Press Release

(December 8, 2010) The Dayton Dragons today announced a new partnership with Clear Channel Communications that will include radio broadcasts of all 140 Dragons home and road games on WONE 980 AM in Dayton. The games will also be simulcast on WIZE 1340 AM in Springfield.

WONE is one of seven Clear Channel stations operating out of broadcast facilities located in the Oregon District at 101 Pine Street in Dayton. WONE has been on the air since 1949.

"The Dragons look forward to a mutually-beneficial and long-lasting partnership with Clear Channel Communications," said Dragons President Robert Murphy. "The Clear Channel stations enjoy tremendous listenership in Dayton and throughout the entire Miami Valley. WONE has been a tradition in the market for more than 60 years."

"Baseball and radio share a long and colorful history and our partnership with Clear Channel guarantees that our fans will continue to have the opportunity to enjoy Dragons baseball on radio, home and road, all season long," said Murphy.

Nick Gnau, Vice President/Market Manager, Clear Channel Dayton, shared in the announcement.

"WONE and Clear Channel Dayton are very excited about this new partnership...the involvement with the Dayton Dragons as an organization and a strong community attraction is a benefit to our listeners and Dragons fans across the Miami Valley," said Gnau.

WONE is a Fox Sports affiliate. The station's daily programming schedule includes four hours of locally-originated sports talk with Mark Schlemmer, weekdays from 3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. The popular nationally-syndicated "Dan Patrick Show" airs weekday mornings from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

The connection between baseball, radio, and the fans has held for generations. The 2011 season will mark the 90th anniversary of the first baseball game broadcast on August 5, 1921 when listeners heard the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-5 on KDKA in Pittsburgh. Since that day, radio has allowed listeners to visualize the game's picture being painted by the broadcaster.

Dragons Director of Broadcasting Tom Nichols will continue as the team's play-by-play announcer. Nichols will enter his fourth season with the Dragons and 24th year in Minor League Baseball in 2011. He has called over 2.900 games during his career. Nichols is one of the few broadcasters to have worked at the Triple-A, Double-A, and Single-A levels of Minor League Baseball.

The Dragons will open their 12th season in the Midwest League on April 7, 2011 against the Bowling Green Hot Rods at Fifth Third Field.

blog comments powered by Disqus