People & Personalities: Hazel Mae Out At NESN

Mae Leaving NESN At Month's End

NESN yesterday revealed that "SportsDesk" anchor Hazel Mae will leave the station at the end of this month. In Boston, gossip columnists Fee & Raposa note Mae, who joined NESN in '04, is the "second high-profile exit from the station in four months," as Tina Cervasio in February left for MSG after "failing to agree on a new contract" (BOSTON HERALD, 6/3).

OFF THE MARK: In Pittsburgh, Bob Smizik writes ESPN Radio 1250 Pittsburgh faces a "troubling time" after the station removed host Mark Madden following his insensitive comments about U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA). Madden has "been the station's main attraction -- for listeners and advertisers -- for years." Station GM Mike Thompson: "We are discussing our options. We probably will have multiple hosts." Smizik writes there is "no question a national search will be made," but "no one should be surprised if the station stays local, because outsiders have a hard time cracking this market." Meanwhile, it will "not be easy for [Madden] to find another local show." While stations "know he brings talent, controversy and an audience," they also know that he "has a rich history of being difficult to work with" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 6/3).

NOTES: ESPN's Mike Greenberg, Mike Golic and Mike Ditka will be the on-air commentating team for Broncos-Raiders on September 8 at 10:15pm ET, the second game of an ESPN "MNF" doubleheader (ESPN)....CBS' Gus Johnson, a Detroit native, is the "top candidate" for the Lions' play-by-play gig on WWJ-CBS (DETROIT NEWS, 6/3)....CLTV's Lou Canellis has joined the Chicago Bears Network as host for the team's five scheduled TV shows (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 6/3).