Seattle Sounders FC today announced that it has come to an agreement with iHeartMedia Seattle, making Sports Radio 950 KJR AM the English-language home of the Rave Green. The new multi-year deal is the first of its kind between the Rave Green and Seattle sports legacy station 950 KJR, with the regional radio affiliate operating on Puget Sound since 1922.
“We’re incredibly excited and proud to open this new chapter of Sounders FC radio broadcasting with iHeartMedia,” said Sounders FC Chief Operating Officer Bart Wiley. “KJR is a Seattle sports institution, and our new partner brings a second-to-none production quality and institutional knowledge of broadcasting to our club. We believe this partnership provides the best platform for elevating the thorough, insightful coverage of Sounders FC that our fans deserve.”
All home and away Sounders FC MLS matches are to be carried on 950 KJR AM, including a 30-minute pregame and 30-minute postgame show surrounding each contest. Former KJR producer Matt Johnson reprises his play-by-play role with Sounders FC radio, alongside a number of talented Seattle soccer analysts, including former Sounder players Wade Webber and Danny Jackson, in addition to Seattle University Head Coach and longtime Sounders FC analyst Pete Fewing. Additionally, the station is set to carry an hour-long Sounders FC weekly show, scheduled to air at 7:00 p.m. PT every Tuesday evening throughout the season.
“We couldn’t be more excited to partner with the most successful MLS franchise, the Seattle Sounders,” said Robert Dove, President of the Pacific Northwest Region for iHeartMedia. “We are very much looking forward to showcasing the Sounders product on 950 KJR and connecting with their powerful and passionate fans. This is an incredible opportunity to share our over three million person reach across all our brands to build on the already incredible Seattle Sounders fan base.”
“KJR has a long and significant legacy in Seattle,” said Sounders FC Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “Growing up in this city, I’ve listened to the station myself for many years, and I’m now looking forward to working with KJR in this new partnership to bring our club’s amazing fans even closer to the team.”
iHeartMedia is the leading media outlet in the Seattle market with multiple platforms, including its broadcast stations; live events; data; and its digital businesses and platforms, including mobile, social and its own iHeartRadio, iHeartMedia’s free all-in-one digital music, podcasting and live streaming radio service – with more than 1.7 billion app downloads and 110 million registered users.
Sounders FC opens its slate of matches on 950 KJR AM with its MLS season-opener against expansion side Los Angeles FC. That contest is set for a 2:00 p.m. PT kickoff at CenturyLink Field in the first-ever matchup between the two Western Conference sides.
Prior to opening its 2018 MLS slate against Los Angeles FC on March 4, Sounders FC faces Salvadoran club Santa Tecla FC in the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League, the region's premier club championship, with the first leg in El Salvador on February 22 and the second leg at CenturyLink Field on March 1. Sounders FC season tickets are still available, including new 2018 seating options in the 300-level, as well single-match tickets for each of Seattle's home matches. For complete information, details and pricing on 2018 Sounders FC season tickets, fans should visit SoundersFC.com/tickets, call 877-MLS-GOAL or email Sales@SoundersFC.com.
ABOUT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC
Winner of the 2016 MLS Cup, 2014 MLS Supporters' Shield and four Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup championships (2009, 2010, 2011, 2014), Sounders FC is Seattle's Major League Soccer franchise. With an ownership group led by Seattle-based entrepreneur Adrian Hanauer, Hollywood executive Joe Roth, Seattle Seahawks Chairman Paul G. Allen and entertainer Drew Carey, the club received an MLS charter on November 13, 2007 and has qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs in every year of its existence. Sounders FC reached a milestone in 2016, as the franchise claimed its first MLS Cup championship with a road victory over Toronto FC, which was followed up by a second consecutive berth in the league championship in 2017. Since the club's debut MLS season in 2009, Sounders FC has set the standard for soccer support in North America, leading the league in attendance for eight consecutive seasons (2009-2016) and routinely ranking in the top 30 in attendance among all teams internationally and top three within the Americas. Prior to joining MLS, the Seattle Sounders organization has been a part of the greater Seattle community and U.S. Soccer professional scene since 1974.
ABOUT IHEART MEDIA SEATTLE
iHeartMedia Seattle owns and operates KBKS-FM, KPWK-FM, KJR-FM, KJR-AM, KJAQ-FM, KFNQ-AM, KHHO-AM, KBKS-HD2, KJAQ-HD2, KJAQ-HD3, KJR-HD2, KPWK-HD2, KZOK-HD2 and is part of iHeartMedia. With over a quarter of a billion monthly listeners in the U.S. and over 129 million social followers, iHeartMedia has the largest national reach of any radio or television outlet in America. As the leader in multiplatform connections, it also serves over 150 local markets through 858 owned radio stations, and the company’s radio stations and content can be heard on AM/FM, HD digital radio, satellite radio, on the Internet at iHeartRadio.com and on the company’s radio station websites, on the iHeartRadio mobile app, in enhanced auto dashes, on tablets, wearables and smartphones, and on gaming consoles.
iHeartRadio, iHeartMedia’s digital radio platform, is the fastest growing digital audio service in the U.S. and offers users thousands of live radio stations, personalized custom artist stations created by just one song or seed artist and the top podcasts and personalities. With over 1.7 billion downloads, iHeartRadio reached 110 million registered users faster than any other radio or digital music service.
iHeartMedia’s platforms include radio broadcasting, online, mobile, digital and social media, podcasts, personalities and influencers, live concerts and events, syndication, music research services and independent media representation. iHeartMedia is a division of iHeartMedia, Inc. (PINK: IHRT). Visit iHeartMedia.com for more company information.
