It was a whirlwind of activity yesterday and when the smoke cleared, ESPN’s WEPN made the switch from 1050 on the AM dial to 98.7 FM.

Caught in the crossfire of the reported $96 million deal is the longtime R&B formatted WRKS/KISS FM. The Emmis-owned station, which celebrated 30 years on the air in 2011, has merged music and talent with WBLS 107.5 FM. It’s almost as surprising a turn as the ESPN jump to 98.7.

In a joint statement, the two stations said that they will become “One Family, One Station.”

No sooner than the announcement was made, KISS was being simulcast on WBLS. Just after midnight on Monday morning, the two Urban stations will consolidate at 107.5 under the WBLS call letters.

As we reported yesterday, KISS midday host Shaila and evening personality Lenny Greene will reconvene at WBLS.

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In a complicated radio maneuver, ESPN Radio announced today that it will be moving to the FM frequency at 98.7 in New York, the longtime home of KISS FM. The switch to the FM dial begins at 12:01 a.m. Sunday. ESPN’s lackluster 1050 AM signal, which had equally lackluster ratings since competing against all-sports station WFAN in 2003, will simulcast ESPN Radio programming until September. Then, to coincide with Hispanic Heritage Month, ESPN will debut a 24-hour Spanish sports talk station.

“The bottom line is we’re extremely delighted that the company is providing this resource,” David Roberts, ESPN New York general manager, says. ”…We have to make sure that we produce the kind of content and programming that will not only get sampling, but to get people to come back more often.”

Part of the programming will have new times for Stephen A. Smith and Ryan Ruocco, together from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., as the lead-in to The Michael Kay Show.  The station also announced Patrick McEnroe will do a Saturday show from 10 a.m. to noon, beginning May 5.

As the rumors about ESPN’s move became more widespread this week, so did the speculation about bringing the Yankees on board in 2013. Traug Keller, senior vice president, production, business divisions, tells FishbowlNY in today’s conference call that no deal is in place.

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