Sports talk radio host Mark Madden has been permanently taken off the air by ESPN.
Madden's firing comes in the wake of him saying on the air that he had hoped Sen. Edward Kennedy "would live long enough to be assassinated." The Massachusetts Democrat has a malignant brain tumor.
Madden made the remark during his show last Wednesday. The show had aired weekdays from 3 to 7 p.m. on 1250 ESPN (WEAE-AM). Madden was last heard on the air Thursday.
ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz said the network removed Madden from the air "pursuant to our contractual rights." He said the comment was inappropriate and that ESPN and Madden had apologized to listeners.
Madden could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.
