Courtesy Miami Herald

(July 3, 2009) After buying out the contract of longtime midday host Neil Rogers last week, WQAM-560 is targeting Sid Rosenberg to replace him. And the interest is mutual.

Rosenberg cannot work locally until early September, because of a non-compete clause in his contract with his previous employer, 790 The Ticket.

Rosenberg and The Ticket parted ways March 13, because of what Rosenberg's agent, Mark Lepselter, called ''professional disagreements'' about his morning show. Industry sources have said it was 790's decision, but nobody has ever confirmed that on the record. The Ticket did say that he did not have a relapse of past issues with substance abuse or compulsive gambling.

WQAM isn't concerned about his disagreements with 790 and believes hiring him is worth the risk. Rosenberg, who still lives in South Florida, would host from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., likely beginning Sept. 7. For the next two months, Panthers television announcer Steve Goldstein will host WQAM's midday show from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Lepselter declined to address WQAM specifically but said this week, ``Sid is committed to the South Florida market, and we are very optimistic that sometime in the near future we will get something done.''

Rogers initiated buyout talks with WQAM last month, and the station was receptive, largely because his ratings dropped dramatically after Arbitron changed the technology used to gauge radio audiences, switching from diaries to more reliable ``portable people meters.''

As part of the buyout that included a confidentiality clause, Rogers and WQAM agreed not to disparage each other publicly.

Rogers, 66, does not plan to return to the air, attorney Norman Kent said.

WQAM general manager Joe Bell declined to discuss Rosenberg, but said he believes switching to an all-sports format makes sense.

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