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Sam Mayes Fired After Audio Of Racist Conversation Surfaces

“Mayes says he is “heartbroken” that he didn’t get the chance to address the comments, make amends, or be a part of any healing or training sessions.”

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405 Magazine

Sam Mayes is out at 107.7 The Franchise in Oklahoma City. Audio of a conversation between himself and a co-worker making racist remarks about Native Americans was sent to members of the Oklahoma media anonymously.

The audio, which has been obtained by Barrett Sports Media, is accompanied by a note that claims it was a “hot mic” situation.

Mayes issued an audio statement on Twitter and says that is not true. He says it was a private conversation between himself and Cara Rice in 2016 that was not on air. Rice was hosting the morning show at sister station Magic 104.1 before being let go herself.

In the original recording, Mayes can be heard asking why “the natives” are only now interested in the Washington Redskins changing their name.

“The question was not asked in a derogatory manner. I was legitimately curious what sparked the desire for change,” Mayes said in his statement.

Rice responds by saying that “they’ve been too drunk to organize.” Mayes then follows that up by saying “hashtag Lysol” to which Rice responds “hashtag gold spray paint”. Both items are huffed by junkies to achieve a cheap high.

In his statement, Mayes calls Rice’s comments “distasteful” and “racially charged”. He acknowledges that he made light of them and joined in the conversation, but then says that they made him “uncomfortable” and he attempted to end the conversation.

Mayes said that he has struggled in the past to speak up against racism in the workplace. He was worried about it impeding his ability to “fit in.”

“This recording is the perfect example of that all too often scenario that was sent to local media outlets with the intent to destroy my career,” he says in the audio statement. “Maybe it worked. In the end, that is up to you, my followers.”

The note accompanying the original audio notes that The Lucky Star Casino is the naming rights sponsor of the Franchise’s studio. The casino is owned by the Cheyenne and Arapahoe Tribes. The note also includes information to contact Tyler Media management.

Tyler Media fired Mayes shortly after the audio was made public. Mayes says he is “heartbroken” that he didn’t get the chance to address the comments, make amends, or be a part of any healing or training sessions.

“As a person of color,” he noted, “I know all too well how damaging hate speech can be. I also know once we know better, we can do better.”

Sports Radio News

Dan Patrick: NBC Created ‘Something That Was Brilliant’ With Flex Scheduling

“Networks were so upset that NBC would go ‘Hey, you know what? We’re gonna take that game and we’re gonna have it on Sunday night.’ Then FOX and CBS would be scrambling there.”

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Roger Goodell wants flex scheduling to come to Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football package. It could happen this season, but we won’t know for sure until May after league owners decided to table a vote on the proposal. On Wednesday, FOX Sports Radio’s Dan Patrick joined the chorus of critics calling it a bad idea.

Patrick said that the league always prioritizes revenue. If it were thinking about the fans, this isn’t something that would even be discussed.

The idea of flex scheduling was first introduced for NBC’s Sunday Night Football package in 2006. The goal was to make sure the prime time TV package could deliver high quality games every week.

“NBC did something that was brilliant where they were able to flex Sunday night games,” Patrick said. “Everyone wanted it.”

While the fate of flex scheduling for Thursdays remains up in the air, we do know that flex scheduling is coming to Monday Night Football on ESPN this season. Patrick, who worked for NBC when the practice was introduced, said that it always took care of one broadcast partner by screwing others.

“Networks were so upset that NBC would go ‘Hey, you know what? We’re gonna take that game and we’re gonna have it on Sunday night.’ Then FOX and CBS would be scrambling there.”

Dan Patrick suggested that perhaps Amazon’s Prime Video doesn’t deserve the same treatment as NBC or ESPN. Far fewer people watch the Thursday night game than any other primetime NFL contest.

Whether or not flex scheduling comes to Thursday Night Football, Patrick says it does not guarantee to change the package’s reputation for delivering largely unappealing games.

“I’ve long said it’s crazy to say you have to play Sunday and then turn around and play Thursday and we’d always go ‘Man, these Thursday games aren’t good,’” he concluded. “Well, was it the matchup or just the quality of play?”

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Sports Radio News

106.7 The Fan Extends Deal to Remain Washington Nationals Flagship

“We’re looking forward to continuing to serve as the home for everything Nats for the foreseeable future…”

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106.7 The Fan has announced it has reached a multi-year extension with the Washington Nationals to remain as the MLB club’s radio flagship.

Nationals fans will continue to hear game broadcasts on the station, and those living inside the club’s broadcast territory will be able to stream the radio broadcasts on the Audacy app.

“Opening Day is finally here and we’re thrilled to celebrate the return of baseball season by extending our partnership with the Washington Nationals,” said Audacy Washington D.C. Senior Vice President and Market Manager Ivy Savoy-Smith. “We’re looking forward to continuing to serve as the home for everything Nats for the foreseeable future and give the team’s fans a front row seat to the action on the field and top storylines throughout the year.”

The Nationals have called 106.7 The Fan home since the 2011 season. Beyond game broadcasts, the station will welcome Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo to The Sports Junkies every Wednesday at 9:00 AM throughout the season. The station will also air segments titled “Nats Insider”, hosted by broadcaster Dan Kolko that feature player interviews and features. Those segments will air all along the Nationals Radio Network.

“We couldn’t be happier to partner with Audacy in bringing Nationals fans even more of the interviews and exclusive access they love,” said Lerner Sports Group COO Alan H. Gottlieb. “From in-depth interviews with execs and top players, to off-the-field profiles and more Spanish and English bilingual content than ever before, Audacy offers a comprehensive look at our ball club from all angles.”

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Sports Radio News

Todd Markiewicz Departing 97.1 The Fan

“He has left an indelible mark in the Columbus market and within the sports/talk radio world by building The Fan with excellent programming, dominant ratings, and overall market share.”

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Longtime 97.1 The Fan Vice President and Market Manager Todd Markiewicz has announced he is leaving the sports radio station.

Markiewicz has been named the President of the 1870 Society, a Name, Image, and Likeness collective working with Ohio State athletics and Learfield to devise NIL strategy, fundraising, and logistics.

In an internal memo, Tegna Columbus President and General Manager John Cardenas credited Markiewicz for helping to establish the brand as “the powerhouse sports station in the country. He has left an indelible mark in the Columbus market and within the sports/talk radio world by building The Fan with excellent programming, dominant ratings, and overall market share.”

Markiewicz joined the station in 2010. Under his leadership, 97.1 The Fan has routinely ranked as the highest-rated station in the Columbus market.

His final day with the station will be Friday, May 26th.

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