Hearing Mazz might be gone. Hopefully he’s replaced with a POC. Over a decade on the air and 98.5 has yet to have a full time POC host. Embarrassing.
OT: Official Sports Media Thread X: WEEI's owner is nearly broke
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EverettMike
FIRE DON SWEENEY INTO THE SUN
I'd say the odds of Mazz being gone are zero point zero.
It would be dumb if they didn't suspend him, even for just a day, but no chance they are firing him. That show is a ratings bonanza, and in all his years on the air he's never said anything like this. I think the New Orleans aspect of the joke explains why he said it without malice, but carelessness is not an excuse. It was clearly and unequiviocally offensive and obviously stupid as shit, but no chance he gets fired over this.
If it happens a second time that's very different.
(I've been consistent with this over the years, even with hosts I don't like: you get paid to speak on the radio live for 4 hours a day every day you're eventually going to f*** up. It's why I think both intent and personal history matter in determining punishment.)
Donnie Shulzhoffer
Rocket Surgery
Lol who are you hearing this from? Why would they let him on the air immediately after? Just so he could apologize? I will say that WEEI has flipped the script in that they have Jermaine Wiggins and also two females in prominent on air roles.
Donnie Shulzhoffer
Rocket Surgery
They did that years ago when they had Michael Holley, Steve Buckley, Trenni Kusnierek, Alex Reimer...
That's true. Everyone only focused on Dennis and Callahan. But ya, Sports Hub has had zero diversity outside of LeRoy the fill in guy. Is Joe Murray African-American? I thought maybe but I am not sure.
EverettMike
FIRE DON SWEENEY INTO THE SUN
It's genuinely disgraceful. My thoughts on EEI over the years are well known, but they are lightyears ahead on this. And they did so without any real pressure or fanfare.
Oof ya you don't want to make it on to TMZ. I would be stunned if he's not suspended. The station is probably just waiting to hear the reaction that this gets before making a decision.
Donnie Shulzhoffer
Rocket Surgery
I think his apology, which wasn't needed in my opinion, is bringing more attention to it with the mob piling on. The Streisand effect.
CharasLazyWrister
Registered User
McGarnagle
Yes.
- Aug 5, 2017
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Learning that Felger really did have his car stolen in New Orleans once gives it at least context to see where the comment came from, but still, I can't believe he thought that was a good idea to say even in that context. It's one thing to make a joke among friends but you're on air, dude. You know the rules, guarantee all the on-air talent has probably gone through numerous diversity and racial sensitivity seminars over the past 2-3 years as well. Pretty dumb.
FRyan4426
Registered User
Gonzothe7thDman
Registered User
I don't think there's ever been an apology for statements like this that did not include the phrase "That's not who I am".
I thought it's more embarrassing the fact they all have to take a sensitivity class.
The only 2 people on the Sports Hub that have openly identified as a POC are Gasper and Leroy. The Hub does need more diversity but at this point it will seem reactionary and there will be a subset of their audience who will bring politics etc. into it and reject it outright.
I am not giving WEEI any credit. They let racism reign supreme for many years and did nothing about it until it hit the news and embarrassed them.
Mazz being suspended without pay is a good start and a commitment to providing hosts with proper training and to making the on air talent more inclusive will go a long way.
I am not giving WEEI any credit. They let racism reign supreme for many years and did nothing about it until it hit the news and embarrassed them.
Mazz being suspended without pay is a good start and a commitment to providing hosts with proper training and to making the on air talent more inclusive will go a long way.
Perfectly acceptable and a must.
EverettMike
FIRE DON SWEENEY INTO THE SUN
Why? What's so bad about that?
Nothing Just opinion. Personally I'd feel more embarrassed being forced to take a class(or classes) than being suspended without pay.
EverettMike
FIRE DON SWEENEY INTO THE SUN
I've never been suspended but we get that sort of stuff all the time. We're constantly updating best practices. And while I might not agree with everything or roll my eyes at some of it, I find I usually learn something.
If nothing else I learn how not to put my company in a bad spot. Considering how obviously stupid Mazz's comment was, it might be a good thing for him to go through a new/another round of classes like that.
I think it's fair. Should not be fired but a few days off is appropriate.
Not only just once, it was recent too. I think a few months ago?
I am all for diversity but please God no
I worded that post wrong, my bad.
When I said 'steep' I didn't mean it as if I thought it was too steep, just that it was a heavier punishment then I had expected, seeing as he doesn't have a previous record (I don't think).
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