Rich Shertenlieb has officially ended his partnership with Fred Toucher on Boston's popular 98.5 The Sports Hub radio show "Toucher & Rich," ending a 17-year agreement. Shertenlieb left the show after Toucher signed a contract extension without him last month, marking a departure from their traditional negotiation practice according to Boston.com.

Toucher described the partnership on air as "great," but he admitted earlier this year to having issues with Shertenlieb, leading to a cessation of off-air communication between the two according to The Boston Herald. "Toucher & Rich", since its 2006 inception, has grown steadily in popularity, becoming a beloved morning staple for many Boston listeners despite noted off-air tensions.

In spite of behind-the-scenes turbulence, the co-hosts maintained their on-air chemistry and sustained a faithful listener base, contributing significantly to The Sports Hub's success. Beasley Media Group, owner of The Sports Hub, confirmed they had offered Shertenlieb a more lucrative contract, which he rejected. This has left audiences curious about his future and the future of the morning radio show according to CBS News.

Shertenlieb thanked fans and the "Toucher & Rich" team on social media, further assuring that his departure was not the originally planned outcome. He announced future plans swiftly as per CBS News reports. On air, Toucher revealed that 2024 would see the launch of a revamped version of the show, with the rest of 2023 airing as if Shertenlieb were on vacation.

Excitement for the new direction of the show is high, with Toucher hinting at the inclusion of WBZ-TV's Dan Roche per CBS News. The end of "Toucher & Rich," closing the book on a 17-year legacy, has grasped the attention of the radio world and has the potential to reshape the Boston radio landscape.