Oregon Media Insiders

Contract was up, told it was not going to be renewed, cleaned up his desk and left.

it was monday the 13th

Jeff and Marty will likely no longer have jobs once New Vision takes over. This is their opportunity to get rid of him ( which they have wanted to do since Day 1 ) with less risk of repercussions. If Ed does decide to sue, they will be long gone by the time the case goes to court. I doubt that Montecito wants to incur the risk of a messy lawsuit just weeks before the sale is finalized, so this move does not appear to be a wise decision. Whether you like Ed or not, he is an icon of local Portland news and one of the only minorities with a dominant weekday role in the market. Although I'm sure there will be a few in the Basement who will welcome Ed's Firing, it will not go over well with the actual viewers. Then again, KOIN hasn't been too concerned about what viewers think in a long time.

New Visions isn't about to sit idle until Nov. when they take over, pending FCC approval. First thing they're looking at is on air talent contracts and when the contracts are up for renewal. NV sees Ed's contract and puts the screws to Marty to cut him loose. It might get Marty a gold star so, why not? Montecito doesn't want anything to get in the way of the transition to NV so Marty's probably taking it in both ends. He's got to do it. The bigger question this triggers is, when are Jeff and Kelly's contracts up and how low can they go? the ratings suck and they'll only get worse so it's hard to justify paying for pricey talent. Make no mistake, NV has already tipped their hat to current KOIN wonder twins Steady and Brownie that things are going to be bare bones and new creative ways to save, save, save will be coming. The big Daddy getting whacked is just a start....Oh, didn't the NV honcho say something about adding staff? What a sad scene that basement must be. The end of an era without even the slightest acknowledgment. As Jeff would interject during a child molester story, "It just makes you SICK!"

If his contract expired, and they decided not to renew it, there's probably not much Ed can do. It's an opportunity to wipe a big salary off the books, in advance of the sale being finalized. Nobody in the basement has apparently been told anything, so it looks like they are trying to minimize the public fallout, by keeping the thing quiet. Looks like that strategy won't work, but they bought themselves a week, if the above poster is correct. No matter what you think of Ed's schtick over the years, he is a local icon, and to have him just mysteriously disappear into the sunset, is really sad.
Is this the New Vision?

Why wasn't there a farewell or anything like that? Like the poster above said, it's just kind of weird to send him in the sunset without any proper sendoff. Even if he didn't want anything, KOIN should have still had the decency to put a montage together and wish him well.

Real classy.

The last time Ed Whelan was relevant was -- I don't know -- never. Yeah: never seems about right. Tiresome shtick unburdened by actual content or insight. A roll of scores with a little smooth jazz playing underneath would be more compelling. Sorry, and nothing personal, but true.

I will never, ever watch another newscast from KOIN. If Ed Whelen really is gone, why is his picture and bio still on koin.com? Hmm?

do I want to pile on, but Ed stopped caring and trying a long time ago. I don't know if his health has been the issue in the past few years, but he never showed up for any games, news conferences, etc..

Ed was different. I'll give him that. And now when you look around the tv sportscasting landscape in Portland what do you see ? Nothing. Just a bunch of interchangable people and parts not standing out.

Ed got it. In many ways. He knew his audience here, he worked harder than most in the building, and he cared! He knew the KOIN audience didn't watch him for ESPN style sports, they watched for his experience, creative writing and ability to find the strangest "sports" to laugh at. He worked hard every day, watched every feed, and wrote each script with soul. He WILL be missed by many in this market. Good luck and we will miss "Hello everybody, nice seeing you again".

God speed Ed!

They should beg Ed to come back and do the roadtrip! That is a big money account with Ford... the Road Trip won't be the same without Big Daddy! If Ford pulls out, and they would be wise to do so, letting Ed leave will be all for nothing.

interviewed there a few years back and was stunned at how horrible and cheesy that guy was. Sometimes you just cannot stand on "well, they're a market fixture, they've been here forever" any longer, and have to move on, to move the product along.

Sonny had some issues, but he was a genuine friend to many in that building. The first day I worked at KOIN Ed was one of the few who actually took an interest in me and made me feel welcome. On my last day 20 years later Ed also went out of his way to share some laughs about all the things we had gone through.

Whalen Boot of Spokane had a continuing interest in his profession and was pretty dedicated. I'm sorry to see him put out like an old milk bottle, but it seems typical of the way KOIN does things now.

Kelly Day's contract is up next month.

Two things: I have never worked with nor met Mr. Whelan, but I understand he is regarded as a "good guy." I have never worked for KOIN at any time. That being said, after thirty years, he did not even show up in any research. Even after his stroke, viewers did not flock to him, and in my ten years in Portland, they never have. This was, pure and simply, a business decision, like it or not, just as when any talent signs a huge contract for lots of security and even more money. Add this to the fact that local sports has taken on a less-than-important role over those years because of cable. Does any sports fan stay up until 11:25 pm to get a score? I didn't think so.

Unfortunately, you live by the the contract, you die by the contract.

I think too many postings on this site, while insightful, focus too much on hurt feelings. I believe most of the people who take the time to post are either journalists or ex-journalists, and often have trouble seeing the "big picture" of profit and loss, interpreting research, managing personnel, etc.

If you are NOT in the top 5 on-air talent in any market, regardless whether or not you are a "good guy" or have been on the air for thirty years, and your station is in the tank, and you are at the top of the heap in salary, you are vulnerable. No hurt feelings--business!!! A little more brutal and on-display than most, but a business none the less, with hundreds of millions of dollars in play in the market every year.

"This is the business we have chosen," said Hyman Roth in the The Godfather. We all wish Ed well, but if he and his support team over the years had done their jobs better, he might still be sitting in the seat.

You want stability? Go into another business--without contracts.

burnt biscuits!!!

i'd like to see him get a nice send-off. he deserves that, no matter your opinion of his sports casts. 30 years is a long time.

We'll miss you Ed.

...and I DO work for KOIN (no I didn't fire Ed, I certainly don't have that kind of power). Business is business. He was once a Portland icon but he didn't do the job well anymore for a number of reasons. Dan Christopherson will serve us very well going forward.

That being said...good luck to Ed. I believe he'll actually be fine. Another station could pick him up part time to add spice to Sunday NFL or Blazer coverage.

Dan Christopherson is flacid. Who cares.

In the meantime, KPTV has hired a new sports anchor. Name is Mark Ross. Don't know where he's from, but he starts in September. It sounds like he'll be anchoring sports, and reporting news a couple days a week too.

KPTV is also bringing back its 15-minute Friday Night Lights football program. So, presumably he'll be working on that, too.

Sure, there were frustrations (as there are with every "talent"), but he made it worth it. He was always funny, outgoing and friendly.

Good luck, Ed!

PDXCESS: Of course, it's about money! Last time I looked, none of us was being paid with promises. Whelan's research was pitiful.
I can't speak for 1967, but he's not a reason to watch at all in 2007. Why not give someone else a chance? The local sports emphasis is going away everywhere. Get used to it.

Send him to KPAM-AM. He's got the same good-ol'-boy feel as Bob Miller, is an instantly recognizable voice, and might beef up the station's all-OSU-sports-all-the-time incarnation. And the real plus -- I NEVER listen to KPAM.

As a viewer, I think Dan Christopherson is a breath of fresh air for the station. I wish him the best. And contrary to what others think I like Jeff and Kelly and hope they are going to stay around.

Just my .02

He seemed to enjoy what he did and it came across to the viewer. Can't believe KOIN would deal with something like this in this manner. Tell the agent a few months out you're not resigning, give the person a chance to land elsewhere or retire gracefully. Pretty shoddy lying to your staff about the reason about Ed's absence. Makes me figure they'll have no problem lying to the viewer either.

I know Ed. I worked with Ed. Years ago when he was ill and out for a few months... KOIN didn't do ANY sports. And, the ratings did not slip. That being said, Ed was a HUGE draw for his personality. Whoever said he didn't get any numbers never saw the research. On top of that... Ed did not get the huge salary everyone thinks. He could have squeezed KOIN for a much bigger contract long ago. But, he was happy with "enough". He made nowhere near what a lot of anchors make in the Portland market. So, stupid move to get rid of a relatively low-priced, big-draw personality when there are so few real "talents" left in Portland.

The one thing that's funny to me, is looking at http://www.koin.com

Look who's picture is still up top? Great webmasters they have there.

Big, showy send-offs with the blooper reel are for those who retire or leave the biz. Those who get shit-canned are sent off driving down the road muttering to themselves.

I don't want to be mean but when he came on KOIN I would change the channel. I didn't like his style even before his stroke. I do however think that KOIN could have handled his departure with a little more class and consideration than they did.

Brown Noser Rick - and StedMan - are still there.
They can save a few bucks by cutting them.
They don't do much anyway.

has been in this market for well over 10 years and has made ZERO impact. And oh by the way ask the people over at KPTV what he was like to work with. A flake with a capital "F".

Ed has known for years that his day would come. He's been a lightning rod for criticism in and out of the newsroom for years - and never been seen as a 'contemporary anchor.' It's unfortunate that he left without much of a send-off - quietly and unceremoniously after toiling so many years in the Koin basement, but that's the business these days. My guess is removing Ed was probably something New Vision required in their sales agreement - but not on paper.

I dont want to pile on anyone who loses their job, esp after as long as hes been there, but lets face it, he made a mockery of what a sportscast is supposed to look like, ripping off clips from PTI, WWE, no local interest, etc. I've said it on here numerous times, the biggest step KOIN could make back towards respectability was letting him go.

Good luck Ed.

As someone who works in the basement and has known and worked with Ed for a while this both saddens me, and upsets me quite a bit. A lot of people who pass judgment on Ed because of his somewhat aloof style don't realize that he did take his work and research quite seriously, and is quite knowledgeable about sports. His choice was one of style, as it has been since day one. It is truly shocking that they would just kick him to the curb like that (well...maybe not anymore?). But I'm well aware that I of course could be next.

As to Dan, whomever implied he was a flake with a capital F obviously doesn't spend much time with him either. He's pretty dedicated to his job and good at it. He's just stuck in the same dungeon as the rest of the KOIN staff. And that's maybe the saddest thing of all, because there's some damn good people that work there.

Dan Christopherson has come and gone and returned, thankfully. He's energetic, refreshing and knows his stuff. As a sports journalist myself, I have viewed sports casters/journalists all over the country and consider someone like Dan to be a rare find. He's obviously not in it for the money, but dedication. I think he should go to a more prominant network, however...he's selling himself short. I forsee him being around for several more years, that is, if he's strategic about his moves. He needs work at a bigger station or work in a bigger market. Boston would be a good match.

This was 11 days ago.

Is Carlin at the Oregonian going to report anything on this? Or did I miss it?

Ed was a joy to watch, he made the sports segment worth watching for many people who could care less about sports. His delivery was funny and creative - something of which no other sportscaster in town can boast. His use of creative video and animations and odd stories made him unique. Lets face it, Portland is not the biggest sports town and Ed's newscast acknowledged that fact by finding the interesting stories in sports. Anyone can look up stupid stats and scores on the internet that is not what is interesting with sports. Ed will truly truly be missed. A Portland legend.

I didn't need the scores and already knew them for the most part. I watched Ed every night just before Letterman to get his take on the events of the day and his look at some of the strange plays that occurred. He was entertaining and the only reason I would tune in to KOIN. Now I won't. There's a "NEW VISION" for you...

Yeah, a legend for being a crappy sportscaster.

You people don't get it. 63 comments about Ed...in this short period of time. He must have had some impact on the market.

And did you pick up the irony in that the previous story posted here is about a long time reporter "retiring" from the Oregonian. When did somebody last "retire" from TV news. I guess Paul Linnman did. Most of us simply get the Boot. (Sorry, Sonny)

Welcome to the real world people...this is how it is in the business. And yes, I used to work at KOIN. My departure was ugly too.

but I don't know too many people who eat there. Just because something is well known doesn't make it good. Ed's act wore thin 15 years ago. He kept doing the same thing over and over again. He didn't evolve as a sportscaster. Can you imagine if Steve Martin was still doing his "wild and crazy guy" routine and putting an arrow through his head. It's horrible what happened to Ed. There's no question about it. But if you look at him as strictly a sportscaster his time had come and gone

I worked with Ed for several years and found him to be one of the most genuine people I know. He cared very much about the product he put out, was always watching feeds, offering to write (he does have a news background) and watching out for his co-workers. Ed required that you earn his respect-- once you did, he would do anything for you.

Love his delivery or hate it, you have to give Ed one thing: he chose his style and direction and stuck with it-- making a name for himself in an increasingly boring market with increasingly interchangable talent.

Good luck Ed-- you'll be missed!

I know a lot of "on air talent"... but he was an ASSHOLE. Really.

Am I right?

Look at the other sports casters in the Portland market. Ed Whelan was the only one worth watching. Have you seen the new guy at Katu? What a joke! I will be watching Adam What's his name on Kgw now. He is the only sports person worth watching in this lame market now.

Hello folks, Hope to see you again,

Some might say that he was more of a gimmick than a sports caster, but I think that gimmick worked and it worked well. In today’s world with cell phones and the internet, information is just as available to the general public as it is to the news stations; why does one watch the news? If an individual can access the news that affects them and is important to them instantaneously, why would one attempt to fit a nightly news program into their busy schedule? The people, that’s why, viewers get used to seeing those familiar faces, they feel comfortable, and they feel like they can trust those people. Trust has been lost.
This is probably the worst decision that could ever have been made at a station struggling to reel in more viewers; sure there are a few talented people employed at KOIN 6 (and I do feel sorry for them), but none, I repeat NONE, as charismatic and iconic as Ed Whelan! To let him go with no warning to the faithful viewers, no send off, not even an explanation! Why? I don’t know who’s in charge, obviously someone overly obsessed with money and/or their own personal interests (hmmm…Media Titans?), but it is clear that this station no longer cares about its viewers, or the community that it’s Bringing the News Home to. Loyalty has dissipated.
Personally, as a 30 year old male, I could care less about football, basketball, soccer, horse racing, caber tossing, cat juggling (ok , I have to admit that sounds interesting), or any other sports, but I would stay up to see Ed every night even though I had to wake up at 5am. I know I am not the only one that did, he made this overly boring and monotone news program worth watching! He elevated the stiff, depressing, and rehashed “news” that constantly drivels from behind the desk night after loathsome night. The sign-off was more akin to a sitcom than a newscast when Ed was there, and that’s the way many viewers liked it, I don’t know what it’s like now, and frankly I am not curious enough to find out. No más devoción.
I suppose when or if this station is bought we should expect more sudden disappearances of familiar faces? Of course with that comes the awkward period when the viewers will have to get used to looking at the faces of the new illegitimate offspring of Mother 1st Amendment and Father Corporate America? Well, I guess it doesn’t really matter to me anymore, I guess I’ll just catch the news on FOX 12 or what I like to call The AIBNLB News (The American Idol’s Brown Nosing Little Brother News). Of course the important news can only be seen on PBS and the BBC or heard on NPR.
A plate of burnt biscuits looks mighty good right now.

Sincerely,

Asleep@2300hrs

If the new KOIN managment keeps with the SJL pattern, HORRIBLE Lynn Huston will be anchoring the 5pm snore fest next to another new stupid bobble head with no talent from some po-dunk market being paid minimum wage! It will get real hard to pay the bills once they have repelled their few remaining loyal viewers by booting more familiar faces! Maybe they should start giving away cold hard cash to viewers who call in and answer some stupid question......old school audience trolling!! That'll get em back!!

What's the scoop on her? Is she gone as well?

End of the one thing means beginning of something else…you never know what will happened in the future!

I think Ed having a very good time no matter what…You will be surprised…Ed has a girlfriend – she is a young, beautiful and a smart women...Ed’s friends and she support him a lot (I wish every one could have that kind of support).

Well, Ed is good…better then he was before…who cares about KOIN and their politics? He will be better then he was before…I’m sure, because he is a wonderful person with a big heart and more…he is an awesome person!!!!!!!!

I hope Ed is merrily enjoying life without KOIN --- I was sorry to hear he is gone. So long, Ed.

I rarely tune into KOIN news (haven't for years) but Ed was one of the few staffers that I enjoyed watching. Ken Boddie and Mike Donahue are the last KOINers that would make me stop flipping the channels to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZABeQ5vkpXM

Is that for real?
Is she really KOIN's new anchor?
HA HA HA HA... I haven't laughed like that in a while!

...surely you can come up with a more creative dig than this.

It is disgusting to see how white the Portland news market is. People of color are not represented in Portland TV News, especially not Latinos and African-Americans. Portland will be all white before you know it.

was on Good Day Oregon yesterday and today. Anyone know why? It seems unusual to put the evening anchor on the morning show.

I find these days just flipping through KOIN is the best remedy to the Ed Whelan debacle. Then again I hear about Portland's fastest growing newscast and I equally want to throw up.

So where does that leave us... Leaves me wanting to create a broadband only newscast.

Mr. Whelan, I read many of these posts and think Montecito is still churning the spin on their stupid decisions. You were a classy individual for Portland. You knew this market and our love for burnt biscuits and buckwheat better than anyone else, and it ultimately proved to be your downfall. Here's to hope you land on your feet and we can see you again.

What many forget is that even though the Ford account was lost on Ed Whelan's watch, he was the one who also brought it through his style and delivery. Just a matter of time before Marty joins Ed on the welfare line. Marty won't have a job in this big of a market ever again however, unlike Ed.

Why is Ed Whalen's picture still on the KOIN website?

That's about it. No more Sonny? The guy understood that his audience wasn't looking for the highlights of the night, those folks were watching ESPN. It was a shtick and he had to be different. His Road Show was one hell of a production, but it went down the tubes when SJL/Montecito took over and cut staff. The segment had people dedicated to it. At least one of them was let go during the January 2006 layoffs. Like him or not, Ed was a good guy to work with. His health obviously took its toll as well. But those of you asking for a tribute have it all wrong. When management tells you to leave the building for good, you don't get a send off.

KOIN finally updated the website.

Re: Ed Whelan's departure from KOIN.

I will no longer watch any news on KOIN.
He was the only reason for me watching in the first place.