The Charlotte Hornets will return to Radio One’s “Sports Radio 92.7 FM” WFNZ Charlotte for the 2026-27 National Basketball Association season under a new multiyear broadcast deal, extending the station’s run as the team’s flagship radio outlet to 18 consecutive seasons.
WFNZ will carry every Hornets preseason, regular-season and postseason game, with Sam Farber handling radio play-by-play. Game broadcasts also will be available through the Hornets app and streamed at WFNZ.com.
The station’s coverage will include a 60-minute pregame show hosted by WFNZ personalities Kyle Bailey and Travis Hancock. Selected pregame programs will originate live from Spectrum Center and Hornets watch parties.
Following each game, WFNZ will air a 30-minute postgame show featuring Will Palaszczuk, additional station talent, Farber and Hornets radio producer Rob Longo.
“Giving our fans more ways to experience Hornets basketball and stay connected to our team is central to our Fans First philosophy,” Hornets Sports & Entertainment President of Business Operations Shelly Cayette-Weston says in a news release. “Across 17 seasons, WFNZ has helped bring our games, players and stories to fans throughout the Charlotte region. WFNZ’s hosts understand the passion and loyalty of our fanbase and have long provided an important forum for the conversations surrounding our team. We are thrilled to welcome WFNZ back as our flagship radio station and expand a longstanding partnership that will provide fans with even more access, insight and opportunities to engage with the Hornets as we continue building momentum for the future.”
“We are incredibly proud to reunite with the Charlotte Hornets as the team’s flagship radio station,” says Radio One Vice President/General Manager Marsha Landess. “WFNZ has a longstanding connection with the Hornets and their fans, and we are excited to once again bring every game — and the conversations surrounding the team — to our listeners. From live broadcasts and exclusive interviews to special programming and fan experiences, this partnership will deliver the access, insight and compelling local sports content that Charlotte fans expect from WFNZ.”
WFNZ also plans to expand its Hornets-related programming beyond game coverage. The station will feature weekly appearances by Hornets Head Coach Charles Lee, along with regular interviews with players, executives and broadcasters and daily discussion and analysis across its programming lineup.
The station and team also will collaborate on additional programming and special broadcasts tied to major points on the NBA calendar, including the Hornets’ season opener and schedule release. WFNZ will offer listeners opportunities to win tickets and team merchandise through on-air promotions and giveaways.
Hornets’ coverage also will extend to Radio One sister stations urban AC “105.3 RnB” WOSF-FM and news/talk WBT-FM (107.9), which will feature regular interviews with team personnel during the season.