WEEI Hopes To Have Renegotiated Contract For Red Sox Games Within The Next Month

Entercom Boston VP & Market Manager Phil Zachary said WEEI-FM and the Red Sox "hope to have a new deal in place by Christmas," according to Gayle Fee of the BOSTON HERALD. Zachary "shot down rumors" that WEEI would not pay a rights fee, instead giving the air time "gratis to the Sox." The station under that scenario would "let the team keep whatever ad revenue it could generate." Talks to renegotiate the contract reportedly began "earlier this year when 'EEI was due to inform the Sox whether it would pick up the option to keep the broadcast rights" in '17 and '18. WEEI's current 10-year, $200M deal was signed in '06. Zachary took over WEEI in '13 and has "retooled the station's daytime shows," helping stabilize ratings "that had been in a free fall." With the completion of a new Red Sox deal, "much of his work is done and there are rumors he's asked for a transfer out of town." Zachary denied that, saying, "I just signed a new contract Oct. 20. ... I want to enjoy the ride" (BOSTON HERALD, 11/23).