If you’ve ever spent thirty minutes stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on I-30 or the North Texas Tollway, you know the sound of 105.3 The Fan. It’s loud. It’s argumentative. Sometimes, it’s just flat-out ridiculous. But for anyone who actually lives and breathes Dallas sports, KRLD-FM is basically the soundtrack to our collective anxiety.
You don't just listen to 105.3 The Fan radio; you survive it.
There’s this weird thing about sports talk in the DFW Metroplex. We have two massive heavyweights. On one side, you’ve got The Ticket, the heritage station that’s been around forever with its cult-like following. On the other, you have 105.3 The Fan, the powerhouse that snatched up the Dallas Cowboys flagship rights and never looked back. It isn't just about scores. It's about that specific brand of DFW "homerism" mixed with genuine, high-level scouting analysis that you can't really find on a national ESPN feed.
The Cowboys Connection: More Than Just a Radio Deal
Let’s be real. In Texas, the Cowboys are the sun, the moon, and the stars. Everything else just orbits them. 105.3 The Fan understood this early on. By securing the rights to be the official home of the Dallas Cowboys, they didn't just get the games; they got the access.
Jerry Jones.
Every Tuesday during the season, the "owner, president, and general manager" hops on the air. It’s must-listen radio, mostly because you never know if Jerry is going to drop a nugget about a trade or use a bizarre metaphor about "circumcising a mosquito." Seriously, that happened. When Jerry talks to the "Shan & RJ" crew in the mornings, the rest of the sports world listens. If he’s frustrated, the city knows it before the press conference even starts.
That flagship status changes the energy of the station. It makes it feel like an extension of the front office, for better or worse. Fans call in specifically because they know the guys behind the mic actually talk to the players and coaches in the locker room. It’s not just some guy in a studio in Bristol, Connecticut, reading a teleprompter. It’s local. It’s raw.
Breaking Down the Daily Lineup
The station has seen plenty of shifts over the years, but the core has remained surprisingly stable compared to the volatile world of radio. You’ve got the morning show, "Shan & RJ," which acts as the wake-up call for the Metroplex. It’s fast-paced. They lean heavily into the "lifestyle" side of sports—what players are wearing, who’s dating whom, and the general vibes of the city.
Then you move into the midday and afternoon slots, where things get a bit more "gritty."
The "K&C Masterpiece" brings a different flavor. Kevin Hageland and Cory Mageors have this chemistry that feels like two guys arguing at a bar, but they’ve actually done the homework. They’re big on "scouting the tape." They talk about "traits" and "schemes" in a way that doesn't feel like a lecture. It’s accessible. You’ll hear them debate whether a defensive end is "waisting movement" or if a point guard is truly "elite" or just a high-volume shooter.
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Then you have "The GBag Nation" in the afternoons. Led by Gavin Dawson, this show is a bit of a chaotic masterpiece. They have their own language. They have "The Circling of the Wagons." It’s irreverent. Honestly, if you’re a new listener, it might take a week just to understand the inside jokes. But that’s the point. Radio is about community. Once you’re "in," you’re in.
Why the "Fan" Brand Works Locally
Some people hate 105.3 The Fan. They think it’s too "pro-team" because of the broadcast rights. Critics call them "homers."
But here’s the thing: DFW fans are homers.
We want to talk about the Mavs' rotation for three hours. We want to dissect why the Rangers' bullpen is falling apart in June. National shows will give the Cowboys ten minutes and then move on to the Lakers or the Yankees. On 105.3 The Fan radio, the Cowboys get twenty-four hours a day if there’s a scandal or a big win.
It’s the sheer volume of local coverage. When the Texas Rangers won the World Series, The Fan didn't just report it. They lived it. They had guys on the field, in the parade, and in the bars with fans. That’s something an algorithm or a national podcast can’t replicate. It’s the "boots on the ground" factor.
The Tech Side: Beyond the AM/FM Dial
Nobody just sits by a radio with an antenna anymore. Most of us are streaming. 105.3 The Fan is part of the Audacy platform, which has its pros and cons. The app allows you to rewind—a godsend if you missed a Jerry Jones interview or a particularly spicy rant from Mike Bacsik.
But they’ve also leaned hard into video.
If you check their YouTube or social feeds, they’re clipping everything. They know that a three-minute video of a heated debate over Dak Prescott’s contract will get ten times the reach of the actual live broadcast. It’s a smart play. It keeps the station relevant to younger fans who wouldn't be caught dead owning an actual physical radio.
The Competition: The Ticket vs. The Fan
You can't talk about 105.3 without mentioning 1310 The Ticket. It’s the Great North Texas Radio War.
The Ticket has the history and the "Musers." They have a very specific, almost "frat-house" humor style that has dominated ratings for decades. For a long time, The Fan was the scrappy underdog trying to find its voice.
But things changed when The Fan leaned into the "Heavy Sports" angle. While The Ticket might spend an hour talking about a movie or a funny story from someone's weekend, The Fan is more likely to stay on the X's and O's. They found their lane by being the station for the "hardcore" fan who wants to know the depth chart of the Dallas Stars’ fourth line.
Interestingly, there’s been some crossover. Over the years, talent has moved back and forth. Fans have their favorites, and the "P1s" (Ticket fans) and "G-Baggers" (Fan listeners) often clash on Twitter. It’s healthy competition. It makes both stations better because they’re constantly looking over their shoulders.
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What People Get Wrong About Sports Radio
A lot of folks think sports radio is just shouting.
Okay, sometimes it is.
But the best moments on 105.3 The Fan are the ones where they humanize these athletes. When they talk to a player about his foundation or the pressure of playing in "Jerry World," it breaks down the barrier between the multimillionaire on the field and the guy driving a delivery truck in Plano.
There’s also a misconception that the hosts are just puppets for the teams. While they have the rights to the Cowboys and the Rangers, the hosts will still rip into a bad performance. I’ve heard them call for coaching changes and benchings just as loudly as any fan on a message board. They have to. If they didn't, they’d lose all credibility with the listeners.
Key Personalities That Define the Sound
- Shan Shariff: The "instigator" of the morning show. He knows how to poke the bear. Whether it's a hot take on a trade or a jab at a rival city, he keeps the energy high at 6:00 AM.
- RJ Choppy: The analytical counter-balance. He’s the guy who brings the stats to the fight.
- Gavin Dawson: The "Voice of Reason" (or chaos, depending on the day). He’s the architect of the GBag Nation’s unique vibe.
- Bryan Broaddus: This is a name you need to know. He’s a former NFL scout who worked for the Cowboys. When he talks about a player's footwork or hand placement, he’s not guessing. He’s seen it from the inside. His presence on the station gives them a level of "football IQ" that is hard to beat.
The Future of 105.3 The Fan
Is radio dying? People have been saying that since the 90s.
But 105.3 The Fan radio seems to be pivoting well. They’re moving into the podcast space, creating "The Fan Originals." They’re doing more live events. They realize that they aren't just a frequency on a dial; they’re a brand.
As long as the Cowboys remain the biggest story in the NFL—and let’s be honest, they always will be, whether they’re 12-5 or 5-12—there will be a massive audience for this station. People need a place to vent. They need a place to celebrate.
Actionable Insights for the Listener
If you’re new to the DFW area or just starting to dive into the local sports scene, here’s how to get the most out of the station without getting overwhelmed:
- Download the Audacy App: Don't rely on the car radio. The "Instant Replay" feature is the only way to catch the morning interviews if you sleep in.
- Follow the Hosts on Socials: Most of the real "unfiltered" takes happen on X (Twitter). That’s where you’ll see the behind-the-scenes clips and the interactions with players.
- Check the "Draft Show": During the NFL Draft season, 105.3 produces some of the best scouting content in the country. Even if you aren't a Cowboys fan, the draft analysis from guys like Broaddus is elite.
- Don't Take It Too Seriously: It's sports. It's supposed to be fun. If a host says something that makes your blood boil, that's literally their job.
- Listen During "Jerry Tuesdays": If you want to know the direction of the Cowboys, you have to hear the owner's tone for yourself. No summary can capture the "Jerry-isms" perfectly.
105.3 The Fan is a weird, loud, brilliant slice of North Texas culture. It’s not always pretty, and it’s rarely quiet, but it’s exactly what a sports town like Dallas deserves. Whether you're calling in to complain about a missed field goal or just listening to the GBag Nation talk about what they had for lunch, you're part of the conversation. And in a city as big as this, that connection matters.