No big deal: Kansas basketball does not need flagship radio station

LAWRENCE, KS - NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks instructs during a timeout in the game against the Long Beach State 49ers at Allen Fieldhouse on November 29, 2016 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KS - NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks instructs during a timeout in the game against the Long Beach State 49ers at Allen Fieldhouse on November 29, 2016 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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Radio coverage of Kansas basketball and football games continues in decline. Does it really matter that a Kansas City radio station will no longer carry Jayhawk games?

A prominent Kansas City sports radio station announced Tuesday they are dropping live play by play coverage of Kansas football and basketball. Nobody cried two years ago when another AM radio station that covered part of 4 states dropped the Jayhawks.

First of all, I always listen to every Kansas basketball or football game on radio. Yes, I miss the great Bob Davis. However, new play by play man Brian Hanni is super. When you listen to the radio, you always know far more than listening to the blabber mouths on television.

I don’t always use a radio to hear Kansas basketball or football games.  I use a phone app or other digital coverage  from KU to get the broadcast over a satellite radio or computer device.  I’m not always in a location that could pick up a Kansas ballgame on traditional radio. If you are as busy as I expect, you don’t have time to sit and listen to the radio but you always have your phone.

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Similar to the local newspaper, radio as we used to know it is on life support.  Few under the age of 30 listen to radio but they have a phone. As a matter of fact, many of you are reading this on a phone or computer.

I realize the Kansas City radio station that dropped the Jayhawks said they wanted to divide attention between the Jayhawks and major league baseball.  That’s fine. I’m not convinced but that’s what their web site said. Jesse Newell in the KC Star reported the University of Kansas has not announced a new flagship station. No problem. When they do, the flagship should be a digital feed on TuneIn or something similar. Who needs a radio?