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RADIO HOST TONY MASSAROTTI...SUSPENDED W/O PAY... Over Racially Insensitive Joke
TMZ - Sports ^ | 2/21/2023 7:14 AM PT | Staff

Posted on 02/22/2023 7:19:05 AM PST by Red Badger

VIDEO AT LINK..................

1:17 PM PT -- Tony Massarotti has been suspended without pay for the remainder of this week over his racially insensitive comments ... his cohost, Michael Felger, announced on the "Felger & Mazz" show on Tuesday.

In addition, Felger said he and the rest of his on-air coworkers at 98.5 The Sports Hub will be taking sensitivity training in wake of Massarotti's remarks. "We all feel really bad about this," Felger said ... before apologizing once again to the listeners.

**************************************************************

Boston sports radio host Tony Massarotti made a racially insensitive joke on air about two Black men on Friday ... and on Monday, he apologized for it, calling the comments "insensitive" and "hurtful."

Massarotti, a former sportswriter for The Boston Herald and The Boston Globe, was on the mic for his "Felger & Mazz" show on 98.5 The Sports Hub when he asked his cohost, Michael Felger, who was doing the show remotely, about two Black guys sitting behind him.

"I wanna know now who the two guys behind you are," Massarotti asked Felger, who was doing the show from a New Orleans hotel, according to WCVB.

"They can't hear us, right? Okay, so I would be careful if I were you. Because the last time you were around a couple of guys like that, they stole your car."

Massarotti said he was attempting to "poke fun" at Felger -- who reportedly had his car stolen in New Orleans in the fall -- but admits his remarks "hurt the cause" for people who believe in racial and social equality.

"Late in the show on Friday, I made some comments that angered and upset some people, and rightfully so," Massarotti said. "I wish I could take them back. I can't."

"So I owe everyone an apology. It's not who I am. It's not who we are. I can tell you that until I'm blue in the face -- those of you who know me will believe it."

Tony also said his comments came off as "ignorant" and he was regretful for that. He also apologized to his cohosts for dragging them into the controversy.

So far, no punishment for Massarotti has been revealed by 98.5 The Sports Hub.

Originally Published -- 7:14 AM PT


TOPICS: Music/Entertainment; Society; Sports; TV/Movies
KEYWORDS:
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1 posted on 02/22/2023 7:19:05 AM PST by Red Badger
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To: Red Badger

2 posted on 02/22/2023 7:22:32 AM PST by billorites (freepo ergo sum)
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To: Red Badger
Apologizing was the first mistake.

Next mistake was using the meaningless self-flagellating, virtue-signalling cliche "this is not who we are." He should be caned just for uttering those words.

3 posted on 02/22/2023 7:23:03 AM PST by SamAdams76 (4,895,899 Truth | 87,656,930 Twitter)
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To: Red Badger

This racial insensitivity is gotten way out of hand.


4 posted on 02/22/2023 7:23:21 AM PST by V V Camp Enari 67-68 ( This clears up a lot of misconceptions.)
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To: Red Badger

Just stop.


5 posted on 02/22/2023 7:23:44 AM PST by Altura Ct.
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To: SamAdams76

He’s toast.


6 posted on 02/22/2023 7:24:12 AM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: billorites

That movie could not be made today under any circumstances.......................


7 posted on 02/22/2023 7:27:44 AM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegal aliens are put up in hotels.....................)
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To: Red Badger

Harmless joke really.


8 posted on 02/22/2023 7:27:47 AM PST by nwrep
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To: Red Badger

Cancel culture.

Topped off with re-education camp FOR EVERYONE!

This is garbage. Sick of this absurd childish reaction to every remark.


9 posted on 02/22/2023 7:30:26 AM PST by the OlLine Rebel (Common sense is an uncommon virtue./Federal-run medical care is as good as state-run DMV.)
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To: Red Badger

If Felger’s car was stolen in New Orleans in the fall by a black person, then Massarotti’s comment was not a joke or racially insensitive, but an truthful commentary based on fact.


10 posted on 02/22/2023 7:31:20 AM PST by Labyrinthos
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To: Altura Ct.

These tender souls whining about “insensitivity” need to never be heard from again. They need to be told FOAD.


11 posted on 02/22/2023 7:31:37 AM PST by Bonemaker (invictus maneo)
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To: the OlLine Rebel

Joke Nazis....................OOPS! did I offend someone?!?!?!...................


12 posted on 02/22/2023 7:34:44 AM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegal aliens are put up in hotels.....................)
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To: Bonemaker

Yes!


13 posted on 02/22/2023 7:35:22 AM PST by Altura Ct.
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To: Red Badger

Because the last time you were around a couple of guys like that, they stole your car.

Here in Los Angeles that’s not a joke it’s a fact and you may not live to tell about it.

Los Angeles = Cement Jungle

Nobody is safe here


14 posted on 02/22/2023 7:35:25 AM PST by Vaduz (LAWYERS )
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To: Red Badger
”No joke.”
15 posted on 02/22/2023 7:35:38 AM PST by gundog (It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. )
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To: Red Badger

Someday Ai will determine our correct statements/responses/utterings, then as we are programmed to do, our mouth will open and our voice will be heard sounding the “correct” message.

That about it? Then we will be good to go back into our cubicle. No more offense.


16 posted on 02/22/2023 7:35:39 AM PST by Sir Bangaz Cracka (Poor 'lil Travon bees slamming dat white cracka'a head into dat sidewalk causin he be scared)
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To: Altura Ct.

It will never ‘stop’. They are too powerful and will wield that power until they are the only ones on the air.......................


17 posted on 02/22/2023 7:36:10 AM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegal aliens are put up in hotels.....................)
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To: Red Badger
Massarotti, a former sportswriter for The Boston Herald and The Boston Globe, was on the mic for his "Felger & Mazz" show on 98.5 The Sports Hub when he asked his cohost, Michael Felger, who was doing the show remotely, about two Black guys sitting behind him.

This is very offensive to me. They have only capitalized the first letter in "Black." What an insult! The entire word should be capitalized and made bold. Like so: "BLACK Guys.

18 posted on 02/22/2023 7:36:31 AM PST by Blennos
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To: Sir Bangaz Cracka

In the Dune series of sci-fi books, the sentient robots wanted to destroy humanity because it saw humans as a virus...................


19 posted on 02/22/2023 7:37:44 AM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegal aliens are put up in hotels.....................)
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To: Red Badger

Is any correlation pany suspending vlack folks without pay for their “insensitive jokes about white folks”?


20 posted on 02/22/2023 7:47:58 AM PST by Bob434
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