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1170 AM - KBOB to broadcast all Bandits games in 2015

Townsquare Media Quad Cities station will carry all 140 games live on radio and online stream
January 21, 2015

The sounds of Quad Cities River Bandits baseball will be back on the radio airwaves in a big way in 2015, with every regular season and playoff game broadcasted live on 1170 AM K-BOB Real Country, a Townsquare Media Quad Cities station. K-BOB delivers the largest listenership of any station to ever broadcast River Bandits games on radio.

The broadcasts will begin Thursday, April 9, when the River Bandits, the six-time Midwest League Champions and Class-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, open their 140-game season by visiting the Peoria Chiefs at Dozer Park in Peoria, Ill. Each broadcast will be anchored by River Bandits Broadcaster and Director of Media Relations Marco LaNave, entering his fourth season as the "Voice of the Bandits." LaNave also began broadcasting high school sports for Townsquare Media Quad Cities stations last September.

Townsquare Media owns and operates a diversified group of leading radio, digital, marketing services, and live event properties across the United States including 97X, B100, The HAWK, ESPN and 1170 AM in the Quad Cities.

"We are delighted to work with our great partners at Townsquare Media Quad Cities to broadcast all of the exciting action of River Bandits baseball on one of the Quad Cities' most popular country stations," said River Bandits owner Dave Heller. "Radio remains an effective and beloved medium, and at a time when other teams are discontinuing radio, we are really happy to be ramping it up. The Quad Cities loves country music, and they love their Bandits, so our new partnership with K-BOB Real Country and Townsquare is a perfect match!"

Since purchasing the former Cumulus cluster of radio stations in the Quad Cities, Townsquare has made a significant commitment to sports programming. In May, Townsquare picked up the ESPN affiliation and launched the Quad Cities' only FM sports radio station. ESPN 93.5 is the home of the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears and local high school football and basketball.

"The combination of ESPN 93.5 and 1170 AM will broadcast more local and regional live sports exclusively to the Quad Cities area," according to Market President Bruce Law. "The addition of the River Bandits only strengthens the dominant sports line-up offered for the local fans."

In addition to the radio broadcasts, fans can listen to each game on RiverBandits.com and 1170kbob.com. They can also watch live streaming video of every River Bandits home game on MiLB.TV for a second straight season in 2015. MiLB.TV subscription includes access to all minor league online broadcasts, so fans can watch alumni as they move toward the major leagues.

"As an organization, our goal is to grow the connection of our fans to our players, and Townsquare continues to be a critical partner in doing so with enjoyable, high-quality broadcasts," said River Bandits General Manager Andrew Chesser. "This new broadcast partnership with Townsquare will bring the media experience of River Bandits baseball to its highest level ever."

"I have been blessed to be part of many memorable moments and historic achievements in the Quad Cities; having the River Bandits broadcast all of their games, not merely on the radio, but on the most-listened-to station in River Bandits history, is among the most exciting for me," LaNave said. "Broadcasting sports with Townsquare has been a highlight of my broadcasting career, and I am thrilled that will continue with River Bandits games this spring."

The River Bandits will have a running start to their opening weekend in 2015 with the third annual Bandits Race to Home 5K presented by Palmer Chiropractic Clinics at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 11. The home opener is at 1:15 p.m. on Sunday, April 12, against the Clinton LumberKings at Modern Woodmen Park.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits ownership in 2014 made one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 105 feet over the playing field, opened May 24, Space Camp opened June 20; the new Drop'N Twist debuted in July; and the newly expanded 300-foot long zip line also reopened.