Sports Media: Red Rock Radio, UMD extend broadcast contract

Redrockradioclear Red Rock Radio and the University of Minnesota Duluth have signed a two-year extension to their radio rights contract, the radio station announced today. The extension takes Red Rock’s exclusive rights for UMD football and men’s hockey through the 2014-15 season.

“We are delighted to again partner with UMD to provide exclusive radio play by play for fans in the Northland area,” said Shawn Skramstad, Vice President and General Manager for Red Rock Radio.

UMD football will continue to air on KQDS-AM (“The Fan 1490”) while men’s hockey is on KZIO-FM (“94X”). All football and men’s hockey games air throughout northeastern Minnesota on KBAJ-FM out of Deer River/Grand Rapids (“KQ 105.5”) and KAOD-FM in the Ely/Babbitt area (“KQ 106.7”).

“We’re thrilled that Red Rock will continue to be the voice of the Bulldogs for the next few years,” said UMD interim athletic director Karen Stromme. “We’re very happy that the games will continue to air throughout northeastern Minnesota, so our fans on the Iron Range can hear Bulldog football and hockey.”

Bruce Ciskie

“Keeping the UMD football and hockey teams here is a big win for our stations,” said Red Rock Radio Sports Director Bruce Ciskie, who is the voice of UMD men’s hockey. “It’s great to know that we’ll continue to broadcast Bulldog games to all our listeners throughout northeast Minnesota.”

Red Rock Radio has held the broadcast rights for UMD football and men’s hockey since the 2009-2010 season.

Red Rock Radio Corporation Duluth operates 10 radio stations in Northern Minnesota including KQDS-FM (94.9), KQDS-AM (1490), KZIO-FM (94.1/104.3), and WWAX-FM (92.1) in Duluth. KBAJ-FM (105.5) in Grand Rapids, WXXZ-FM (95.3) in Grand Marais, KAOD-FM (106.7) in Babbitt/Ely, WEVE-FM (97.9) and KRBT-AM (1340) in Eveleth, and KGPZ-FM (96.1) in Coleraine.