Atlanta is a weird sports town. People say it’s a transplant city, that nobody actually cares about the home teams unless they’re winning a World Series. But if you spend ten minutes listening to 92 9 The Game, you’ll realize that’s mostly nonsense. The station, officially known as WZGC-FM, has become the definitive heartbeat of Georgia sports talk since it flipped the switch back in 2012. Before that? It was Dave FM, playing classic rock. Now, it’s 24/7 coverage of the Falcons, Braves, Hawks, and United.
Honestly, the transition wasn't smooth. Moving from music to sports radio in a market dominated by 680 The Fan was a massive gamble by Audacy (formerly Entercom). But they did something smart. They went FM. Clear signal. No static. It changed how people in the suburbs listened to the morning commute.
The Morning Shift: Dukes and Bell and the Energy of Atlanta
If you’re driving down I-85 at 7:00 AM, you’re probably hearing the morning crew. It’s loud. It’s opinionated. Carl Dukes and Mike Bell have this specific chemistry that feels less like a polished broadcast and more like a debate at a barbershop in Buckhead.
Carl Dukes brings that national perspective, having spent time in Houston and worked with big-time networks. He’s the guy who looks at the film. Mike Bell? He’s the institutional memory of Atlanta. He’s seen the collapses, the "Infield Fly" rule disaster, and the 28-3 trauma. He voices what the fans are feeling, usually with a level of sarcasm that only a long-suffering Atlanta fan can truly appreciate.
They don't just talk stats. They talk culture. When the Hawks trade for a superstar or the Falcons pass on a quarterback in the draft, these guys aren't just reading a teleprompter. They’re arguing. Loudly.
Why 92 9 The Game Beat the Old Guard
For years, sports radio in Atlanta was an AM game. You had to deal with the "crackle" of the signal once you hit the perimeter. When 92 9 The Game launched on the FM dial, it was a technical revolution for the market.
But it wasn't just the signal. It was the access.
- The Atlanta Falcons: They are the official flagship station. That means when Arthur Blank speaks, he’s usually doing it here first.
- The Atlanta Hawks: If you want the play-by-play for Trae Young’s deep threes, you’re tuning into 92.9.
- Atlanta United: They embraced soccer when other stations were still making "grass growing" jokes. It paid off. The 17s (United fans) are fiercely loyal to the station because the station was loyal to them from day one.
The station's lineup has seen its fair share of shuffling. We remember names like Jamie Dukes or Kordell Stewart. Some worked, some didn't. But the current roster—including guys like Andy Bunker and Randy McMichael—feels settled. Randy, a former NFL tight end, brings a "player’s "vibe that isn't just canned clichés. He’ll actually tell you why a route runner messed up a play, which is refreshing.
The Midday Grind and Local Flavor
Midday radio is usually where stations die. People are at work. They’re in meetings. But 92 9 The Game manages to keep the momentum going by leaning heavily into the Braves. Even when they aren't the official flagship for the Braves (that's 680), they talk Braves more than anyone else. Because in Atlanta, the Braves are king.
You’ll hear Hugh Douglas, the "Ugh," bringing that Philly-to-Atlanta energy. It’s a mix of NFL toughness and genuine humor. It’s not just "Who should we trade?" It’s "What did you eat for dinner last night?" It makes the hosts feel like actual humans. That's the secret sauce.
Digital presence matters too. You can’t just be on the radio anymore. Their presence on the Audacy app and their constant clip-sharing on social media keeps them relevant when the towers aren't in range. They’ve mastered the art of the "hot take" without descending into the skip-bayless-style parody of sports journalism.
The Tension Between "The Game" and "The Fan"
You can’t talk about 92.9 without mentioning 680 The Fan. It’s the great Atlanta rivalry. 680 is the old school. They have the Braves. They have the history.
92 9 The Game is the challenger that became the leader in the ratings for several key demographics. The rivalry is real. Sometimes it’s professional, sometimes it’s a bit petty. But for the listener, this competition is great. It means both stations have to work harder. They have to get the better guests. They have to have the sharper analysis.
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The difference often comes down to tone. 92.9 feels younger. It feels more like the "New Atlanta." It reflects a city that is changing rapidly—more diverse, more tech-heavy, and more demanding of their sports teams.
What People Get Wrong About Atlanta Sports Fans
National media loves to dump on Atlanta. They say we're "fair-weather."
The guys at 92 9 The Game prove that’s a lie every single day. The phone lines are constantly backed up with fans who know the fourth-string linebacker’s college stats. They care. They’re just traumatized by decades of near-misses. The station acts as a sort of group therapy session for a fan base that has seen it all.
How to Get the Most Out of the Station
If you’re new to the area or just starting to tune in, don't just listen to the terrestrial radio. The station’s podcasts are where the deep dives happen.
- Check the Podcasts: They often upload extended interviews that get cut for commercials on the live airwaves.
- Follow the Producers: Sometimes the guys behind the glass, like Beau Morgan or others, have the best Twitter (X) feeds for instant highlights.
- Download the Audacy App: If you’re traveling outside of Georgia, the stream is high-quality and doesn’t drop out like some of the older web players.
The Future of Sports Talk in the A
As we move further into 2026, the landscape is shifting. With the World Cup coming to Atlanta, expect 92 9 The Game to pivot even harder into soccer coverage. They’ve already established themselves as the home for "The beautiful game" in the South.
They also face the challenge of sports betting. Since it’s become more legalized and integrated, the station has had to balance "pure" sports talk with gambling lines and odds. It’s a tightrope. Some fans hate it; others can’t get enough. But the hosts handle it with a level of transparency that feels honest.
Actionable Steps for the Dedicated Listener
To really engage with the station and stay ahead of the Atlanta sports curve, follow these steps:
- Set your presets to 92.9 FM immediately. If you're in a dead zone, use the app, but the live FM signal is the best way to experience the "delay-free" reaction during big games.
- Call in during the "Post-Game" shows. This is when the emotion is highest. Whether the Falcons just blew a lead or the Braves walked it off, the post-game shows are peak Atlanta sports culture.
- Attend the live remotes. The station frequently broadcasts from places like Taco Mac or The Battery. It’s the best way to meet the hosts and realize they’re just as obsessed with the Hawks' rotation as you are.
- Watch the YouTube stream. Many of the shows are now simulcast on video. Seeing the body language during an argument adds a whole new layer to the experience.
Atlanta sports isn't just about the results on the field; it's about the conversation around it. 92 9 The Game has built a platform where that conversation never stops. It’s loud, it’s chaotic, and it’s quintessentially Atlanta. Turn it up.