PROVIDENCE, RI – May 8, 2023 — Cumulus Media Providence announces that it has renewed its multi-year agreement with Providence College Athletics and its multimedia rightsholder, LEARFIELD’s Providence Friars Sports Properties, to continue as the official flagship radio group for men’s sports. Per terms of the multi-year agreement, Cumulus Providence will be the official radio broadcaster for Friar men’s basketball games, as well as for The Kim English Radio Show each season. The Friars have a longstanding relationship with Cumulus, as WPRO has been the flagship station for men’s basketball since 2018. The new agreement, which will begin with the 2023-24 season, for the first time will include live broadcasts of Friar men’s hockey games and the Nate Leaman Radio Show.
“I would like to thank our partners at Learfield and Cumulus Media Providence (WPRO and 790 The Score) for working closely with us to enhance our partnership,” Providence College Athletics Director Steve Napolillo said. “It is always our goal to provide the best coverage of Friar Athletics for our student-athletes and our fans. I feel that Cumulus has helped us achieve this for our men’s basketball program over the years. I am thrilled that we now can include our men’s hockey program in with such a strong brand. The BIG EAST and Hockey East are two of the top conferences in the nation and our fans deserve to have the high-level coverage that we will receive with this partnership.”
“I am excited to expand our relationship with the Providence College Friars to include hockey play-by-play on 790 The Score,” said Holly Paras, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Providence. “The addition of college hockey to Southern New England’s only source for local college sports talk is a perfect fit and enhances our strong partnership with the legendary Friar Men’s Basketball program on WPRO.”
Fans will continue to hear the longtime voices of the Friars, John Rooke and Joe Hassett, call all home and away men’s basketball game action. Basketball games and the Kim English Radio Show will remain on WPRO-AM 630 and WEAN-FM 99.7.
“We are looking forward to continuing the relationship with WPRO,” Friar Men’s Basketball Head Coach Kim English said. “Since I have arrived in Providence, I have been impressed with the strong support for Providence College men’s basketball in this region. Prominent media partners are an integral part of our program and are important to its success. I also think this is great for our fans and I am looking forward to being able to connect with them further with our radio shows this season.”
Men’s hockey officially moves to Cumulus-owned 790 The Score/WPRV-AM starting next season. Fans will hear the entire slate of hockey programming, including Mike Logan handling all play-by-play, and the seasonal Nate Leaman Radio Show. All men’s hockey will be on 790 The Score.
“We are thrilled to have our program showcased on 790 The Score and to continue being part of the Cumulus Media family,” Providence College Men’s Hockey Head Coach Nate Leaman said. “This relationship allows for our program to reach a significant audience over the airwaves in the greater Providence area. Our goal every year is to compete on the biggest stages of college hockey and we are happy to have Cumulus provide coverage to our loyal Friar fans.”
