Atlanta is a weird sports town. You’ll hear people say it’s a "bad" sports city because of the empty seats at Hawks games or the late-arriving crowds at Truist Park, but if you want the truth, just turn on the radio. The airwaves here are a battlefield.
Honestly, sports talk radio in Atlanta is less about "analysis" and more about an ongoing group therapy session for a fan base that has seen it all. From the 28-3 disaster to the Braves finally breaking the curse in 2021, the local hosts have had to play psychologist as much as stat-head. It's a crowded market, and it’s surprisingly cutthroat.
The Two-Headed Monster: 92.9 The Game vs. 680 The Fan
If you're driving down I-285, you’ve basically got two choices. You’re either a "Game" person or a "Fan" person.
92.9 The Game (WZGC) is the big FM powerhouse. They’ve got the massive signal that reaches all the way to the Alabama border, and they’re the official flagship for the Falcons, Hawks, and Atlanta United. Because of those partnerships, they have a certain "corporate" access, but that also brings a lot of heat from listeners who think they're too soft on the front offices.
Then you have 680 The Fan (WCNN). They’re the "Old Guard." They lean heavily into the Braves and the Georgia Bulldogs. It’s a bit more "bar talk" over there. They actually broadcast from The Battery now, literally steps away from the Braves' home plate.
The vibe is totally different between the two. The Game feels like a modern, fast-paced sports center, while 680 feels like you’re sitting at a greasy spoon in Buckhead arguing about whether Kirby Smart should have started a different quarterback three years ago.
Why 92.9 The Game Still Matters for the "Everyday" Fan
Look, size matters. The Game’s move to FM years ago changed the landscape of sports talk radio in Atlanta forever. It made sports talk accessible to people who wouldn't touch an AM dial with a ten-foot pole.
The Heavy Hitters
- Dukes & Bell: Carl Dukes and Mike Bell are the kings of afternoon drive. They’ve been together for over a decade. Mike Bell is the "curmudgeon" who isn't afraid to call a player a "bum," while Carl Dukes is the smoother, more national-style voice. They have a chemistry you can't fake.
- The Morning Shift: This is a newer look for the station's AM slot. Tiffany Blackmon, Mike Johnson, and Beau Morgan have a younger, more energetic energy. Tiffany brings a real reporter's eye from her time at NFL Network, which is a nice change of pace from the usual "former player" tropes.
- Andy & Randy: Mid-days belong to Andy Bunker and Randy McMichael. Randy is a former NFL tight end, but he doesn't just do the "meathead" athlete bit. He’s genuinely funny and often the most critical voice on the station when the Falcons mess up.
The thing people get wrong about The Game is that they’re just "homers." If you listen to Mike Bell after a Falcons loss, you’ll hear a man who is genuinely hurting, and he’s going to take it out on the head coach. It’s raw.
680 The Fan: The Braves and Dawgs Stronghold
If you live for the "Chop" and "Go Dawgs," 680 is your home. They have basically cornered the market on college football and baseball.
Chuck and Chernoff (Chuck Oliver and Matt Chernoff) are the stalwarts here. They’ve been doing this forever. Chuck Oliver is basically the "King of College Football" in this region. He knows the roster of a random Sun Belt team better than you know your own cousins. Their "frenemy" vibe is legendary; they bicker like an old married couple, which is exactly why people love them.
You also have The Locker Room in the mornings with Brian Finneran and Brandon "Hometeam" Leak. Finneran is an Atlanta legend from his Falcons days, and he brings that "pro" perspective without being too stuffy about it.
The big drawback? That signal. Even with their FM translators (93.7 FM), 680 can be a nightmare to pick up if you’re in a parking deck or too far north of the city. Most people have just given up and use the app at this point.
The "Zombie" Stations and the Digital Shift
We can't talk about sports talk radio in Atlanta without mentioning the ghosts. Remember 790 The Zone? It was the biggest thing in the city in the early 2000s. It’s where guys like Steak Shapiro and Andrew Saltzman built an empire before it all came crashing down due to some legendary mismanagement and a "Mayhem in the AM" bit that went horribly wrong.
Now, Steak Shapiro is still around with The Steakhouse, often appearing on 92.9 or doing his own thing through "Atlanta Eats" and digital platforms. It shows that the "personalities" often outlive the stations they started on.
What You Should Actually Listen To
If you’re new to the city or just getting into the scene, here’s how to navigate it without wasting your time.
- For the Falcons/NFL Junkie: 92.9 The Game, specifically during Dukes & Bell (2 PM - 7 PM). They get the best guests and the most immediate reaction after games.
- For the College Football Obsessive: 680 The Fan. Listen to Chuck Oliver. Nobody in the city has a better pulse on the SEC.
- For the Braves Fanatic: 680 The Fan is the flagship. If there’s a game on, that’s where you go for the pre-game and post-game "Extra Innings" shows.
- For the "Vibes" and Laughs: Andy & Randy on 92.9 (10 AM - 2 PM). They don't take themselves too seriously, and it's the best show to have on in the background while you’re working.
The Actionable Takeaway for Atlanta Fans
Don't just stick to the terrestrial radio dial. The "radio" part of sports talk radio in Atlanta is kind of a lie now. Both stations have massive podcast footprints.
If you missed a segment because of a meeting, go to the Audacy app for 92.9 or the 680 The Fan app. They chop up every single hour into "best of" segments. Also, keep an eye on YouTube. Most of these shows are now live-streamed with video, so you can actually watch Mike Bell lose his mind in real-time when the Falcons inevitably blow a lead.
Atlanta sports is a rollercoaster. You might as well have a soundtrack of local experts screaming along with you while you're stuck in traffic.
Next Steps for the Listener:
- Download the 680 The Fan App: Essential for Braves games if you're outside the metro area.
- Follow @929TheGame on X (Twitter): They post the "instant reaction" clips from the locker room faster than the news stations.
- Check out "The Morning Shift" on YouTube: It's the best way to see the chemistry of the new-look morning show before you commit your commute to them.