Industry News

Brent Axe Axed from WTLA, Syracuse for SU Criticism

Syracuse.com’s Chris Carlson reports that Galaxy Media Partners president and CEO Ed Levine fired sports talk host Brent Axe for being “too negative toward Syracuse University sports.” The program “On the Block with Brent Axe” has been cancelled and Axe is no longer an employee of Galaxy. Levine is being straightforward about the reason for Axe’s dismissal. He says, “I had a problem with the content of the show.Jim Boeheim - Syracuse Orange football 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.” For his part Axe tells Syracuse.com, “I had a responsibility to give an honest, fair and thorough opinion to my audience. I certainly wasn’t perfect, but I don’t regret anything about the approach of the show. We put listeners on the air, and we gave them the opportunity to say what they needed to say. I don’t have any regrets.” Read the full story here.