KANSAS CITY, MO – August 8, 2024 – Audacy announces the launch of 96.5 The Fan (KFNZ-FM), a new Audacy Sports station and the new FM home for Kansas City sports, effective August 15 at 6:00 a.m. CT. The market-leading sports talent, commentary, analysis and play-by-play coverage previously heard on 610 AM Sports Radio (KCSP-AM) will now be heard on 96.5 The Fan – marking Kansas City’s first full-time FM Sports station.  

This FM sports destination will be the new flagship radio station of the back-to-back defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and broadcast all pre, regular and postseason games. Chiefs games will be simulcast on 106.5 The Wolf (WDAF-FM) for the 2024 season.

The station will also serve as the play-by-play home of the Kansas City Royals, Kansas State University and University of Missouri men’s basketball and football. The station’s weekday programming and play-by-play content will also be heard on The Fan AM 610 (KFNZ-AM), formerly known as 610 Sports Radio (KCSP-AM), with select Royals games airing exclusively on The Fan AM 610.

96.5 The Fan will launch with the following on-air lineup.

6:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. CT: “Fescoe and Dusty” with Bob Fescoe and Dusty Likins
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. CT: “Cody and Gold” with Cody Tapp and Alex Gold
2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. CT: “The Drive” with Carrington Harrison

“Kansas City has the most passionate sports fans in the country, and they deserve a one-stop destination for premium sports content year-round,” said Roxanne Marati, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Audacy Kansas City. “This is an exciting time for KC sports, and our exclusive partnership with the World Champion Chiefs, local content and engaging personalities with unrivaled sports knowledge will fuel fandom, bring listeners closer to the action and keep them connected to their favorite teams.”

“We have enjoyed a strong partnership with Audacy over the past few years and are excited for them to launch 96.5 The Fan heading into the 2024 football season,” said Kim Hobbs, Vice President of Partnership Strategy and Development, Kansas City Chiefs. “In addition to being the new home of the Chiefs and the flagship station of the Chiefs Radio Network, 96.5 The Fan is going to take a strong lineup and offer exciting and entertaining sports content throughout the year through the power of the FM dial.”

96.5 The Fan replaces ALT 96.5 (KRBZ-FM). As a result, longtime ALT 96.5 afternoon drive show, “Church of Lazlo,” starring Lazlo, Slimfast and Snowcone, will move to 98.9 The Rock (KQRC-FM), Kansas City’s No. 1 Rock station, weekdays from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. CT starting August 8. “Church of Lazlo” will continue airing on ALT 96.5 via simulcast until August 14 at 6:00 p.m. CT. The station will sign off at that time, and 96.5 The Fan will launch at 6:00 a.m. CT on August 15.

Listeners can tune in to 96.5 The Fan (KRBZ-FM) in Kansas City on-air and nationwide on the Audacy app and website. Fans can also connect with the station via X, Facebook and Instagram.

Audacy Sports is powered by the Company’s portfolio of 40 owned-and-operated all-sports stations and affiliates, 160 sports streaming channels on the Audacy app, and the No. 1 sports podcast network featuring over 600 titles and live events. Audacy Sports also serves as the home to 150 professional and collegiate teams, including play-by-play broadcasts, and produces two national multiplatform sports networks, both distributed in partnership with Westwood One: Infinity Sports Network (formerly known as CBS Sports Radio) with over 300 U.S. affiliates and BetQL Network. Audacy Sports proudly serves as the official audio and podcast partner of Major League Baseball, granting exclusive access to inventory for streaming audio play-by-play in both English and Spanish and official podcasts for the league.