Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 9, 2026

WFGR

WFGR is a commercial radio station in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It is owned by Townsquare Media and it airs a sports radio format. Programming is supplied by the 97.1 Detroit Sports Radio Network and ESPN Radio. WFGR carries play-by-play from the University of Michigan Wolverines and the Michigan State Spartans.

Last revised
Jun 9, 2026
Read time
≈ 3 min
Length
738 w
Citations
9
Source
WFGR
Frequency98.7 MHz
BrandingSports Radio 98.7
Programming
FormatSports Radio
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
WGRD-FM, WLHT-FM, WNWZ, WTRV
History
First air date
August 9, 1992 (1992-08-09)
Former call signs
WXJI (7/12/1990–7/8/1992, CP)
Call sign meaning
"For Grand Rapids"
Technical information1
Licensing authority
FCC
25837
ClassA
ERP2,750 watts
HAAT150 metres (490 ft)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen live
Websitesportsradio987.com

WFGR (98.7 FM) is a commercial radio station in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It is owned by Townsquare Media and it airs a sports radio format. Programming is supplied by the 97.1 Detroit Sports Radio Network and ESPN Radio. WFGR carries play-by-play from the University of Michigan Wolverines and the Michigan State Spartans.

WFGR has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 2,750 watts. The transmitter is on Brambleberry Drive in Comstock Park.2 The studios are on Ottawa Avenue NW at Fulton Avenue in downtown Grand Rapids.3

History

WFGR logo 2009-2017 source ↗

Classical and Oldies

WFGR signed on the air on August 9, 1992.4 It was a classical music station throughout the 1990s, broadcasting the "World Classical Network" from WFCC-FM in Chatham, Massachusetts. It changed its format to oldies music as "Oldies 98.7" on October 11, 2004. At that time, Grand Rapids' previous oldies station, WODJ, switched to album rock as 107.3 WKLQ (now WTNR).

When WFGR debuted its oldies format, it was satellite-delivered using ABC Radio's "Oldies Radio" feed. Shortly thereafter, the station debuted a mostly-local lineup of DJs, playing music from the 1960s and early 1970s.

Classic hits

On June 29, 2009, the station changed its name to "98.7 WFGR" and began playing classic hits, focusing more on the 1970s and 1980s. The change left the Grand Rapids market without a local outlet for 1960s oldies. But a few months later, Grand Valley State University stepped in to fill the void by flipping its WGVU from NPR news and talk to the "Real Oldies" network.

WFGR logo 2022-2024 source ↗

On October 5, 2009, The Bob & Tom Show, syndicated from Indianapolis, premiered on the morning lineup, Mondays through Saturdays. The show was added when WBFX (then-operated by Clear Channel Communications) did not renew the contract for the show. On October 5, 2012, three years to the day after their premiere, Bob and Tom were replaced with local talent Andy O' Riley and Dave Kaechele. In late 2013, local midday DJ Matt Hendricks was cut from the staff and replaced with a company voice-tracked personality “Big Joe Henry” based in New Jersey. Andy and Dave were also cut from the staff in January 2014, due to low ratings. In early 2014, part-time DJ Lauren was promoted to middays, and Jo Jo Girard, formerly of WWMX in Baltimore and WSNX-FM in Muskegon was introduced as the new WFGR morning show host.

WFGR's wide-ranging classic hits playlist ran for a number of years, becoming increasingly centered on the 1980s as time went by.

On July 3, 2024, WFGR rebranded as “98.7 The Grand”, pivoting to a rock-leaning presentation.5 Its lineup did not include morning hosts, aside from news and weather updates provided by WXMI.5 The station used local staff for announcements in the midday and afternoon time slots, and also carried American Top 40 with Casey Kasem.

Sports radio

WFGR logo 2024-2025 source ↗

In November 2025, Audacy, Inc. announced that it would form a statewide sports radio network featuring the local programming of Detroit's WXYT-FM, with four Townsquare Media stations—including WFGR—forming its initial affiliation base. On December 1, 2025, WFGR flipped to sports radio as Sports Radio 98.7, as an affiliate of the 97.1 Detroit Sports Radio Network and ESPN Radio. Unlike the other Townsquare stations that joined the network, WFGR did not adopt the Ticket branding, as that brand is already used by Cumulus Media-owned competitor WJRW.678

References

References

  1. "Facility Technical Data for WFGR". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. FCCdata.org/WFGR
  3. SportsRadio987.com/help
  4. Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2000 page D-223. Retrieved Dec. 30, 2025.
  5. "A Grand Revamp For WFGR". RadioInsight. July 3, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  6. "Audacy Forms 97.1 Detroit Sports Network To Serve Affiliates Statewide". Barrett Media. November 6, 2025. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  7. "More On Townsquare’s Michigan Changes". RadioInsight. November 9, 2025. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  8. "Townsquare Media's WFGR Flips to Sports Talk". TALKERS magazine. December 2, 2025. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
External links

43°01′59″N 85°41′46″W / 43.033°N 85.696°W / 43.033; -85.696