In 2004, Emmis then traded three of the Phoenix stations (KTAR, KMVP, and KKLT) to Bonneville International in exchange for WLUP-FM in Chicago—allowing the company to realize a longtime goal of having two stations in that city—and $70 million. The next year, Bonneville reacquired the Cardinals radio rights, returning them to KTAR after an 11-season absence.
In 2004, Emmis traded three Phoenix stations (KTAR, KMVP, and KKLT) to Bonneville International for WLUP-FM in Chicago and $70 million—giving the company a long-term goal of having two stations there. The following year, Bonneville reacquired the Cardinals radio rights, bringing them back to KTAR after an 11-year absence.