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Eric Zane acknowledges the crowd at Van Andel Arena as he prepares to do the PA for the Grand Rapids Griffins game on Wednesday.

(Nick Gonzales | MLive.com)

UPDATE: Free Beer & Hot Wings: Dissed DeltaPlex owner didn't want host fired

Popular West Michigan radio personality Eric Zane, who lost his position with

the nationally syndicated Free Beer & Hot Wings morning show, is also out as the public address announcer for the Grand Rapids Drive.

The Drive, a member of the NBA Development League, and Zane both said the split came shortly after a home game Feb. 3 at the DeltaPlex Arena against the Austin Spurs.

Zane will continue as PA announcer for the Grand Rapids Griffins at Van Andel Arena, the Griffins said. He has done that the past 10 seasons.

RELATED: Fans of Free Beer & Hot Wings lose their minds over host's departure

In his position with the Drive, Zane "wasn't representing our brand on air in a manner that we expected from an employee," Sarah Jbara, the director of public relations for the second-year team, said Wednesday.

Eric Zane

Zane, who was in his first season in the role with the Drive, did not want to discuss the circumstances of his departure, saying, "I have to skip that one as I don't want to upset the Drive or anybody else."

Shortly after the game, Zane, while broadcasting on the Free Beer & Hot Wings morning show - heard locally on WGRD (97.9 FM) and 37 other stations across the country - went on a rant about the conditions of the DeltaPlex and owner Joel Langlois.

Jbara, when asked if that was a reason for the split, said there was, "not one specific instance." She also cited conflicting schedules with the Griffins, "and he was just not representing the team in a manner that aligned with our brand."

Zane was absent from the radio show more than a week before a statement was issued Tuesday confirming that he was no longer a part of the show.

As for losing the gig with the Drive, Zane said:

"I loved doing those Drive games. I was starting to gel with the fans and getting some laughs. The half-court shot contest was a riot because the contestants were rarely close and l enjoyed heckling. The game play is outstanding, I thought. The league, in my opinion, is developmental in name only."

Since Feb 3, the Drive have employed Matt Hendricks as the PA announcer.

Both the Drive and Griffins play at home tonight.

Pete Wallner covers sports for MLive/Grand Rapids Press. Email him at pwallner@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.