Los Angeles is about to get a brand-new voice in sports radio, and it's bringing some serious championship pedigree to the airwaves. Former Lakers point guard and five-time NBA champion Derek Fisher is set to headline the debut lineup for 97.1 The Fan, the first-ever FM all-sports radio station in the City of Angels.
Audacy's new station kicks off its all-sport format on May 18 at 6 a.m. PT, and Fisher will be right there in the morning drive slot. He'll be joined by co-host Cody Decker, who you might know from his podcast work with Michelle Beadle or his time on Mad Dog Sports Radio. Together, they'll anchor the "Derek & Decker" show from 6 to 10 a.m.
Fisher's basketball résumé speaks for itself. He won five rings with the Lakers as a gritty point guard, later had a stint as head coach of the New York Knicks, and now coaches at Crespi High School while also working as a TV analyst for the NBA on NBC and Spectrum SportsNet. It's safe to say he knows a thing or two about big moments under pressure.
The midday slot from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. features Alex Curry and former NFL safety Brock Vereen. Curry is a familiar face to Fox Sports and FS1 viewers, while Vereen brings his experience from CBS Sports and the Big Ten Network to the table. It's a fresh blend of baseball and football insight that should keep fans tuned in through lunch.
Rounding out the weekday lineup is the afternoon duo of Doug McKain and Bill Reiter from 2 to 6 p.m. PT. Reiter is a longtime voice on Audacy's CBS Sports Radio and Infinity Sports Network, while McKain has built a loyal digital following in LA through his work on the Dodgers Nation postgame show and Locked on Rams. Together, they bring a mix of national perspective and local passion.
Los Angeles has long been a two-horse town for sports talk, with ESPN LA 710 and Fox Sports Radio's AM 570 dominating the dial. Adding a third all-sports station might seem like a gamble, but 97.1 The Fan has a key advantage: it's the only FM option in the market. That could be a game-changer for listeners who want clearer reception and a fresh take on LA sports.
Whether you're a Lakers fan nostalgic for the Fisher era or just looking for a new sports fix on your morning commute, 97.1 The Fan is shaping up to be an exciting addition to the LA sports scene. Tune in May 18 and see what all the buzz is about.