June is a time for weddings and new beginnings. So it is fitting both the Redskins and Nationals look at this month as one to finally find a long-term media partner.
The Redskins are expected to announce their home for Redskins radio and team owner Dan Snyder’s Red Zebra Broadcasting will launch its new all-sports radio format.
Red Zebra could lease Salem Broadcasting-owned WAVA 105.1, known for its religious and positive talk format. Salem has a successful all-sports station in Cleveland. A deal with a long-term lease could be in the works. Or, as both Dave Hughes of dcrtv.com and I have reported, Salem could be willing to trade WAVA for the three Red Zebra outlets. Oh, and a boatload of cash.
However, there is always the chance Redskins games could find their way to WTOP-FM, WMAL-AM, and WRBQ-FM. Even the Clear Channel stations can’t be ruled out at this point.
Meanwhile, for Washington’s baseball team, getting games broadcast on Comcast has been about as easy as forging a Middle East peace accord.
High-level talks are underway that include representatives from MASN, Major League Baseball and Comcast. The question remains: Will MASN be added to Comcast as a stand alone channel or will they find a way to merge as Orioles owner Peter Angelos proposed?
Industry sources told me this is a big month because getting a deal done before the All-Star break is seen as a must or political forces will have no choice but to get involved.
MLB has an obligation to the Lerner family to get this deal done. I keep hearing it will come around the All-Star break and one way or another, we could be seeing Nationals games.
Yes, June will be a big month for new beginnings.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
