By Kevin Wing
Editor, Off Camera
Gary Radnich, who through the years became legendary in the Bay Area not only for his long, storied tenure at San Francisco’s KRON but also for his unique brand of sportscasting, has announced he is retiring from the station he has called home since 1985.
Radnich, KRON’s main sports anchor for decades, will leave the station at the end of August. The station has yet to name a replacement for him.
For the last 26 years, Radnich has done double duty, also working at KNBR as a sports-talk radio host. He will continue to host his radio show after he leaves KRON.
The 68-year-old broadcaster first announced his retirement on his Twitter page June 19.
“It’s time… after 34 years of unprecedented fun and freedom time to retire from KRON,” Radnich wrote.
Gary Radnich
The San Jose native joined KRON in February 1985, when it was still the NBC affiliate for the Bay Area. Working as a sports anchor and reporter for a network affiliate like KRON at that time afforded Radnich the opportunity to interview Bay Area athletes and local sports personalities. For years, Radnich hosted “Sports Final” on Sunday night’s following KRON’s 11 p.m. newscast, first with Pete Liebengood, then later by himself.
Radnich’s style on air was considered by many to be brash, and viewers either loved him or they didn’t. That being said, he endured through the years. His own brand of sportscasting certainly set himself apart from the rest of the pack, and Radnich’s nearly 34 years at KRON will likely be remembered as a colorful, fun chapter in Bay Area television history.