Dodgers Headed to KFWB in 2003

Beginning with the 2003 season, all Dodger games will be broadcast on KFWB (980), and Vin Scully says he will be involved.

As expected, the Dodgers announced Wednesday that they have reached a five-year agreement with AM news station KFWB that will take effect when the current one with KXTA (1150) expires after the 2002 season.

KXTA announced Tuesday that it had broken off negotiations with the Dodgers, and station manager Greg Ashlock said one of the reasons was because there was no guarantee that Scully would be a part of radio broadcasts in the future.

“There was a misunderstanding there, or someone was ill-informed,” Scully said. “It’s in my contract that I be a part of radio broadcasts.”

However, the last few seasons, Scully’s radio role has been minimal. He is heard only during the first two innings of televised games. Scully’s call is simulcast.

The new deal with KFWB calls for the station’s parent company, Infinity, to pay about $7 million a year, or about the same amount Clear Channel, KXTA’s parent company, is now paying.

Roger Nadel, KFWB general manager, said this deal puts his station on the map among the country’s other major news stations such as KMOX in St. Louis and WGN in Chicago that also broadcast major league baseball.

KFWB will retain its news format but will carry Dodger pregame and postgame programming.

“All of us at Infinity are thrilled with this new partnership,” Nadel said.

Nadel said the station is in the process of upgrading from 5,000 watts to 50,000. He said the first step, getting the proper zoning, has already been accomplished. However, FCC approval and the construction of a new transmitter remain.

KFWB will become the fifth flagship station for the Dodgers since the team moved to Los Angeles from Brooklyn in 1958.

Before KXTA began carrying Dodger games four years ago, KFI carried them for 14 seasons and KABC (790) for 24 seasons. The old KMPC carried them for two years.

Under the new deal, the Dodgers will retain the Spanish-language radio rights, a sticking point during negotiations with Clear Channel and KXTA, who wanted to sell both English and Spanish broadcasts to advertisers.

KXTA’s Ashlock said another concern was the increased likelihood of a labor dispute disrupting the 2003 season.