As usual, nobody, not a soul, said a thing about the Salvadore ouster. More than likely, they were told, ordered, not to say a word and boy did they stick to form. I could just imagine a Lee Hammer, (interim GM for KNBR and the three other Cumulus stations) "NO talk about Tony" memo, or something to that effect.

I met Salvadore once and talked briefly with him a couple of times on the phone. Didn't seem like a bad guy, as long as you were square with him. My e-mail and the reader comments on SFGate and other broadcast sites suggested otherwise. Sprinkled among the loyal posts were far more blunt comments like this:

After years of hearing Radnich sucking up to "Mr. Salvadore" and the weasly Cumulus/corporate sacking of stand up guy Larry Krueger for his un-PC "brain dead" remark when the Giants leaned on the station -- justice is served at last! Welcome to the Class of 2009, Tony! Time to polish up the old resume!

I doubt Salvadore is about to apply for food stamps; more than likely, he got a pretty good severance check, which, given the financial state of Cumulus, is a bonus in and of itself.

MORE NOTES...Much of the vitriol directed at Salvadore was the "Larry Kreuger affair". Krueger was of course the sports talk-host that was fired in August, 2005, (along with Program Director, Bob Agnew) over the "brain-dead 'Caribbean hitters" remark refering to Felipe Alou. Salvadore got a lot of heat over that move. To Salvadore's defense, THAT move was NOT his decision. That was a decision straight from Atlanta headquarters of the Cumulus operation, which had just bought KNBR only months earlier...Immediate questions arose about the future of some of KNBR's higher-priced air talent. Gary Radnich is the biggest source of speculation. He's on from 9-Noon and was considered a "Salvadore guy." He also is a six-figure earner at the "Leader". KNBR had a very good ratings book recently, but as popular as Radnich is, his "negatives" are surprisingly high. Again, just read the message boards here and in the industry trades...

One thing for sure: Anybody employed in the Cumulus house, making over $200,000 is under intense scrutiny by CEO Lew Dickey. Cumulus is not alone in that dept. Both Citadel and Clear Channel, which own the bulk of radio stations in the country, are under extraordinary economic conditions, with sagging ad revenue and the recession. The days of multi-million dollar contracts are over. The Rush Limbaugs, Michael Savages, Sean Hannitys and Dr. Laura deals are the minority.

THE FUTURE: Word from a few industry folks indicate Lee Hammer will assume GM duties of KNBR, along with KFOG, "The Bone", (107.7) and KNBR 1050. Peter Schwartz was a Cumulus hire out of San Diego and has an office downstairs in the local headquarters. He may or may not be a long-term candidate. My best guess is that Hammer will get the permanent nod.