Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, April 2, 1990 TAG: 9004020346
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: DENVER LENGTH: Medium
Musburger, who had become as big a CBS symbol as the trademark eye, was let go by the network Sunday after they failed to agree on a new contract.
"I was surprised, but it was a great run and I have a million memories, and I leave behind a lot of good friends," Musburger said in a statement released by Jimmy Tubbs, his personal assistant.
"At this time, I'm going to take an extended vacation, and I'll be working again someday, somewhere."
The move stunned Musburger's colleagues, some of whom thought it was an April Fool's joke.
"I'm shocked," sportscaster Greg Gumbel said. "I think most everyone assumed that Brent was going to continue to be the primary voice of CBS Sports."
Neal Pilson, president of CBS Sports, said it was a "difficult decision" to let Musburger go after 15 years. Tonight's game will be Musburger's farewell broadcast on the network.
"We simply felt we wanted to give more opportunities to some of the younger people who currently work for us," Pilson said. "There's never a good time to announce a decision like this. We were asked by Brent's representative to make a decision, and that's what we did."
Musburger's 5 1/2-year contract with CBS, which reportedly paid him about $2 million per year, expires in July. Pilson said money wasn't a major factor in the negotiations, but he wouldn't name the key issues in the contract dispute.
Ted Shaker, executive producer of CBS Sports, said the network wanted to cut back on Musburger's heavy workload and give more assignments to other reporters.
"We have a great group of young broadcasters. They're our present and our future," Shaker said.
Musburger was scheduled to become the main voice for CBS' baseball coverage, which begins April 14. He also was in line to host the network's coverage of the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics.
Musburger, who turns 51 next month, took his family for a drive in the mountains Sunday and could not be reached.
Shaker said he didn't think the announcement would affect Musburger's broadcast of tonight's championship game.
"Brent is a professional," he said. "I'm sure he'll go out and do a good job."
CBS Sports announced the move in a two-paragraph statement.
The network said "it had declined to renew Brent Musburger's employment agreement, which expires within the next few months. Brent's final event for CBS Sports will be the NCAA men's championship game on Monday, April 2, 1990."
CBS spokeswoman Susan Kerr said it wasn't accurate to say that Musburger was fired.
"We just didn't renew his contract," she said.
Pilson said CBS would make an announcement this week on its baseball plans. Speculation on a possible replacement centers on Al Michaels, who reportedly is unhappy at ABC. Michaels was unavailable for comment Sunday.
CBS had planned to pair Musburger and Tim McCarver on baseball broadcasts. The other announcing team was to feature Jack Buck and Dick Stockton.
by CNB