Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Barbieri Ouster: It's all about the Money; A Simple Story

Ralph is out, as I had openly speculated some time back.

His disclosure to Scott Ostler about having early stages Parkinson's disease was a precursor and intentionally-timed negotiations tactic, it's now confirmed.

Barbieri has not talked yet, but I hope to talk to him soon and get some info, but I know this is all about money and how Cumulus looks at bottom line deals particularly when it comes to paying its six-figure people.
Barbieri recently told me he re-upped his deal but was adamant about not disclosing terms. I was told by a Cumulus source that it was for only a year. Presumably, he'll get some severance.

I do know this: Top Cumulus and KNBR brass were less than thrilled about Barbieri's multiple days off and frequent vacation time, even during important ratings periods. In addition, in the past few years, partner, Tom Tolbert has carried the show while Ralph was away and the ratings were higher. Not coincidentally, Barbieri's Q rating slipped considerably. The industry people insisted to me that Barbieri was rumored to be a "goner." The thinking then and now: why pay 2 people when 1 will suffice minus about $300,000.

More details coming...

69 comments:

  1. if they were going to let him go why re-sign him a couple months ago? Would be great if they would pair Tolbert with Ted Robinson..

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    1. That would be awesome!

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    2. Have Ted R by himself would be best Tom would bring down the show.

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  2. We can only pray this is true. If Rich is wrong again this time, it will be unforgiveable!

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  3. Radunich must be quaking in his boots...

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  4. You think Barbieri would accept a gig at the fm sports station? Opposite Brooks and Co. he'd kill.

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  5. In this case, Cumulus is smart to save money

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  6. I like Ted Robinson and also think he would make a good co-host but I also believe that Tolbert's good enough to host the show on his own. I preferred the days when Ralph was absent and it was just Tom on the air. He's got a good personality, good sense of humor and best of all he doesn't talk over the guests or callers.

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  7. I don't believe that Radnich is nearly as unpopular as Ralph had become. There are a few dedicated haters, including Rich, but think you're a small group. Rich seems determined to keep fueling the flames but he's gone off the rail about it, more like a personal obsession.

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    1. Yeah, anyone that works with Gary Radnich knows he is one of the best guys to work for. Gary Radnich is very friendly and fun to be around. Rich Lieberman is just jealous of Gary Radnich's success and is very bitter that he has never landed any sort of media job.

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  8. The Razor jumped the shark many, many years ago. Tolbert has always been more reasonable and he keeps his politics to himself.

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  9. The being late-like thumbing his nose at the boss. THEGAME will no doubt be interested,IF his illness in under control.
    And he shows up.

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  10. Good riddance to bad rubbish. The next time I see him will be on the Labor Day Telethon ... and I still won't donate!

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  11. Ralph's pontificating about his politics on a sports station was always tiresome. But in recent years he seemed dispassionate about most subjects except the Sharks. The other day when he said he wasn't aware that Schierholtz "was in the doghouse" opened my eyes that not even the Giants excite him as much as they used to.

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  12. Love him or hate him, Ralph was the longest-tenured sports radio personality in the Bay Area. Many of us grew up listening to him, even before KNBR flipped to all-sports. Hard to imagine the local airwaves without him. Hope he ends up on 95.7 and starts turning things around over there. If they brought over Tolbert and Bruce as well, they'd clobber the remaining lunkheads on 680.

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  13. No more free Amici's for the staff

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  14. Replies
    1. Wow.

      Listening to Tom right now.

      This might be the end of KNBR for me. I love those two guys, and how they cared for each other no matter how different their outlooks on some things may be.

      To Hell with the Dickeys.

      God Bless Ralph Barbieri and Tom Tolbert.

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    2. If Barbieri does go to another station, even an FM one, I'll listen, especially if somehow Tolbert were to be paired up with him again.

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  15. I think Ralph was a Bay Area radio institution. Haters will always hate... but Ralph was a unique voice (no pun intended) in this era of cookie-cutter radio. I think Ralph and Tom worked very well together. They were a very good 1-2 punch... they were not afraid to take opposite sides of an issue and had a lot of fun doing so. You idiots that think you KNOW everything, obviously didn't listen to Tommy's opening today... He loved working w/ Ralph.

    I hope Ralph resurfaces on the FM station...

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  16. Wow...that's kind of a surprise. I didn't think that Cumulus would unload Ralph, especially because it might be perceived as heartless, given his medical condition. It sounds like another money decision as he was probably making way too much for their blood.

    In recent years, Ralph seemed to lack that 'edge' that made him such a lightening rod for both criticism and praise. He seemed tired and less than interested and I don't think he really cared about the local teams anymore, except the Sharks. That might have also greased the skids to his demise at KNBR.

    I feel badly for Ralph, because he's at the age where it's going to be very tough to get another radio gig. The way 'The Game' has been going the tight-route, budget-wise, I don't think they'd bring him on over there unless he took a significant pay cut from what he was making at 'the Sports Leader.' Plus they already seem to like the lineup they've got and he would be an awkward fit with their younger staff and young demographic. Perhaps Ralph could take the route a lot of older, retired radio and TV folks do, and that's get into teaching and writing and consulting. He'd be good at it, as he's a very sharp guy.

    Hopefully Ralph invested his money
    well and at 66 will be set for life. After all, he was making six figures for many years. If he hasn't been living too lavish a life style, he should have a reserve, plus social security that will take care of himself and his son for the next ten years or so.

    It's certianly the end of an era at KNBR.

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  17. Ralph's style is old and tired ... the love the Euro's, his days in Hawaii, the old stories he tells are well, old ...

    He ruins interviews, he talks over the top of guests and his 5-minute long questions will not be missed.

    God bless you Ralph, enjoy retirement.

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    1. he had a good interview going with a mav surfer. then he spun off on his boogie boarding days in maui and i was all WTF? he ruined the whole thing going on an on about his dumb crap to a world champion surfer. ruined, yet again. good riddance.

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  18. I hope Ralph signs with another local station, and that Steve Young does his show with Ralph wherever Ralph has that show.

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  19. Hey Ronnnnnnnnnnn. Did you hear Tom? That's what sincerity sounds like.

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  20. I'm through with all Cumulus properties except listening to Giants and 49ers games on the radio. Otherwise, the DICKeys can rot in hell.

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  21. The first time I heard Ralph wasn't on KNBR. He was a fill-in overnight host on KGO in the early 80's. I couldn't believe a guy with that voice was on the radio. But I always liked Ralph. I didn't agree with every thing he said but I liked that he was passionate with his opinions. Radio is dying. I'm gonna miss you Ralph.

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  22. I'd be very surprised if Tolbert quits. And Ralph will re-surface. He might have Parkinson's but that mouth of his will hardly be silenced.

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  23. Unlike most of you, I loved Ralph and him leaving KNBR sucks.

    It was painful listening to Tom open the show especially since he usually keeps his emotions to himself.

    Damon Bruce did a great job saluting Razor at the end of his show..

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    1. Speaking of Damon Bruce. Give that man his own show on KNBR 680. The noon to 3:00pm time slot would be fine with us.

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  24. Heard a rumor that Amicis pulled all their advertising from cumulus. If its true, good for them for standing behind their guy and their principles instead of just their bottom line.

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    1. If this is substantiated, I'll order an Amici's this week. If it's not true, I can't see me ordering more from them, and I have plenty in the past.

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    2. i noticed something was wrong with ralph over a year ago - i thought he had suffered a mild stroke or something. might have even been 2 years ago. and lately i notice he's just talking over the guests even when they are really trying to say something - Jim Barnett interview was extremely rude and also their local college basketball expert, just walked all over him. ralph was an a-hole to many people over the years(including Sabean) so i say good riddance. what comes around goes around.

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  25. Tolbert won't quit. I can see Ralph accepting another gig if the terms of the deal are fair to both. One thing he won't do is a show in the same time slot as Tommy...

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  26. "All things must pass"...as my dear Friend Little Georgio Harrison once said... so thanks for the ride Ralphie....Mr C

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  27. Barbieri was given a generous severance in exchange for a non competition agreement for this market. Until end of year.

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  28. Amicis is gone. The CEO and Razor are pretty tight.

    KNBR is going down, hard. Hey at least Larry Baer can showboat his G's power!

    The W's are looking for a new home. The Niners too because they are not happy with the schedule conflicts with The G's. Soon, The G's will be the only home team on KNBR.

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  29. Hey Ralph! Where is that gig in Europe you opening disussed back in 1992?
    Well, put your money where your mouth is pal.

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  30. As a previous poster said, Radnich must be very nervous right about now.

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  31. The truth is Ralph had slipped in recent weeks. I thought there was something wrong with him to be honest. Didn't seem to have it together. I think is health is really in decline and it showed no the air.

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    1. what are you talking about? asst prog director FIRES ralph? yeah right, lol.

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  32. Angels fly, Baby!!
    Thanks for all the years and good luck, Ralph!

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  33. This has Asst Program Director Jen Violet written all over it. She is pure evil and bitch.

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    1. Surprised to hear that about Violet. Why do you say that?

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    2. Interesting take on the Asst Program Director.
      I was under the impression Ralph was tigh with Jen Violet.
      Rich is this true?

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    3. nah, Krueger needs to take over the old Sportsphone 680 slot, 7-10 PM or later after SFG games. byrnes is a clown who can't even get callers after a giants game.

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  34. Larry Krueger loves the idea of a 9-12 program called "The Larry Krueger Show"..and how much cheaper it would be then the present show..Larrys making the pitch right now to Cumulus..

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    1. yeah, i noticed lately that ralph pretended like he was some kind of ex;pert on basketball - what a joke.

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  35. Can we have a Barbeiri and Joe Kapp fight before he leaves?

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  36. Don't forget, it was thanks to Ralph that Fatnich got his start on radio close to 20 yrs ago first as a guest and eventually as a host. I remember those first guest appearances by Fatnich when his schtick was fresh and funny. He must be looking over his shoulders now more than ever.
    If the bastards at Cumulus can throw out legends like Gene Burns, Ray Taliafero and Dr. Bill then it is not surprising that someone like the Razor met a similar fate. Tolbert was all class unlike mattress man and Jared Hartless.

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  37. It's about time!! Mr. Amici kiss ass, stole lots of money from KNBR, F... Him!! I was just listening to KNBR and him and Tolbert were speaking with Carlos Rogers (I hope it was pre-recorded program). I thought that was weird since he was let go.

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  38. Tuned in at 3:00 and was stunned listening to Tom's opening segment. Never was a fan of Ralph with his long-winded questions and verbose vocabulary. He did emote his passion for sports, but recently lost his fastball tossing in thoughts during a Tolbert driven interview.

    Ralph had a great run and should welcome retirement at age 66. This talk about another gig, why?

    When Radnich returns from vacation for Opening Day on Friday, how much will he talk about the man who helped him start on KNBR? Or will he give a brief summation and move on, a la Tony Bruno?

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    1. If the past is any indication, Raddy won't say a thing about Da Razor. When Raddy's long time colleague at KRON Pete Wilson died Raddy did not say jack on KNBR except some comment in passing without even using Pete's name. Raddy has no class. Prove me wrong you bloated so and so!!!

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    2. Im sure if it was up to him he would say 'screw opening day' and devote the whole show to Ralph. But he will be on a tight leash about the situation, much like Tom was yesterday. Tom couldn't even take any phone calls about it.

      The fact that Ralph wasn't given one last show to say his goodbyes says a lot about how Cumulus does business.

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  39. Ralph has not followed sports in a very long time, next to Tolbert he sounded like a intern, and Aminci's Pizza really is not so great, the crap that they serve at the Sharks tank is disgraceful.

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    1. I agree about Amici's--went there for the first and last time on Saturday--very overrated. Now Patxi's is really good pizza . . . Sorry to see Ralph treated this way, but he was annoying and arrogant and interrupted his guests, callers, and co-hosts way too much . . . Hope his health stabilizes and he can enjoy raising his son.

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  40. Don't let the door hit you on the way out; you pompous putz.

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  41. I am surprised how many people are making mean spirited comments about Ralph. We don't know why he is not with KNBR anymore, we are guessing. Rich said he would try to contact Ralph but I doubt he will comment. I had a dear friend who died from complications of Parkinson's and it was very sad. I am no apologist for Cumulus as I have been very critical of how I think they are ruining radio but we don't know what was happening in this case.

    I agree with many comments made regarding Ralph but I have to say he was an original. Sometimes he made me scream at the radio "Just ask the questions and let's hear the guest!" He struggled with that part. I will say when anything controversial happened in Bay area sports Ralph was the first person I wanted to hear what he had to say. It was always raw and from the heart. Even if you disagreed you had to respect his passion.

    It seems that many here want young hip hosts but I wonder if they get their wish if there is enough of them to make a difference?

    I have three kids in their 30's and I am sure I would have to explain how to get to AM if they were inclined to go there. Cumulus wants them???

    In my 30's I was disappointed when Frank and Mike retired. I felt comfortable and at home listening to them every morning. I realize now that I am out of the demo and no one cares if I listen or not but I think I am their core audience like it or not.

    Ralph you have been driving me crazy for 20 years and I tuned you in every day on my way home! Good luck with your health and you will be missed!

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    1. Speaking of mean stirited comments poster, aparently you did not listen to Ralph Barbieri very much.
      This guy made a career out of spewing hatered.

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  42. Ralph Barbieri was quoted in the Chronicle today "he is weighting his options". Humm.
    Maybe that gig in Europe will finally come to fruition for Ralph.
    Live from Brussels . . . . .its the Ralph Barbieri show!

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  43. Congrats to Ralph on his long tenure. Hopefully now you will donate some time to raising awareness to Parkinson's Disease. Its gonna take a lot to make up for the 10 years you could have been helping people.

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  44. actually i don't think Tom and ralph were friends - if you noticed there were more and more shows lately where it was just one or the other that showed up. And in the few segments i listened to Tolbert yesterday he sounded ECSTATIC, as my guess is he was probably sick and tired of ralphie boy.

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  45. He's got a great 28 year pension plus the money that's he's made over the years...don't cry for Ralph,he's going to be fine... he sure won't be asking for $1.00 donations through pay pal,that's for sure.

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