Audacy Taps Chris Kinard As Sports VP

• Audacy has named Chris Kinard as its Sports Format Vice President. In this role, Kinard will lead brand and format strategy and execution for the company’s Sports portfolio and collaborate closely with Vice President of Sports Danny Freisinger on the company’s multiplatform content strategy and production. Kinard succeeds Spike Eskin, who recently returned to Philadelphia to serve as afternoon show co-host on SportsRadio 94WIP.

Kinard will retain his current role as VP of Sports Programming and Cluster Director of Operations for Audacy Washington, D.C., including Sports-Talk duo WJFK (106.7 The Fan) & WTEM-AM (The Team 980), Classic Hits WIAD (94.7 The Drive), and Connecting Vets.

“We are privileged at Audacy to benefit from the best local sports content thought leaders in the country and Chris has distinguished himself through his leadership of WFJK-FM and WTEM-AM in D.C. over many years,” said Jeff Sottolano, Audacy EVP & Head of Programming. “I’m excited to see Chris take on this new role and partner with our local and central leadership on further strengthening our unrivaled position in sports.”

Kinard has been with 106.7 The Fan since 1998, starting as an intern, and working his way up to producer, and in 2007, Brand Manager. In 2019 he was upped to Operations Manager for Audacy DC, and the following year became Brand Manager for 94.7 The Drive, The Team 980, and Connecting Vets.

“I’m thrilled for the opportunity to lead our best-in-class local sports radio stations,” said Kinard. “Audacy is home to the most-listened-to brands and the most impactful local voices in sports, and we have an exciting future ahead. I’m thankful to Jeff Sottolano, Dave Richards and Danny Freisinger for this opportunity.”