SportsMap Radio

Get ready for SportsMap radio: AM sports station moves to stronger signal on FM dial

SportsMap radio will launch on October 1.

Courtesy photo

Get ready for SportsMap radio. Gow Media announced on Thursday it will launch a new sports radio station, SportsMap 94.1 FM, on October 1. It will be the Houston-based multi-platform media company's second signal on the FM band. It also operates the popular sports station ESPN 97.5 FM.

“We are excited to add a second sports station to the FM band,” said Gow Media CEO David Gow. “Listenership has been migrating to the FM dial, and we have now secured a strong strategic position with both ESPN 97.5 FM and SportsMap 94.1 FM.”

As part of the launch, Gow will lease its 1560 AM frequency to another media company and move the lineup of 1560 AM to SportsMap 94.1 FM.

The lineup on SportsMap 94.1 FM will feature legendary sports talk host Charlie Pallilo, who joined Gow Media last month and is on the air weekdays from 11 am-1 pm. Other Houston-based hosts on the station include Nate Griffin, Patrick Creighton, Barry Warner, Sean Salisbury, Brian Barrett, and Robin Carlin.

SportsMap 94.1 FM will also air leading shows from Gow’s national sports radio network, SB Nation Radio. Gow is leasing the frequency from Houston-based Latino Broadcasting Corp., which broadcasts Spanish music programming and Astros games in Spanish on La Nueva 94.1.

Gow is also launching a new sports website, SportsMap.com, which shares the name of the new station. Look for details about the new website in the coming weeks. “We have more sports content creators in our building than anyone in the city, and we have a strong digital platform with CultureMap.com — launching SportsMap.com is a great next step for us,” said Gow.

Fred Faour, an afternoon drive show host on ESPN 97.5 and former Houston Chronicle sports editor, will assume the role of SportsMap.com editor-in-chief. “The combined promotional power of all our platforms will propel SportsMap.com to become the leading sports site in Houston," Gow said.

The imminent additions of SportsMap 94.1 FM and SportsMap.com are the latest in a series of significant moves by Gow Media this year, including the acquisition of CultureMap.com and the hiring of popular Houston writer Ken Hoffman as a columnist for CultureMap.com and a contributor on Gow sports radio stations.

During the week of August 25 through September 1, in which Hurricane Harvey devastated Houston, CultureMap cracked the top 10 most popular media entities in social media engagement, according to Share Rocket, a social media ratings and audience solution company.

In recent months, Gow has also launched a new national TV show, The Sean Salisbury Show, on BeInSports TV Network, and a new content-sharing and cross-promotion partnership with ABC13 KTRK-TV in Houston.

“With a focus on sports and lifestyle content, we are building the leading multi-platform media company in Texas,” Gow said.

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a new record

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo commits over $30 million to education

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo cattle exhibition

Courtesy of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

The money supports studies in fields such as animal husbandry.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo continues its annual tradition of breaking its own record when it comes to educational endowments. On Giving Tuesday, the organization pledged to disburse $30,353,380 in 2026 in the form of scholarships, grants, and other funding.

“This milestone moment of reaching $30 million in a single year highlights the Rodeo’s unwavering dedication to Texas youth and education,” HLSR president and CEO Chris Boleman said in a statement. “Thanks to our loyal donors, sponsors, more than 36,000 volunteers and dedicated attendees, 2026 will reach historic heights in supporting the next generation of leaders, agricultural professionals and organizations that share the Rodeo’s mission.”

This brings the total of education funding provided by the Rodeo since 1932 up to $660 million. Last year's $28 million commitment also set a new record.

One innovation this year is the establishment of the Area Go Texan Vocational Scholarship, a program that expands on the relationship with 68 Texas counties through the Area Go Texan affiliate program. One student from each county will receive $6,000 toward a degree or certificate in a vocational field at a Texas nonprofit college or university. Another $500,000 in vocational scholarships will awarded to 10 schools in 2026. Guidelines for applying can be found at this link.

In total, the Rodeo will hand out $15,126,000 in scholarships, $11,273,500 to junior exhibitors, $3,430,880 in grants, and $523,000 in graduate assistantships. Grants will be awarded to 82 Texas institutions and organizations, such as Arts for Rural Texas, BridgeYear, The Bryan Museum, Diversity in the Arts and Entertainment, Greater Houston Partnership Foundation, Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts (MECA), Space Center Houston, Texas State University Development Foundation, and University of St. Thomas at Houston.

Money for the annual endowment is raised through the annual auctions, sales of livestock and art, and through charitable donations. The goal of the endowment program is to promote study and research in agriculture, animal husbandry, and other fields that directly benefit the Rodeo.

The Rodeo is scheduled to run from March 2 – 22, 2026. More information on performers, attractions, and vendors can be found at RodeoHouston.com. Scholarship applications are open through February 2, with funds being awarded in summer 2026.

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