As of Sept. 1, Cal Poly sports fans will be able to listen to games on ESPN Radio 1280, with the football team’s season opener at Texas State.
“We have been on the radio (in recent years),” Athletic Director Alison Cone said. “They’ve been on the air, and they’ve had pretty good coverage. But we’ve gone out of the AGM network, and now we’re with ESPN.”
The Cal Poly Athletics Department recently announced that they inked a two-year deal with ESPN, with an option for a possible third year.
“They’re going to cover football, (men’s) basketball, baseball and some selective women’s basketball, volleyball and softball,” Cone said.
In addition, there will be a weekly radio show featuring Mustang head coaches and other “special guests.”
“We are excited about our agreement with ESPN Radio and look forward to a
good working relationship,” Associate Athletics Director Chris Baker said in a press release. “To have all our sports on the same network is great for our fans. They will
always know where to find Cal Poly sports.”
For Mustang fans no longer living in the Central Coast, games will also be made available online. Games will be streamed live at www.espnradio1280.com in addition to the live radio broadcasts.
Downloadable podcasts of the games will also be available for fans that are unable to listen to the live action.
According to the press release, “ESPN 1280 will air extended pregame shows with a ‘College Game Day’ type atmosphere before many home events starting with the football team’s home opener against Weber State on Sept. 15.”
Having games available online could presumably increase listenership and fan base, although that will remain unseen until the sports season kicks off in September.
“That would be great if it did, but I don’t have the details,” Cone said. “I don’t know if this will really increase the listeners, so I don’t want to say that unless I know it to be true.”