Well, for those of you wondering if the Red Sox are still playing baseball, the answer is yes. Of course if you were tuned into 900-AM on the dial here in Greater Nashua, you weren’t too sure about that over the last few days. Frankly, you only missed two innings worth listening to Thursday night as Nick Green took the mound to pitch a scoreless eighth and ninght.

No, the Red Sox season wasn’t cut short - just your chance to hear them on WGAM. Entercom Communications, who owns the rights to the Red Sox, has blocked Absolute Broadcasting from broadcasting games. It looks like this embargo may last the rest of the season.

So to answer the e-mailers to The Telegraph and its own station, Absolute Broadcasting e-mailed over the following statement:

Statement of Absolute Broadcasting regarding Red Sox Broadcasts
Nashua, NH – Following is a statement released today by Absolute Broadcasting, which owns New Hampshire Sports Radio WGAM “The Game,” AM-1250 in Manchester and AM-900 in Nashua.

“WGAM ‘The Game,’ AM-1250 in Manchester and AM-900 in Nashua is extremely disappointed that Entercom Communications has once again blocked our stations from airing Red Sox baseball.   In doing so, Entercom is denying thousands of listeners across southern New Hampshire the enjoyment of listening to Red Sox baseball during this critical drive to the playoffs.”  

Following are the facts of the situation:
1. Without notification, Entercom blocked WGAM’s access to broadcast Red Sox games Monday August 24th, Tuesday August 25th and Wednesday August 26.
2. Absolute Broadcasting proactively approached Entercom in early August and requested to renegotiate certain terms of our contract.  Specifically, we requested a few extra weeks to submit payments for the broadcasting rights.
3. Absolute requested a brief extension from Entercom because we found it necessary to grant similar extensions to some of our advertisers.   The down economy has affected everyone, and Absolute has worked collaboratively with our sponsors to create flexible agreements.
4. Absolute has been a loyal partner to Entercom and the Red Sox, having broadcast games for five years in Nashua and three years in Manchester.
5. Absolute pays Entercom the highest broadcast rights fees of any Red Sox affiliate station.
6. Absolute offered to pay Entercom on a date certain, and has secured a loan to do so.  Entercom has taken an extremely hard line and refused to negotiate.   Rather than wait a few weeks for payment-in-full, Entercom has apparently decided to sever our relationship by blocking our access to the broadcasts.

“Absolute remains hopeful that an agreement can be reached with Entercom and our partnership can be saved. We take very seriously our responsibility to listeners, and advertisers, who are counting on AM 900 and AM 1250 to broadcast Boston Red Sox baseball.”

Tags: Absolute Broadcasting, Entercom Communications, Red Sox, WGAM 900-AM