South Florida radio icon Neil Rogers signing off
Rogers, for most of the past 33 years the most popular talk host in the market, has reached an agreement that removes his 10 a.m.-2 p.m. program from WQAM (AM 560) immediately. It will be replaced by a sports program.
FORT LAUDERDALE - The Neil Rogers era in South Florida radio is over.
Rogers, for most of the past 33 years the most popular talk host in the market, has reached an agreement that removes his 10 a.m.-2 p.m. program from WQAM (AM 560) immediately. It will be replaced by a sports program.
Reached at his Toronto home, where the show has originated in recent years, Rogers answered the phone with, "Can't talk at all, under penalty of death."
Rogers' attorney, Norman Kent, is quoted in a WQAM announcement saying, "Mr. Rogers has no intention of seeking other on-air work at this time and has directed me not to seek any such employment, though under our agreement with WQAM, this is not prohibited."
In an interview Kent said the statement was worked out between him and the station, "So there's really nothing more to add."
Rogers, 66, worked at WKAT, WNWS, WINZ, Zeta 4 and WIOD before joining WQAM in 1997. He said he isn't going to work in radio again.
"This is it," Rogers said. "The guy who [regularly] called up and said, 'Retire!' is finally getting his way."
Asked if he would miss doing a daily show, Rogers said emphatically, "No .ƒ|.ƒ|. like hemorrhoids."
Rogers had a five-year contract that runs through 2013, which set his salary in the range of $750,000-$800,000 annually.
The WQAM announcement said Rogers would serve as a consultant. Given the animosity between the two parties, this might be a bookkeeping device to justify whatever financial agreement was reached.
Bad blood had been simmering. In May, WQAM fired Rogers' longtime producer, Jorge Rodriguez. On May 18, Rogers, weary of listener comments about Rodriguez, blurted out a profanity aimed at station management. Rogers said he immediately reached for the button that allows seven seconds to delete anything before it gets on the air. However, the button was not working and the expletive aired. Rogers was suspended for three days with pay.
Rogers also said the station was pressing him to give up his relaxed summer schedule, which required him to work only two days a week. Rogers was adamant he wouldn't do this.
Rogers often complained that Beasley lawyers had ordered him to strip his program of bawdy material, which, he said, took away his show. Monday, it was taken away in total.
Tom Jicha can be reached at tjicha@sun-sentinel.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment