Arizona Sports Earns NAB Crystal Award for Community Service Efforts: A First for Sports Radio Stations

Arizona Sports, a sports radio station based in Phoenix, was recently awarded the prestigious Crystal Award by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) for its dedication to community service. This marks the first time a sports radio station has received this honor.

The finalists for the NAB Crystal Radio Award were selected by a panel of judges from broadcasting, community service organizations, and public relations firms. Ryan Hatch, SVP/Market Manager for Bonneville Phoenix, expressed his gratitude to all Bonneville Phoenix teammates for their efforts in serving and uplifting the community. He acknowledged the meaningful impact of their work, whether through station programs or volunteer projects aimed at enhancing neighborhoods.

During the NAB Show Conference, Arizona Sports was named one of the ten winners of the NAB Crystal Radio Award. Judges specifically commended Arizona Sports and sister station KTAR News for their Give-A-Thon fundraiser for Phoenix Children’s Hospital, which is the largest children’s hospital radio fundraiser in the United States. In 2023, the Give-A-Thon raised a record-breaking $2.1 million.

This marks the sixth time that a Bonneville Phoenix station has received the prestigious Crystal Award. KTAR News has previously been honored with Crystal Awards for its community service efforts in 2022, 2018, 2016, 2014, and 2007. In recognition of winning five times, KTAR News received the Crystal Heritage Award in 2023. The NAB Crystal Radio Awards were established in 1987 to acknowledge radio stations that demonstrate a year-round commitment to local community service.