The co-host of one of the Boston market’s most popular sports talk shows has been suspended without pay for the rest of the week, one day after he apologized for racially insensitive remarks he made on air. Tony Massarotti of 98.5’s “Felger & Mazz” Sports Hub offered an emotional apology on air Monday afternoon for the comments he made on Friday. The host, Michael Phleger, who read a statement prepared by Beasley Media Group, which owns 98.5 The Sports Hub. “Because Beasley Media strives to create a diverse and inclusive workplace, and such feedback was at odds with our core values, the company decided to suspend Tony for the rest of the week without pay,” Felger said Tuesday. “In addition, all of our on-air personalities are in Beasley Boston. They will take sensitive training to multiply our efforts to create a culture of understanding.” During Friday’s show, Felger was joining in a remote broadcast from a New Orleans hotel. Late in the show, Massarotti suggested that Felger watch two black people who were sitting behind him in the hotel mall, warning The car was stolen when he was in New Orleans in the fall, but Massarotti admitted at the start of Monday’s show that it “came as something more general and ignorant.” Massarotti said, “I wish I could get them back. I can’t.” “They were insensitive. They were mischievous. Honestly, they’ve done a disservice to the cause of those of us who believe in racial and social equality and all that stuff, and I owe it. “I owe everyone an apology. It’s not who I am. It’s not who we are,” he added. I can tell you that until I’m blue in the face. Those of you who know me will believe it, and those of you who don’t – and you probably shouldn’t. If I saw and heard what you did, I would feel the same way and you have every right to be upset. Villiger said he also bears some responsibility for the situation in which Massarotti found himself. “I walked out and I could have stopped the show,” Felger said. “I could have stopped and corrected it, and I just didn’t do it in real time.” In addition to 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group owns the following Boston radio stations: 105.7 WROR, Country 102.5, Hot 96.9, Rock 92.9 and WRCA-AM 1330.
The co-host of one of the Boston Market’s most popular sports talk shows has been suspended without pay for the rest of the week, a day after he apologized for racially insensitive remarks he made on air.
Tony Massarotti of 98.5’s “Felger & Mazz” Sports Hub offered an emotional apology on air Monday afternoon for the comments he made on Friday.
Massarotti’s comment was announced at the start of the Tuesday show by his “Felger & Mazz” co-host Michael Felleger, who read a statement prepared by the Beasley Media Group, which owns 98.5 The Sports Hub.
“Because Beasley Media strives to create a diverse and inclusive workplace, and such comments run counter to our core values, the company has decided to suspend Tony for the remainder of the week without pay,” Figer said Tuesday. “In addition, all of our on-air personalities at Beasley Boston will undergo sensitivity training to redouble our efforts to create a culture of understanding.”
During Friday’s show, Felger was joining the broadcast remotely from a hotel in New Orleans. Late in the show, Massarotti suggested that Felger watch two black people who were sitting behind him in a hotel mall, warning him that they might steal his car.
The note was referring to an incident in which Felger had his car stolen when he was in New Orleans in the fall, but Massarotti admitted at the start of Monday’s show that it “came off as something much broader and ignorant.”
“I made some comments that angered and upset some people, and rightfully so. I wish I could take her back. I can’t,” Massarotti said. “They were insensitive. They were hurtful. Frankly, they did a disservice to the cause of those of us who believe in racial and social equality and all that stuff, and I do.”
“I owe everyone an apology. That’s not who I am. It’s not who we are,” he added. “I can tell you that even I’m blue in the face. Those of you who know me will believe it, and those of you who don’t – and you probably shouldn’t. If I saw and heard what I did, I would feel the same way and you have every right to be upset.”
Felger said he also bears some responsibility for the situation in which Massarotti found himself.
“I knew it was wrong the minute I walked out and I could have stopped the show,” said Villiger. “I could have stopped it and corrected it, and I just didn’t do it in real time.”
In addition to 98.5 The Sports Hub, Paisley Media Group She owns the following Boston radio stations: 105.7 WROR, Country 102.5, Hot 96.9, Rock 92.9 and WRCA-AM 1330.
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