Boston Radio: 98.5 Has Picked Up Jim Murray's Option

Jim Murray

The third chair on “Felger and Mazz” will continue to be heard on the most popular sports talk radio show in the region, the host confirmed on Wednesday.

The Boston Herald reports Jim Murray, also known as “Big Jim,” was asked if his contract was being renewed at 98.5 The Sports Hub, which is run by Beasley Media Group.

“I have an option that they’re picking up — was what they’ve told me — next month,” Murray said during the Facebook Live “Off Air Show.”  

“So I’m at least here for the next year,” he added. Mike Felger then asked Murray if he had been “sweating that out.”

“No, I wasn’t… maybe a little,” he said before they both laughed. “It’s a volatile business, people. It’s a volatile business.”

Audacy, which owns WEEI and other Boston radio stations, recently filed for bankruptcy, as the company’s leader blamed a “perfect storm” of financial challenges. Audacy filed for prepackaged Chapter 11 proceedings in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas.

“I hate that news,” Felger said about the Audacy bankruptcy. “Jesus! No! We can’t have bankruptcies.”

“Every radio company. Like, now it’s Audacy. iHeart, you know, Cumulus. All those have had to all go bankrupt, right, and come out the other side,” he added. “I hope the Beasley’s are in better shape. I feel like they are. I don’t know the business like I should. Like the business. The big macro-business. The debt loads and all that stuff that Audacy couldn’t do.”

“Obviously, we don’t want to lose you,” Felger said. “Like a nice, long meaty long-term contract.”

A couple of months ago, Murray was floated as a top candidate for the 98.5 morning show, but he quickly shot down the speculation, saying he was “100% not interested” in the role.