5 Reasons Fox Sports 910 AM Phoenix Is Dominating The Sports Talk Scene In 2025
As of December 20, 2025, Fox Sports 910 AM Phoenix (KGME) stands at a critical juncture in the Valley's highly competitive sports talk radio market, successfully navigating recent programming shifts by doubling down on a powerful blend of national star power and a renewed commitment to local content. Owned by iHeartMedia, the station has cemented its identity as the primary source for Fox Sports Radio's biggest names while simultaneously 'beefing up' its local programming output to capture the dedicated Arizona listener base.
This strategic pivot is essential for KGME, which operates on the historic 910 AM frequency, to maintain its relevance against strong local competitors. The station’s success in 2025 hinges on its ability to deliver seamless national commentary alongside targeted local coverage, especially following significant changes to its lineup, including the departure of long-time local hosts. This deep dive explores the five core pillars defining the station’s strategy and impact on Arizona sports fans today.
The 5 Pillars of Fox Sports 910 AM Phoenix's 2025 Strategy
Fox Sports 910 AM Phoenix has carefully crafted its programming to appeal to both the casual national sports fan and the dedicated local enthusiast. This dual approach is built on five key strategic pillars that shape the listener experience and the station's market position.
Pillar 1: The National Star Power Lineup
The foundation of KGME’s daily programming is its affiliation with the national Fox Sports Radio network, which brings some of the most recognizable voices in sports media directly to the Phoenix market. This strategy provides immediate brand recognition and high-quality, professional sports commentary that listeners tune in for daily.
- 2 Pros and a Cup of Joe: Kicking off the day, this show provides early morning analysis and banter, setting the stage for the rest of the sports news cycle.
- The Herd with Colin Cowherd: Arguably the station's biggest draw, Colin Cowherd's provocative and insightful commentary on the biggest stories in the NFL, NBA, and college football is a major ratings driver during the late morning and midday hours.
- The Doug Gottlieb Show: Covering the afternoon slot, Doug Gottlieb offers deep dives into college basketball and football, along with a strong perspective on the professional leagues.
- Covino & Rich: This show anchors the early evening drive time, providing a more entertainment-focused, yet still sports-centric, discussion that appeals to a younger demographic.
Pillar 2: The Renewed Local Focus: The Jody Oehler Era
In a significant and recent move to 'beef up its local programming,' Fox Sports 910 has reshuffled its on-air talent, emphasizing homegrown Arizona sports discussion. The station now features approximately seven hours of local content designed to connect directly with the Valley's sports community.
The most notable change was the promotion of Jody Oehler, who moved from the afternoon slot to become the station's new morning drive host. This strategic shift aims to capture listeners during the crucial morning commute with deep, local analysis on the Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Arizona Coyotes, providing a homegrown alternative to the national feeds.
This move also followed the high-profile departure of former afternoon hosts Mike 'Roc' Muraco and Dan 'Manuch' Manucci, who moved to a competing ESPN affiliate. By elevating Oehler, KGME signaled its commitment to developing its own local stars and maintaining a distinct Arizona voice in the face of market competition.
Pillar 3: The Home of Sun Devil Hockey
While many Phoenix radio stations vie for the broadcast rights of the professional teams, Fox Sports 910 has carved out a unique and dedicated niche by becoming the official "Home of Sun Devil Hockey." This affiliation with Arizona State University's NCAA Division I hockey program is a crucial local asset.
This partnership provides exclusive live coverage of all ASU Hockey games, tapping into the passionate university sports audience in the Valley. In a market where college sports, particularly the Pac-12 (and its successor conferences), hold immense cultural weight, this affiliation gives KGME a distinct and loyal listenership that extends beyond the typical professional sports fan. The broadcasts also provide valuable shoulder programming and local content opportunities throughout the hockey season.
Pillar 4: Strategic Positioning in the Phoenix Sports Radio Market
The Phoenix radio market is a battleground, primarily contested by the two major national sports brands: Fox Sports and ESPN. Fox Sports 910 AM (KGME) and its main competitor, ESPN 620 AM, offer distinct flavors of sports talk. KGME’s strategy is not to outbid for the major professional team broadcast rights, but to focus on its core strength: delivering the best of Fox Sports Radio while integrating essential local commentary during key drive times.
This focus allows the station to maintain a lower operating cost while providing high-quality content, making it a reliable and consistent source for sports news and opinion. The station’s signal is strong, covering the entire Phoenix metropolitan area, ensuring widespread availability for listeners accessing the content via traditional AM radio or the iHeartRadio app.
Pillar 5: Leveraging Digital and Podcast Platforms
As a key iHeartMedia property, Fox Sports 910 AM is heavily integrated into the digital ecosystem. The station doesn't just broadcast; it offers a full suite of digital content, including live streaming via the iHeartRadio app, and a robust library of podcasts.
This digital presence allows listeners to catch up on local segments they missed, such as Jody Oehler's morning show, or listen to the national shows on-demand. This multi-platform strategy is vital for reaching younger sports fans who consume media primarily through digital channels, ensuring the longevity and continued relevance of the 910 AM brand in the modern media landscape.
A Legacy of Sound: The Rich History of 910 AM in Phoenix
The 910 AM frequency in Phoenix, now home to KGME/Fox Sports 910, has a deep and varied history that contributes to the station's topical authority. The frequency has been a constant presence in the Valley's media landscape for decades, undergoing numerous format and call sign changes that reflect the evolution of radio broadcasting.
The station was first licensed in 1940 with the call sign KPHO, which it held for over thirty years. During this period, the station served as a cornerstone of Phoenix broadcasting.
Over the subsequent decades, the frequency adopted several other identities:
- KJJJ (1972–1985): The station transitioned into a different format, reflecting changing market tastes.
- KFYI (1985–2000): This period is particularly notable, as the KFYI call sign later moved to the 550 AM frequency, which is now a major News/Talk competitor. The 910 AM frequency was a key player in the News/Talk format wars of the 80s and 90s.
- KGME (2000–Present): The call sign KGME, which stands for "The Game," was adopted as the frequency transitioned fully into a sports talk format, eventually becoming the Fox Sports 910 affiliate it is today.
This rich history underscores that while the format is sports talk, the 910 AM frequency itself carries a legacy of being a primary source of information and entertainment for the Phoenix metropolitan area. This historical context provides a depth of topical authority that newer stations cannot match, anchoring Fox Sports 910 AM as a fixture in Arizona radio.
Conclusion: The Future of Fox Sports 910 AM
Fox Sports 910 AM Phoenix (KGME) is more than just a relay for national programming; it is a strategically positioned sports media outlet. Its success in 2025 is driven by a clear understanding of its market: leveraging the star power of national hosts like Colin Cowherd and Doug Gottlieb, while simultaneously investing in a dedicated local voice with personalities like Jody Oehler.
By securing exclusive broadcast rights for niche, yet passionate, local teams like Sun Devil Hockey, the station ensures a loyal audience base. As the Phoenix sports scene continues to grow and evolve, KGME's balanced approach—combining the 'Biggest Names In Sports' with dedicated Arizona coverage—positions it to remain a dominant and essential voice for sports talk radio in the Valley for years to come.
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