Dario Melendez is returning to Milwaukee ABC affiliate WISN as sports director on April 18.
Melendez worked at the station as a sports anchor and reporter between 2010 and 2013. He will replace long-time sports director Dan Needles, who retired last month after 32 years with the station.
“Dario was part of Big 12 Sports a few years ago,” said Jan Wade, president and general manager of WISN. “So viewers are welcoming back a familiar face. He and his wife met here and are raising their family here now. We are very excited to have him back.”
“The WISN 12 Sports Director role is one of the most coveted jobs in the industry,” said Melendez. “Only two people have held the title over the last 41 years. To be able to continue the legacies left by Tom Sutton and Dan Needles—my personal mentor and someone I learned so much from—is an honor. The chance to connect these fans to their favorite teams and bring them the best coverage in our great state is a role I am thrilled to accept.”
Melendez comes from Bally Sports Wisconsin, where he covered the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Before that, he worked at NY 1 in New York City and at ESPN in Bristol, Ct.