Kennedy stressed that the Red Sox' contract with WEEI is exclusively a rights deal to broadcast gamesGETTY IMAGES
Red Sox President & CEO Sam Kennedy said the team has a "growing level of concern" regarding Boston-based WEEI-FM and has "expressed that very clearly to their management, especially over the past year -- and in the past week and in the past few days," according to Michael Silverman of the BOSTON HERALD. WEEI has a deal to air Sox games through the '23 season, and Kennedy said that the deal gives the team every right to "express their 'frustration and disappointment' with the station's corporate owners." Asked if the team was OK with the flurry of controversial episodes at WEEI of late, Kennedy said flatly, "No." Kennedy: "It seems like there's been a pattern that's sort of emerged in terms of a different culture throughout the station. ... Since last year we've expressed our displeasure and concern to Entercom's corporate leadership down in Philadelphia. They've listened to us, we've had productive dialogue, but as you know, there have been a series of incidents that have sort of become a pattern.” However, Kennedy "stressed that the Red Sox' contract with WEEI and Entercom is 'exclusively a rights deal' to broadcast games." Kennedy: "We have zero editorial control or influence or input over the talk-radio hosts and the talent. Our rights are limited to the play-by-play broadcasters" (BOSTON HERALD, 2/15).
ADDRESSING THE ISSUE: In Boston, Shirley Leung reported WEEI will "suspend all live programming Friday so employees can receive sensitivity training" after complaints about the "offensive nature of its shows." The "all-day mandatory session" means regular programming will not air from 6:00am-6:00pm ET. At least five advertisers in the past week have "suspended or terminated their ad purchases" on the station after a "pair of high-profile incidents" involving on-air hosts Christian Fauria and Alex Reimer (BOSTONGLOBE.com, 2/14). In Massachusetts, Dan Glaun noted WEEI's hosts historically have had a "loose leash, and have occasionally landed in hot water for vulgar or offensive comments." However, the "recent controversies have led to unusually intense scrutiny of the station and a stronger reaction from its management" at Entercom (MASSLIVE.com, 2/14). In Philadelphia, Rob Tornoe noted the move to suspend live programming is "almost unheard of for a sports radio station in a major market like Boston," but "controversial content is nothing new for Boston sports radio" (PHILLY.com, 2/14).
I'LL BELIEVE IT WHEN I SEE IT: The GLOBE's Leung wrote she is "hopeful that there will be real change" at WEEI. Leung: "It's hard for me to picture morning show hosts Kirk Minihane and Gerry Callahan sitting through the daylong session without sneering, but hope springs eternal." Hosts can "come and go, but management needs to get it." It appears Entercom Boston Senior VP & Market Manager Mark Hannon is "taking the advertiser and community backlash seriously" (BOSTONGLOBE.com, 2/14). But in DC, Des Bieler writes culture changes are "rarely accomplished overnight, and the long history of inappropriate comments made by hosts at WEEI and its rival Boston station," WBZ-FM, indicates that some habits "could be hard to break" (WASHINGTON POST, 2/15). In Boston, Jessica Heslam writes the sensitivity training is a "good-faith attempt by Entercom, but if history is any indication, I'm sure I'll be writing about another WEEI flap soon enough" (BOSTON HERALD, 2/15). In N.Y., Evan Grossman noted hosts making offensive comments has "been going on at WEEI, and in Boston, for decades." Grossman: "Yet, somehow, 12 hours of sensitivity training is going to make a change" (NYDAILYNEWS.com, 2/14).
