BOSTON – The “Toucher & Rich” radio program on 98.5 The Sports Hub – one of the top rated radio shows in Boston and the country – has ended, Fred Toucher confirmed on the air Friday. Co-host Rich Shertenlieb has officially left the program.
In a statement, Beasley Media Group, which owns the Sports Hub, told WBZ-TV, “We value Rich’s contributions to the show over the years. Beasley offered to renew his contract for multiple years on terms better than his existing contract. He never accepted. We wish him the best.”
How long was Toucher & Rich on?
Toucher and Rich had worked together for years, bringing their show to WBCN in Boston in 2006. They had been in the morning slot from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. since the Sports Hub debuted back in 2009.
98.5 The Sports Hub/CBS Radio
Their relationship had fractured recently and that was amplified last month when Toucher signed a contract extension without Shertenlieb. The two had negotiated their contracts together for years, according to the Boston Globe.
Shertenlieb then announced on Thursday he was no longer running the program’s social media accounts.
The final show
Toucher confirmed the end of their 17-year partnership on the air at the beginning of Friday’s show, saying Thursday was Shertenlieb’s final show.
“Rich is not coming back,” Toucher said, adding that he’s “extraordinarily excited” about the future of the show, which includes WBZ-TV’s Dan Roche.
“The new show will launch at the beginning of the year,” Toucher said. “What is the future of Rich? I have no idea.”
You can watch Toucher’s full comments here. There has been no official comment yet from Shertenlieb.
