98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston has made more big changes in morning drive. This time the moves are behind the scenes and have led to a change with the show’s producers. According to reports from Chad Finn of the Boston Globe and Boston Radio Watch, Executive Producer Dan O’Brien was laid off Wednesday in what was framed as a financial move. ‘Adam 12’ Chapman, who has been working for Sports Hub owner Beasley Media Group’s 92.9 FM, has been named the show’s new Executive Producer.
Finn’s sources said the plan was for Mike Lockhart, whose time with the show pre-dates it being on 98.5, to remain with the show and work with Chapman. However, later the same day, Lockhart posted on his X account that he chose instead to leave the station.
“It is with great sadness that I’d like to announce my departure from 98.5 The Sports Hub,” Lockhart wrote. “I hope I helped create a lot of great radio for your morning commute in the city of Boston. It was a fun ride.”
According to Finn’s report, Lockhart was blindsided by the entire situation as he believed he had been told the lead producer position would be his whenever changes were made. Finn also noted Lockhart had been laid off by the company in 2022, only to be brought back a short time later after Rich Shertenlieb offered to pay for his salary.
Shertenlieb eventually left the show, and his spot was taken by Rob ‘Hardy’ Poole.
Boston Radio Watch summarized what it was hearing and posted on X:
“Some additional details around production support staff changes at the Hub: longtime morning show exec producer Dan O’Brien was let go yesterday. A promotion was offered to producer Mike Lockhart who wanted the actual executive producer job but wasn’t offered. Lockhart passed on the promotion and quit. The Executive Producer opening will now be filled by former Rock 92-9 jock/PD Adam “12” Chapman. How is that for musical chairs?”
