Fireworks went off on radio row in Minneapolis on Wednesday. Houston sports radio hosts Seth Payne of Sports Radio 610 and Josh Innes of SportsTalk 790 were involved in a heated exchange which led to Innes’ station being kicked off of radio row.
Payne and his partner Mike Meltser were on the air hosting their program when Innes sent his producer Jim Mudd to sit near the 610 table to try and create a distraction. Payne wasn’t amused by the attempted stunt and called Mudd over to let him know about it.
“Jim Mudd get over here, listen, you tell Josh Innes that when I see him that I want that little bitch to make eye contact,” Payne said on 610. “Instead of hiding behind his microphone and acting like he’s a big man, make eye contact with me, instead of cowering behind a table like a little bitch. You hear that Josh?”
After hearing Payne’s comments, Innes answered the call and stood face to face with the former Houston Texans defensive lineman. Payne then lambasted Innes, calling him a fraud and a joke and taking him to task over his short radio run in Philadelphia and the way people in his former city allegedly can’t stand him.
Innes countered by warning Payne and Meltser that they’d inevitably get fired due to their low ratings. Payne countered by providing a personal assessment of the 790 morning host.
“You’re a bad person. You’re weak, insecure, and can’t leave things alone,” Payne added. “You’d be so good if you’d focus on being good, but you’re so obsessed with everybody who doesn’t like you that you fall apart.”
The situation then escalated even further when Payne’s producer Landry Locker jumped into the conversation and told Innes, “You’re shaking like a chick. You’re shaking like a chump. You’re shaking like a little bitch.”
That set Innes off, who proceeded to ask Locker “Who the f**k are you? Who are you?”
WEEI in Boston captured the incident on video. To watch it click here. Innes also posted an audio clip on 790’s website of what it sounded like on their airwaves prior to the incident. You can hear it by clicking here.
According to the Houston Chronicle, the rivalry between the two shows intensified earlier this month when Innes called in to Payne and Meltser’s show.
Due to not being able to broadcast live from radio row, Innes has announced via Twitter that his show tomorrow will originate from a local Perkins restaurant in Bloomington, MN.
Jason Barrett is the President and Founder of Barrett Media since the company was created in September 2015. Prior to its arrival, JB served as a sports radio programmer, launching brands such as 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He also spent time programming SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY. Jason also worked on-air and behind the scenes in local radio at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years on the national stage, producing radio shows for ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT. Among them included the Dan Patrick Show, and GameNight.
You can find JB on Twitter @SportsRadioPD. He’s also reachable by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
