While the Jon Miller hullabaloo has now exited center stage and he'll be ESPN-less for the SF Giants next season, the next chapter in broadcasting symmetry in your fear-the-beard wonders is about to take place...we think.
Both Mike Krukow and Duane Kuiper's contracts expired last season and while its a good bet to think both will be back next season because, well, that's just the right thing, wait a minute.
I'm not privy to exact figures on K and K's salary numbers, but I do know that both want significant raises over their 2010 compensation packages. (Industry people I spoke to say both are paid in 'the high six figures." Add note: Both Kruk and Kuip are paid by the Giants, not Comcast and KNBR)
Keep in mind that this figures to be a pretty simple business transaction; the fan base gravitates to the 'atta babe and 'outta here! guy, but as I've said here countless times, Larry Baer, who ultimately makes the call in this dept. is known for his hard-line negotiating tactics, (which isn't such a bad thing, by the way).
Which means if you place common sense into the equation, "it'll get done" and everyone will live happily ever after, right? Uh, well sure. Maybe. Probably.
But say both the lads want a cool million each? That's a lot of pine, meat!
This much is simple: Miller is under contract for the Giants for the next two years. Negotiations with Krukow and Kuiper haven't started in earnest yet because of post-World Series business. A lot of "little things" on the agenda.
Usually by this time, broadcast talent has been handled and ready to go for the upcoming campaign. We don't anticipate a problem here because both sides tend to need each other. I suspect that Baer might want to take care of this before too long and I'd imagine Kruk and Kuip want their slice of the pie dished out fairly soon.
But at what cost? We shall soon find out.
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They are wildly over paid. One mill to sit and talk baseball three hours a day in summer? The line to replace them would go around three blocks. They are good sure, but one mill?
ReplyDeleteIf Baer only offered say $90,000..what are they going to do? Nobody else will hire them. Their is no market for 70 year old nationally unknown announcers.
A million each for Kuiper and Krukow, plus what they pay for Miller? That seems like a lot of dough. By the way for the previous commenter, Kuiper is 60 and Krukow is 58.
ReplyDeleteNo way do they make that much. And to your commentor... they actually work half the year (Spring Training counts)In this year, it was 8 months. Sitting around talking is all any announcer does but to do it well is an art. Also, how do like to travel? It's not for everyone. And don't prematurely age them...they're between 58-60. They are about the best in the business and should be paid accordingly, whatever that is.
ReplyDeleteI have to know-why was Pam Moore doing sports filling in for Radnich? Did KRON let Vern Glenn go?
ReplyDeleteVern Glenn had srgery is is Marin General
ReplyDeleteI hope Vern a fast recovery. Radnich had a meltdown the other day and he and a KRON studio crew member were shouting at each other on air. Radnich was angry that the guy was taking his time resetting the clock on the wall so to speak,with Radnich berating the guy by saying why has KRON sank so low as to hire people with mental problems(he said that!)That off air voice said loudly he's taking care of it,in so many words and before that gave Radnich the finger which was the original start of the argument.
ReplyDeleteWild Stuff.
Without Vern I guess Gary has to do real work.
kruk and kuip have become parodies of themselves. they refuse to say anything that has any real substance ie getting on mojina and sandoval for becoming absolute blimps. however they may stay because in both the mlb and the nfl promoting the brand is all that matters
ReplyDeleteTo the first poster, to suggest that they only work a 3 hour day is asinine. Most broadcast days range from 10-12 hours long. Lots of pre and post show work is done off air and is essential for that days broadcast.
ReplyDeleteTo suggest no one else would hire them is equally ignorant.
Sounds like someone has a case of hateritis.
To the last poster-their is no long line of employers just dieing to hire SIXTY year old men tied to one team in their careers. Get real. If they only had any idea of what a real job is of real world income.It's a joke to say they are worth one million dollars a year-or even remotely close! I dont hate them one iota- A millions dollars for what they do??..hoo-hee.
ReplyDeleteLet them get ten jobs like Uncle Gary.