415 Media Extra: Ibanez Headed to KPIX? O'Donnell Days Numbered at CBS-SF; PIX GM 'Huge' Ibanez Fan; But Fox Could Spoil The Party

Dennis O'Donnell

Dennis O'Donnell just celebrated his 20-year anniversary at KPIX; maybe "celebrated" is not the right word considering DOD's bizarre on-air machinations of late.  Have you watched him lately? He doesn't sound or appear to be the real O'Donnell. Which, fair or unfair, leads to speculation.


Let's forget that question for a moment and give you some HOT POTATO inside dope which is why you come to 415 Media...

O'Donnell's contract is up early next year. I'm hearing through my reliable spies at CBS that Dennis will NOT be renewed and that a local sports anchor icon might be in the mix at PIX: here's a doozy for you: legendary KTVU "Sporting Life" Mark Ibanez could be a prime candidate to become KPIX's new sports anchor.

Some background.

Mark Ibanez

Ibanez is less than a year away (March, 2021 to be exact) from completing his current deal, a three-year contract he signed in 2018. Ibanez, according to sources close to him, wants one last extension and would very much love to stay at KTVU, where he's been since, 1979! That's 40 years/plus and a solid career at Fox2, but with uncertaintygalore at FOX O and O stations, maybe Ibanez isn't in the mix?

I doubt that.

 I expect Ibanez will get another extension --maybe not a raise, maybe even a pay cut (he makes $325K a year) --but could CBS-SF sway him across the bay? You betcha.

PIX GM and big boss, Kevin Walsh is a HUGE Mark Ibanez fan. And I know for a fact that Ibanez is overly flattered to be considered for such new scenery at 855 Battery. There's been no formal discussion or talk but there is a sort of mutual admiration society between Walsh and Ibanez, that much I know. And I wouldn't be shocked if Walsh, via CBS (which has deep pockets) would blow away Ibanez with a very generous offer.

This much is certain: O'Donnell is probably through at PIX.