WJLA sports anchor Tim Brant gave his final report for the Washington, D.C. ABC affiliate, Friday night.
The Washington Post reports, Brant declined an offer from new owner Sinclair Broadcasting, one he described as “generous,” because he would have had to give up his other job as a broadcaster for the ACC Network.
Brant told The Post “I said, ‘Thanks, but no thanks.’”
Brant said he’s excited about the next chapter in his career, but Friday, which marked the end of an era for the D.C. native, wasn’t just another day. Brant was a guest on 106.7 The Fan and ESPN 980. There were hugs and tears in the WJLA studios when he was feted with cake before the first of his final three newscasts. Comcast SportsNet sent cupcakes in his honor.
“It’s just been an unbelievable day,” Brant said. “I’ll miss the people. Without a doubt I’ll miss the people. This is like a family over here.”
Brant, who was a defensive captain of the football team at Maryland, got his start in journalism in 1974 after he was cut by the Redskins in training camp. WMAL’s Andy Ockershausen hired Brant to do a sports segment during the popular “Harden and Weaver” show and to announce Maryland football and basketball games. Brant was offered the job as WJLA’s first sports director in 1978. Mike Patrick was his weekend anchor.
Brant left WJLA in the late 80s to work for CBS Sports. He then moved to ABC Sports where he worked until 2007 even after returning to WJLA as vp of sports in 2004.