First-of-its-Kind Content and Entertainment Deal Centers on Growth and Diversification of Teams’ Fan Bases Across iHeartMedia Minneapolis’s Nine Local Stations Including New Flagship Radio Home KFAN 100.3 and a Timberwolves Channel on the iHeartRadio App
Minneapolis, MN — September 27, 2023 – iHeartMedia Minneapolis today announced it has signed an exclusive, multi-year streaming and radio partnership with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx to bring fans throughout the upper Midwest exclusive basketball coverage beginning with the upcoming 2023-24 season.
As part of this multi-faceted partnership, every Timberwolves game will be available on the newly created Minnesota Timberwolves channel on the iHeartRadio app. The Timberwolves become the first NBA team with an exclusive streaming channel on the iHeartRadio platform. In addition, KFAN 100.3, the Minneapolis/St. Paul Sports Leader, will become the basketball organization’s new flagship radio station for select Timberwolves games and the majority of Lynx games. Regular appearances from coaches, players, and executives on all the KFAN 100.3 shows will round out the coverage.
“We are excited about this partnership and honored to be the broadcast and streaming home of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx,” said Kevin LeGrett, President of iHeartSports. “We are thrilled to deliver innovative Timberwolves and Lynx coverage, programming and integrations to millions of their fans across the state and beyond!”
“The new broadcast partnership is the first-of-its-kind in Minnesota sports,” said Greg Alexander, Market President of iHeartMedia. “With massive reach across the iHeartRadio platform and KFAN 100.3, we are thrilled to bring exclusive Timberwolves and Lynx basketball coverage to their loyal fan base.”
“This is an exciting time for our organization as we launch a multi-faceted distribution partnership with one of the largest media platforms in the country,” said Timberwolves and Lynx CEO Ethan Casson. “Welcoming KFAN 100.3 as our new flagship radio station, creating a 24/7/365 Timberwolves streaming channel on iHeartRadio, and producing cross-promotional opportunities with the entire portfolio of local iHeartMedia stations will strategically grow our Timberwolves and Lynx fan base.”
Keep up to date on all things Minnesota Timberwolves via the Wolves Radio Network featuring the voice of the Wolves, Alan Horton, and studio host, Cal Soderquist. Details of the Lynx radio, content and promotional plans featuring Lynx players, coaches and front office will be released ahead of the 2024 WNBA Season.
iHeartMedia is the leading media outlet in the Minneapolis market with multiple platforms, including its broadcast stations; live events; data; and its digital businesses and platforms, including mobile, social and its own iHeartRadio, iHeartMedia’s free all-in-one digital music, podcasting and live streaming radio service – with 3 billion app downloads and more than 160 million registered users.
About iHeartMedia Minneapolis:
iHeartMedia Minneapolis owns and operates KDWB, KEEY, KFXN, KTCZ, KTLK, KQQL, HOT 102.5, B.I.N., and FAN+, and is part of iHeartMedia. iHeartMedia, Inc. [Nasdaq: IHRT] is the leading audio media company in America, reaching over 90% of Americans every month, and has a portfolio of unmatched consumer brands and industry-leading events. iHeart’s broadcast radio assets alone have more consumer reach in the U.S. than any other media outlet; twice the reach of the next largest broadcast radio company; and over four times the ad-enabled reach of the largest digital only audio service. iHeart is the largest podcast publisher according to Podtrac, with more downloads than the next four podcast publishers combined; has the number one social footprint among audio players, with seven times more followers than the next audio media brand; and is the only fully integrated audio ad tech solution across broadcast, streaming and podcasts. The company continues to leverage its strong audience connection and unparalleled consumer reach to build new platforms, products and services. Visit iHeartMedia.com for more company information.