Posted by chicagomedia.org on June 27, 2008 at 07:38:36:
Speech isn't free:
CBS Radio officials not only asked Mike North to take a huge pay cut during negotiations, they also told him that if he re-signed, he couldn't criticize WSCR-AM 670 management on the air.
North said Thursday he would not accept that stipulation: "If Jim Hendry makes a bad trade or Ken Williams signs a guy [who fails] or the Hawks raise ticket prices, don't we get on their management? So when our management does something wrong, I can't say (general manager) Paul Agase is a jerk? Don't go telling me what I can and can't say."
North criticized WSCR officials in April for losing the Hawks' radio rights to WGN.
"They let them go because they thought [Hawks President John] McDonough was bluffing," North said.
North, who said he is mulling four offers from the "broadcasting world," will appear on Tuesday's "Chicago Tribune Live" at 5:30 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet.
Life goes on:
Mike Mulligan and Brian Hanley remain the heavy favorites to nail down North's 6-10 a.m. time slot.
"I can see them being an ideal morning show," program director Mitch Rosen said.
Laurence Holmes will host the midmorning show next week and possibly beyond as Mulligan and Hanley fill the early slot.
On some days, a guest will join Holmes. Steve Stone is set for Thursday, and the Score has reached out to Tommie Harris of the Bears and Richard Roeper of the Sun-Times.
North's team—sidekick Fred Huebner and producers Jen Patterson and Rock Mamola—have all been offered positions at the station. Patterson said she would take some vacation before deciding whether to stay.
(Greenstein)