WPLG has decided to excersise their out option on Frank Forte’s contract and end it on Aug 23rd. Forte was informed of 10’s decision with a reason given that the station is going to 2 sportscasters and that the News Director doesn’t feel compfortable with his style of anchoring.
More blurb from the Miami Herald Channel 10 dropping Forte after 23 years at the station
Posted on Thu, May. 06, 2004
Channel 10 dropping Forte after 23 years at the station
Frank Forte, who has anchored sports longer than any current television sportscaster in the market, is being dropped by WPLG-Channel 10 after 23 years at the station.
Forte said he was informed this week that WPLG will exercise an out in his contract on Aug. 23, which nullifies the final nine months of his deal. He will leave before then if he finds work elsewhere.
Forte, 48, said news director Bill Pohovey told him he was being dropped because the station is ”going from three to two sportscasters and he’s not comfortable with my style of anchoring.”
Pahovey would not comment on Forte, but said the station will continue to have three sportscasters: lead anchor Jimmy Cefalo, Will Manso (who works primarily in news but will continue to do some sports) and a new hire, John Henry Smith, who was a sports anchor and reporter at a cable channel in Raleigh, N.C.
Forte, a native of Hazelton, Pa., joined WPLG on Feb. 9, 1981, after working in Scranton, Pa.
”Over 23 years, I think I’ve built up a lot of credibility and contacts and good rapport with the audience,” he said. ”For whatever reason, they’ve decided not to look at that as an asset. I’d like to think there is always a place for someone who is knowledgeable, passionate and a good employee. Twenty-three years has been a remarkable run in the context of this business.”
As a part-time gig, Forte also announces University of Miami events on cable, including football last season on Fox Sports Net and baseball this season on Sunshine. But he said he needs to find a full-time position and has begun looking outside the market.
Smith, who will do some anchoring and reporting, joins Channel 10 on May 24.
–BARRY JACKSON
First in, first out
Eighteen-year-old Aree Song, who is playing on the LPGA Tour, was asked why she turned pro so early: ”So I could retire early.”
Something missing
Randy Turner of The Winnipeg Free Press, on a new NBA video game containing no violence: ”Assault and batteries not included.”
