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Agent says Detroit Lions demanded firing of 97.1 on-air talent; organization denies claim

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions' decision to switch radio broadcast partners is turning out to be a messy split, including an accusation the team demanded the firing of on-air talent Mike Valenti during negotiations.

That accusation, reported first by Crain's Business Detroit, comes from Valenti's agent and has been strongly denied by Lions vice president of marketing Elizabeth Parkinson.

Parkinson had an extensive role in the broadcast negotiations.

"I can categorically deny that we requested, or there were any conversations, around Mike Valenti's dismissal," Parkinson told MLive. "It's just not something that was discussed, nor was his agent involved in any of the negotiations.