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Friday, December 15, 2000

SPORTS MEDIA

Beil leaving ESPN
for Bay Area

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By Dave Reardon
Star-Bulletin

As Larry Beil leaves Bristol, Conn., he said yesterday he is likely not totally exiting ESPN.

The former Hawaii sportscaster, who has been an ESPN SportsCenter anchor the past five years, joins KGO-TV in San Francisco as a weekend sports anchor Jan. 6.

Beil, 39, said he is working on an arrangement where he can still contribute to ESPN.com and continue to do his ESPN "Extra Point" commentaries.

"I'm leaving on good terms. They've been aware I've been looking elsewhere for a couple years now," Beil said. "The station I'm joining is owned by Disney (as is ESPN) so that helps, especially since I'm in the middle of a contract."

KGO-TV News Director Ed Kosowski said Beil's "knowledge of the Bay Area sports scene" got him the job. He was sports anchor at KTVU in San Francisco for four years before joining ESPN five years ago

Beil, who has family in Hawaii and California, said the move was a "lifestyle decision."

"We love Hawaii and it will always be our home, and California is our second home," said Beil.

"Flying 12-14 hours to get home was pretty much like a corkscrew to a forehead."

Beil, a University of Hawaii graduate, did radio and TV play-by-play for UH sports and was sports director at KGMB-TV during the 1980s.

While he said he'll miss many things about ESPN, Beil said he is looking forward to warmer weather and more scenic views.

"It will be emotional as I drive by the picturesque Otis Elevator testing shaft, Bristol's local landmark, and trade it for the Golden Gate Bridge," Beil said.

Like many SportsCenter hosts before him, he leaves a verbal legacy.

"Neil Everett (also a former Hawaii sportscaster) and Reece Davis are in a fierce bidding war for the rights to 'Aloha means goodbye,' " Beil joked, referencing the catch-phrase he made popular nationwide.