Pistons have no immediate plans to leave 105.1

Despite a format flip and the looming sale of the radio station, the Detroit Pistons still are planning to stick with WMGC (105.1) for the final year of its contract.

Greater Media and Detroit Sports 105.1 landed the Pistons in April 2014, and has aired its games and other programming for the past two seasons.

Amid poor ratings, the plug then was pulled on Detroit Sports 105.1 in late June after less than three years as a sports-talk station, switching to "The Bounce," which is airing old-school hip-hop. The new format has drawn improved ratings.

Then came news last month that Beasley Broadcast Group is planning to purchase Greater Media's stations for $240 million, though the deal doesn't appear finalized yet.

That deal includes three stations in Metro Detroit, including WMGC.

"We are currently working with leadership at Greater Media to implement Pistons in the new format," Kevin Grigg, spokesman for Pistons and Palace Sports & Entertainment, told The Detroit News in an email Thursday.

"They are currently working on the programming setup for the new station, and as that process continues, you will see additional Pistons presence as the season approaches."

Asked if the looming sale of Greater Media's properties could prompt a move to another flagship station, Grigg said, "In talking with (Greater Media) leadership, we are moving forward."

WMGC, WRIF (101.1-FM) and WCSX (94.7) are the three Detroit Greater Media stations that figure to be shifting eventually to Beasley ownership.

The Pistons and PS&E, which moved from WXYT (97.1-FM), really liked the idea of having three stations to use for promotion, especially given WRIF is rock and WCSX is classic rock, which plays into PS&E's concert business.

Lately, though, there has been no mention of the Pistons on the new website for "The Bounce," and regular Pistons programming -- including "Courtside" with Mark Champion and Rick Mahorn and "Pistons Weekly" with Jake Chapman – has been MIA since the format switch.

The NBA will release its regular-season schedule Thursday night.

tpaul@detroitnews.com

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