WJFK preps for content change

Local Web site DCRTV has been reporting that there have been rumors that the station would be coming on the air July 20 with the Junkies returning to their former name, The Sports Junkies, and serving as the station’s morning drive show.

I commented a few months ago in this column that WJFK making a move to sports would make sense. Also that their sister station in Baltimore — 105.7 FM The Fan — was doing well and could serve as the model for a move to sports talk by WJFK.

I have confirmed that a number of Washington sports personalities have had conversations with management at WJFK about doing shows. The station has also spoken to a number of local sports producers and on air update people about the possible format change.

Some of the names being floated out there are LaVar Arrington, Mike Wise and former ESPN 980AM personalities Brian Mitchell and Al Koken. A number of Washington reporters — Examiner, Post and Times — have come up as possible show hosts or as regular guests.

Management at WJFK is silent about any format changes at the moment, but it does seem that they are seriously considering the idea of going to an all-sports format.

There are other factors in play with a move to all-sports by WJFK.

MASN, who already has a solid relationship with CBS Radio in Baltimore and airs the Anita Marks-Scott Garceau Show, would love to have a Washington partner and WJFK might fit that bill.

Presently, the station airs both University of Maryland and University of Virginia sports. They also are the home of FOX Sports Radio in Washington and that would give them the rights to air the Steve Czaban Show as well as Dan Patrick — two popular area programs that have been off the local airwaves for over two years.

In the end, I think that WJFK will take the plunge and, as always, it will be fun to see who they have on the air. Stay tuned É

Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this! on washingtonexaminer.com.