Big O, Big Cash: Boston Sports Radio Host Inks 5-Year, $5 Million-Plus Deal

Even in the worst of financial times, there are still those who manage to get paid. In Boston, the big business of sports has spilled over into the coverage of those sports, no doubt bolstered by the winning teams and never-ending subject matter.

The king of Boston sports radio—WEEI's Glenn Ordway—has been getting paid for years as the host of the mega-popular Big Show. But as his contract expired at the end of December, there were questions of whether Entercom (WEEI's parent company) could afford Ordway with both the state of the economy and terrestrial radio.

Ordway's signoff before his late-December vacation was ominous, and faithful listeners were left wondering if they had heard the last of Ordway on 850 AM and its various affiliates.

What happened Monday was the announcement of a new five-year deal for the 57-year-old Ordway that will pay him more than $1 million per year. The Big O is back in the captain's chair, the same place he's been since 1995. But if WEEI has their way, a lot more people will be viewing that chair.

The 2-6pm Big Show will soon be simulcast on the internet, allowing online listeners their opportunities to interact and react to the topics du jour. (So much for the old phrase, "having a face for radio," eh?)

In addition, Ordway may be bringing the show to a televised audience, similar to how ESPN handles Mike & Mike and Colin Cowherd, or how the YES Network simulcast Mike & The Mad Dog.

There's been no formal announcement of a network, format, or time slot, but the front runner has to be Comcast Sports Net, with NESN a distant second. The former has been aggressive with creating new shows featuring local media talent and rotating in various WEEI personalities on their Sports Tonight program.

And you thought big contracts were just for athletes.

Josh Nason—josh [at] smallwhiteball [com]—is the publisher and main writer of Small White Ball, an all-encompassing sports blog that began in 2007. You can also read on mixed martial arts, boxing, and pro wrestling at the brother site, RopesRingandCage.com. If you're using any part of this post, please link back to www.smallwhiteball.com or Bleacher Report. Thank you!