WGR Expands Rochester Presence, Impacting Bills and Sabres Broadcasts

The Buffalo radio station's move could change where local fans hear their favorite teams.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 4:18pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented, multi-angled view of a sports game or match, using sharp planes of navy, green, and orange to conceptually represent the changing dynamics of media distribution for local teams.The shifting media landscape could reshape how local fans tune in to their favorite Buffalo sports teams.Buffalo Today

WGR-AM, a prominent Buffalo radio station, is seeking to increase its footprint in the Rochester market. This move could potentially impact where local fans are able to listen to broadcasts of the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres, according to media columnist Alan Pergament.

Why it matters

The Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres are two of the most popular professional sports franchises in Western New York. How their game broadcasts are distributed on local radio is an important consideration for fans in both the Buffalo and Rochester markets.

The details

WGR-AM, which has long been the flagship radio station for the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres, is looking to expand its presence in the Rochester area. This could lead to changes in where these teams' games are carried on local radio, potentially impacting listening options for fans in the Rochester region.

  • WGR-AM is making moves to increase its Rochester market presence ahead of the upcoming 2026-27 sports seasons.

The players

WGR-AM

A prominent radio station in Buffalo, New York that has long served as the flagship station for the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres.

Buffalo Bills

A professional American football team based in Buffalo, New York that plays in the National Football League (NFL).

Buffalo Sabres

A professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York that plays in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Alan Pergament

A media columnist who covers the Buffalo media market for The Buffalo News.

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What they’re saying

“It will be interesting to see if that will influence what local radio outlets Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres games will be carried next season.”

— Alan Pergament, Media Columnist

The takeaway

The potential expansion of WGR-AM's presence in the Rochester market could lead to changes in how local fans access radio broadcasts of the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres, underscoring the importance of media rights and distribution for professional sports teams.