Digg it del.icio.us Dolphins games to be broadcast on WQAM
BY BARRY JACKSON
bjackson@MiamiHerald.com
The Dolphins are moving their games back to WQAM (560) and informed incumbent rights-holder 790 The Ticket of the decision Friday, according to Joel Feinberg, president of The Ticket. The move could signal the return of analyst Jim Mandich to the broadcast booth.
Feinberg said he offered $2.2 million per year, well below the $3.5 million he paid last season. Feinberg said he believes WQAM outbid him, but WQAM -- which agreed to a multiyear deal -- declined to comment.
The Dolphins declined comment, but an announcement is expected by Monday.
Feinberg, whose station had Dolphins games the past two seasons, said he told the team that if he wasn't given a decision by 5 p.m. Friday, he would ''pull the plug'' on Dolphins programming. Dolphins president Bryan Weidmeier informed him of the decision at 4:55 p.m.
The Dolphins, who control the announcer hires, would like to retain play-by-play voice Jimmy Cefalo, and WQAM is believed to be receptive. The team and station also are expected to approach Mandich about returning to the broadcasts.
Mandich, who hosts an afternoon talk show on WQAM, said Friday he would be interested in returning to the color analyst role that he held for 13 years before the team moved to The Ticket in 2005 and gave the job to its morning host, Joe Rose.
''Not one person has talked to me about anything,'' Mandich said. ``I would need to know some of the facts.''
According to an industry official, WQAM also is expected to explore the possibility of hiring Rose and creating a three-man booth of Cefalo, Mandich and Rose.
Rose's 790 contract runs through early September. Feinberg said keeping Rose is a priority. ''I love Joe,'' he said. ``I don't see him even entertaining an offer unless it's twice what I'm paying him.''
Feinberg said he lost money on the Dolphins and wasn't comfortable offering anything close to last season's rights fee. Feinberg had re-negotiated the contract last off-season, and in exchange for financial concessions, allowed the games to be simulcast on Big 106-FM.
''It was in the best interest of the station to not enter a deal with the Dolphins that would be a loss as soon as the pen hit the paper,'' Feinberg said.
Still, Feinberg said he felt ''strung along'' during negotiations. ''I'm very upset,'' he said. ``I gave them blood, sweat and tears for two years - hiring Jimmy Cefalo, who belongs in a funeral home he's so dead. I gave them the world.
``All they care about is money. They think they're so high and mighty, that they can flex their muscles and get whatever they want from whomever they want. They don't care about anybody else's business or situations or needs.''
The Ticket's Dolphins show from 7 to 9 p.m. weeknights - which was part of the rights deal - will go off the air immediately, Feinberg said. WQAM is expected to carry regular Dolphins programming, but details haven't been disclosed.
Feinberg said in addition to his offer of a $2.25 million annual rights fee, he also offered $360,000 in hospitality and signage costs and to cover the salaries of the announcers.
Feinberg said the Dolphins ''opened some new doors to some national business'' but said, ``I'll be a better station without all the [financial losses]. WQAM thinks if I don't have the Dolphins, I'll go out of business. I'll survive and prevail.''
The Ticket's deal with the Dolphins precluded the station from pursuing rights to other teams. Without that restriction, The Ticket might pursue rights to the Marlins, who are in the final year of their deal with WQAM.
http://www.miamiherald.com/416/story/81239.html
the guy's not bitter or anything lol
