Audacy's Sports WEEI has once again reshuffled its afternoon drive programming in an effort to reverse persistent ratings woes in one of Boston sports radio’s most competitive dayparts.
On Wednesday morning, the station informed co-hosts Andy Hart and Nick “Fitzy” Stevens that they were being let go. Third co-host Ted Johnson, a former New England Patriots linebacker, will remain with WEEI in a role that has not yet been fully defined.
Johnson could continue on the 2-6 p.m. slot, but the station is expected to announce its new lineup on Monday morning during The Greg Hill Show at 9 a.m.
Hart and Stevens had been with WEEI since 2019 and joined the afternoon drive program in one of its many recent iterations in August 2024. Johnson came aboard in January 2025, completing the trio that branded itself as “WEEI Afternoons.” The show consistently lagged far behind its primary rival, 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Felger & Mazz.
The winter book (January 8–April 1, 2026), released this week, showed little improvement: Felger & Mazz posted a 15.3 share while “WEEI Afternoons” rose slightly to a 2.7 but remained mired in 14th place.
The Boston Globe reports sources familiar with the situation say the changes had been under consideration for some time, reflecting broader frustration with the program’s inability to gain traction against a dominant competitor.
Viral Clip and Speculation
Last week, a heated on-air exchange between Stevens and Johnson went viral. Stevens strongly pushed back against Johnson’s take on the situation involving Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and reporter Dianna Russini (then of The Athletic). Hart and Stevens had been notably critical of Vrabel, which fueled online speculation that the Patriots organization may have played a role in their removal.
A source directly involved in the decision called that theory “Grade A [expletive],” dismissing any external pressure from the team.
The shakeup continues a pattern of instability for WEEI in the 2-6 p.m. slot. In July 2018, the station moved longtime host Glenn Ordway—a key figure from the station’s earlier successful era—from middays to afternoon drive alongside Lou Merloni and Christian Fauria. Ordway retired in August 2021, after which Merloni and Fauria continued together. Meghan Ottolini joined them in April 2022.
Despite these various lineups and veteran personalities, WEEI has struggled to mount a serious challenge to Felger & Mazz, which has ruled Boston afternoon drive for nearly two decades.
Further details on the revamped afternoon show are expected early next week.
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