KCSP (AM)

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KCSP-AM
Broadcast area	Kansas City, Missouri, extending into most of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska
Branding	610 Sports
Slogan	A Fan's Best Friend
First air date	2002
Frequency	610 kHz
Format	Sports radio
ERP	5000 watts
Class	B
Callsign meaning	Kansas City Sports
Owner	Entercom
Website	www.61sports.com

KCSP, also known as 610 Sports is a radio station located in Kansas City, Missouri. With the slogan "The Football Channel", the Entercom-owned station broadcasts on 610 kHz.

While KCSP debuted in 2002, the 610 has been a well-known frequency in Kansas City. WDAF, Kansas City's fourth radio station, debuted in late 1922, and adopted a country music format in the early 1960s. In 2002, it began simulcasting on the 106.5 FM frequency under the WDAF callsign. When the station adopted a permanent sports format, its callsigns were changed to KCSP. Often considered one of Kansas City's most popular stations, some listeners were originally dismayed to see its move to FM in favor of the new sports format. Since then, KCSP has consistently trailed rival WHB, which entered the marketplace seven years earlier. Based on the most recent ratings reports, 610 Sports experienced some of the quickest growth ever by a sportsradio station, but the gap widened as WHB carried the Men's Final Four.

KCSP is the Kansas City market affiliate for Kansas Jayhawks athletics.

[edit] Shows

The station has a regular broadcast schedule and is always on the air. Some of these shows include:

• The DA Show

Hosted by Damon Amendolara, the DA show is on in the mornings, 5:30a-9a. The show combines sports news with pop culture, caller interaction, game show segments and produced bits. Weather is provided for morning commuters. The weather is done by "Stormbot 610," the weather robot. The show's website offers bonus content and archived audio. DA has hosted the morning show, 5:30 - 9 a.m., since August '04. DA joined the station for its launch in September 2002, initially anchoring the evening show, 6-9 p.m.

DA came to KC after nearly two years of working at Sportsradio 770 ESPN in Fort Myers-Naples, FL. There Damon hosted "The DA Show" from 4-6 p.m. He was also the play-by-play voice of the Fort Myers Miracle, minor league affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. In addition he anchored the afternoon "Sunshine State SportsCenter Updates" and handled pregame and postgame for the Florida Firecats of AFL2.

DA graduated from Syracuse University in 2001 with a degree in broadcast journalism. There, Damon was Sports Director at WAER Radio, following in the Orange footsteps of Marv Albert, Mike Tirico and Bob Costas. There he broadcasted SU football, basketball and lacrosse and received the 2000 Syracuse Press Club Award for "Best Sports Radio Story."

DA has also hosted the pregame and postame for the Rochester Rhinos Radio Network (A-League soccer) and handled play-by-play for the Wake Forest Radio Network on the 2002 Preseason NIT Title Game.

DA is a native of Warwick, NY, north of NYC in Orange County.

• The Jim Rome Show, a syndicated talk radio show out of the Premiere Radio Networks in Los Angeles.

• The Chiefs Post-game Show.
  Occurs 30 minutes after a Chiefs game, the show usually opens with a game recap, then the host (a different one every time) takes calls from listeners.

• The High School Game Of The Week:
  Live coverage of Kansas and Missouri high school football.

[edit] Trivia

Danni Boatwright, the winner of Survivor: Exile Island, is another personality at KCSP. Despite her million-dollar first prize, she decided to return to the station once she was able to do so. Boatwright is also a contributor to ESPN2's Fantasy Football Weekly.

[edit] External links

• 610 Sports Official website
• the DA Show
• Query the FCC's AM station database for KCSP