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Report: Fox Pulls Ads From All Entercom Stations After WEEI's Kirk Minihane Rips Erin Andrews In 'Apology'
Minihane Suspended, Boston Globe Reports
July 25, 2014 at 5:06 PM (PT)
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The BOSTON GLOBE is reporting that FOX BROADCASTING CO. has pulled its ads from all ENTERCOM stations after KIRK MINIHANE's comments in his "apology" to FOX SPORTS reporter ERIN ANDREWS on WEDNESDAY included more criticism on top of the "gutless whore" comment for which he was apologizing. In addition, the GLOBE's CHAD FINN has tweeted that MINIHANE, who was on vacation after his initial comments and returned with his "apology" WEDNESDAY, has been suspended for a week.
MINIHANE took the occasion of his return to the show after vacation to say, "I think she stinks at her job. I don’t think she’s very smart, I don’t think she comes across as very smart. I think FOX only hired her because she’s good-looking. I think if she weighed 15 pounds more she’d be a waitress at PERKINS. That’s what I believe, I do believe that." (NET NEWS 7/24)
The GLOBE piece reports that FOX SPORTS Pres. ERIC SHANKS sent a letter to ENTERCOM Pres./CEO DAVID FIELD, saying, as quoted by the paper, "By now you are no doubt aware of the incidents that occurred on-air at your BOSTON station WEEI on JULY 15th and again on JULY 22nd. I am referring to the obnoxious comments made by KIRK MINIHANE on the 'DENNIS AND CALLAHAN' show regarding one of our FOX on-air personalities, ERIN ANDREWS.
“As we have previously stated to various media outlets, the comments made by Mr. MINIHANE were boorish and sexist. Further, the 'apology' made by Mr. MINIHANE was juvenile and insincere. To make matters worse, the 'apology' was posted under a banner (allegedly approved by your BOSTON VP/Market Manager, PHIL ZACHARY) hailing ‘The Triumphant Return of KIRK MINIHANE.’
“I had hoped by this time we might hear a sincere apology from WEEI, or perhaps someone from your office might have reached out to FOX (which through our film and television businesses is a significant advertiser on ENTERCOM stations). However, none of that has been forthcoming, and needless to say we are disappointed.
“I have discussed this issue with our senior management and our various senior marketing executives. At their recommendation, I am writing to inform you that going forward FOX’s entertainment and sports businesses will not be advertising on your stations for the foreseeable future. I regret that we need to take this action, but as one of our executives reminded me, “Sometimes you need to vote with your feet. I trust you will discuss our decision with your staff at WEEI.”

