Earlier this year, we shared some changes to our local sports broadcasting scene as our ESPN Chattanooga affiliate station, owned by Brewer Media Group, was sold off. Now, sports radio is so back through ESPN Cleveland — Southeast Tennessee's exclusive home of the channel.

Launched back in June by Mix 104.1 WCLE-FM, we're highlighting this recent addition as we continue through prime football season. Owner of the station Steve Hartline, who has been lifelong friends with the Brewer family, said that he immediately showed interest in acquiring the station when news broke of its selling.

"We are in a sports-crazy and sports-loving area — in Southeast Tennessee, I dare say, the most overall shared interest people have is sports," he said. "Our station specifically has always been interested in sports."

"The Drive" features guests appearances from local student athletes and coaches. | Photo via ESPN Cleveland

Prior to signing on with ESPN, the station has been known for sports coverage of Bradley County high schools, Lee University + has been an affiliate for the Tennessee Vols for nearly 30 years. You can still expect that coverage with the addition of:

ESPN programming
Local show "The Drive" hosted by DeWayne Williams + Josh Rogers, daily at 5 p.m.
Football season highlights for NFL's Atlanta Falcons + local college coverage

Hartline says that the station will continue to add local programs in the future, teasing that there are a few currently in the works. Pro tip: Follow along on Facebook for major announcements + upcoming coverage.

While listeners who reside in the North Hamilton County + Ooltewah area can tune in to Cleveland's 101.3 FM station via the car or radio, other Chattanoogans can listen by streaming the broadcast or downloading the Mix 104.1 App. Sports fans can also go online to find:

The top news stories in sports — from NASCAR to the Premier League.
Recent media curated by ESPN Cleveland, like high school football matches + interviews with the coaches and players.

"I believe that sports are the front door for so many other things," Hartline said. "It's meeting the athletes, it's meeting the families [...] it's the people."