The widespread speculation that talk-show host Mark Madden, who was removed from the air in May at 1250 ESPN, soon will join the Clear Channel station, WXDX, has run into a possible snag.

Madden, according to numerous sources, was expected to start next month at WXDX, which is the flagship station for the Penguins' radio network.

Not so fast was the word from Mike Thompson, the general manager at 1250 ESPN who was in charge when Madden was pulled from the air.

When asked about the prospect of his new 3-to-7 p.m. team of Scott Paulsen and Eddy Crow facing a possible challenge from Madden, Thompson said, "I would expect that we would be the first to know if Mark had interest in going back on the air someplace other than ESPN."

Thompson would not explain, but the suggestion was that he believes Madden is still under contract with ESPN.

When Madden was pulled from the air May 27 after he had made inflammatory remarks about U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, ESPN's carefully worded statement made certain not to say he had been fired.

"We've taken Mark off the air pursuant to our contractual rights," said Josh Krulewitz, the network's vice president for public relations.

It is not known if Madden received a buyout from ESPN or is receiving a monthly salary. He was pulled from the air some six months after signing a five-year contract, of which the first two years were guaranteed.

Two people familiar with the contract said it was possible ESPN could keep Madden off the air.

The speculation that Madden would be joining WXDX ramped up last week when the station fired disc jockey Steve Grimm. Grimm had been working the 3-to-7 p.m. shift, which is the slot Madden is expected to fill.

John Moschitta, the program director at WXDX, did not return a phone call seeking comment.

First Published: August 20, 2008, 3:45 p.m.