CLAYTON, MO. (CN) - An all-sports radio station fired a host in a salary dump, not for alleged FCC violations, former KFNS 590 host Kevin Slaten claims in St. Louis County Court.
Slaten, who was the station's most highly paid broadcaster and host of its afternoon drive-time show, claims he was fired because of a controversial interview with Cardinals' pitching coach Dave Duncan, who had previously declined to be on the show. The two had a contentious 3-minute on-air conversation on March 27. At the end of the interview, Duncan hung up after he realized he was on the air.
Slaten claims Duncan knew he was on the air immediately once Slaten began the conversation, "Hi, this is Kevin Slaten at '590 the Fan' in St. Louis." Slaten also claimed that his hosting a show at a remote location, with his producer in the studio, created a communications lapse.
Putting a guest on the air without the guest's knowledge could draw penalties and fines from the FCC. But Slaten claims he did nothing wrong and that the station used the interview as an excuse to dump his $130,000 salary and to gain favor with the Cardinals, a team Slaten often criticized.
Slaten is represented by C. John Pleban of St. Louis. Archway Assets, Big League Broadcasting St. Louis and Big League Broadcasting are named as defendants.
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