Veteran Sports Anchor, Mark Ibanez, has been working without a contract for almost a year. He and KTVU management agreed to put negotiations on hold until after the year. That was back in December. Both Ibanez and station GM, Mellynda Hartel, met and said both parties would try to work out an extension. That hasn't been the case. In fact, Ibanez, according to sources, is frustrated over the pace of the negotiations and has, himself, decided to put off any direct talks.
Ibanez has been at KTVU since 1979. 43 years of anchoring, reporting in the field, 49ers pre and post-game shows and even dabbled in news. He also does numerous charities and has been in the forefront of Autism research. He has emceed many fundraisers and devoted his spare time to the cause. Ibanez's son is autistic. It's an association that he is very proud of and he continues to make many appearences for the cause.
It would behoove KTVU to get a deal done. My own sense is this whole fracus is something that doesn't have to happen. KTVU needs Ubanez, especially in light of their own reputation in the community. They're playing hardball, it seems, with a cherished, beloved figure who only wants one last re-up before he says goodbye. Both sides should sit down and get a deal hammered out. Ibanez is deserving of such and KTVU/Fox2 would be well-served. So too the Bay Area.
*415 MEDIA EXCLUSIVE
He would be perfect for Sexy Action News with Rick Cartman. Mark on Sports, Roberta on Weather and Christine reporting from the food court at Graton Casino.
ReplyDeleteYou bet I’ll try that Ham!!!
Let Ibañez take a hike. Put Fonzi or Applebaum or a dunking bird in his place. Will ratings suffer? No. Have they suffered since Franktimonious crashed his career at Grand Avenue and Broadway? No. When people want sports today they go online or to ESPN. Local TV sports talkers like Ibañez are holdovers from the 1970s and 80s, when people gave a damn which suit talked to them on air. That age is gone, and it's never coming back.
ReplyDeleteWhy hasn't he retired? I'm guessing he's 66 or 67 y/o. Fox wins if he walks and Mark, who I like won't find a better deal (current annual salary) elsewhere. Frankly good as he is, he has lost a step or two.
ReplyDeleteMark is so good at what he does and such a great guy to work with. Total Pro. Not surprised at all that Amber Eikel is on the verge of screwing up AGAIN. She is convinced that no one cares who is on air and is trying very hard to prove it by literally putting ANYONE on air. KTVU used to be a place you could have a career. Now it's a starter wife for the SF market.
ReplyDeletehe's still getting paid at the old contract rate , isn't he ? you make it sound like he's working for some cut rate salary pending the new contract .
ReplyDeleteThe company doesn't care about Mark Ibanez. He speaks to an older audience, as good as he is. The GM has little leverage as corporate will control the budget. They'd just as soon let him go, hire someone younger, newer, and cheaper, before going over their budget.
ReplyDeleteThat's just the reality of media today. Take what they give you or leave. That's the option.
1:19pm, sounds like a good business model in an environment of declining revenues.
ReplyDelete1:19 is spot on. KTVU will go younger and cheaper. The downward spiral of local news is irreversible. Take what they give you, and don't expect much. Sad but true.
ReplyDeleteAt least he makes things interesting with his wall of album covers.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Bakersfield has a sports guy. Amber has Bakersfield on her speed dial. That's the new trajectory. And man KTVU news sure is looking like it. No thanks.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Most of their reporter hires lately have looked like kids. Probably because they are.
Delete"You would think a respected, beloved anchor with Bay Area roots and an immense following would be taken care of..."
DeleteI thought you were talking about Ibañez.....
Not sure I would describe Ibanez as a "respected, beloved anchor". His "Cool Dude in the Vinyl Room" act has gotten tiresome. Wouldn't bother me if he disappeared. I get better and more timely sports news from Yahoo Sports.
ReplyDeleteBitter, party of 1, your table is ready.
Delete10:31pm: LOL!!!!
DeleteDon't hate, Russel Shimooka.
DeleteWho the hell watches local TV sports anymore? As many have pointed out, real sports fans--even local "homers"---simply pull out their phones or tablets and go online to ESPN or Yahoo sports (even CBS sports for me). All you have to do is go to the "scores" part...go to whatever game you want results from...and not only get the box score--you'll even get highlights! All from your phone--wherever the hell you happen to be, at whatever the hell time of day! Why wait until 10pm or 11pm to see highlights???
ReplyDeleteBecause there's still an audience for late night news. Yes yes yes, you millennials stare at your phone on bart watching the highlights. But when it comes right down to it, there is still a huge audience of local news. Your confusing watching internet sports highlights with mediocre talent compared to professional local sports anchors that give better commentary. Dont worry. When we all die and all you have left is watching everything on your phone, you can also schedule your optometry appointment as to why you have 5/20 vision. Dont even try to reply with your comment of I have 20/20 vision.
DeleteI doubt he is mad about not getting a new contract. Mark is a pro and he can do this sportscast from home on his old contract till he decides to retire. He's in a WIN/WIN situation right now. Getting paid pretty damn good coin for something he can do in his sleep. And he doesn't have to commute. You think he cares about a new contract from Fox? I'm sure he could retire if he wants, but why when it's easy money for him. And he knows that Fox is thinking about the possibility of losing some ratings ground if Fox bosses decide to go with someone else. It's already bad enough with the whole Hollier than thou Frank debacle. Ratings didn't spike or lose when they did the musical chairs thing with Alex, Andre and Mibach. Take another veteran off where people will notice even more, especially when Mark has done nothing wrong or scandalous. This is all gravy for him and he definitely deserves it. For all you sub-25 year old Yahoo Sports Fanboys? Don't bitch when you're 60 and wondering why there's no decent sports anchor on tv news. Like you'll able to afford smart-phone internet services on your Social Security income since you weren't smart enough to start a 401K and instead bought crap to do Tik Tok videos. Don't lie.
ReplyDeleteLocal TV sports hasn't been relevant since the mid-1980s, just before the ascent of ESPN. A dead format reduced to 2 minutes per hour.
ReplyDeleteI remember reading that he grew up in Petaluma which has/had this really funky little music venue, The Phoenix Theater where I saw the Red Hot Chili Peppers once
ReplyDeleteMark is one of the best sports guys in the entire country. Hammer out a deal and let the man retire at 2!
ReplyDelete