PHOTOS: 92.9/The Game celebrates its 10th anniversary
The 92.9/The Game afternoon show Carl Dukes and Mike Bell at New Realm Brewery October 22, 2022 to celebrate the station's 10th anniversary. RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com
Sports talk station 92.9/The Game celebrated its 10th anniversary on the air this past Saturday on the Beltline at New Realm Brewery off North Avenue.
Hundreds of fans along with most of the on-air staff showed up on a beautiful sunny fall day on the patio while various hosts did stints on the air.
The station, which replaced rock station Dave FM in 2012, struggled in its early years with constant on-air staff shifts. The only regular on-air host from the original line-up to survive all ten years was Carl Dukes, who was originally paired with Kordell Stewart but ultimately found his partner in veteran local sports talker Mike Bell.
“Through the hard work of all the people here and the team we have, the station is in its best place since we started,” Dukes said. “We’re in a great position to continue to be the No. 1 sports station in town.”
Michael Conti, who has also been with the station with various duties since its inception and is now the brand manager, said the turnout Saturday “was gratifying. We have a lot of loyal and passionate listeners.”
The Game’s massive FM signal is far stronger than its rival 93.7/AM 680 The Fan and the station effectively killed off 790/The Game as AM signals progressively lost audience the past decade. The station also is home to the Atlanta Falcons, the Atlanta Hawks and the Atlanta United. Its owner Audacy also carries V-103 and Star 94. (V-103 is often where Hawks games go over if there is an overlap with the Falcons on the Game.)
Steak SHapiro with two of his mid-morning hosts Sandra Golden and Drew Butler at the 92.9/The Game 10th Anniversary party at New Realm Brewery in Atlanta October 22, 2022. SANDRA GOLDEN
92.9/The Game gathered its sports hosts for a group photo during the 10th anniversary party October 22, 2022 at New Realm Brewery in Atlanta. RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com
92.9/The Game morning host John Fricke (center) talking to a fan at the 10th anniversary party for the station at New Realm Brewery in Atlanta October 22, 2022. RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com
92.9/The Game producer Jake Cook with brand manager Michael Conti at the 10th anniversary party at New Realm Brewery in Atlanta October 22, 2022. RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com
92.9/The Game weekend host Sam Crenshaw at the 10th anniversary party October 22, 2022 at New Realm Brewery off the Beltline. RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com
Rick Caffey, the market manager for Audacy in Atlanta, which includes 92.9/The Game. RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com
92.9/The Game mid-day hosts Andy Bunker and Randy McMichael on air during the 10th anniversary party for the station at New Realm Brewery October 22, 2022. RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com
Afternoon host Mike Bell with his dog at the 92.9/The Game 10th anniversary party at New Realm Brewery in Atlanta October 22, 2022. RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com
Former 790/The Zone owners Steak Shapiro (left) and Andrew Saltzman (right) sandwiched between former Zone host Mike Bell. Shapiro and Bell now work at 92.9/The Game. Saltzman works with the Atlanta Hawks. RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com
Rodney Ho writes about entertainment for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution including TV, radio, film, comedy and all things in between. A native New Yorker, he has covered education at The Virginian-Pilot, small business for The Wall Street Journal and a host of beats at the AJC over 20-plus years. He loves tennis, pop culture & seeing live events.
Rodney Ho writes about entertainment for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution including TV, radio, film, comedy and all things in between. A native New Yorker, he has covered education at The Virginian-Pilot, small business for The Wall Street Journal and a host of beats at the AJC over 20-plus years. He loves tennis, pop culture & seeing live events.
