WGRZ Sports Director Ed Kilgore Leaving After 40 Years

By Kevin Eck 

Ed Kilgore, sports director for Buffalo NBC affiliate WGRZ, is leaving the station after 40 years.

“Channel 2 has been a huge part of my life,” said Kilgore. “The station is in better shape now than it has ever been. That’s why it’s bittersweet to walk away. But, it’s also okay to walk away now, knowing I was a part of that recent growth.”

According to the station, Kilgore is not retiring, but will go to work for East Resources, a company run by Buffalo Sabres owner Terry Pegula.

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Kilgore, who started at WGRZ in 1973, was the intermission host for the Buffalo Sabres broadcasts from 1977 until 1987.  He was also the host of the “Lou Saban Show” in 1973, the “Chuck Knox Show” from 1979 until 1981 and the “Jim Kelly Show” for nine years and all four Super Bowl appearances by the Buffalo Bills.

“It is truly the end of an era for Buffalo Broadcasting. Ed is the last of the TV sports pioneers here,” said Jim Toellner, WGRZ president and general manager. “He has been a part of and chronicler of huge changes in media and especially pro sports. A couple sentences are woefully inadequate to summarize his contributions to sports fandom in WNY. We will miss his daily examinations and enthusiasm.”

Kilgore started his career in 1970 at WOAI in San Antonio before moving to KTRK in Houston in 1972.

The station said Kilgore’s last day will be May 24.

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