Sacked In the Windy City

Earlier this month FTVLive told you that WLS (Chicago) star Sports Anchor Mark Giangreco had been off the air for weeks, after he made a comment, referring to his co-anchor as “ditzy.”

WLS Anchor Cheryl Burton went to management after Giangreco made a comment about a made up TV show he was thinking about. He said, “…and Cheryl can play the ditzy, combative interior decorator…”

That was enough to get him suspended and ultimately fired from the station where he did the sports for nearly 3 decades.

Robert Feder writes that it’s unlikely those words alone would have cost Giangreco his job, but in light of his disciplinary record that included three prior suspensions for comments or tweets deemed inappropriate, the latest incident proved fatal in the current corporate climate, according to all accounts.

Also, it should be pointed out that taking Giangreco off the payroll saves the Disney-owned station big bucks.

Here is the internal email that was sent to the staff by WLS GM John Idler:

I have some news I would like to share about a longtime member of the ABC 7 family. Mark Giangreco, who has been as influential on the Chicago sports scene as the athletes he’s covered, is moving on to a new chapter. During his career, Mark has been there and done that’ covering daily highlights and championship play for every major sports franchise in this city. He has been widely recognized for reporting sports with both passion and insight. I want to thank Mark for his many contributions to ABC 7 and our viewers. I’m sure you will all join me in wishing him the very best.

Below is a note Mark wanted me to share.

Dear colleagues and friends,

It’s been a great run. Working at Chicago’s top station, in the country’s greatest sports town with some of the best people in the business, would be a perfect trifecta for any sports anchor. I’ve had all that and more. But I assure you I’m still going to be having fun doing other things. I want to especially thank my colleagues at ABC 7. You have made this such an incredible ride. I’m deeply grateful to all of you.