It's my belief a business owes its customers an explanation whenever it takes a product off the market. In radio, this would pertain to suspensions. I am not going to win that war at ESPN, however, and will ask for your understanding the next time somebody mysteriously disappears.

Jurko, Harry and I spent Friday in a drab conference room at our union attorney's office. Two of our union's attorneys were present, as was our GM, the company's labor lawyer and HR person, and the arbitrator. After almost seven hours, we still did not finish and we will continue the process soon.

I am not at liberty to discuss specifics of the case; I will inform you only that it pertains to the process of handling suspensions that were slapped on all three MJH hosts in the winter of '06. When it's over, I'll fill you in more.

As for North... I enjoyed Teddy's piece Saturday and I'm eager to see how the whole thing shakes out. It's incredibly interesting to me to observe the contrast in the manner in which the two sports stations treat their so-called star players. And while I appreciate Good Dolphin's concerns for me regarding income not matching ratings, I note that the assumed $600K average per year is light. I won't go Nas and post my tax return because my dad is still alive (see the North piece if you don't get it), but I agreed to the deal and I'm not unhappy with it.

Another figure that has been perceived inaccurately is the Score's 2007 billing figure. Congrats to their sales department for getting the job done, but the White Sox contract (reportedly about $3 million per) cuts into that figure considerably. Their net revenues, while solid I'm sure, are gashed significantly by rights fees and a $1.5 million dollar morning host.

As for the future, what did Jim Morrison say in "Roadhouse Blues?" "The future's uncertain and the end is always near." I know this much: You couldn't pay me enough to do a show without at least one strong opinion sitting across from me. I have come to prefer two others. Never thought I'd say that a year or two into MJH.

Thanks for the candidness, Mac...and good luck with getting all this crap taken care of. As I said in a different thread, this stuff sounds like as much fun as getting a root canal done, so hopefully its gets all settled soon.

As far as the suspensions go, at least we have a tiny insight to goings on with the stuff you post here. I'm sure there's dozens of P-1's throughout the area that don't read or post here, and only hear about penalty box time if Greenstein or Feder happens to mention it. Its silly, but I guess you have to pick and choose your battles with the Mouse.

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Ok. Good. Sounds like there's no blood on the streets in the town of Chicago. Yet.

Thanks Mac- this is better than any soap opera I have seen in awhile....

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SideshowBob311: "Sadly enough, I think we're the "intelligent" portion of the sports radio fanbase".
"I make fun of whoever sucks, including me"- Harry 11/30/07

You guys really do lick Mac's ass. He gave almost no information and you are praising him for it. I'm going to the emission testing place to see if I can get the inside scoop.

I'd like an explanation but I can understand why they don't give one and why there is a limit to what you can say. Best of luck in a crappy situation. It sucks so hang in there.

I made $22.93 this year down about 20% from last year. My dad is neither proud or ashamed. He does not judge me on how much I make.

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I follow where my mind goes...

I found the post cryptic as well, but I am assuming that he can only say what he did. It sounds like more to come later. I don't care how much he makes, it's not my business, I don't care...

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SideshowBob311: "Sadly enough, I think we're the "intelligent" portion of the sports radio fanbase".
"I make fun of whoever sucks, including me"- Harry 11/30/07

While I appreciate the vague explanation Mac has given us, I KNEW beforehand that this whole 'hearing' is just further proof that ESPN is more interested in 'principle' than in 'programming'.

It sounds like the Union is doing their due dilligence to reinstitute pay to people wrongly suspended - but ESPN1000 won't settle without a hearing - which provides us, the paying customer, with a meal consisting of italian beef, hot dogs and chicken vs. filet mignon, corn and uh... tap water - no disrespect to Carm, Hoody and JD.

May of 2010 is merely 26 months away.

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Disclaimer: Most of my posts are not suitable for work or home viewing.

The name's Rockmore. Beef Rockmore

Spaulding has a little bit of the Monday bitchies...

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@audioidkid

This is probably moreso the problem.

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Disclaimer: Most of my posts are not suitable for work or home viewing.

The name's Rockmore. Beef Rockmore

Scared to click... as usual.

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"It's not exactly a rocket surgery." D.J.

[

Im not sure I follow what your saying here. We as consumers of your show and others seem to be put in the dark by your management team when you guys are given time off, but yet you as hosts of a radio show can take any athlete to task for behaviors unbecoming to their respective teams.I find it laughable as media outlets that ESPN carries itself as a hands off our employees when it comes to the behind the scenes workings during your ridiculous amount of time off.

Say you do win your money back, does this set up a rift between you and ESPN? It seems over the past few months steps have been taken to make your job harder as to what can be said and the conduct in which you guys have contorted yourselves has been one of a choir boy.I find a double standard in the busniess to be a joke.

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"NEED a friend...Buy a dog"..

I know this has been discussed before but I have to mention it again. Mac, have you ever considered sitting down with radio guys who have some money they can invest, I don't know, North, Boers, Conn, Dahl, Brandmeier, and pool some resources. Then find a local investor guy who is not in sports and is interested in owning a station. I'm willing to speculate that a roster of names above will be pretty good to attract an investment group. I know each of those men have egos and opinions but pretty sure they would appreciate an opportunity to work in an environment that doesn't require a prostate exam after every minor (albeit within FCC rules) infraction.

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"It's not exactly a rocket surgery." D.J.

[

I know he mentioned that (CSI) Bill Peterson could be a guy to flip the bill for such a station but Bill was rumored to have an investment team together to try and buy the Cubs.

I wish I knew Bill was going to be a Billionaire back in 94' when we were swilling Jack Daniels and Scotch with him at NU games. I would of wrestled him instead of Mac and faked an injury and made millions.

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"NEED a friend...Buy a dog"..

Me too. Sometimes I hover over the links to see where they point, then decide if I want to roll the dice.

Stu, the Peterson proposal Mac talked about, IIRC, involved Peterson and, maybe, Mac pooling funds. What I am suggesting is big Chicago radio guys putting together some funds and then going out to look for investors to foot the rest of the bill. With that type of roster, I imagine, anyone interested in a radio station investment will at least listen. Mac alone - not so much.

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"It's not exactly a rocket surgery." D.J.

This reminds of a story my cousin who's a labor lawyer for the hotel workers and one of the big chains told me one time. After weeks of slow moving negotiations, he came to the meeting about 15 minutes ahead and put two items under a napkin in the center of the table. As the meeting was about to start, the hotel chain's lawyer asked curiously what was under the napkin. So he told them he came to get the deal done and well the items are to help things along. He pulls part of the napkin and shows a box of cigars - these are to celebrate the deal we finish up. The hotel lawyer asked then about the other item - oh that, he pulls up the napkin and it's a jar of vaseline - well, one of us is going to get fucked so I want to make sure it doesn't hurt too bad.

4 hours later the deal was done.

And if you kicked his ass, you'd still be able to relish in it this many years later.

Oh, you bet ..You see how I relish the fact I beat Mac up.. What a coup it would of been to bloody Mr. Grissom .

Why buy a radio station? They could produce shows as a team and sell them to chicago radio stations, as well as some smaller outlets in the midwest. Chicago sports talk would fly in many parts of Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan and Illinois.

Just so you and I can can consume the mentioned constellation of Chicago radio guys on one frequency.

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"It's not exactly a rocket surgery." D.J.

Mac we're all hoping for the best for the 3 of you. While I do primarily listen to the competition I still think you're oustanding and am planning to listen while the Score has Sox games and chances are good you'll lure me to the dark side.

As far as you not being able to say anything, guys understand that he really can't. I used to work in a office of a company where I handled some of these things. You can't say anything it's simple.

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Where are the Cubs going
And Why Are They in a Handbasket?

[[/

Was reprimanding co-workers for uncontrollable flatulences part of your case load?

Usually have it on Fridays Satrurdays and Sundays too. On Tuesdays Wednesday and Thursdays I have a lot, not just a little bit.

What's a matter Beef did these get all twisted up in you again?

Mac,

Which was worst, the meeting with management and the union lawyers, or your divorce hearings?

"Another figure that has been perceived inaccurately is the Score's 2007 billing figure. Congrats to their sales department for getting the job done, but the White Sox contract (reportedly about $3 million per) cuts into that figure considerably. Their net revenues, while solid I'm sure, are gashed significantly by rights fees and a $1.5 million dollar morning host. "

Mac I have been saying this since Day 1- $22 million is a nice number, but I would like to see how much is leftover after all the host, producers, sales staff, paper clips are paid for. I would venture to say the profit would not be that great.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

You know what, Col. Angus, it's funny you asked because I actually thought about that. My ex-wfe's attorney was a pain, but Jill was quite reasonable and even reeled in her own attorney a couple times. I would say Friday's, while not as painful in the pocket, was decidedly more trying on patience/

Oh, they actually have a sales department over there? From what some people seem to be saying on another section of this board, Mr. North and "his guys" generate so much revenue for the Score, I didn't think they even needed to go out and sell time the old-fashioned way.

Nice one PC.

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President of Blake Shetlon fan club

Did Mac take a shot at Mike?
I thought they were buddies.

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President of Blake Shetlon fan club