Posted by chicagomedia.org on March 06, 2009 at 11:15:11:
Will Johnny be staying?
WLUP's staff cut sends signal, but radio star might jump to WGN
March 6, 2009
BY LEWIS LAZARE Sun-Times Columnist
WLUP-FM (97.9) slashed more staff Thursday as the drama surrounding efforts to re-sign the station's top -- and only major -- on-air talent, Jonathon Brandmeier, intensified.
Marv Nyren, Chicago market manager for WLUP parent Emmis Communications, axed seven staffers -- including midday host Erin Carman, sportscaster Bruce Wolf and brand manager Tisa LaSorte -- even as it was announced that St. Louis-based Rick Balis from KSHE-FM would assume programming duties at WLUP and commute to Chicago.
As word of the latest WLUP bloodbath swirled, one could almost imagine local radio executives rolling their eyes in disbelief. "It's a complete debacle," said one longtime observer in the Chicago market.
Nyren did not return a call seeking comment.
But even with all the bodies WLUP tossed out on the street Thursday, the larger -- and potentially more crucial issue -- at the station now is how the latest round of peculiarly timed firings will impact the delicate contract negotiations with Brandmeier.
Those in the know at WLUP concurred Thursday that by firing so many people when he did, Nyren was sending two clear signals to Brandmeier. The first is that WLUP was willing to fire a large number of people to free up enough cash to pay Brandmeier and his staff what they want. And Nyren also was showing Brandmeier WLUP is so cash-strapped it can't afford to pay him anything close to the million-plus dollars a year he was previously getting.
No doubt Brandmeier got the messages.
Now it becomes a matter of whether Brandmeier wants to renew his ties to an Emmis station that appears to be in such a shambles. And it's also clear the door has not been shut tight by WGN-AM (720) management, though it probably will be by the end of next week.
So if WGN and Brandmeier's representatives could get the dollar amounts to work to their mutual satisfaction in the interim, Brandmeier just might jump to the Tribune Co. station.
"If I were Johnny, I know what I'd do," said one savvy radio executive who believes Brandmeier would be better off getting out of WLUP. But that source, of course, isn't Brandmeier, who may, in the end, decide only the money matters.