Florida A&M football fans received an unexpected development Wednesday, with reports that the Rattlers will not have traditional radio broadcasts for the 2026 season.
The news comes just three weeks before FAMU is scheduled to begin its season and quickly generated reaction among alumni and supporters on social media.
The Tallahassee Democrat first reported the development. According to the report, a representative connected to the radio broadcast package confirmed that FAMU football games are not currently scheduled to air on radio this season.
FAMU Athletics has not publicly announced the change or provided an explanation for the decision.
If the plan holds, it would represent a significant departure from a longstanding part of the Rattler football experience. For decades, the Rattler Sports Network has provided radio coverage of FAMU football, including broadcasts on WHBX 96.1 FM in Tallahassee.
Popular broadcast team could be sidelined
The development also raises questions about the future of a broadcast team that earned positive reviews during the 2025 season.
O&G StrikeZone commentator Bryan Fulford handled play-by-play duties alongside FAMU Hall of Famer Albert Chester, who served as the color analyst.
Chester carries considerable history with the program. The former FAMU quarterback was part of two national championship teams and has remained closely connected to Rattler football.
Fulford and Chester developed a strong following during their first season together, providing coverage throughout a difficult 5-7 campaign. Their chemistry and knowledge of the program made the radio broadcast a bright spot for many fans, particularly those unable to attend games in person.
Now, with the 2026 opener approaching, it is unclear whether that team will have a platform to call FAMU games.
Another decision draws scrutiny around FAMU Athletics
The radio development arrives at a particularly sensitive time for FAMU Athletics and athletic director John Davis.
Some FAMU supporters were already questioning a decision involving the Rattlers’ previously scheduled football game against the University of Georgia.
The original agreement contained a $650,000 guarantee for FAMU. According to documents that subsequently became public, Davis executed an agreement in January that released Georgia from the financial obligation associated with canceling the game.
A later joint announcement revealed that FAMU had agreed to waive the $650,000 payment during Davis’ first days leading the athletic department.
That decision generated considerable discussion among alumni and fans about the financial and strategic direction of FAMU Athletics.
The reported elimination of radio broadcasts now adds another issue for supporters to digest as the football season approaches.
Radio has historically been more than simply another distribution platform for HBCU football programs. It provides access for alumni living away from campus, longtime supporters who may not use streaming platforms and fans traveling throughout the region on game day.
For a program with the tradition and national alumni following of Florida A&M, the absence of a radio broadcast would represent a noticeable change in how Rattler football reaches its audience.
With kickoff only weeks away, the biggest unanswered question is why.
FAMU Athletics has yet to publicly explain the reported decision or announce whether another audio or digital option will replace the traditional Rattler Sports Network broadcasts in 2026.