"That's clearly beyond the line," said a local station executive who asked not to be identified.

It sent a quiet message that the stations were giving the left too much time, according to several station executives.

For station executives, this was hardly the first Zindler alert.

That location would create far fewer complaints from either housing or environmental opponents, several station executives said.

"Nobody knows," said a local station executive, who insisted on anonymity.

In Miami, at least, station executives are already thinking of ways to get out of the deal.

"He puts a familiar face on the voice," one station executive explained.

But station executives said no such decision had been made.

While almost everyone felt the show was well produced, some found the game boring and told station executives as much.

Another station executive, who asked for anonymity, said his station would never run hockey.