THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 21, 1996 TAG: 9608211224
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 58 lines
Pete Michaud, longtime radio voice of the Hampton Roads Admirals, has left the team after rejecting what he termed a ``substantial pay cut.''
Michaud said he made a counter offer last week to Admirals business manager Brian Kelley that was rejected Sunday. He said he never spoke to Admirals owners Mark Garcea and Page Johnson, who had professed a strong desire to retain Michaud shortly after buying the team this spring.
Admirals management has spent much of the summer trying to trim costs. An attendance dip and rising costs last season led to a $100,000 loss, the first in franchise history.
``They wanted me to take a substantial pay cut that I did not feel was fair and could not live with,'' Michaud said. ``I was willing to accept a smaller cut for the good of the team.
``I always felt I gave more to the Admirals than was required of me. I made it clear to Brian that I felt we had the finest broadcast in the league and that I was worth what I was getting paid.
``I'm the only member of the returning staff asked to take a pay cut, which I felt was unfair.
``Over the past seven years, (former Admirals owner) Blake Cullen always made the product his No. 1 priority. Now it would appear that the cost of the product has become the number one priority.''
Johnson said Michaud was not asked to take a substantial paycut, though he would not discuss specifics. Michaud said his pay would have been cut 17 percent.
``We offered a package to him that was very similar to last year's package and substantially over the market price'' for an ECHL broadcaster, Johnson said.
``We have other candidates just as qualified willing to do it for less.''
Said Kelley: ``As far as I'm concerned, he has given us his answer and we're proceeding with trying to get a talented individual to fill his shoes. . play-by-play guy. We felt we made a very fair offer and we had hoped he would accept our offer.''
Michaud has been a fixture on local radio since 1979, when he was a student at Indian River High School and worked part-time at WNIS. He moved to WTAR in 1986 shortly before graduating from Old Dominion. At WTAR, he broadcast ODU men's and women's basketball and high school and college scoreboard shows.
He was the lead broadcaster for the Admirals, and thus employed by the team, for the last 4 1/2 seasons.
Michaud turned down an offer last year to become radio voice of the American Hockey League's Portland Pirates. That position would have paid him about the same salary he made in Hampton Roads and would have provided year-round employment. He is radio voice this summer for the Vero Beach Dodgers of the Florida State League.
``With the benefit of hindsight, yes, I wish I had taken that job,'' Michaud said. ``But at the time I felt a great loyalty to Mr. Cullen and the Admirals.
``Brian told me he hoped this was a decision I was happy and comfortable with. I am neither happy nor comfortable with it.'' by CNB