If you’ve ever sat in bumper-to-bumper traffic on I-77 after a soul-crushing Browns loss, you know the sound. It’s the sound of collective venting. It’s the sound of 92.3 FM The Fan Cleveland Ohio. For over a decade, this station has been the digital town square for a city that lives and dies by the trajectory of a pigskin or the spin of a curveball. It isn't just radio. It’s therapy.
Cleveland sports fans are a different breed. We don't just "watch" games; we endure them. This station—WKRK-FM for the radio nerds—flipped the switch to an all-sports format back in 2011, and honestly, the local landscape hasn't been the same since. Before the flip, you had to hunt for consistent local talk that wasn't national syndication. Now? It’s 24/7 coverage of the Lake Erie lifestyle.
The Morning Mess and Midday Grit
Ken Carman and Lima. That’s where it starts. If you aren't waking up to Ken Carman’s voice reaching a pitch that suggests he might actually explode, are you even a Clevelander? The Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima is the flagship for a reason. They have this weird, beautiful chemistry where one sounds like your loud uncle at the BBQ and the other is the guy trying to bring logic to a fistfight. It works. It’s authentic.
Ken’s "Football Night in Cleveland" monologues are basically Shakespearean tragedies at this point.
Then you transition into the midday slot. Baskin and Phelps bring a slightly more measured, veteran perspective. Jeff Phelps has seen everything in this town. He’s the steady hand. He’s been around the block enough times to know that one win in October doesn't mean the Guardians are winning the World Series, but he’ll still let you dream. It’s that balance between blind fandom and cold, hard reality that makes 92.3 FM The Fan Cleveland Ohio so sticky.
Why 92.3 FM The Fan Cleveland Ohio Dominates the Dial
It isn't just about the guys behind the mic. It’s the access. Being the flagship station for the Cleveland Browns is a massive deal. It’s the "Home of the Browns." That means when news breaks about a quarterback's hamstring or a coaching change, this is where the information flows first.
But let’s be real for a second. Radio is supposed to be dying, right? Wrong. In a world of podcasts and TikTok, people still crave that "live" connection. When the Browns blew that lead against the Jets a few seasons back, nobody wanted to wait for a recorded podcast the next day. They wanted to call in right then and scream into the void. 92.3 provides that void.
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The station’s reach is actually pretty impressive. The signal from the transmitter in North Royalton covers a massive chunk of Northeast Ohio. You can hear it crystal clear from Akron up to the lake.
The Afternoons: Dustin Fox and the Evolution of Bull & Fox
The afternoon drive is arguably the most competitive slot in radio. For years, it was Bull & Fox. Adam "The Bull" Gerstenhaber brought a New York energy that somehow fit perfectly in Cleveland, mostly because he was as miserable as the rest of us when the teams failed. Since his departure, the station has shifted, but Dustin Fox remains a cornerstone.
Dustin brings the "pro" perspective. He played. He was on that 2002 National Championship Ohio State team. When he talks about defensive schemes or what’s happening in a locker room, he isn't guessing. He knows. That "E" in E-E-A-T (Experience) isn't just a buzzword here; it’s the literal biography of the hosts.
Nick Wilson’s return to the station also injected a fresh, high-energy vibe into the late-day rotation. He’s sharp, he’s quick, and he knows how to push buttons just enough to keep the phones ringing.
The Digital Shift: Beyond the 92.3 Frequency
Honestly, most people under 40 probably aren't even using a physical radio dial anymore. The Fan has stayed relevant by leaning hard into the Audacy app and Twitch. You can watch the shows live now. Seeing Ken Carman’s facial expressions when a caller suggests trading three first-round picks for a washed-up veteran is half the fun.
The station also feeds the beast with specialized podcasts. The Kevin Kiley era is long gone (thankfully, some might say), but the current roster of "The Fan" includes deep-cut insiders like Daryl Ruiter. If you want to know what’s happening at the Browns’ facility in Berea, Daryl is usually the guy standing in the rain getting the scoop.
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The Impact of Local Personalities
- Keith Britton: The man behind the scenes who keeps the morning show on the rails.
- Jonathan Peterlin: Often found in the evenings or weekends, bringing a younger, data-driven approach.
- Daryl Ruiter: The insider’s insider.
The Controversy Factor
You can't talk about 92.3 FM The Fan Cleveland Ohio without talking about the drama. Sports talk radio thrives on friction. Whether it’s debating Deshaun Watson’s contract or the Guardians’ "lack of spending," the station isn't afraid to get messy. Sometimes the hosts get into it with the players. Sometimes they get into it with each other.
There was that famous moment where a certain former Browns coach basically stopped talking to the station. That kind of tension creates great radio. It shows the station isn't just a PR arm for the teams—though, as a flagship, they have to walk a very fine line.
What Most People Get Wrong About Sports Radio
A lot of folks think sports radio is just guys yelling about stats. It isn't. It’s about community. It’s the "C" word that corporate suits love to use, but here it’s actually true. When the Cavaliers won it all in 2016, 92.3 was the soundtrack to the parade. When the city is hurting, the station is the support group.
It’s also surprisingly technical. The engineering required to keep a live sports broadcast running from a stadium back to the studio, then out to the masses, is wild. They use high-end Tieline codecs and Comrex units to ensure that when a sideline reporter talks, it doesn't sound like they’re under a blanket.
Actionable Steps for the Ultimate Fan Experience
If you’re moving to Cleveland or just getting into the local scene, here is how you actually consume this content like a pro. Don't just flip the dial; engage with it.
1. Download the Audacy App
The signal on the actual FM dial can get a little fuzzy once you hit the edges of Geauga County or head too far south toward Canton. The app is a bit clunky sometimes, but it’s the best way to get a clean digital stream. Plus, you can rewind. If you missed a segment because you were in the grocery store, just slide the bar back.
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2. Follow the Insiders on X (Twitter)
Daryl Ruiter and the show accounts post clips and breaking news way faster than it hits the airwaves. If you want the news "now," you need the social feed.
3. Call the Line, But Be Prepared
The call-in number is legendary. If you’re going to call, have a point. Don't be the "first-time long-time" guy who takes three minutes to get to the "what do you think?" part. State your case, be bold, and expect to get roasted if your take is bad.
4. Check the Twitch Stream
Watching the morning show on Twitch adds a layer of entertainment. You see the off-mic interactions, the producer's reactions, and the general chaos of a live studio. It makes the whole experience feel more "human" and less like a corporate broadcast.
5. Attend the Live Remotes
The station frequently does "live remotes" from places like the Muni Lot or local bars before big games. It’s the best way to meet the hosts. Most of them are surprisingly approachable and actually love talking sports with listeners when the mics are off.
The reality is that 92.3 FM The Fan Cleveland Ohio has become the definitive voice of the Cleveland sports fan. It’s loud, it’s often frustrated, it’s occasionally irrational, but it’s always Cleveland. In a city that treats its sports teams like family members, having a 24-hour conversation about them isn't just a luxury—it’s a necessity.
Whether the Browns are 0-16 or 16-0, the fans will be tuning in. They’ll be calling. They’ll be complaining. And the guys at 92.3 will be right there with them, probably screaming just as loud. That’s just how we do it here.