Radio is supposed to be dead. People have been saying that for twenty years, pointing at Spotify playlists and podcasts as the final nails in the coffin. But if you spend ten minutes on the 5 or the 805 during a Tuesday afternoon commute in San Diego, you know that’s not true. Specifically, if you tune into 97.3 FM San Diego, you realize that local radio isn't just surviving—it’s the heartbeat of the city’s sports culture.
It’s weird, honestly. In an era of instant-access everything, thousands of San Diegans still wait for a specific time of day to hear a specific voice talk about a specific baseball team. That team is the Padres. That station is 97.3 The Fan.
The Identity Crisis That Actually Worked
Before it was the sports juggernaut it is today, 97.3 FM went through more identities than a witness protection participant. It was KSON, the country powerhouse. It was "The Machine." It was even a rock station for a minute. But when Audacy (then Entercom) flipped the switch to sports in 2018, everything shifted. They didn't just play highlights. They grabbed the broadcast rights for the San Diego Padres.
That was the game-changer.
You can’t talk about 97.3 FM San Diego without talking about the hole left behind when the Chargers packed their bags for Los Angeles. San Diego was a city with a broken heart and a lot of redirected energy. The Fan stepped into that void. It wasn't just about scores; it was about giving a "one-team town" a place to vent, celebrate, and obsess.
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Why Tony Gwynn Jr. and Chris Ello are Essential Listening
Most sports talk is just guys shouting at each other. You’ve heard it. It’s exhausting. What makes the programming on 97.3 different is the proximity to the dirt. Having Tony Gwynn Jr. on the air isn't just a marketing gimmick—it’s a connection to the very soul of San Diego baseball. When he speaks, people listen because the name Gwynn carries a weight in this zip code that is hard to explain to outsiders.
Then you’ve got the midday and afternoon slots. Ben and Woods in the morning have built a cult-like following because they sound like the guys you’re actually sitting next to at Petco Park. They aren't polished corporate anchors. They’re fans who happen to have microphones. They talk about the "Friar Faithful" because they are part of it.
The chemistry isn't manufactured. If they think a trade was a disaster, they say it. If a player is slacking, they call it out. That's the nuance people crave. In a world of PR-scrubbed team statements, 97.3 FM San Diego feels like the last place where you can get an honest, unvarnished opinion about why the bullpen blew a four-run lead in the ninth.
The Technical Side: Why FM Still Wins
You might wonder why anyone bothers with FM when you can stream everything. Reception. San Diego’s topography is a nightmare of canyons and valleys. Digital signals drop. Apps buffer when you go through a tunnel or hit a dead zone in Mira Mesa. But 97.3’s transmitter, located on Mount Soledad, punches through.
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It’s reliable.
- Coverage: The signal reaches from the border way up into South Orange County.
- Real-time: There is zero lag. When Fernando Tatis Jr. cracks a homer, you hear the roar of the crowd on 97.3 before the guy watching the "live" stream on his phone even sees the pitch.
- Community: The "text line" culture. The hosts read texts from listeners in real-time, creating a giant, city-wide group chat.
What Most People Get Wrong About Sports Radio
There’s this misconception that sports radio is just for older guys who miss the 80s. Total myth. Look at the demographics for 97.3 FM San Diego and you’ll see a massive spike in younger listeners. Why? Because of the "second screen" experience. Fans watch the game on TV but mute the national announcers—who usually don't know the Padres' roster anyway—and sync up the radio broadcast with Jesse Agler and Tony Gwynn Jr.
It’s about local expertise. National broadcasts talk about the Padres like they’re a curiosity or a high-spending experiment. 97.3 talks about them like they’re family. That’s a distinction that matters.
The Impact of the Padres' "Golden Era"
The station's rise perfectly mirrored the Padres' aggressive pursuit of a championship. When Peter Seidler started spending money and bringing in stars like Manny Machado, the "Fan" became the town square. Every signing, every injury, and every post-game press conference is dissected with a level of intensity usually reserved for political debates.
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Honestly, the station has become a barometer for the city’s mood. If the Padres win a series against the Dodgers, the energy on 97.3 is electric for three days straight. If they lose? It’s a collective therapy session.
Moving Beyond the Radio Dial
If you’re looking to get the most out of what 97.3 FM San Diego offers, don't just stick to the car radio. The station has branched out into a multi-platform beast.
- The Audacy App: This is the easiest way to listen if you’re out of the 619 or 858 area codes. It’s free, and the audio quality is significantly better than the standard over-the-air signal.
- Podcasts: Most of the major shows, like Ben and Woods or Gwynn & Chris, upload their segments as podcasts immediately after the show ends. This is clutch if you missed the morning drive but want to hear the breakdown of last night's game.
- Social Media: Follow their producers. Seriously. Guys like Steven Woods or Ben Higgins are constantly posting behind-the-scenes clips and interacting with fans on X (formerly Twitter). It’s where the "inside jokes" of the station actually live.
- Live Events: They frequently do remote broadcasts from bars around San Diego or right outside Petco Park. Going to one of these is the best way to realize just how many people are tuned in with you.
Actionable Steps for the San Diego Sports Fan
If you want to stay in the loop without wasting time, here is the most efficient way to use the station's resources.
First, program 97.3 into your "1" preset. Sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised. Second, download the Audacy app and favorite "97.3 The Fan" so you get alerts when breaking news drops—they are almost always faster than the national outlets for Padres news.
Third, if you have a take, use the text line. They actually read them. It’s 73737 (standard messaging rates apply, obviously). Don't be the person who just complains to their friends; get your opinion on the air.
Finally, check out the "Wrap Up Show" immediately following Padres games. It’s hosted by fans for fans, and it’s the rawest, most authentic reaction you’ll find in sports media today. Whether the team is at the top of the NL West or struggling through a slump, this station is the one constant in the chaotic world of San Diego sports.