North on with Monsters; NextStep out

Subject:

Comments:
: North on with Monsters; NextStep out : Posted by Ed Sherman : at 6/15/2009 8:33 AM CDT on Chicago Business : Mike North made his regular appearance on "Monsters in the Morning" Monday. However, Comcast SportsNet pulled NextStep Medical Staffing as the title sponsor of the show. : All NextStep signage on the set was taken down. : The move comes after it was disclosed that FBI is investigating the business dealings of NextStep President David Hernandez. The Bureau executed a search warrant of NextStep's offices Friday. : Hernandez's other company, Spectrum Entertainment, has been bouncing checks to employees at Chicagosportswebio.com, the new Internet station in town. : Mr. North brought in NextStep and Mr. Hernandez to be the title sponsor for the CSN show at a reported $250,000 per year. They also helped form Webio, with Mr. North recruiting talent and Mr. Hernandez providing the financial backing. : However, Mr. Hernandez fired Mr. North Friday from Webio after Mr. North began questioning him about the bounced checks. : The Sun-Times quoted Mr. Hernandez Sunday as saying he asked CSN to remove Mr. North from the show. : "Comcast knows we are in a partnership that's locked in legally until July 12," Hernandez said. "If Mike was no longer [on the show], the partnership will continue. If he is there, that will be a problem." : Mr. North said during the weekend, "Mr. Hernandez has no control over the show. I plan on being there." : Mr. North said he has another sponsor in place to replace NextStep. He wouldn't disclose the name. : "I"ve had them for about a month," Mr. North said. "They're just waiting." : Mr. North's "Monsters" show was not simulcast on Webio Monday.

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

Enter verification code: