The radio landscape in New York is brutal. It’s a literal battle for ears where every decimal point in the ratings represents millions of dollars in advertising revenue and, perhaps more importantly, bragging rights in the most opinionated sports city on the planet. For years, the frequency known as 98.7 FM ESPN NY was the high-definition home for fans who wanted an alternative to the legendary "Fan." But things changed. In late 2024, Good Karma Brands made the massive decision to let the lease on the 98.7 FM signal expire, shifting the station’s identity toward a digital and AM-focused future.
It felt like the end of an era.
If you grew up listening to Michael Kay’s "See Ya!" home run calls or Dave Rothenberg’s morning rants, you know that the station wasn't just a frequency. It was a vibe. It was the "underdog" that eventually grew into a powerhouse. Even though the station has moved off that specific FM dial, the DNA of 98.7 FM ESPN NY remains the heartbeat of New York sports talk. People are still searching for it because the brand is bigger than the signal.
The Massive Shift to Digital and the 1050 AM Reality
Let’s be real: carrying an FM signal in New York City is insanely expensive. For over a decade, ESPN New York leased the 98.7 frequency from Emmis Communications. When the lease came up, the math just didn't make sense anymore. Why pay millions for a tower when half your audience is listening on an iPhone?
Good Karma Brands, which operates the station, pivoted. They bet on the fact that you, the listener, would follow Michael Kay and the morning crew to 1050 AM, the ESPN App, or various streaming platforms. Honestly, it’s a ballsy move. It acknowledges that the "FM" part of the name was becoming a legacy tag rather than a necessity. The move reflects a broader trend in media where the platform matters less than the personality. If you've got Rick DiPietro and Chris Canty talking Giants football, fans are going to find them, whether it’s through a smart speaker or a static-heavy AM dial in their car.
Why the Michael Kay Show Became the Station's Anchor
You can't talk about 98.7 FM ESPN NY without talking about the "pinstripe" in the room. Michael Kay. As the voice of the New York Yankees, Kay brought an immediate level of "insider" credibility to the station. But the show isn't just a Yankees puff piece. Along with Don La Greca and Peter Rosenberg, the trio created a chemistry that balanced hard-hitting sports analysis with absolute, unhinged nonsense.
That’s the secret sauce.
Don La Greca’s legendary rants—usually involving some minor statistical inaccuracy or a slight against a 1980s hockey player—became viral sensations. Peter Rosenberg brought the hip-hop and pop culture world into the mix, making the show feel younger and more "New York" than anything else on the air. They weren't just reporting scores; they were arguing like people in a Queens diner at 2:00 AM. That authenticity is why they were able to challenge WFAN’s Mike Francesa for the ratings crown, a feat many thought was impossible when 98.7 first launched its sports format in 2012.
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The Morning Grind: DiPietro and Rothenberg
If Kay owns the drive home, the mornings belonged to the grind. Rick DiPietro and Dave Rothenberg (often joined by Chris Canty) carved out a niche that felt less like a broadcast and more like a clubhouse. DiPietro, a former Islanders goalie and 1st overall pick, brought the perspective of a pro athlete who actually understands the New York media meat grinder.
Rothenberg? He’s the everyman.
He’s the guy who stays up too late watching a West Coast Mets game and shows up to work exhausted but ready to yell about the bullpen. Their show became a staple for commuters because it didn't feel manufactured. When they disagreed, it felt personal. When they laughed, it felt earned. Even as the station transitioned away from the 98.7 FM signal, this show remained a primary reason why listeners downloaded the ESPN New York app.
The Technical Reality of the Frequency Change
Losing an FM signal is a big deal for signal penetration. AM 1050 doesn't have the same "punch" through the skyscrapers of Manhattan or the deep tunnels of the subway system. This is where the 98.7 FM ESPN NY brand had to get creative. They leaned heavily into:
- The ESPN New York App: A dedicated hub for live streaming and podcasts.
- DAB/HD Radio: Utilizing the sub-channels of other FM stations to keep a high-quality audio feed.
- Podcast Clips: Slicing up segments for YouTube and social media to reach the "scroll" generation.
The irony is that "98.7" became a brand name more than a location. Think of it like a restaurant that moves to a new building but keeps its old address in the name because that's what everyone knows it by.
The Rivalry With WFAN
New York sports radio is a two-team town. It’s ESPN vs. WFAN. It’s the Coke vs. Pepsi of the airwaves. For a long time, 98.7 was viewed as the "national" interloper. Critics said it was too "Disney-fied" because of the ESPN parentage.
They were wrong.
Over time, the station became fiercely local. They covered the Knicks, Rangers, Jets, and Giants with a level of intensity that matched their rivals. They hired local reporters like Bart Scott and Alan Hahn—guys who lived and breathed the local scene. The rivalry pushed both stations to be better. When 98.7 would win a specific demographic (like Men 25-54), it would send shockwaves through the industry. That competition is healthy. It gives fans a choice between the "old school" feel of the Fan and the "modern" vibe that 98.7 cultivated.
Is Terrestrial Radio Actually Dying?
Sorta. But not really.
What's dying is the idea that you must have a specific number on a dial to be relevant. The transition of 98.7 FM ESPN NY away from FM is a case study for the entire industry. If a station can survive losing its primary signal and still maintain a massive digital audience, it proves that "radio" is now just "audio."
People still want to hear someone complain about the Jets' offensive line. They just don't care if that audio comes through an antenna or a 5G signal. The cost of maintaining that FM signal was reportedly north of $10 million a year. That’s a lot of money that can now be spent on talent and better digital infrastructure. Honestly, it’s a smart business move, even if it feels a little sad for those of us who grew up turning a physical knob to find the game.
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What You Need to Do Now
If you’re still looking for the content that made 98.7 FM ESPN NY great, you have to change your habits slightly. The "FM" part might be gone, but the shows aren't.
Download the ESPN New York App immediately. This is the most reliable way to get the crystal-clear audio you used to get on 98.7. It also gives you access to "The Kay Show" on-demand, which is essential if you miss the live broadcast.
Check your car's HD Radio settings. Many newer vehicles can still pick up the ESPN feed on digital sub-channels of other local stations. It’s a bit technical, but once you find it, it’s like the signal never left.
Follow the talent on social media. This is where the real-time interaction happens now. The "D&R" (DiPietro & Rothenberg) guys are incredibly active on X (formerly Twitter), and that’s where you’ll get the updates on schedule changes or special live remote broadcasts.
Don't ignore 1050 AM. If you're in an area with a clear line of sight, the AM signal is still a viable backup, especially for live play-by-play games where digital streams might have a slight delay.
The era of 98.7 FM ESPN NY as a frequency might have ended, but the era of ESPN New York as a dominant sports media force is just evolving. The voices are the same. The arguments are the same. The passion is the same. You just have to know where to click.