WJRL new home for Auburn radio in Wiregrass

The Auburn ISP Sports Network and Magic Broadcasting announced Friday that WJRL 103.9 FM will take over as the Dothan affiliate for Tiger football games, starting today.

Auburn was without a local affiliate after WRJM 93.7 FM went bankrupt and was cut off the air earlier this week. New buyers of the station declined to pick up the broadcasts, having committed to another show for Saturdays.

Auburn quickly worked out details with Magic to have the games moved to WJRL for the rest of this season, starting with today’s game against Southern Miss.

The station will also air Thursday night’s Auburn coaches’ show, Tiger Talk.

“We are very excited to carry Auburn,” said Magic Broadcasting market manager Richard Reinhardt Friday afternoon.

“We (Magic) had been fortunate to carry Auburn in the past (on WLDA) and were definitely disappointed that we weren’t going to this year (after losing the contract).

“Football in the south is big, especially at Auburn and Alabama, and to be able to deliver that sound of each game to our listeners is exciting for us.”

Officials at the Auburn ISP Sports Network were also pleased at working out the deal.

“We are excited about staying on in Dothan,” Auburn play-by-play announcer Rod Bramblett said. “It was unfortunate that WRJM was cut off the air, but the folks at Magic Broadcasting welcomed us with open arms. We are excited to have them carry the games.”

Bramblett said the Network was especially elated at the commitment from Magic to work in today’s game on such short notice.

“Within a 24-hour period, they did a lot of work on their part to get this game on and we really appreciate it,” Bramblett said.

For now, WJRL is committed to doing only the Auburn football broadcasts, but both parties said Tiger basketball broadcasts could also be added to the coverage.

“There is a possibility we could do some conference basketball games, but right now our biggest focus and concern was getting the football games on,” Reinhardt said.

The current arrangement to carry Auburn games on WJRL is for this year only, but Bramblett was hopeful the Network could work out an even longer deal with Magic for the future.

“Obviously our concern right now was getting the football games on, but hopefully later on we can talk about a long-term relationship with Magic Broadcasting that will be beneficial to both sides,” Bramblett said.