The broadcasting rights for the Fort MacMurray Oil Barons changed hands once more recently, allowing the rights to be aquired by Rogers. Some are referring to this as the most exciting trade that the team has seen in the last season. Rock 97.9, also known as CKYX, will be the new Oil Barons hockey home after the announcement was made on Monday afternoon. Previous negotiations with Rogers fell through and the broadcasting rights were obtained by Kace 91.1 last August. Before that change the Fort MacMurray Oil Barons broadcasting rights were held by Country 93.3 for several years. According to Rick Kirschner “It was a pleasure to support the Barons this past season and continue to increase our community outreach. KAOS 91.1 would like to thank the Fort McMurray Oil Barons board, management, team and supporters for a great year, and the opportunity to broadcast the 2014/15 season. We wish them the best as they go into the Western Canada Cup this April and in the future.”
One possible reason that the broadcasting rights for the Fort MacMurray Oil Barons may have changed hands is that the broadcasts from KAOS were often hard for listeners to hear, and there was problems with communication among the staff. The new play by play announcer for the Barons will be Karp, who commented “From my understanding, I found out about this at the same time as everyone else. I don’t know how long things had been going on for other than finding out not too long before the announcement — I really had no idea. We’re all here for one reason — entertain or to be entertained — and I like to have a lot of fun with it.”
