacturers are dropping AM receivers from electric vehicles because the motors cause electromagnetic interference.
For ESPN New York Radio, this is a life-or-death policy issue. If AM disappears from cars, 1050 AM becomes a ghost ship. This is why the push to the app wasn't just a choice—it was a necessity. The station is essentially trying to train its audience to stop thinking about "stations" and start thinking about "content."
It’s a tough transition. New Yorkers are creatures of habit. We like our presets. We like hitting button #1 for the Yankees and button #2 for the Mets. Asking a 60-year-old construction worker to plug his phone into his truck and open an app just to hear the afternoon drive is a big ask.
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Content is Still King (Even Without the Crown)
The most surprising thing about the current state of the station is that the quality hasn't dropped. If anything, the shows feel more liberated. When you aren't chasing the broadest possible FM audience, you can get a little more "inside baseball."
The coverage of the Knicks and Rangers has been particularly sharp. During the 2024-2025 seasons, while the Knicks were title contenders and the Rangers were tearing up the ice, ESPN New York leaned hard into the "Blue Seats" and "Knicks Tape" culture. They stopped trying to be the "national" voice and leaned into being the "New York" voice.
Moving Forward: How to Listen
If you’re trying to find the station today, you’ve got a few specific paths. It’s not as simple as it used to be, but it’s more flexible once you get the hang of it.
- 1050 AM: The old-school way. Great if you’re in the city, spotty if you’re in the suburbs.
- The ESPN New York App: This is clearly where they want you. It has the cleanest audio and includes local podcasts you can’t get on the air.
- Smart Speakers: "Alexa, play ESPN New York" actually works pretty flawlessly now.
- Siri: If you use TuneIn or the native Apple Music radio search, you can usually find the 1050 feed.
The Verdict on the Digital Gamble
Is ESPN New York Radio in trouble? It depends on who you ask. If you measure success by the old standards of FM ratings, then yeah, things look shaky. But if you look at the pivot as a way to slash overhead while keeping the most valuable talent, it's actually a pretty savvy business move.
They’ve essentially traded a massive, expensive "billboard" (the FM signal) for a targeted, digital storefront. The risk is that out of sight means out of mind. In a city with as much noise as New York, you have to scream pretty loud to be heard.
Actionable Insights for the Modern Listener
To get the most out of the current ESPN New York experience, you need to change your habits. Stop scrolling through the dial and start automating your listening.
First, download the dedicated ESPN New York app rather than using a third-party aggregator like TuneIn; the latency is lower and the "Listen Live" feature is more stable. Second, if you’re a commuter, set up a Siri Shortcut or Google Assistant routine so that "Start my drive" automatically opens the stream. This bypasses the friction of navigating an app while driving, which is the biggest hurdle the station faces right now. Finally, check out the exclusive podcast feeds for shows like The Michael Kay Show. They often upload "post-show" segments or "best of" clips that never actually hit the airwaves, giving you more depth than the standard broadcast allows. The signal might be gone, but the conversation is still very much alive.