Another One Cut at Raycom (Patreon)

WBRC (Birmingham) Sports Director Rick Karle started working at the station in 1989. 

It is a very long run and it is one that is coming to an end. WBRC is one of the Raycom stations that is being bought out by Gray. Insiders believe that this is another mandated cut of a big salary before Gray takes over. 

Karle sent an email to his co-workers, telling them that he is done in December. 

His email was all class, something you can’t say about either Raycom or Gray.

Here is the email obtained by FTVLive: 

Karle sent an email to his co-workers, telling them that he is done in December. 

His email was all class, something you can’t say about either Raycom or Gray.

Here is the email obtained by FTVLive: 

The first thing that comes to my mind as I write this to you: Man, what a great ride! It’s been a ride that has helped shape my life, my friends and my children’s future. That ride, however, will be coming to an end in early December, as I will be making my exit after nearly thirty years here- that as management is eliminating the Sports Director’s position. What’s that mean for me? It means that I’ll be finishing up our 30th season of “Sideline” before heading on out (we’re guessing December 7th).

It was back in 1989 when I took this job- I figured I’d be here for three years and then be off to a bigger market. But I fell in love with the people in this town, and before you knew it, my wife had earned her law degree, our first house was purchased, along came two kids and we were hooked!

I mentioned the enjoyable run I've had while I've held my position, as I took in 4 Super Bowls, 5 national championships for Bama, 7 national championship games covered, 24 Emmy awards, a national Murrow (given to me by Walter Cronkite which was really awesome),  30 Iron Bowls, 60 Talladega races, 450 “Sideline” shows, and hundreds of friends from both the sports world and from our profession.

I have to tell you that working in local television is a grind- that’s why I’ll always admire what you do- whatever success I have had in the business is due in large part to you. As for me, I’ve spent half of my life working at WBRC TV, but it’s time for me to take a short break, get re-energized and get ready to take on a new job. I’ll soon be ready to go back to work, the exact thing that you will do after you finish reading this note.

It will be business as usual at the station for me over the next six weeks, so let’s get after it. And if any producers are reading this, can I have an extra 30 seconds for sports tonight at 10 o’clock

Karle out….

Rick Karle
Sports Director
WBRC FOX6