Valley Tournament Changes Radio Homes

Editor: This is a press release from the Missouri Valley Conference office.

ST. LOUIS — Missouri Valley Conference Sports Properties (MVCSP) and St. Louis-based radio station KTRS (550 AM) have entered into a multi-year agreement, providing KTRS exclusive rights to broadcast the men’s basketball games of the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis.

“We are excited about our new partnership with KTRS Radio,” said Jack R. Watkins, MVC Associate Commissioner and Tournament Director. “Mark Dorsey and his staff have valued our product for a long time by displaying a willingness to step up and clear our games previously when there was a programming conflict on our former rights-holding station. This contract solidifies KTRS’ commitment to our league and expands our branding in the St. Louis marketplace beyond our tournament dates in March.”

The Valley’s 2016-17 basketball season will culminate with the tournament – affectionately named Arch Madness – March 2-5, 2017, at Scottrade Center. The KTRS signal provides St. Louis and surrounding areas with 5,000 watts day and night, supplying listeners with news, talk, sports and entertainment. KTRS holds Missouri’s largest daytime signal. In addition to the State Farm MVC Tournament, KTRS is the home of the Missouri Tigers’ football and basketball, the Saint Louis FC and the Memphis Redbirds.

“The BIG 550-KTRS is proud to be the new voice of the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Men’s Basketball Championship beginning in March of 2017. The Missouri Valley has a national reputation as being one of the elite conferences in men’s basketball and is the second-oldest NCAA Division I conference in America,” said Mark Dorsey, President and General Manager of KTRS. “In addition to carrying all of the MVC tournament games, The Big 550 will provide additional programming targeted to MVC news, information and interviews.”

“Having worked with KTRS on a small scale in the past and to see them now assume The Valley’s rights for Arch Madness is tremendous, and it speaks volumes about their loyalty,” added Jim McIver, general manager for Learfield’s MVCSP, the leagues’ rights partner. “Moving forward, the station’s commitment to The Valley, additional quality programming and innovations will provide The Valley and our partners with opportunities to extend their messages and grow their brands throughout the year.