Most importantly, so does KTVU. And why wouldn't they?
The veteran sports anchor, (he's been at the Fox affiliate for almost 32 years), just re-upped for another three years, (April, 2015), making him one of the longest-tenured sports anchors in the Bay Area.
Ibanez told me by phone that "this was the easiest deal I have ever negotiated. 'Tom, (station GM, Tom Raponi) was cool. He made me feel 'wanted--I'm very, very happy."
I asked Ibanez about the money, but he politely declined to discuss the deal, although an industry exec told me it's about $350,000 per year. Not bad for a local guy who's been dishing out the sporting life, and now, has begun occasional news anchoring. He'll also continue to host the post-game 49ers highlights show if its a Fox telecast.
One thing I like about Ibanez is his writing. In a little over two minutes, it's pretty hard to whip out intelligent, enlightening and funny sports prose, but Ibanez has the nails. Indeed, I've often kidded him that he sometimes makes it look too easy.
We here at 415 Media like good writing. We also like the dapper suits that adorns his Markness. With his deal now set, we're hoping the Armani account will be maintained. (The password is: trade-out).
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Remember when Ibanez looked like Mickey Thomas of Jefferson Starship? the long hair and 'stache? Times have changed and gone by.Now, Thomas probably doesn't look like Thomas!
ReplyDeleteMark is one of the better people in our business. He doesn't take himself too seriously, and truly enjoys sports. Although in recent years I haven't seen him out at the ballparks as I'd like, he has plenty of local credibility, having covered many of the key moments of the 49ers and Giants over the last 30 years. He also works extremely well with the local pro and college athletes, and can produce smooth and accurate reports under tight deadline pressure in flawless fashion.
ReplyDeleteI worked with Mark off and on in the early and mid 1990s at KNBR, and he is one of the most relaxed and easy broadscasters to work with. Mark isn't burdened by an oversize ego, but he has confidence in his abilities, and he's also very adaptable.
It isn't easy sometimes, working for mercurial people in broadcast management, but Mark has always made it a point to try and get along well with his producers, his co-announcers, and the men and women who have to make the tough decisions in the front office.
Mark truly understands that sports isn't life or death, so while he sometimes takes things rather casually, he has a good outlook on the world as a whole. I think his attitude is reflective of the laid-back Bay Area, where we love our teams, but don't feel the need to scream and rant about things as they do in other parts of the country. I think part of that is due to the fact that Mark also grew up here and understands the Bay Area and it's sports fans.
I worked with Mark for a few years on KNBR, from about 1991 through 1994, and it was always relaxing and pleasant. I also remember Mark working the weekends in Sacramento back in the late 1970s as about the same time that Joe Fonzi was working in Salinas or Monterey (can't remember which town). I was also in TV at the time, working up the coast in Eureka. While I eventually moved north to Portland to work in TV there, Mark and Joe migrated back to the Bay Area.
Mark came to KTVU in 1979 after Mike Chamberlain, a weekend sports anchor left to take a better job in Arizona. Mike Chamberlain was one of the top sports anchors in the Phoenix area for many years until he got out of the profession recently. Fonzi meanwhile, showed up at KPIX in about 1983 and replaced Fred McCloud, who went on to work in TV for many years as one of the top sports anchors in Detroit.
Now Ibanez and Fonzi are working together, and you couldn't find two better guys and two more solid pros on nightly local TV sports.
That's great coin for 5 minutes a day....
ReplyDeleteThat's just what I was thinking. I think Ibanez does a really good job on KTVU, it's just that they devote such a tiny amount of time to sports. It's almost like an afterthought, the last couple of minutes of their 10 PM broadcast. That's literally how much they give Ibanez to do the sports. Like I said I think he does a good job with the amount of time he's given but the amount of time is so miniscule that KTVU could get just about anyone to do the sports and they'd do okay.
DeleteWe in the Bay Area are truly blessed to have such a good sportcaster as Mark Ibanez, he "is" the best sports guy in the SF Bay Area.
ReplyDeleteTruly blessed?
DeleteGive me a break.
Ibanez is fine, he's a good sportscaster, but truly blessed? Your last name isn't Ibanez is it?
With guys like Dennis (ch.5), Gary (ch.4), and who knows who on ch.3! Yep, he is the best thing going as a sportscaster around these parts...And no, my last name isn't Ibanez....is your last name Radnich????
DeleteOH! Now I get it.
DeleteThe guy who went overboard by saying the Bay Area is TRULY BLESSED to have Mark Ibanez is actually the Radnich-hating crazy guy.
So this wasn't about Ibanez but yet another chance to vent about Radnich.
Please do yourself a favor and seek counseling. When all your perceptions are dominated by your hate for Gary Radnich, it's time to get help
Look 6-30-12 @ 9:19am....U started it, I just finished it! Peace Out to ya, cuz I'm done with ya....SMH...
Delete919...you see Stan's everywhere don't you?..You cant get it through your head other people see Raddy like I do. Man, at this rate..seek help. Its like your going mad-insane,even, swinging at your own delusional Stan pinatas!
DeleteYour even have me worried as you accuse everybody of Stanisms...take a vacation man.
Good column, good news. I like Ibanez. Good writer for TV, and that's saying something. He could probably make it in print, too, which most talking heads cannot do, either from the radio or from the tube (IN MY EXPERIENCE, which is substantial).
ReplyDeleteI got a chance to work at KTVU around 2000. I found Mark was really nice and he has a great personality. He deserves this and is strong personality for 2.
ReplyDeleteDoes not matter one way or another just wish they would have some time for sports.
ReplyDeletehe has the EASIEST job in the world.
ReplyDelete$350K for 2 minutes of work a night?
ReplyDeleteWhat a slime ball. The guy gets a noticeable fan boner when the 49ers or Giants do well, meanwhile he disrespects the East Bay teams. First perfect game and World Series win in Bay Area history, Mark? What a joke.
ReplyDeleteMark gets high marks (pardon the pun) for dating Leslie Griffith in her prime. As to his job, it is the easiest $350k per year. I doubt Mr. Ibanez is insecure enough to go out and buy a used luxury car to keep appearances like his KRON colleague...cheers on your contract sir!!!
ReplyDeleteGood for him. But how many local broadcasters have signed a new contract and then get punched out shortly afterwards by management (the Cumulus Effect?). I don't think KTVU management are as douchey as Cumulus, though.
ReplyDeleteSmart move. At least the suits at KTVU got something right. Though every time I see him I still think of that time he was running around the 49ers sidelines at the end of Super Bowl XIX, giddly like an 11-year old who saw his first nudie magazine.
ReplyDeleteMan, there are sure a lot of ornery people who love to takes shots at guys like Mark. I guess some people have too much time on their hands and are not happy with their own lives. Sad!
ReplyDeleteAgreed, especially the dude at June 29th, & 30th @ 7:43pm, & 9:19am....Total D-BAG, IMHO.
DeleteIt was the first perfect game and World Series title in Bay Area history because nobody gives a flying f*ck about the A's and would prefer they would just go away. The numbers don't lie.
ReplyDeletefuck off ahole, typical orange and black arrogance. Win three more titles here in the Bay Area, then you can speak.
DeleteSell out your crappy stadium once without the help of the opposing team's fans and stay on the same radio station for three straight years, then you can reply. Typical delusional A's fan. Go pound your stupid little drum somewhere else.
DeleteAnyone who eats dinner at "$5/bento hole-in-the-walls" in Alameda is OK with me, congrats Mark, on the new contract....!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's a lot more than a few minutes a day. You gotta write a solid script, and make sure you squeeze as much good information into the few minutes you have to make it compelling.
ReplyDeleteYou people have no idea what it takes to put together anything in the TV industry because all you do is sit on your couch with a bag of potato chips.
#trolls
I don't have a problem with Mr. Ibanez making $350K. It's not a lot after what Obama and Jerry Brown get through raping him.
ReplyDelete11:33pm: I get it. You have a strong grip on the key to this.
ReplyDeleteHey Rich, it's Sunday morning and both 680 and 1050 are off-air. You might want to look into this.
ReplyDeleteMark is a good guy, especially when we have blowhole like Radnich, who just cares about a paycheck and kisses ownerships nuts.
ReplyDeleteRich, maybe you should take some writing lessons from Ibanez. Who cares how much he will make, nobody watches evening news anymore. I am more worried that AC came out of the closet, maybe now we will see more news media personnel come out. Maybe Oprah will say she has been gay all her life, yikes!!!
ReplyDeleteI interned at KTVU around 2007-2008. I can tell you firsthand that Dennis Richmond was one intimidating MOFO. Okay, now onto the topic at hand. As far as TV stations go KTVU was a pretty friendly atmosphere and most people were nice. I met many people while I was there but I have to say that Mark Ibanez was hands-down the nicest person. He was super friendly, encouraging and just a really laidback guy. Not your typical TV guy at all. Out of the evening people he was the nicest. Frank Somerville is another guy who is nice and introduces himself, but is intense. Bill Martin can be moody/temperamental but is a good guy. Julie Haener seemed cool. I agree with a lot of the comments especially the ones from Bruce Magowan. BTW, good to hear from you Bruce Magowan, I've never met you but have fond memories listening to you on KNBR.
ReplyDeleteI'm in the TV business now and you do remember the good people. Considering the overall nature of the business, Mark is a guy that people like working with. I'm not going to lie, he's not the hardest worker, but he's a swell dude.