“98.5 The Sports Hub” Holding 15th Annual Charity Golf Tournament
Beasley Media Group’s sports talk WBZ-FM, “98.5 The Sports Hub” is hosting the 15th Annual “Who’s Your Caddy” Golf Classic on Monday, June 8, at Brookmeadow Country Club that will, with a major assist from the Boston Bruins Foundation, raise funds to benefit Special Olympics Massachusetts. This year’s event will feature a new fan-
focused opportunity called, “We Need A 4th,” giving listeners the chance to bid online for the opportunity to join either the Fred Toucher, Rob ‘Hardy’ Poole & Jon Wallach foursome or the Tony Massarotti, Mike Felger & Jim Murray foursome. The highest bidder for each group will earn a coveted spot as the fourth player. Massarotti states, “We launched this event 15 years ago with the goal of combining our passion for sports, entertainment, and giving back. To see how much this tournament has grown over the years – and the incredible support from listeners, sponsors, and local organizations – has been truly rewarding. We’re excited to make this year’s event another memorable day for a great cause.” Since its launch in 2011, the “Who’s Your Caddy” Golf Classic has raised more than $300,000 for charities including Boston Children’s Hospital Pediatric Care Unit, Jaylen Brown’s 7uice Foundation, and now Special Olympics Massachusetts.
president Mike Thomas says, “Rich is one of the most dynamic and entertaining voices in Boston media, with a proven ability to connect with audiences across platforms. Paired with Ted’s championship pedigree and insight, and Ken’s deep understanding of the station and its audience, this show brings together a unique combination of credibility, energy and perspective that will resonate with Boston sports fans.” Shertenlieb says, “I’m thrilled to be at WEEI and reunite with my buddy and one of my favorite colleagues, Ted Johnson, and work with Ken to see what we can build together. The station’s connection to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund makes this deeply personal, given the role those organizations have played in saving my wife’s life. I’m grateful for this next chapter and can’t wait to get started.”
throughout the Patriots season. Andrews will also be featured on The Sports Hub Patriots Radio Network Pregame Show and will co-host a video podcast with Alex Barth. WBZ-FM program director Rick Radzik says, “David’s leadership and deep understanding of the game made him a standout on the field, and we’re excited to bring that same level of insight and authenticity to our listeners. He’s a natural fit for our lineup and the perfect voice to help break down the season from a player perspective.” Andrews comments, “I’ve enjoyed a great relationship with ‘The Sports Hub’ since coming to New England 10 years ago. I’m looking forward to providing my analysis and perspective across the station’s various platforms this season.”
Beginning on September 3 at 12:00 noon ET, Bloomberg Radio, will begin broadcasting its 24-hour all business news format on Beasley Media Group’s 92.9/WBOS-FM HD1.
2003 and 2004 Super Bowl winning radio broadcasts, followed by the inaugural “Felger & Mazz” show. Throughout its 15-year history, the station has received numerous industry accolades, including the National Association of Broadcasters’ Marconi Award for “Sports Station of the Year” in 2011, 2014, 2019 and 2023. Station program director Rick Radzik says, “For me, being with the station since day one, I have always felt proud and privileged to be a part of the ‘Sports Hub’ team these past 15 years. We look forward to celebrating the milestone all next week on air and online with many stories and recollections from our on-air talent.”
broadcasts starting three hours before each kickoff with “Patriots Preview.” Jim Murray continues as the main pregame host, with Marc Bertrand also hosting some select games. Chris Gasper, Boston Globe columnist and co-host of the popular “Gasper & Murray Show,” returns for his 10th season as the pregame co-host. Station PD Rick Radzik states, “The Patriots have been a cornerstone of our programming since we launched the ‘Sports Hub.’ As the team enters this new era, I’m thrilled that ‘98.5 The Sports Hub’ will be the home of the game broadcasts for the next decade, while also continuing to provide an outlet for Pats fans to talk football year-round.”
rock WBCN-FM and then on sports talk WBZ-FM, “98.5 The Sports Hub,” will be back on the Boston airwaves “soon.” Shertenlieb exited WBZ-FM last November after his professional relationship with partner Fred Toucher fell apart and Toucher re-upped with Beasley to continue hosting the “98.5 The Sports Hub” morning show. Now, iHeartMedia cuts ties with the classic rock WZLX-FM, Boston morning team of Pete McKenzie and Heather Ford and installs “The Rich Shertenlieb Show.”
McKone is named the new headline anchor and co-host on the station’s “Zolak & Bertrand” midday program. McKone takes over for Rob “Hardy” Poole, who moved to mornings with Fred Toucher on the station in January 2024. McKone has been a part-time on-air personality at the station since 2013. In addition to co-hosting and providing headlines on all weekday and weekend shows across the station, he has served as studio host for the Celtics and Bruins radio broadcasts.
He’s been co-hosting the weekend “Mark and Kichen Show” with Ben Kichen at WEEI. Dondero says, “Obviously I’ve learned a ton from him (Kichen), about the radio business, talking in general. And I’ll say this: Ben Kichen is a star and an underrated talent in this business, whether you’ve heard of him or not. And it has been an absolute joy and pleasure to work with him on the air for almost seven years.” 
midday slot. Hardy has also lent his voice and creative talents to various platforms across the station, including the creation of the wildly popular ‘Fuppets’ videos for Felger & Mazz. In addition, he has been the longtime host of the ‘Sports Hub Golf Club’ show and can also be heard on Beasley’s Rock 92.9.” Morning host Fred Toucher says, “I’ve known Hardy and admired his talent for many years. I’m very excited to begin this new chapter and feel revitalized by the new opportunity.” Hardy comments, “As a lifelong radio guy, I’m thrilled for this opportunity. I’m looking forward to working with Fred and the rest of the morning show crew on what I believe will be a great show.” Station PD Rick Radzik states, “Hardy is one of the most talented and creative individuals I have ever worked with in radio. Teaming him with Fred was just a natural fit for our new morning show. I look forward to them providing great content and entertaining our listeners for years to come.”
afternoon drive host Mike Felger’s Facebook Live “Off-Air Show” and said she doesn’t think she’ll get the gig. When asked why she said, “Just because I think that I’m young and new. I think [program director] Rick [Radzik] took me very seriously. It’s just I think that there’s probably someone who, I don’t know, I think that I’m qualified. It’s just I haven’t been here very long, so I don’t know.” Station afternoon personality Jim Murray has said he’s not interested in the position. The piece notes that midday personality Rob “Hardy” Poole is being talked about as a candidate for the morning show post. 
Beasley were unable to come to terms on a new contract a few weeks after the company announced Toucher had inked a new, multiyear deal that will see him continue as lead host of the morning show. WBTS-TV, Boston “NBC10” reports that Toucher announced the change on this morning’s show and indicated he was surprised when management told him Shertenlieb was leaving the program. He also said management wanted him to tell the audience that the company made him “a multi-year offer that he chose not to accept” and that “negotiations weren’t going anywhere.” Shertenlieb has not commented publicly other than to inform the show’s X followers that he has a new X handle. 
the top sports morning shows in America and has won numerous national industry awards including a Marconi Award. Toucher was a foundational member of the launch of the station in August 2009. Prior to joining the ‘98.5 Sports Hub’ team, he worked at the former legendary rock station, WBCN.” Toucher comments, “I am thrilled to be able to work with my Beasley family over the coming years. I will continue my record of immense competence and brilliance.” Station PD Rick Radzik adds, “Fred has been entertaining ‘Sports Hub’ listeners each morning since 2009 with his compelling viewpoints and opinions on a wide range of topics. We are very pleased that he will continue on with us for years to come.” There’s no mention of morning drive co-host and Toucher’s longtime partner Rich Shertenlieb in the press release and the Boston Globe’s Chad Finn writes about the possibility Shertenlieb will exit the station soon. 
flagship Station of the Boston Celtics Radio Network since 2013. Under the terms of the pact, Sean Grande and Cedric Maxwell will continue to be the voices of the team radio broadcast. In addition to the games, “98.5 The Sports Hub” will also air Celtics related programming throughout the season, including a weekly call-in from Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla on “The Zolak & Bertrand Show” each Wednesday during the season.
he’s also co-hosted “The Over/Under Show,” the station’s dedicated gambling show and podcast that launched four years ago. He also currently co-hosts the New England Patriots post-game show following the game broadcasts on The Sports Hub Patriots Radio Network. Leroy Irvin expands his role on the station as he’ll continue to serve as 
a regular weekend co-host and will add on-air duties for New England Patriots broadcasts on the station, co-hosting the postgame show after each game. Irvin also serves as part of the “Get Up Crew” on Beasley’s sister urban contemporary WBQT-FM “HOT 96.9.” Finally, Cerrone Battle, formerly of the “Play Action Sports Podcast” and “That 617 Life” on NBCSB, joins the staff in which he’ll contribute to the station’s nighttime and weekend programming. Station program director Rick Radzik comments, “Joe, Leroy and Cerrone all grew up in Boston and, like our listeners, have an engrained passion for sports. It’s nice to see Joe’s many years of dedication pay off, have Leroy’s role at the station elevated, and hear Cerrone once again in his hometown. I’m happy for all three of them!”
locking myself up so I wouldn’t drink anymore, so I knew I wouldn’t drink. That’s how I felt like, I was like, all right, I’ve lost control, I’ve lost control of alcohol, I’ve lost control, I’m not thinking like me, I need to make sure that I’m in a position where I do not have the opportunity to drink. Was it fun? It was the worst five days of my entire life.” Toucher says he intends to continue the outpatient therapy treatments. “The setup I have right now is by far the most gnarly setup I’ve had. I’m talking about like four hours a day of intense therapy for alcohol and intense therapy for anxiety… Got out yesterday morning and immediately went to an outpatient facility, then went to a therapist. Right after the show today, I’m going back to that outpatient facility. So, I’m taking this recovery very, very seriously.” 
hands are tied as anything he could say has to be approved by management. The Boston Globe reports that Shertenlieb said, “The last time he was out for an extended period, I gave an update and was gently asked for a lot of different reasons that any statement regarding him has to be approved by management. There have been statements that have been submitted, some have been approved, some haven’t been. It just turns into asking, ‘What can I say? What can I say?’ Listen, no one wants to be in this position. Fred doesn’t want to be in this position, the station doesn’t want to be in this position, I certainly don’t want to be in this position, but as of now, all I’ve been approved to tell you, because you’re such great listeners and we love you, is that he’s not here today, I’m not sure exactly when he’ll be back, but I’ve been a friend of Fred’s for years and I hope the best for him.” 
Rich Shertenleib had taken a sick day, so the two haven’t worked together since Toucher accused his co-workers of not reaching out to him while he dealt with what was thought to be a cancer scare. He was ultimately diagnosed with leukoplakia, something that can be caused by smoking. Toucher told his listeners, “I have two pieces of advice: Do not smoke and get a second opinion. They thought that I had cancer. If you saw pictures of the original thing they took of my throat, there was a big lump on my vocal cord, like a big lump. I wasn’t supposed to talk for two weeks. And now it just turns out to be Leukoplakia.”
extended absence for a chronic throat condition that led to a cancer scare. Toucher, who co-hosts the morning show with Rich Shertenlieb, says in a video he posted to Twitter, “I feel my voice is getting stronger. I think that if I go to the doctor on Monday, he is going to give me permission to go back on the air. So, what turned out as a big, big cancer scare, where I was given assurances that it was cancer in my throat, might turn out to be that I needed not to talk for a very long time.” 
Yesterday (4/10), his on-air partner Rich Shertenlieb read a statement from Toucher on the program that read: “My voice has been messed up for a long time. I had been going to doctors and they didn’t seem overly concerned. However, a listener heard me and put me in touch with a doctor he works with. I went and things didn’t go great. He found some things in my throat that concerned him. He told me not to worry because he could fix all of it. Not to sound dramatic but it is possible a listener saved my life by setting up that appointment.” Toucher also said via social media that he plans to be back but is under a “no talking” order from the doctor and adds, “To that, I am grateful, even though the doctor doesn’t take insurance. Between this and my divorce, I’m f—ed financially! Sorry kids – Christmas is going to look a lot different this year.”
serving a suspension for his racially insensitive comments made on last Friday’s program. As TALKERS reported on Tuesday (2/21), Massarotti – who co-hosts the show with Mike Felger – on Monday (2/20) apologized for his comments. 
broadcasting remotely from a business center in a New Orleans hotel in which two Black people were sitting behind him. Referencing a previous trip to New Orleans in which Felger’s vehicle was stolen, Massarotti asked Felger if the two could hear him and when Felger replied that they couldn’t, he said, “OK, so I would be careful if I were you because the last time you were around a couple of guys like that, they stole your car.” During his apology on Monday, Massarotti said he gets why the joke, intended to be poking fun at Felger, was wrong. “It didn’t come off that way. It came off as something far broader and ignorant, and I’m regretful of that… I sincerely apologize, and I will do my best to make sure it never happens again.”
voice Brad Feldman returns to the call alongside former Revolution and U.S. Men’s National Team forward Charlie Davies. Additionally, “98.5 The Sports Hub” will introduce “The Soccer Show” – a weekly one-hour program to air on Saturday mornings from 6:00 am to – 7:00 am. In Philadelphia, Beasley’s WPEN-FM “97.5 The Fanatic” announces a new partnership with the Philadelphia Union to serve as the club’s official radio broadcast partner. Primary hosts of Union match broadcasts will be Dave Leno and Sheanon Williams.
rated program in February 2015. The ‘Zolak & Bertrand’ show, along with Rob ‘Hardy’ Poole, have consistently maintained their #1 midday ranking in the market.” Bertrand comments, “I’m thrilled to be continuing at ‘98.5 The Sports Hub.’ I take great pride in having been a part of the station since its inception. I’m fortunate to have great teammates on ‘Zolak & Bertrand’ and as a group, we are incredibly thankful for our loyal listeners. It is their support and engagement that makes this job fun every single day.” Program director Rick Radzik states, “We are very pleased to have Marc continue on with ‘the Sports Hub’ for the coming years. Marc, Zo & Hardy have been entertaining Boston sports fans since 2015. To have that relationship continue for the coming years is a win for everyone.”
for Adam and I working together. He’s talented, opinionated, informed and funny. Miss a day and miss a lot. Afternoons on WEEI will be can’t-miss entertainment.” At the same time, Thomas announces that Ken Laird is being promoted from operations manager for the station to brand manager. He says, “Ken has stepped up and really proven himself as a leader this past year, and I’m very happy to elevate him in this new role. I know the best is yet to come.” Laird comments, “Working at WEEI, an iconic and influential brand, has been an honor dating back to my start here in 2002. To take on a brand manager role some 20 years later is both incredibly humbling and exciting. I can’t thank Mark Hannon and Mike Thomas enough for the guidance and opportunity they’ve given me. The sports radio ratings share in Boston is proof that the nation’s most passionate fans live here, and I’m ready for the challenge to work with this great staff to deliver the daily entertainment those fans crave.”