Listeners are calling for the firing of Boston sports radio host Tony Massarotti for using a “racist slur” live on air

A Boston sports radio station is facing calls to fire one of its hosts after he made an insult toward listeners Wednesday that was deemed racially insensitive.

While complaining about the Gen Z population on his show Felger & Mazz, sports radio host Tony “Mazz” Massarotti stirred up controversy live on the airwaves.

In a clip posted to social media, Massarotti and his co-host Dave Felger were talking about the MLB postseason – when he started complaining about Gen-Z, saying: “By the way, I noticed that the ‘Z’ is for ““Zipperhead.”’

Zipperhead is a racial slur typically used by American military personnel to discriminate against Asian people during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

It is not clear in what context this comment arose. DailyMail.com has contacted 98.5 The Sports Hub for comment.

Immediately after the clip was released, people began calling for Massarotti to be fired.

“How does he even have a job anymore?” wrote one user on X, formerly Twitter. Another said: “Maz with his annual racist incident on the show. “How these two continue to be used on TV and radio is beyond me.”

Barstool Sports host Jeff D. Lowe tweeted, “I gasped,” then added, “Given the preview image, I fully expected the Red Sox to get some kind of annoying/lame attack.” That was one M. night [Shyamalan] esque twist.’

Others were unaware of the phrase – or its background – and thought that Massarotti may not have known what he was saying.

“To be fair to Tony, I actually didn’t know zipperh**d was a racial slur,” one user wrote.

Another said: “Never heard that term until today.” Apparently it was used prominently in Gran Torino, which I saw when it came out but couldn’t remember. It took me three seconds to look it up and find out that it was actually an insult. I wouldn’t be surprised if Mazz didn’t know. Given the context, but also given previous discretion, no one upset about this will give him the benefit of the doubt.”

In February 2023, Massarotti (l.) made comments about black people that were considered racially insensitive

Massarotti, 56, got into trouble last year for similar racially insensitive comments that led to his ban from the airwaves.

Back in February 2023, Massarotti approached co-host Michael Felger, who was working remotely, when he referred to two African-American men sitting in the background.

“Now I want to know who the two guys behind you are,” Massarotti asked Felger, who said he was hosting the show from a hotel in New Orleans WCVB.

“You can’t hear us, can you?” OK, so I’d be careful if I were you. Because the last time you were with a bunch of guys like that, they stole your car.’

He later clarified that he was just trying to make fun of Felger, whose car was reportedly stolen in New Orleans this fall.

The local media personality also admitted that his joke went too far and that it was “harming” those who advocate for racial and social equality.

“Late in the show on Friday I made some comments that upset and angered some people, and rightly so,” Massarotti said at the time. “I wish I could take her back. I can’t.

“So I owe everyone an apology.” It’s not who I am. It’s not who we are. I can tell you this until I’m blue in the face – those of you who know me will believe it.”