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Ed Sherman - column #2 today on Webio debacle
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Author:  Gayelle [ Mon Jun 15, 2009 12:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Ed Sherman - column #2 today on Webio debacle

Webio goes on the air, but for how long?
Posted by Ed Sherman at 6/15/2009 9:08 AM CDT on Chicago Business

The clock struck 9 a.m. Monday morning and lo and behold, Chicagosportswebio.com went on the air.

Matt Weber and Fred Huebner enthusiastically greeted listeners.

"I'm just glad to see familiar faces after a weekend of not seeing familiar faces," Mr. Weber said.

"I'll be here no matter what," said Mr. Huebner.

In this case, no matter what likely means not getting paid.

All the personnel of the Internet sports talk station spent an uncertain weekend after it was disclosed that numerous pay checks have bounced from President David Hernandez's Spectrum Entertainment, the parent company of Webio. Meanwhile, the FBI is apparently investigating the business dealings of Mr. Hernandez's other companies, NextStep Financial Services and NextStep Medical Staffing.

Mr. Hernandez also fired co-founder Mike North, his wife BeBe and Jeff Schwartz Friday. Mr. North said it was because he questioned Mr. Hernandez about the bad checks.

Monday, Mr. North's "Monsters in the Morning" show on Comcast SportsNet was not simulcast on Webio, as had been the case since the station's launch. Interestingly, there's still a Sun-Times ad on the site's home page featuring Mr. North and partner Dan Jiggett's picture. They write a column for the paper.

All the on-air and production staff came to Webio because of Mr. North. When the station launched in the beginning of April, many were thrilled to have the security of two-year contracts and an owner who seemed committed to spend the big money to make the station work.

Most of them left jobs at WSCR-AM 670 and WMVP-AM 1000 for this opportunity. With the situation now looking grim, they feel betrayed and anxious, knowing the doors likely are closed at their former employers.

"This feels like a punch in the stomach," said an on-air personality.

"A lot of people left good jobs," said another staffer. "We all had great hopes. To have it last a little over two months is extremely disheartening. Now what do we do?"

Mr. North put the blame squarely on Mr. Hernandez. However, he also feels responsible for the fate of the staffers he recruited. So much so that he wrote them personal checks Friday during a meeting at his house to help cover the checks that bounced from Webio.

"To see people I love, to see people I discovered..." Mr. North said. "BeBe and I don't operate in a dishonest manner. We never wanted to hurt anybody. I can sleep a little better at night. It doesn't solve the problem."

Indeed, it doesn't. Mr. North said he is "praying for a miracle" that Mr. Hernandez will be able to find a way to continue the station and pay his former associates.

But with checks bouncing and the FBI knocking on Mr. Hernandez's door, don't expect any miracles here.

Author:  IkeSouth [ Mon Jun 15, 2009 12:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ed Sherman - column #2 today on Webio debacle

steven colbert should give a bump on his show for the webio.

Author:  good dolphin [ Mon Jun 15, 2009 12:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ed Sherman - column #2 today on Webio debacle

Gayelle wrote:
"To see people I love, to see people I discovered..." Mr. North said. "BeBe and I don't operate in a dishonest manner. .


Odd choice of words for the husband of the Chief OPERATING Officer

Author:  Spiral Stairs [ Mon Jun 15, 2009 12:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ed Sherman - column #2 today on Webio debacle

Is nort going to pay everyone's salary's ? I think not. and neither is a major sponsor.

and still nobody in the business has the balls to say anything negative against nort. they are saying it in private or thinking it, but why not bust this idiot in public ?

Author:  crosscheck [ Mon Jun 15, 2009 12:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ed Sherman - column #2 today on Webio debacle

I think I'll wait till "Ed Sherman - Column #3 today on Webio debacle" to give my two cents...

Author:  good dolphin [ Mon Jun 15, 2009 12:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ed Sherman - column #2 today on Webio debacle

Deacon Blues wrote:
me thinks ?


it's methinks Sneed...as in methinks you would look straighter walking down Clark street shirtless in a pair of hot pants than using that stupid word

Author:  Pappy's Crappy [ Mon Jun 15, 2009 12:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ed Sherman - column #2 today on Webio debacle

Gayelle wrote:
"To see people I love, to see people I discovered..." Mr. North said. "BeBe and I don't operate in a dishonest manner. We never wanted to hurt anybody. I can sleep a little better at night. It doesn't solve the problem."


Whew! What a relief. It's good to know Mike is getting his sleep during these trying times. I was so worried about that. After a good night's sleep, maybe he'll be refreshed enough to think up another great money-making scheme. Although, after hosting radio, hosting TV, doing a CD, writing a book, starting a gambling website, and co-founding webio, all within a year or so, I would think even the great business acumen of a Mike North is being severely tested.

Author:  Beardown [ Mon Jun 15, 2009 1:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ed Sherman - column #2 today on Webio debacle

I'm sure everybody at Webio is thrilled to hear Pappy is gonna sleep well.

Author:  IkeSouth [ Mon Jun 15, 2009 1:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ed Sherman - column #2 today on Webio debacle

Beardown wrote:
I'm sure everybody at Webio is thrilled to hear Pappy is gonna sleep well.


peabrain. mike SAID he can sleep this week since the employees are paid. HE SAID the problem isnt fixed yet. THAT WOULD IMPLY he wont be sleeping next week unless some miracle happens.

Author:  Darkside [ Mon Jun 15, 2009 4:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ed Sherman - column #2 today on Webio debacle

Gayelle wrote:
"I'm just glad to see familiar faces after a weekend of not seeing familiar faces," Mr. Weber said.

No familiar faces over the weekend? You didn't get to go to Mike's for dinner and a personal check from his personal account like chet?

Author:  Spiral Stairs [ Mon Jun 15, 2009 4:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ed Sherman - column #2 today on Webio debacle

Darkside wrote:
Gayelle wrote:
"I'm just glad to see familiar faces after a weekend of not seeing familiar faces," Mr. Weber said.

No familiar faces over the weekend? You didn't get to go to Mike's for dinner and a personal check from his personal account like chet?


don't worry webster, geek squad is hiring.

Author:  Aggravated Sox Fan Bob [ Mon Jun 15, 2009 4:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ed Sherman - column #2 today on Webio debacle

Beardown wrote:
I'm sure everybody at Webio is thrilled to hear Pappy is gonna sleep well.



Give me some horn!

Author:  Beef Rockmore [ Mon Jun 15, 2009 4:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ed Sherman - column #2 today on Webio debacle

Pappy got played by this guy.

...and to think Mike thought he was using this guy to better his situation.

Author:  Spiral Stairs [ Mon Jun 15, 2009 4:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ed Sherman - column #2 today on Webio debacle

Beef Rockmore wrote:
Pappy got played by this guy.

...and to think Mike thought he was using this guy to better his situation.


The only thing pappy did right was to not put his own money into this scam, not because he is smart, but because he is a greedy fuckstick.

Author:  Can of Corn [ Mon Jun 15, 2009 6:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ed Sherman - column #2 today on Webio debacle

Deacon Blues wrote:
The only thing pappy did right was to not put his own money into this scam, not because he is smart, but because he is a greedy fuckstick.


AMEN

Author:  good dolphin [ Tue Jun 16, 2009 8:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ed Sherman - column #2 today on Webio debacle

If he had waited just a couple more months he could have added this as a chapter to his book and had a ton of publicity.

Author:  Dr. Kenneth Noisewater [ Tue Jun 16, 2009 8:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ed Sherman - column #2 today on Webio debacle

good dolphin wrote:
If he had waited just a couple more months he could have added this as a chapter to his book and had a ton of publicity.


Sequel to "Settling the Score"...

"Untangling the Webio"?

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