Courtesy Syracuse Post Standard

(January 20, 2009) Those reports in last week's editions of the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post that the international broadcasting giant, Clear Channel Communications Inc., intended to cut its work force proved accurate today.

And among the 1,850 positions lost was that held by Jim Lerch, the program director of Sports Radio 620-WHEN. His departure means the end of "The Bud & The Manchild Show," a sports-talk show that ran every weekday between 3-6 p.m.

Lerch filled the role of "The Manchild." His partner had been The Post-Standard's sports columnist, Bud Poliquin.

The show, which dealt largely with the local sports scene - including Syracuse University athletics, the Syracuse Chiefs and Syracuse Crunch - was in its sixth year. Having begun in the spring of 2003, its last episode was aired on Jan. 16.

According to last week's reports, Clear Channel is looking to trim $400 million from its operating budget. The company's chief executive officer, Mark Mays, sent a memo to Clear Channel employees today informing them that 9% of the work force had been cut.

Editors Note: STAA wants to help those sports broadcasters who were laid off by Clear Channel on Inauguration Tuesday. We are offering free consultations to help you formulate a game plan for getting back on the air. I encourage these professionals to call me directly at 949-215-6713. - STAA CEO Jon Chelesnik