Eddie Andelman

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Eddie Andelman

Eddie Andelman (December 3, 1936 – June 15, 2026) was an American sports radio talk-show host. He worked for more than 40 years in sports talk radio in Boston and appeared on more than 100 sports stations throughout the United States.[1]

Early life and education

Andelman was born in the Boston neighborhood of Dorchester in December 1936.[2] He was raised in[3] Brookline.[4] He graduated from Brookline High School in 1954.[5][6] Andelman graduated from Boston University and earned an MBA from Northeastern University. Before starting his career in radio with WBZ in 1969, he ran his family's real estate development business.[7]

Career

Andelman's career in sports talk radio began in June 1969 on suburban station WUNR.[8] His show Sports Huddle then moved to Boston's WBZ later that year. Airing on Sundays from 7–10 p.m., the show also featured Jim McCarthy and Mark Witkin. Andelman remained at WBZ until mid-1971, when he and the show moved to WEEI. He began a television program for WNAC, now WHDH, Channel 7 in November 1972, which lasted until early 1976. He also appeared as a host on WCVB Channel 5.

Andelman's Sports Huddle show moved to WTKK and lasted for many years until December 26, 2010.[9]

Personal life and death

Andelman's son David created the Phantom Gourmet restaurant-review television show. His other sons, including Dan Andelman, also hosted the show.

Andelman and his wife Judith, whom he often called "the fabulous Judy" on his Sports Huddle talk show, lived in West Palm Beach, Florida.[1] They were made honorary goodwill ambassadors by the Aruba Tourism Authority after having visited the island 53 times over 35 years.[10]

He was also known for hosting the Hot Dog Safari for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, raising in excess of $5 million.[11][12]

Andelman died unexpectedly on June 15, 2026, at the age of 89.[13][14][15]

Charitable work

Andelman was involved with many charitable organizations, but was best known in the New England area for his Hot Dog Safari, which he hosted beginning in 1990. The event raised money for the Joey Fund and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.[16]

WEEI

Andelman worked at WEEI for ten years until his abrupt departure in December 2001.[17][18] Reports described him as unhappy with the direction that the station had taken toward more confrontational shows such as The Dennis and Callahan Show and The Big Show. He was also said to be unhappy when the station paired him with cohost Dale Arnold for the A-Team show. Although Arnold denied any personal problems with Andelman, some reports indicated that the men disliked each other.[19][20] WEEI replaced Andelman with former television sportscaster Bob Neumeier.

Comments about WEEI

Regarding the state of sports radio, including WEEI, Andelman observed:

"I’ve been planning this show at WTKK for almost two years. Radio should be a theater of the mind, not screaming and stupidity. ... WEEI has too many people who are not trained and not educated. They pay players and coaches to be on their shows. Then they have to watch what questions they ask. I won't pay guests. Sports radio has become public relations. Everyone kisses ass."[21]

Andelman pledged to start a movement called Fans Against Idiot Radio, or FAIR, as an antidote to "venomous" WEEI.[22]

WWZN (WMEX)

In early 2002, Andelman joined WWZN, a direct competitor to WEEI in Boston,[22] which also featured former Red Sox play-by-play announcer Sean McDonough and Ryen Russillo. The station also acquired the rights to broadcast Boston Celtics games for five years. WWZN eventually sold its Celtics rights to WRKO and replaced all local broadcasts in October 2005 with a nationally syndicated lineup.[23]

References

  1. Stoda, Greg, "Boston’s Eddie Andelman, godfather of sports talk, still feisty at 77", The Palm Beach Post, July 7, 2014
  2. Greenidge, Jim (December 8, 1995). "ESPN's Mason ventures into international waters". The Boston Globe.
  3. read, Lauren Campbell·1 min (June 15, 2026). "Eddie Andelman, Boston legend and 'godfather of sports radio,' dead at 89". Yahoo Sports.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. Dupont, Kevin Paul (September 7, 2014). "Eddie Andelman to be honored at 'Tradition' – The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  5. "Famous Alumni". Archived from the original on April 13, 2024. {{cite web}}: Text "Brookline High School Alumni Association" ignored (help)
  6. Hofherr, Justine. "17 famous people who have called Brookline home – News – Boston.com Real Estate". [www.boston.com](http://www.boston.com). Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  7. McLean, Bob, "Andelman Leaves as Channel 7 Sports Critic", Boston Globe, January 31, 1976, p. 4
  8. "SEE NO EVIL, HEAR NO EVIL...HA! | Vault". [www.si.com](http://www.si.com). September 4, 1972. Archived from the original on July 23, 2018.
  9. Shaughnessy, Dan (December 18, 2010). "Pieces of his mind – The Boston Globe". [www.boston.com](http://www.boston.com). Archived from the original on November 2, 2012.
  10. "Aruba.com - Your Official Source For Travel News From Aruba". www.aruba.com. Archived from the original on April 22, 2006. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  11. WHDH, 7 News (June 16, 2026). "Legendary Boston radio broadcaster Eddie Andelman dies at 89". Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. Cristantiello, Ross (June 15, 2026). "Pioneering sports radio host Eddie Andelman dies".
  13. Tenser, Phil (June 15, 2026). "Boston sports broadcaster Eddie Andelman remembered through archival footage". WCVB.
  14. "EDWARD ANDELMAN Obituary (2026) - Natick, MA - Boston Globe". Legacy.com. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  15. Campbell, Lauren (June 15, 2026). "Eddie Andelman, Boston legend and 'godfather of sports radio,' dead at 89". masslive.
  16. Greater Media, Inc. – 17th ANNUAL EDDIE ANDELMAN’S HOT DOG SAFARI SET FOR JUNE 4, 2006
  17. "Boston radio legend Eddie Andelman dies: 'The godfather of sports radio'". June 15, 2026.
  18. "Eddie Andelman, known as "godfather of sports radio," dead at 89 - CBS Boston". www.cbsnews.com. June 16, 2026.
  19. "Andelman quits WEEI". [www.eagletribune.com](http://www.eagletribune.com). Archived from the original on January 24, 2005.
  20. "Sheppard tops list to replace Andelman". [www.eagletribune.com](http://www.eagletribune.com).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  21. "The Remy Report". Archived from the original on August 18, 2006. Retrieved July 1, 2006.
  22. "Eddie Andelman and the Sports Huddle | VisitingNewEngland.com". [www.visitingnewengland.com](http://www.visitingnewengland.com). Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  23. "Company pulls plug on WWZN's local shows – The Boston Globe". [www.boston.com](http://www.boston.com). Archived from the original on September 24, 2012.