Herald: WBOS has edge in race for Sox rights

[John Francini]

"Say it ain't so, Joe!"

Frankly, I'd *still* prefer the Sox to stay Right Where They Are,  
with Entercom, and on WEEI. (Though a simulcast on one of their  
strong FMs wouldn't hurt, either, and would nullify the "signal"  
advantage of Greater Media's WBOS.

I also would really hate to have the Red Sox have complete editorial  
control over what gets said about them on the station carrying their  
games. One of the virtues of their being on WEEI right now is that  
the talk hosts aren't afraid to criticize or make fun of on- and off- 
field Sox events when necessary to hold them to account.

Yes, it makes the Sox brass edgy and nervous.  As they should be. We  
aren't "our team do or die" fans; we analyze and dissect everything  
-- EVERYTHING -- that happens with this team; we drain the teacup and  
then analyze the tea leaves to see what they could possibly mean.

Boston is the last place that needs a 'propaganda machine' for its  
baseball flagship radio station.

I'd also like to see the WCRB deal fail, because I would hate to see  
the Boston FM dial lose its only full-time classical station.


John


On 21 Apr 2006, at 4:19, Bob Nelson wrote:

> http://business.bostonherald.com/businessNews/view.bg?articleid=136044
>
> "The Boston Red Sox are within days of announcing a blockbuster
> multimillion-dollar radio-rights deal that could dramatically
> reshuffle the team's broadcast lineup, executives close to the deal
> said.
>
> "The Sox are in ninth-inning negotiations with media companies vying
> for the deal, with Greater Media's WBOS-FM (92.9) having an edge,
> executives said. An agreement could be announced early next week, if
> not sooner, executives said.
>
> "The price could hit $14 million per year. Sources say both Greater
> Media and Entercom, whose WEEI-AM (850) is the incumbent, have offered
> that much. But Entercom is said to be offering cash, while Greater
> Media would provide both cash and a substantial equity stake in WBOS."
>