MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Tiger Sports Properties (TSP), the multimedia rightsholder for University of Memphis Athletics and locally based Learfield IMG College team, announced today new affiliate radio partners and staff changes for the Memphis Tiger Radio Network.
The Memphis Tiger Radio Network added three affiliates for the 2019 football and men’s basketball seasons, expanding into nearby Arkansas and Mississippi. The three stations are owned by Force 3 Radio Network.
In Mississippi, Tiger broadcasts can be heard on WNEV 98.7 out of Friars Point. In Arkansas, KAKJ (105.3 FM) out of Marianna and KCLT (104.9 FM) out of West Helena will carry Memphis football and men’s basketball games.
The new stations join returning affiliates WNQM (1300 AM) in Nashville; WKBQ (93.5 FM) in Covington; and WJAK (1460AM/96.1 FM) in Jackson, Tennessee.
According to Force 3 Radio President & CEO Raymond Simes, “We’re very excited to have Tiger broadcasts on the maximum music force, Delta Force 3. Our three radio stations now include the great sounds of Memphis football and men’s basketball for all the fans in our listening area.”
Additionally, TSP announced plans to honor former pre/post-game host Forrest Goodman for the 2019 season. The broadcast desk will be called the Forrest Goodman Broadcast Desk and all radio staff will wear FG pins in his memory during the year. A long-time member of the Tiger Radio Network, Goodman passed away in June.
The voice of the pre/post-game shows from the Forrest Goodman Broadcast Desk will be Jeff Brightwell. Brightwell assumes duties as the football and men’s basketball show host, along with hosting duties of the seasonal Coach Mike Norvell and Penny Hardaway Radio Shows.
Heading in to his 17th season with the University of Memphis, Brightwell is a Memphis graduate who has served as the play-by-play announcer for Memphis baseball and women’s basketball for the past 16 seasons. He also spent last season as the Tigers’ sideline reporter for football home games. Also a broadcaster for the CrossFit Games, Brightwell formerly worked for the broadcast team at Southwest Missouri State.
Taking over the sideline duties this season will be Greg Gaston, a long-time member of the Mid-South broadcasting community, including his current role as the co-host of Middays with Greg & Eli on Sports56 WHBQ. The former sports director for ABC24/UPN30 for 12 years, Gaston also served as a host on WKNO’s Sports Files for four years.
“With the start of a new athletics season, we’re pleased to bring on three new radio affiliates to the Network to provide fans who live outside the immediate area more listening options,” said Tiger Sports Properties General Manager Todd Kucinski. “We have a great broadcast team in place and of course we’re all remembering Forrest, our good friend and devoted Tiger fan. It’s an honor for us to rename our broadcast desk as a tribute to his many years of serving with us.”
Gaston has already called numerous University of Memphis basketball and football games for television and has been behind the microphone for everything from boxing and MMA matches to baseball and tennis. Gaston also serves as an analyst on the Memphis Tiger baseball broadcasts for home games.
The 2019 Memphis Tiger Network calendar begins on Monday, August 26, with the first Mike Norvell Radio Show of the season. Brookhaven Pub & Grill will again serve as the host location of the weekly show on Mondays at 7 p.m.