Last month, it was reported the Mets would no longer be heard on the radio in Albany, NY, but once the season began it was realized outside of their new flagship WCBS, Entercom abandoned their entire network of affiliates.
Previously the Mets Radio Network utilized 13 different frequencies, but in switching their partnership from iHeartMedia to Entercom, that number has been reduced to just one. Effected markets include Albany, Syracuse, Poughkeepsie, Oswego, Oneonta, Glens Falls, Amsterdam, Watermill, Connecticut and Port St. Lucie, FL.
“They (Entercom) couldn’t come to an agreement with stations in the upstate area that we originally had listed as affiliates for the season,” said Lorraine Hamilton, Mets director of broadcasting, an answer that didn’t sit well with their former radio partners.
“This is why the Yankees are the Yankees and the Mets are the Mets,” said Ed Levine, president and CEO of Galaxy Communications which owns ESPN Radio in Syracuse. “It’s not like we told the Mets we didn’t want them. They reneged on the deal. They are too cheap to do what every other major league franchise does.”
According to Levine, he was told by an Entercom employee that the company chose not to purchase the necessary satellite time to distribute Met games beyond their flagship affiliate WCBS 880.
Beginning this season, the Syracuse Chiefs are now the Mets Triple-A affiliate. Much to Noah Syndergaard’s dissatisfaction, the Mets prioritized sending the team to Syracuse last week to build a connection with the local fanbase. Unfortunately for those fans, a radio simulcast was not a priority. For Syracuse or any upstate New York Mets fans looking to hear the big league club on terrestrial radio, they’ll need to hope WCBS 880’s signal consistently stretches that far.
“This is what they do,” Levine added. “They put a Triple-A franchise in Syracuse, and the first thing they do is cut off their Syracuse broadcast affiliate. It’s one of those decisions where you’re shaking your head and chuckling.”
Brandon Contes is a freelance writer for BSM. He can be found on Twitter @BrandonContes. To reach him by email click here.