FAMU Ends Radio Era, Turns to Television for 2026 Football Season
After more than three decades of bringing Rattler football to the airwaves, Florida A&M University announced that its contract with Cumulus Media will expire on June 30, 2024, marking the final broadcast of the Rattler Sports Network on 96.1 JAMZ.
The decision, driven by a strategic pivot toward visual platforms, will see all twelve 2026 games aired on television and streaming services, including ESPN networks, SWAC TV and the HBCU GO app.
Long‑time listeners, many of whom tuned in during their daily commutes, voiced disappointment on social media, recalling the decades‑long tradition of gathering around the radio for game commentary.
Former quarterback Albert Chester Sr. and alumnus Bryan Fulford, co‑hosts of the O&G StrikeZone podcast, delivered the last radio sign‑off, while Vaughn Wilson provided production support for the transition.
The university confirmed that the 2026 season will open on August 29 with a home matchup against Albany State, coached by Hall of Fame quarterback Quinn Fordham Gray Sr., and will be streamed live on ESPN+ alongside coverage on SWAC TV.
While FAMU has not issued an official statement, athletics director Gerald Thomas, III, oversaw the hand‑off of radio responsibilities from the Eddie Jackson 220 Quarterback Club to the university’s sports information office.
The shift reflects a broader trend across collegiate athletics, where streaming and cable networks are increasingly replacing traditional radio contracts, especially within the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
Fans in Tallahassee, Miami Gardens and across the conference footprint will now experience games on screen, with the Rattler brand continuing to expand its digital footprint.