Boston Radio: FOX Ends WEEI Ad Ban

As it turns out, Kirk Minihane's week-long suspension from WEEI 93.7 FM for comments he made about Fox Sports reporter Erin Andrews will last longer than the network's revocation of advertising from all stations owned by parent company Entercom, according to boston.com.

Friday, Fox banned its personalities from appearing on WEEI and pulled all advertising from Entercom's 100-plus stations nationwide in response to the station's initial decision not to punish Minihane.

The network was apparently appeased by WEEI's announcement later Friday -- after the ads were pulled -- that Minihane was suspended for a week. Fox informed Entercom Wednesday afternoon that the advertising, which industry sources have estimated at a little more than $1 million, would be restored.

Minihane’s suspension, which began Monday, was announced Friday night by Entercom president and chief executive officer David Field.

Entercom’s announcement of Minihane’s suspension came approximately two hours after a letter from Fox Sports president Eric Shanks to Field was obtained by Boston.com and the Boston Globe.

“The comments made by Mr. Minihane were boorish and sexist,’’ wrote Shanks. “Further, the “apology: made by Mr. Minihane was juvenile and insincere. To make matters worse, the “apology” was posted under a banner (allegedly approved by your Boston VP and Market Manager, Phil Zachary) hailing “The Triumphant Return of Kirk Minihane.”