Former WCW Nitro color commentator Mark Madden has been "permanently removed from the air" by ESPN. "We've taken Mark off the air pursuant to our contractual rights," Josh Krulewitz, a network spokesman told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Last week, Madden told a joke about Senator Ted Kennedy, who had been diagnosed with brain cancer. "I'm very disappointed to hear Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts is near death because of a brain tumor," Madden said. "I always hoped Senator Kennedy would live long enough to be assassinated." To read the full story, visit Post-Gazette.com.

Powell’s POV: Madden previously worked for the Gazette, which seems to be taking some pride over the fact that he's been removed from the air. The final line in the newspaper report reads, "Madden was last heard on his show Thursday, the day before he comments appeared in the Post-Gazette."

I think the key words here are "permanently removed." In other words, he hasn't been fired, meaning Mark will either be paid until his contract expires or the two sides are working out the terms of his release.

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