Mark Giangreco is out at Chicago ABC-owned station WLS after 27 years.
Giangreco, who is 68, has been off the air since Jan. 28 after co-anchor Cheryl Burton complained to management about Giangreco saying she could “play the ditzy, combative interior decorator” in a comment about a made-up DIY show.
Robert Feder, who first reported the news, says “his firing ends one of the longest and most successful runs of any sports anchor in Chicago. Every ABC 7 newscast he appeared on was No. 1 in the ratings.”
“Mark Giangreco, who has been as influential on the Chicago sports scene as the athletes he’s covered, is moving on to a new chapter,” WLS general manager John Idler wrote in an email to staff. “I want to thank Mark for his many contributions to ABC 7 and our viewers. I’m sure you will all join me in wishing him the very best.”
“It’s been a great run,” Giangreco said in the same email. “Working at Chicago’s top station, in the country’s greatest sports town with some of the best people in the business, would be a perfect trifecta for any sports anchor. I’ve had all that and more. But I assure you I’m still going to be having fun doing other things. I want to especially thank my colleagues at ABC 7. You have made this such an incredible ride. I’m deeply grateful to all of you.”