KNMM-AM, Aggies reach a 3-year contract

Metro ‘critical’ to NMSU, AD says

LAS CRUCES — Nine days before its 2017 football season kicks off, New Mexico State announced on Tuesday a threeyear deal with Albuquerque radio station KNMM-AM (1150) to air live football and men’s basketball and the Aggies Coaches Show.

The agreement was secured by Learfield’s NM State Sports Properties, the school’s multimedia rights holder.

“With Albuquerque consisting of the largest number of (NMSU) alumni, it is critical we are on a quality station that can provide us with consistency,” New Mexico State athletic director Mario Moccia said in a statement. “I would like to thank KNMM and Learfield for working to make this happen.”

Matt Martinez, president of KNMM and other stations under the Sangre de Cristo Broadcasting umbrella, said his company is “proud to be part of this great friendship” and will add Aggie broadcasts on 102.1 FM at a date to be determined.

The new development on Tuesday was the multi-year agreement. Otherwise, it’s nothing new for New Mexico State to be bouncing to another metroarea radio station, dating back to the beginning of the decade when the Aggies were on 1150 while it was known as KDEF.

NMSU found a metro-area radio home in early September 2015 for the 2015-16 year, but oldies station KDSK opted not to renew last football season.

There was no local radio for Aggies football in 2016 until allsports station KQTM (101.7 FM) came on late last November and stuck with them through the 2016-2017 men’s basketball season. KQTM also had been the home for Aggie sports in years previous to 2015.