Mike North is no longer at WSCR.  Like it or hate it, that's the reality of it.

Speaking from experience, I totally understand what went on here.  North's ratings were not that good and he was very over payed.  In addition, he certainly must have been a pain in the ass to deal with.  I've had a few guys work for me that have been like that and it's almost like having fresh air streaming in when they leave.  Think of it as a market correction.

In the final analysis, management probably offered North either a lower contract, an incentive based contract with a much lower base or a different shift. In many cases, management makes an offer like this knowing that the guy on the other end will not accept it.  Then they can spin it as "we made him a fair offer and he declined."  It's pretty much the same in radio as it is in athletics. 

I doubt advertisers will leave the Score in droves (and they must too) or they would have tried harder to keep him.  It's all about the money, kids.  If things aren't going your way and your morning show host whacks your budget out of line and his show isn't profitable, you have to make a move.  Honestly, the way management looks at it is more about keeping the budget in line than about Mike North and whether or not he is a popular personality.

Sports radio in particular doesn't garner huge ratings but does make money.  If your shows are profitable, you don't worry about the numbers.  But the numbers aren't good and the profitability is bad, you lower your nut until you get to where your margin is supposed to be.  In this case, by removing North from the equation, the Score will send more money to the bottom line even if they give raises to existing personnel to do the morning show.

Radio is no longer about talent or showmanship, it's about keeping your station profitable. The name of the game is to catch lightning in a bottle and be able to do both, which is a lot harder than you think.  Anyone who tells you otherwise has either never done this for a living or is a complete liar.

I'm sure North will wind up somewhere else.  How soon and where, who knows?  And will anyone care?