UPDATE 12:50 PM 8/10/07: Our apologies to Akron Beacon Journal sports/media columnist George M. Thomas, an OMW reader who has Andy Baskin's appointment Thursday as WEWS/5 sports director as the lead item in his sports media column today.
OMW learned the news late Thursday night, separately, from one of our regular sources at "NewsChannel 5".
We weren't aware that it was in the Beacon Journal today. We don't subscribe to the Dead Trees edition of either the Beacon or the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
And we note that the newly-redesigned Ohio.com, though it has a section for Mr. Thomas' writings, hasn't quite figured out how to actually PUT his material in that section. (That'd be a hint to the folks at 44 Exchange Street.)
Thomas also notes the name of that second sports person hired - Terry Brooks, who comes from the 24 hour "News 14 Carolina" cable news channel.
Anyway, Baskin tells George Thomas that WEWS folks "made (him) feel at home" when he came aboard as a fill-in. And he's eager for high school football season to start, with the station's planned heavy coverage of the popular sport.
Our original report is below...
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There's finally a full house in the sports department at Scripps ABC affiliate WEWS/5 in Cleveland.
OMW hears that long-time fill-in sports anchor Andy Baskin has been officially named as sports director at "NewsChannel 5", after a long stint filling one of the two empty sports chairs.
Baskin has history in the market, at Gannett NBC affiliate WKYC/3, and at WKYC-linked SportsTime Ohio - the latter both in his capacity at Channel 3 and as an independent producer.
OMW also hears that WEWS has also hired ANOTHER sports reporter, though we don't know who that is right now.
Will The Overworked Sue Ann Robak stay, and make it a three-person sports department at 3001 Euclid?
We don't know.
But we told you long ago that station management apparently had no intent on making Ms. Robak the lead sports personality - a thought we're sure Sue Ann figured out even without our help.
And now that the other dominoes have officially fallen, she doesn't have to guess at what'll happen...and may feel the same way John Chandler did when he left for a gig in Boston...
Friday, August 10, 2007
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4 comments:
Mixed feelings about this one. I guess the folks at 3001 Euclid decided to make the "safe" decision by hiring Andy Baskin as their primary sports anchor. Choosing Sue Ann Robak would have been a bold move and a trend-setting decision. I bet Sue Ann will find something else and be out the door there by the end of the year.
Andy is a great guy and good at what he does but Sue Ann got hosed on this deal. She does a fine job and deserved better.
Andy has been toiling away for a number of years now, and it's nice to see the hard work finally pay off.
And as I have said before, with all due respect to Sue Ann Robak who has done Yeoman's work, that a female as the top sports voice would never go over in a blue collar, rust belt, beer and a shot town like Cleveland.
Andy is a top-notch broadcaster and a genuine, caring guy behind the scenes. He'll do great in the SD position and quickly have the respect of those working with him at TV5. Good luck Andy!
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