The official flagship radio station of the New England Patriots isn’t set to change anytime soon.
98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group and the Patriots announced Wednesday that 98.5 will continue to broadcast Patriots games through the 2033 season.
98.5, which has aired Patriots games since its launch in 2009, is Boston’s most-listened-to sports station.
“Patriots fans throughout New England have come to trust the sound quality, reach and overall coverage that 98.5 The Sports Hub has provided since the station launched 15 years ago,” said Murray Cole, Patriots vice president of corporate sponsorship sales.
“Bob Socci and Scott Zolak are the perfect combination to bring all the action to Patriots fans throughout the region,” Cole added. “We’re excited to extend this partnership for another decade and hope it continues for decades to come.”
The Patriots pregame show, “Patriots Preview,” will continue to air for three hours before kickoff of each game, with “Felger and Mazz” co-host Jim Murray once again serving as the main pregame host, and Marc Bertrand of “Zolak and Bertrand” also hosting select games.
Christopher Gaspar, Boston Globe columnist and co-host of “Gaspar and Murray,” will return for his 10th season as pregame co-host.
“Patriots Postgame” will air for three hours following each game, and Joe Murray will continue to appear on the postgame show, he wrote on social media.
“The Patriots are like a religion in New England,” said Mary Mena, vice president and market manager for Beasley Media Group Boston. “We’re honored to continue to bring the games to fans for at least the next 10 years. The Kraft family, the Patriots staff and the entire team have been incredible partners.”
“The Patriots have been a cornerstone of our programming since we launched The Sports Hub,” added Rick Rajic, the station’s director of programming. “As we enter a new era for the team, we’re thrilled that 98.5 The Sports Hub will be the home for game coverage for the next decade and continue to provide a home for Patriots fans to talk football year-round.”
Jim Murray reacted to the news of the 10-year extension on the show on Wednesday.
“When I heard that, my first thought was, ‘Radio is going to continue to be around here,'” Murray said on Facebook Live’s “Off Air Show with Mike Felger.”
“I think that means it’ll last at least another 10 years,” Felger added.
“Hopefully, that’s the case,” Murray said.
“We have to keep the lights on to broadcast Patriots games,” Felger said. “So I certainly like that statement.”
