In Chicago, Jeff Agrest cited sources saying that a “contentious relationship” with White Sox SVP/ Chief Revenue & Marketing Officer Brooks Boyer was “at the center of the situation” that led to play-by-play caller Jason Benetti leaving to take the Tigers' open TV job. Sources said that particularly it was an “inappropriate remark Boyer made to Benetti.” During an appearance on “Sports Media with Richard Deitsch” this week, Benetti said he “had somebody say to me when I asked for more respect...they said, ‘Respect according to normal human beings, or respect according to Jason Benetti?’” Benetti went one to say that is “one of those things that I say, that’s disqualifying and will be for a long time.” Sources said that the “somebody” Benetti was referring to “was Boyer” (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 11/16).
NOT A MORNING GUY: In Boston, Rick Sobey reported that WBZ-FM’s Jim Murray is “adamant that he won’t be switching to the ‘miserable’ morning hours.” Murray, also known as “Big Jim,” said that he is “comfortable and happy” in the afternoons as the third chair on “Felger and Mazz.” Murray added that even if Beasley Media Group offered him “double the money” for him to fill the opening left by former host Rich Shertenlieb in the mornings, he “would pass” (BOSTON HERALD, 11/16).
HELLO, PROFESSOR: Univ. of Tennessee alum and former ESPN reporter Gene Wojciechowski will join the UT College of Communication and Information faculty in August 2024 as a full-time professor of practice in the School of Journalism and Media. During his 44-year career, Wojciechowski spent 26 years at ESPN before being laid off in July with other ESPN employees (Univ. of Tennessee).
