Radio host Brent Axe was fired from ESPN Radio Syracuse and was told on Sunday that his “On the Block with Brent Axe” radio show would no longer be on the air. Axe was reportedly told that he was being fired for being “overly negative” about Syracuse University sports during his drive-time radio program.
According to Syracuse.com’s Chris Carson, Galaxy Media Partners president and CEO Ed Levine said he fired Axe because he believes the content of his show had become too negative toward Syracuse University sports.
Radio host Brent Axe was fired from ESPN Radio Syracuse for being "overly negative" about SU sports during his drive-time radio program. https://t.co/iAH1AMF6Ji
— chris carlson (@ccarlsononSU) March 13, 2023
“I had a problem with the content of the show,” Levine told Syracuse.com. “I’m an SU fan. I’m sorry, but I bleed Orange. I’m not going to apologize for that, and I think a fair reading of the Orange is appropriate. I understand (Galaxy has) a business relationship (with Syracuse), that Coach (Jim) Boeheim and I are personal friends and he’s an investor in my company.
“I understand and acknowledge all of that. We’ve called it pretty fair, and I would argue we’ve been tough on SU when the on-field or off-field events warrant it. I just think over the past six months it took a different tone and became overly dark and negative. I don’t think that’s what Syracuse fans want to hear.”
Needless to say, the sports world did not react kindly to the news that Axe’s show would be taken off the air, effective immediately.
“Brent is a pro,” said Sports Illustrated senior writer Connor Orr. “What a sad example this sets for a bunch of university kids studying journalism.”
Brent is a pro. What a sad example this sets for a bunch of university kids studying journalism. https://t.co/up6rcKsOTM
— Conor Orr (@ConorOrr) March 13, 2023
“Absurd. Huge fan of @BrentAxeMedia, who loved the teams he covered and did so fairly. Syracuse sports have been incredibly disappointing this year, and should be discussed as such. This is incredibly weak,” wrote Nick Reynolds, a senior reporter for Newsweek.
Absurd. Huge fan of @BrentAxeMedia, who loved the teams he covered and did so fairly.
Syracuse sports have been incredibly disappointing this year, and should be discussed as such. This is incredibly weak. https://t.co/867LJoPwhM pic.twitter.com/6Wj57Lc2ly
— Nick Reynolds (@IAmNickReynolds) March 13, 2023
“I’m embarrassed for this station after reading the quotes in this article,” said Erik Slater, who covers the Brooklyn Nets for ClutchPoints. “What a sad look. Brent was never overly negative about Syracuse even when he had reason to be these last two years. Imagine firing someone for being objective to their audience. Unbelievable.”
I’m embarrassed for this station after reading the quotes in this article. What a sad look.
Brent was never overly negative about Syracuse even when he had reason to be these last two years.
Imagine firing someone for being objective to their audience. Unbelievable. https://t.co/i0SqsYurgk
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) March 13, 2023
“You can’t make up the quotes from the CEO,” said The Athletic’s Stewart Mandel.
You can’t make up the quotes from the CEO. https://t.co/E3az5ACGRz
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) March 13, 2023
“I think fans would be surprised at how many radio and TV entities are in contracts with schools, teams and leagues that can and do control the editorial product, AKA why I’m #bannedfromFinebaum,” wrote Steven Godfrey.
I think fans would be surprised at how many radio and TV entities are in contracts with schools, teams and leagues that can and do control the editorial product, AKA why I’m #bannedfromFinebaum https://t.co/mUcM5mctfI
— Steven Godfrey (@38Godfrey) March 13, 2023
Not surprising that this stuff is happening to Syracuse sports because they were dumb enough to hire John Wildhack as their AD, but this story is particularly gross. https://t.co/s3RbVWANbb
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) March 13, 2023
