Pine Tree Broadcasting LLC, which owns WRMO 93.7 FM The Wave, is in the process of purchasing WGUY 94.1 FM and sister AM stations WGUY 1230, WNZS 1340 and WWNZ 1400, but that won’t change the broadcast schedule of University of Maine men’s and women’s basketball and baseball games.
The deal is awaiting final approval by the Federal Communications Commission.
Paul Dupuis, general manager of The Wave and an on-air personality, said they intend to honor the contract between the University of Maine and Waterfront Communications of Bangor, which was owned by the late Dan Priestley and included WGUY 94.1 FM and its three AM stations.
Priestley died in September.
The contract, involving Black Bear Sports Properties, a division of Learfield Sports and the exclusive multimedia rights holder for UMaine athletics, was a five-year deal that runs through June 2018.
The music format has already switched as 94.1 FM and 93.7 FM are simulcasting soft adult contemporary oldies music, which is the format of The Wave. WGUY FM and AM had an oldies format, and the other AM stations were talk radio networks.
“We aren’t going to change anything [sports-wise],” said Dupuis. “We’re going to honor the agreement they made with the previous owner [Priestley].”
He did say that the basketball and baseball games will be aired on 94.1 FM or one of the AM stations, and 93.7 FM will continue with its regular easy listening programming.
Dupuis said they “value” the partnership with the University of Maine and they will further evaluate the relationship as they get closer to contract renewal time.
“It’s always a good thing to work with an institution like the University of Maine in this capacity,” said Dupuis. “
Black Bear Sports Properties spokesman Jason Hoyt said they were in the process of “signing an assumption letter to make this official.”
The Wave is a 50,000-watt Class B station licensed in Milbridge with its office and studio in Bar Harbor.
WGUY was a 1,000-watt Class C station based in Eddington.
Pine Tree Broadcasting is owned by Waterville native and Bar Harbor resident Chuck Begin. It is the only station he owns until the FCC approves the sale.
Michael Gildart, sales manager and on-air personality at WGUY, said he is pleased about the pending sale to Begin and the fact they are honoring the UMaine agreement.
“Chuck is a really good person,” said Gildart. “And I’m a big University of Maine fan. It is one of the shining jewels in the state and the athletic program is a really important part of it.”
Editor’s note: Larry Mahoney is employed by Learfield Sports for its UMaine men’s hockey radio broadcasts.