Bubba the Love Sponge teases return to local radio

Bubba the Love Sponge Clem will drop some news sure to delight fans on Monday involving his return to the Tampa Bay airwaves.

Rumors had circulated for a month that the shock jock — known for a passionate "army" of loyal listeners, and feuds with fellow disc jockey Todd "MJ" Schnitt and wrestler Hulk Hogan — might be headed for WHFS-FM in Holmes Beach. That's thanks in part to an ownership swap by CBS Radio, which recently dealt several stations, including WHFS and 1010-AM, to Beasley Broadcast Group in return for stations in other cities .

Clem's website says that he and his staff will return on Monday, when the Bubba Radio Network will debut on a new Tampa Bay station.

On Friday, Ker's WingHouse announced Clem's return in conjunction with promoting the rollout of its double-breaded "Bubba Style Wings," now on the menu in all WingHouse locations. The statement reported that Clem "will be returning to the Tampa Bay radio waves on Jan. 5 to WHFS-98.7 FM after departing from The Bone 102.5 in August of 2014."

No such announcement had come from Beasley Broadcast Group, and a company representative disavowed knowledge of the WingHouse statement.

Clem posted this on his Twitter account early Friday: "Headed to studio. Getting ready for Monday."

Clem will hold a news conference Monday morning in Tampa elaborating on his new arrangement, WingHouse spokeswoman Molly Jacobson said.

Times researcher Carolyn Edds contributed to this report.