Tony Massarotti apologizes after using racist slurs on show

98.5 The Sports Hub's “Felger & Mazz” show on Thursday began with an apology from Tony Massarotti after he used a term on Wednesday's show that he didn't know was a racial slur.

I wanted to address this because yesterday on the show while we were discussing baseball's Gold Glove Awards, the voting and the data involved, I referenced (Zo & Bertrand Associate Producer) Tyler Milliken and people his and her age I relied on some metrics and didn't believe in them. And I used a derogatory term that I didn't know. I didn't know that term had a derogatory connotation, but I used it in reference to Milliken and his Gen Z brethren because I couldn't think of a better term.

I have now come to the realization that historically there is a pejorative context for this term, which I assure you I was not aware of. However, I apologize if you are one of those I offended. It wasn't my intention. I can assure you that I had no idea the word had that meaning. Therefore I will not use it again. You'll never hear me use it on TV or off again. There was no intention behind it, that's all I can tell you. And I apologize again to those who were offended.

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The term used in Massarotti's Wednesday show sparked much criticism on social media.

Massarotti, a longtime host of 98.5's afternoon show, apologized in February 2023 for “insensitive” and “hurtful” comments he made about two Black men seen behind co-host Michael Felger while he was on air from New Orleans Show broadcast television broadcast of the show.

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe revealed that Massarotti was referring to when Felger's car was stolen after he left his keys in it in New Orleans.