Soon after Lee Rodgers got his pink slip at KSFO, I had the story from a source, and posted that he was "out." Despite the spin from a KSFO PR guy that Rodgers simply "retired, I wrote that Rodgers act was wearing thin; his contract was nearing completion, and most importantly, he was making too much money at financially-plagued Citadel, which owns KSFO and sister-station, KGO Radio.
Rodgers cranky-old man act and his anti-Muslim, race-baiting didn't help matters, but by and large it was his reported "low six-figure deal" that was the main reason he was shown the door. His ratings had dipped too, which didn't help matters.
After a few days of relative non-interest from the SF media, two pubs ran a story Monday. Joe Garofoli of SFGate reported that Rodgers didn't "retire", (really now?) and was let go by the Citadel brass for reasons I've outlined.
Examiner.com also published a short story with Rodgers ripping into Citadel and re-affirming he didn't retire. (Wonder where Examiner.com got that?)
Two things: Never trust a PR guy who e-mails (me) that my story was wrong and that the Rodgers deal "was merely a natural transition." I'm not going to mention the KSFO PR guy to embarrass him, but really, save me the bull.
The other: Its nice to know that the story and analysis of what just exactly took place found its way onto the mainstream scene Monday.
Way to go, boys and girls.
**Follow me on Twitter and read me for the latest scoops, tips, and quality content that you'd expect from a knebbish like me.
Of course Citadel will never tell anyone the real story, they don't have to.
ReplyDeleteRodgers claimed that "ultra-leftists and pro-Muslim" groups had something to do with it but when he was called on it said it didn't. He can lie to Joe at the Chron too, and unless the station corrects him publicly no one will know what the real story is. He will probably even get any kind of final deal sealed like Dobbs did when he got canned.
KSFO didn't admit that my advertiser alert program had any impact, which is not true, but since they aren't required to provide anyone with the real data they can say what ever they want.
I've got emails and other evidence that my program cost them 28 advertisers in 2007 and 4 more in 2009. But I don't ever expect them to acknowledge that, but their bosses at Citadel knew that KSFO wasn't generating all the revenue it should have and previously did.
What's funny is that Sussman, who is the new morning host, is not only responsible for the loss of many of the advertisers, the fans of Lee aren't going to be his fans.
I hope Rodgers union lawyers do file a suit, the discover in open court would be interesting reading.