The general manager of KFNS' chief competitor in the local sports-talk radio business said he will be interested in meeting with Kevin Slaten once his situation at KFNS is resolved.

Slaten, who was fired last week for a potential Federal Communications Commission violation, has threatened legal action regarding his ouster.

"If he reaches out to us I'm sure we'll talk, but that doesn't mean anything will happen," KSLG's John Helmkamp said. "We always keep our options open and talk to everybody, absolutely."

Unclear is whether the "non-compete" clause in Slaten's KFNS contract, to prevent him from working elsewhere in the market, remains in effect after the firing. The restriction is standard in broadcasting, and his deal with KFNS ran through 2009.

"My plan is to resurface,'' Slaten said Wednesday. "They're not going to run me out of town.''

Much of the staff at KSLG (1380 AM) is made up of people who have worked at KFNS (590 AM, 100.7 FM).

"Practically everybody at KFNS has wanted to come over here at some point," Helmkamp said. "When somebody comes available, we always are open to options."

The FCC situation occurred when Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan was put on the air with what he thought was a private conversation with Slaten.

"We don't tolerate anything like that, and I'm sure he knows it was the wrong thing,'' Helmkamp said. "But ... if we entertained the idea of bringing him over, we'd certainly make sure that was clear.''

Duncan has said he doesn't plan to file a complaint with the FCC because KFNS "took care of the situation in-house.''

At KFNS, program director Chris "Hoss" Neupert said the station is in the process of determining how to fill Slaten's afternoon drive-time slot.

Chadd Scott, who has been working for KFNS owner Big League Broadcasting in Atlanta, helped fill in Tuesday and Wednesday, some of the time with Brian Stull. Bob Fescoe and Craig Paquette are set to be on today, and Neupert says a rotating cast will be used until a permanent replacement is found.

dcaesar@post-dispatch.com | 314-340-8175