NESN announced today that Hazel Mae will be leaving at the end of the month. She said in her chat tonight at NESN, she plans to spend some time with her family upon leaving.
“After four incredible and exciting years at NESN, I’ve decided now was the right time for me to make this difficult decision to leave,†she said in a statement released by NESN.
“It has been both a personal and professional privilege to be a part of NESN and the dedicated SportsDesk team. During my time with the network, I’ve had more than a few once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, including the chance to cover two World Series and a Super Bowl.
I am grateful to the Red Sox and Bruins ownership groups, NESN president, Sean McGrail, and all the players and staff who have supported and challenged me. Most importantly, I’d like to thank the amazing and passionate sports fans of New England, who have welcomed me into their homes and given me a chance to do the kind of work I enjoy.”
Mae’s contract expires at the end of the month and speculation is that she received a lowball offer to renew her contract and that’s the reason for her departure.
Hazel Hottie will be missed. SportsDesk won’t be the same without her unless Steve gets his wish and Kathryn Tappen gets more airtime.
Kathryn Tappen anyone?
I’d have to think she’s going to move into the lead anchor spot and leave the Bruins duties to someone else.
oh yeah
The big question is will we get another blonde looker to take over for hottie Hazel.
hAZEL ISN’T A HOTTIE, PLEASE. tINA cERVASIO & kATHRYN tAPPEN ARE HOTTIES
Hazel is okay but she’s always kind of reminded me of a former stripper who got tooold for the pole and needed a new gig. great body but kinda haggard from the neck up.
i dont think tappen wants to sportsdesk full time. nesn have to go find someone from espn.
I doubt anyone from ESPN (a national network) would come to NESN (a regional network). Generally its not how its done and would be considered a ’step down” for any current Sports Center anchor now matter how minor they may be. The only way I see that happening is if someone who is an assignment reporter at ESPN wanted to be an anchor on Sports Center and they told them they needed some experience at it first. But I’d imagine if they really liked the person they could always throw them onto ESPN News for the experience.
Sports Desk would be a good step for Tappen. It would keep her from the road (she’s engaged to a NHL player) and would give her anchor experience at a very young age (25ish) that could see her parlay that experience into a job at ESPN at some point.
Just another side note ComCast New England’s Greg Dickerson is on the Big Show perpetuating a rumor that while Mae has left NESN she will not be leaving Boston television. In the hour I listened that was as far as he has gone with it. Possibly just a rumor but who knows as I cant find anything on a possible Boston sighting in the MSM as of 5p. The only thing I could see Hazel doing in Boston is going to ComCast as an anchor of Sports Nightly. Maybe then we could get rid of Felger.
i dont like Felger. he hates all boston sports teams. i love to see Greg Dickerson on nesn. i think he likes his job as a celtics reporter
so is nesn looking for someone else. i dont see tappen doing it. she cant do the bruins gig and sportsdesk.
I’d have to think NESN is looking for someone. As far as Tappen goes, I think what she ends up doing there is a matter of what she wants to do in her career.
I’ve heard they may move Tappen to Sports Desk full time and find a new Bruins co-host/part-timer for Sports Desk.
One thing is certaint though, well two. Hazel is there until the end of the month and two NESN is never in a hurry to hire and they’d run shorthanded for a time if need be as they did after Tina Cervasio left and before they hired Heidi Watney.
This isn’t ‘Burger King’ where they have a hundred apps sitting in the draw that they pull out and pick one. They will advertise in all the trade journals with a list of qualifications the applicants need to have and probably solicit tapes for two weeks or so, conduct interviews etc.
I’d be surprised if you saw fresh ass in a seat at NESN before mid-July.
Jack Edwards left ESPN for NESN.
I say put Heidi Whatney in the hot seat!!!
is he takeing the bruins gig
how can Jack Edwards leave espn for nesn when he is doing the play by play for the bruins
I think Hazel is a very classy & elagant. She will be missed
Edwards didn’t exactly leave ESPN for NESN. He left ESPN to do hockey for HDNet before taking the Bruins gig as play-by-play announcer in 2005.
heidi watney can barely intro a taped piece at the game and you want her to do sports desk????????????
Hazel’s last night is tonight on SportsDesk even though her contract runs out at the end of July meaning she won’t be popping up on a screen near you just yet.
I do wonder with Laura Behnke leaving Comcast Sports New England if that’s where Hazel pops up.
Laura didnt have a big role at Comcast SportsNet she really only co-hosted Celtics Weekly with Donny Marshall. She was most seen on New England Cable News. Which might be a spot too for Hazel should she stay in Boston.
were did you hear Laura Behnke leaveing comecast sports net
From Kathryn Tappen’s chat at NESN.com today:
With Hazel’s departure, I am going to be taking over the Monday through Friday shift for “SportsDesk” for the remainder of the summer. John Chandler will fill in on the weekends. When the fall begins in September, I will resume responsibilities to the Bruins and Patriots. NESN is currently in the process of hiring new talent for the show.
Jason I read it this morning over at Scott’s Shots.
that suck Behnke leaves boston. nesn needs to stop low ball people if they want people work for them. i dont watch comcast sports net new england i think hazel will end up there
jason, behnke actually never worked at NESN. Just NECN, CSN and WEEI.
Jason, you said it. NESN low balls which is why Tina and Hazel are no longer here. Considering that NESN wants to be a destination for sports news, it hires some decent talent, but when that talent wants to be rewarded, NESN comes back with low offers. I’m not sure what the directive is, but it’s certainly not good.
Probably a good thing that TC is locked up for a few more years.
if nesn low ball tappen then. why watch this network
Hazel has left as after this show. She can NEVER be replaced by ANTONE IMO
Bring hazel back and give her more money
[Comment ID #22419 Will Be Quoted Here]
yeah I’m looking forward to following the receeding hairline and dont forget BEING SCREAMED AT FOR TWO HOURS A NIGHT for years to come. I’ve actually stopped watching the pre and post game shows for the most part unless Eck is on. I found I had a tough time balancing the volume between Caron and everyone else on the set and now my volume knob on my remote is worn out.
I’d rather NESN put Caron on the Bruins pre-game/post game he is a hockey guy and I dont follow the team. Then they can give me, I mean us, Kathryn Tappen for the Sox games.
i dont know were nesn going to look to replace hazel. sound like tappen doing sportsdesk for the summer and she wont get the full time gig comcast sports net new england getting good ratings so. Hazel a big blow to nesn she was good and knew her sports. Rumor has it Hazel could go to channle 4 or comcast sports net new england
I live in Conroe, TX and subscribe to NESN through Direct TV. My husband and I are huge Red Sox fans, and I’m a member of Red Sox Nation. We saw the Sox in Houston this past week (June 27) and frequently drive to Dallas to see the Sox when they come there. I’m a native Texan, but my husband is from Rhode Island although raised in the Houston area since childhood.
We are saddened to see Hazel go and of course have been missing Tina since the current season began. What loyalty they both had along with such pride in the Sox. Let’s hope Jerry’s salary doesn’t become an issue, and he become a casualty as well. I realize it’s not original, but they are as synonomous with Boston sports as apple pie and chevrolet are with america!
Go Sox!
Wanda Puffer
Conroe, TX 77304
Miguel your not into women are you ? Hazel is one of the hottest Asian chicks I have evr seen. Get your mind off the tacos and smell the Sushi
Jason why would NESN hire Greg Dickerson ? Greg is an idiot. Tanguay , Felger & Gresh make him look like a novice. He probably still lives home with his mother and drives her 1985 Buick Century back and forth to work. I don’t even think he likes girls, I’ll bet he enjoys the smell of men’s sweat in the locker room. Did you know he tried out for the Village People musical group ?
The problem with finding her replacement is for some reason there isn’t alot of talent in a market the size of Boston and what talent there is NESN doesnt want to pay. Ihave a feeling we’re going to end up with another version of “Heidi Watney” doing Sports Desk. And by that I mean some one who is pretty but isn’t polished enough for Boston but will come cheaper than a more established talent.
this is why they are takeing a summer to find someone. comecast sports net new england might have better ratings then nesn. i wont be shocked if they low ball tappen and she leaves. good luck to nesn find someone
My twin 15-year-old sons and I watch virtually every Sox and Patriots game, and watch NESN Sports Desk every morning. We’ll miss Hazel, because we think it is obvious when someone is knowledgeable and passionate about the sports they are covering and the players they are interviewing. Too many scripted “talking heads” out there already and I applaud NESN for giving women the same opportunity to do sports as men…but let’s make sure they have the level of sincerity and presence found in Hazel Mae and Katherine Tappan. Heidi, you have a way to go…. (it bugs me every time she says “TC” like Tom Caron is some type of childhood buddy. How about working at your new job for at least a couple of days before using endearing nicknames…) Budgets cannot be so tight that you would let true fan favorites like Hazel Mae walk. Go get her….
I used to stop everytime i was fliking tv statons when i saw Hazel, after awhile i realised she had talent and knew what she was talking about. Beauty and brains and u guys let her go. hmmm not so intelligent i think. . The true fans will miss you Hazel All the best to you.
I must say that I’m disheartened at the loss of Hazel Mae (and Tina Cervasio.) The loss of their easy demeanor, knowledge, and sense of humor will be greatly missed! I CHOOSE to watch NESN over the other networks, due in large part to the fact that NESN doesn’t have a bunch of helmet heads or retired jocks giving us the scoop and telling us how better they would have done it. The departure of these two sports savy women has already affected the feel of NESN. No offense intended, but Kathryn Tappen has little life and energy and God help me, but Jamie Parker’s voice just grates on me…
can’t tell about Heidi…still too new to judge.
NESN, do yourselves and everyone else a favor and go get Hazel Mae back!
tappen never takes a joke from mike adams when is on nesn. any news who could be hired by nesn
The news is the same as the news was June 27th.
[Comment ID #22407 Will Be Quoted Here]
Jason—Mike Adam’s used to be funny when I was like 15 and he was high. Now he is just a charecture of himself and it’s not good. Is he even doing that spot on NESN anymore? when it first started they promoted the hell out if now I haven’t heard it mentioned in months.
Chelby –I’ll leave you to your opinion on K-Tap but to quote the elder George Bush regarding a Hazel Mae return to NESN “Not gonna happen’.
I miss Hazel. Advice to NESN…..you don’t always save money by saving money. You’ll find that out when you sell ad time.
NESN, Your telling me,You let a Smart, Personable, Knowlegeable, Funloving, Strong Woman Of Color, Wakemeup, in up in the morning with a big smile on my face, Drop dead Gourgous Lady go on a low ball offer? I hope its not true. I hope the management at NESN is alot smarter than that. I’m sure she’ll make some lucky station alot of money.P.S. Same goes for Tina. You guys really know how to pick’m and drop’m. Good luck boys
im shocked she doent have a job yet. i heard a Rumor she going to comecast sports net newengland. hazel would be a good fit and do celtics now
She doesn’t have a job yet because her contract with NESN isn’t actually up until the end of this month. Until then, everything will be rumors and speculation.
her contract was up end of june
It’s up at the end of July. This article tells you she might end up at Channel 4 in Boston.
everyone seems to think Hazel should go to Comcast Sports Net New England. Thinking about it what the hell would she do there? Celtics Now is a weekly program during the season. They have no nightly highlight show like “Sports Desk” and I’ve seen her interview people it’s not her strong suit. Unless CSNNE is planning on adding a nightly highlight show I really don’t see her fitting in there.
And Channel 4? Isn’t that the station that just dumped a whole bunch of people in a budget move including Bob Lobel? Local TV sports are really dead in this era of the internet and ESPN. The local sports guy is lucky to get 2 or 3 mins a night that’s about a 20 minute a night cut in air time for her. plus she wont get nearly the exposure she got at NESN because her market would be severely cut in size.
What people seemed to have missed in that article link is that weei.com maybe a possible landing spot as they will be having a “video component” to the site much like espn.com does.
I think it will be interesting to see where she ends up. I wouldn’t be surprised to see her end up on an “entertainment magazine” type show like ET or something. I don’t think she’s tied herself down to doing just sports.
its not just nesn wont pay big money. redsox own half of the network. i dint know the bruins fire ron simson .
The Red Sox actually own the majority of NESN (80%). The Bruins are a minority owner (20%) in the network. Despite having majority ownership in the network the Red Sox only oversee it as part of the Fenway Sports Group empire. The network has it’s own management structure and they make the decisions on programming and personnel but do seek out input from both clubs regarding air talent.
It’s Rob Simpson and the Bruins didn’t fire him he wasn’t employed by the team. NESN didn’t renew his contract.
http://soxanddawgs.com/?p=5649
I wish you the best Hazel.
One NESN job down, one to go.
one job left. who else is out there
hazel “bighead” mae was terrible…we had her here at sportsnet in toronto–then she goes to nesn and all of a sudden, is a huge red sox fan..rrright on..as for tappen, she is a hottie, but makes to many mistakes when doing the sportsdesk,,and she is a lil husky…but heide is a hottie!!!..wow, she really is..great smile and personality…better then tina”blinky”cervasio..now she was terrible……as for tom caron..cant wait till droopy’s contract runs out…Mr plugs(see full set of hair these days)…is boring and to much of a homer…he really is….just a boring figure to look at…give that job to tappen.. but replace her on bruins telecasts…and by the way, what nhl’er is tappen engaged too????..lucky dude….peeeeeeeeeeeace out
and by the way steve, the bruins own the majortiy of nesn, not the red sox..you got your info backwards..boy……….peeeeeeeace out
Actually your information is wrong and Steve’s is right. If you’re going to make the statement back it up with facts.
The New England Sports Network or NESN is a regional cable television network that covers the six New England states. Boston Red Sox are a co-founder and the majority owner (80%) of NESN, with the Boston Bruins owning the remaining 20%.
Tappen is engaged to Jay Leach.
nesn haveing a tough time to find someone to replace hazel mea. they should of kept her
tom Caron not going anywere. he signd a long term contract
BRUINS ARE MAJORITY OWNERS!!!!…..tappen is with that stiff, jay leach????..god almighty!!!…….jason, dude..listen up…hazel mae, is a terrible sports anchor!!!….there should be no problem finding a replacement– i still say heidi–now she is a hottie!!!!…they got her from fresno…..1000x better then tina”blinky”cervasio…hey she was a fellow italian..so gotta give her props…but not as good as heidi—heidi brings that very nice smile..and brings life to the nesn telecast, because don”donut”orsillio,,,is ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ…and jerry”walrus”remy just wants to smile and laugh hard all the time….I was a huge sean mcdonough fan..hated when nesn got rid of him…huge win for the sox tonight–I will be in toronto this weekend(like I always am, when the sox roll into town)..for all three games…get this…5 dollar seats, move right down boyzzz..maybe 5 /6 rows behind the sox dugout…do it all the time…5 dollars at fenway wont even get you a glass of tap water….lol……..cheers…….
The New England Sports Network or NESN is a regional cable television network that covers the six New England states. Boston Bruins are a co-founder and the majority owner (80%) of NESN, with the Boston Red Sox owning the remaining 20%
Dude at least leave a link of where you got your information from. We know what the hell we are talking about here when we say that the Red Sox own 80 percent of NESN.
Their wikipedia entry says 80% ownership by the Red Sox.
Another one to back me up
“Last year, we did half-hour shows that were taped,” said NESN producer Mike Barry (disclaimer: the New York Times Co., which owns the Globe, owns 17 percent of the Red Sox, who own 80 percent of NESN).
Shall I go on???????
I just read a rumor that Hazel will be anchoring on MLB TV when it kicks off in January, possibly with Harold Reynolds. We’ll see if it’s true.
Yeah Steve had something up about that back on August 1st.
never mind hazel…why you peeps in love with hazel…….we got rid of her here in toronto…then she comes aboard nesn and becomes an instant red sox fan…i just rolled my eyes when i saw her covering the 2004 parade…wow!!..just a year before that, she was a big blue jay fan..,yep..i kid you not…..let me tell you donkeys one thing, if she was that good, you think nesn would of low baleld her and given her a contract less then what she was already making??..of course not!!!…they obviously did tn think she was worth it…plus tappen is better, she just needs to know how to rponounce certain athletes in other sports…like one night when she was talking about corey maggettie from the clips coming to the celts—she pronounced his name–corey ma -get..LOL LOL>>…its ma-ge -tee…thats how its pronounced…lol..lol..but anyhow, she is hotter then hazel”bighead” mae….tappen just has to lose a few pounds around the waist area..thats all…and jay leach an nhl’er???…i doubt that…he wasnt even good enough to paly in the ahl….yes, folks, i call it as i see it—and tot he dude who thinks he knows more cuz u live in beantown–dont think so son!!!..i may live in canada..but when it comes to the sox, bruins, celts..i will school you boy!!!!…peter chiarelli happened to be in st. catharines, ont..watching a juniour A game,,in particular, alex pietroangelo….its 10 min, from where i live..well guess what i spotted him out–we chatted for over one hour…he was asking for my opinions on the team, it was just one week before the trade deadline–he realized quickly that i knew my shit,,so thats why he asked…true story!!!!..PEEEEEEEECE OUT
please no more female blonds. leave tappen as the host for bruins pregame show. move Eric Frede or John Chandler full time for sports desk
Big V I’m still waiting on your proof that the Bruins are the majority owner of NESN. Until you get proof, shoo fly shoo fly.
The Red Sox are confirmed as the majority owner (80%) and the Bruins owning the rest (20%) of NESN in the following places: Wikipedia, SOSH, Radio In Sight, The Boston Phoenix, HF Boards, Boston Sports Media Watch, Boston Globe, Die Hard Baseball, Boston Herald, ESPN, Power Set, Celebrity Genius, WTNH TV, MultiChannel News…….
I think Big V is a tool who needs to learn to how to spell and use punctualization as well as proper etiquette in writing.
And who the hell thinks Kathryn Tappen is “a lil husky”. Heidi Watney maybe good looking but she is far from polished on camera and is a step down compared to the job Tina Cervasio did on the games.
Looks like Big V has a woken the
You know how much I hate flaming stupidity. I’m just warming up for the NFL season.