City Bartlett, Tennessee Branding ESPN 92.9 First air date 1994 | Broadcast area Memphis, Tennessee Frequency 92.9 MHz Format Sports | |
WMFS-FM is a commercial sports radio radio station in Bartlett, Tennessee, broadcasting to the Memphis, Tennessee area on 92.9 FM, owned by Entercom Communications. WMFS is the radio home for the Memphis Grizzlies. The station's studios are in Southeast Memphis, and the transmitter tower is in Northeast Memphis.
History
Originally launched in 1995 by fledgling Belz Broadcasting under the "Solid Rock 92.9 MFS!" slogan, WMFS was acquired by Infinity Broadcasting and rebranded "93X" in 2001. The station was purchased by Entercom Communications in 2006.
The first song played on WMFS when the station debuted was "Rock You Like a Hurricane" by the Scorpions.
WMFS was Memphis' home to Howard Stern prior to his departure from terrestrial radio. The station also featured Program director Jim Fox (Now Operations Manager for KRXQ - Sacramento)in Middays. Bob Bitchin' in Afternoons, and "The Reverend" Paul Marshall (aka Neanderpaul. Now Afternoons & Program Director at KDKB - Phoenix) at night.
WMFS is one of six radio properties in the Memphis market held by Entercom; the others are WMC-FM, WRVR-FM, WMFS, WLFP, and WMC. Entercom purchased WMC, WMC-FM and WMFS in 2006.
WMFS-FM/WMFS maintain studios in the Entercom complex in eastern Memphis. The previous studio was located in the WMC-TV building on Union Avenue with Rover's Morning Glory mornings, Sydney in middays, Crate doing afternoons(currently nights at WBUZ in Nashville under real name Chris Atticus),and Beck at night. Former jocks include Shay, Azi, Ditch (currently PD/middays KUFO Portland), Twitch (currently afternoons WBYR Ft. Wayne) and Killabrew (currently PD 620 WDAE Tampa Bay). Fletch who did overnights and weekends for 6 years is now on 98.1 The Max as of May 2010.
The original on-air line-up in 1995 consisted of Dave Robins in the mornings, Jim Fox middays, Zak in the afternoon drive, Leslie in the evenings, and Tony Vazlini (a.k.a. Vasolini, Mark Cantoni) on overnites. Greg Murray replaced Jim Fox during the middays and was also Production Manager. On May 21, 2009 WMFS-FM changed its format to sports, simulcasting WMFS 680 AM.