WGR Sports Radio 550 will remain as the flagship home of the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres for years to come.
Audacy announced on Wednesday a multi-year radio broadcast contract extension with both the Bills and the Sabres.
“We’re delighted to extend our partnerships with the Bills and Sabres to continue delivering premier game day and supporting content,” said Senior Vice President and Market Manager of Audacy Buffalo, Tim Holly. “These partnerships will allow WGR 550 to continue to serve as the home for everything fans need to stay up to date surrounding these two iconic franchises, and we look forward to entertaining and informing our listeners through both teams’ seasons.”
WGR has been the longtime radio partner of the Sabres in the National Hockey League, while the station has been the official voice of the Bills in the National Football League since 2012.
Bills game day broadcasts will continue in 2021 with three pregame shows, starting with “Breakfast with the Bills - Fantasy Style" with Derek Kramer and Louie DiBiase, followed by “Bills Game Day” with Jeremy White and Nate Geary and “Countdown to Kickoff” with Geary and "Sneaky Joe" DiBiase.
John Murphy returns as the radio play-by-play voice of the Bills for an 18th season, where he will be re-joined on the broadcast in 2021 with color analyst Eric Wood. Sal Capaccio also returns to the broadcast as the team's sideline reporter.
Game day coverage will wrap up with the official “Bills Postgame Show” following the final whistle of every game, followed by “The Overtime Show” hosted by Geary.
In addition to Bills game day content, the station will air “Buffalo Bills Football Monday” and “Football Friday,” which features team-focused content and special guests.
The guest lineup includes Murphy on Monday and Friday mornings, as well as Bills head coach Sean McDermott each Friday morning during the “Howard and Jeremy Show." Meanwhile, Wood will speak every Monday afternoon during “Schopp and the Bulldog,” while longtime professional football writer John Clayton will join the show every Thursday.
WGR will also air pregame and postgame coverage for its Sabres game day broadcasts. Brian Koziol will continue his duties as the radio in-game host, while Paul Hamilton also joins each broadcast with his insights from the arena.
Returning for his 51st and final season as the play-by-play voice of the Sabres is Rick Jeanneret. The 79-year-old will call 20 of Buffalo's 82 regular season games this season, and will be joined by Rob Ray, who once again returns as the team's color analyst. Dan Dunleavy also returns to the broadcast booth as a play-by-play voice of the Sabres for the other 62 games this upcoming season.
In addition, Sabres head coach Don Granato is set to join the “Howard and Jeremy Show” each Tuesday morning during the hockey season, while “Schopp and the Bulldog” will speak with Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams each month.
“As the home for all Buffalo sports fans, WGR is the right place for Bills and Sabres game broadcasts and team content,” said Executive Vice President of Pegula Sports and Entertainment, Mark Preisler. “We’re pleased to continue our relationship with Audacy and connect to our fans through Western New York’s sports leader.”
The Bills will kick off their 2021 regular season on Sunday, Sept. 12 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.
Meanwhile, the Sabres are slated to drop the puck on their 2021-22 regular season on Thursday, Oct. 14 against the Montreal Canadiens at KeyBank Center in Downtown Buffalo.