WNBA’s Indiana Fever Debuts Radio Network With WOWO Start

Why It Matters

The partnership expands the Fever’s reach into a key market, boosting fan engagement and advertising opportunities for both the WNBA franchise and the local radio station.

Key Takeaways

• WOWO becomes first regional affiliate for Indiana Fever radio network
• All 44 regular-season games and postseason will air on WOWO
• John Nolan returns as play-by-play announcer for Fever broadcasts
• Flagship remains WIBC‑HD2 93.5/107.5 The Fan in Indianapolis
• Additional affiliates to be announced before May 9 opener

Pulse Analysis

The Indiana Fever’s new radio network gained its first regional affiliate on May 9 when Fort Wayne’s 92.3 WOWO announced a multi‑year deal to air every Fever game. The agreement adds the 44‑game regular season and any postseason matchups to WOWO’s existing news‑talk lineup, with veteran John Nolan returning as the voice of the team. While the flagship remains Urban One’s 93.5/107.5 The Fan (WIBC‑HD2) in Indianapolis, the Fort Wayne partnership gives Northeast Indiana listeners a dedicated outlet for live play‑by‑play, analysis and team updates. The broadcast will also be streamed online, ensuring fans can tune in via smartphones.

For the Fever, securing a radio presence in Fort Wayne taps a historically strong basketball market and addresses a growing demand for WNBA content beyond the metropolitan core. Radio remains a cost‑effective medium that reaches commuters, rural households and fans on mobile devices, complementing the team’s streaming and television deals. The added exposure is expected to drive ticket sales, merchandise revenue, and local sponsorships, while giving advertisers a targeted platform to connect with a passionate, predominantly female sports audience. Early data suggests radio listeners are more likely to attend games in person, reinforcing the medium’s promotional power.

The move reflects a broader trend of professional sports leagues leveraging terrestrial radio to deepen regional loyalty. As streaming services fragment audiences, live radio offers immediacy and accessibility that digital platforms can’t always match, especially in markets with limited broadband. The Fever’s strategy of rolling out additional affiliates ahead of the season suggests a scalable model that other WNBA clubs may emulate. Continued success could encourage further partnerships, potentially expanding the network into neighboring states and creating new revenue streams for both the league and local broadcasters. Analysts predict that radio rights could become a modest but steady revenue line as the WNBA expands its national footprint.