Radio plans are uncertain
WBZ pact expires after this season
WBZ radio (1030 AM) has not decided whether to carry Bruins games after this season, but according to Charlie Jacobs, the club's executive vice president, the station's exclusive negotiating rights to extend the deal beyond this season expired last month, prompting the club to search for other suitors to broadcast its games beginning in September or October.
"Our No. 1 hope is to stay on WBZ," said Jacobs, reached via telephone while on vacation in the Caribbean. "We've enjoyed the association. They have a strong signal, clear channel.
"For our part, we would like to continue with them."
WBZ, which has trimmed its on-air talent staff significantly in recent months, entered into a revenue-sharing deal with the Bruins prior to last season, extending an association that has continued since 1995 and once brought the Bruins revenue, said Jacobs, in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
According to Jacobs, the station informed the club last month that it wouldn't extend the partnership prior to the expiration of the exclusive negotiating period (Jan. 15), which in turn prompted Jacobs and Dan Zimmer, the club's vice president of business operations, to begin considering options.
Peter Casey, WBZ radio's director of news and programming, confirmed that the window of exclusivity expired last month, but noted the sides could continue to talk.
"We have enjoyed our association with the Bruins," said Casey. "If we can work out something that makes sense for both sides, we will be happy to continue."
Dave Goucher and ex-Boston defenseman Bob Beers have enjoyed a long run calling the games for WBZ, Goucher in the play-by-play role and Beers adding color. It is possible the popular duo will remain on the job, whether the Bruins land back at WBZ or on another station.
"We have great respect and admiration for what Bob and Dave do," said Jacobs. "We consider them part of the Bruins family. We'll do everything we can to make sure that remains intact."
Jacobs said another possibility, though not his first choice, would be to carry the NESN feed - with Jack Edwards and Andy Brickley currently the talent - on radio via simulcast. The Buffalo Sabres, among other clubs, have used their television call as their radio feed.
"That could be something we have to look at," said Jacobs. "If the market does not respond, if there's not much interest, there could be some value in simulcasting."
Asked if that could mean both Goucher and Beers would be out of work, Jacobs added, "I haven't gone that far down the road. I think those two do a great job. I haven't surfed that far out, so to speak."
Jacobs added that he would like to have radio plans finalized by the end of the regular season.
