Tony Massarotti, longtime Sports Hub host, suspended without pay for ‘insensitive’ on-air comments

BOSTON — Tony Massarotti, a longtime co-host of the popular “Felger & Mazz” afternoon radio program on 98.5 The Sports Hub, has been suspended without pay for “insensitive” and “hurtful” remarks he made while on air last week.

Massarotti opened Monday’s show with an apology for the comments he made late in Friday’s broadcast.

While speaking with his co-host, Michael Felger, who was broadcasting remotely from New Orleans on Friday, Massarotti warned Felger to beware of two Black men who were sitting behind him in the hotel he was doing the show from.

“I want to know now who the two guys behind you are,” Massarotti said. “I would be careful because the last time you were around a couple of guys like that, they stole your car.”

Massarotti addressed his comments at the beginning of Monday’s program, saying, “Late in the show on Friday, I made some comments that angered and upset some people, and rightfully so. I wish I could take them back. I can’t. They were insensitive, they were hurtful, and frankly they hurt the cause for those of us who believe in racial and social equality and all of those things, and I do. I’m on that side of the line.”

“I owe everyone an apology. It’s not who I am. It’s not who we are. I can tell you that until I’m blue in the face,” Massarotti added. “All I can tell you is it’s not who I am. It got a little silly and stupid at the end of the show...It just came out wrong. I wish I could give you a better answer than that...I will do my best to make sure it never happens again.”

Felger also took responsibility for what transpired during the show.

“I bear some responsibility, too. I knew it was wrong the moment it went out. I could have stopped the show,” Felger said. “I could have stopped it, and corrected it, and I didn’t in real time.”

Massarotti’s suspension runs through the end of the week, according to Beasley Media Group.

The “Felger & Mazz” program is a Marconi Award-winning show that runs Monday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

It has been among the most listened to sports talk programs in the country since it debuted in August of 2009.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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