Yesterday Live 105.3 switched formats. It’s now mostly sports talk, and it’s called The Fan. With the switch, afternoon drive ratings juggernaut Russ Martin was let go. He was kind enough to answer a few questions via e-mail:
FrontBurner: Was yesterday’s format change a surprise to you? When did you learn of it?
Russ Martin: Surprised? Not really. Got an e-mail from a friend over the weekend that KLLI had registered The Fan website. They officially told me Monday afternoon.
FrontBurner: When is or was your contract up?
Russ Martin: They indicated they’d honor the remainder of my contract, which runs through April of 2011. So, no worries. Very odd, though, to be paid seven figures annually to do nothing. Gonna sit back, relax, and get me some of those Dr. Shoal’s jelly pads for your feet.
FrontBurner: What did station management tell you about their decision?
Russ Martin: They said nothing more than they were flipping to all sports talk and apologized — many times. I told them I didn’t perceive this as a personal attack and to make sure my money showed up every two weeks.
FrontBurner: I assume you can’t comment on any other station you might be in talks with. But would you ever consider doing mornings again?
Russ Martin: As far as other stations, I haven’t heard from anyone. My e-mail inbox exploded yesterday and had to use an auto responder. That way every e-mailer at least got something.
