People & Personalities: Kornheiser Offered Buyout From Post

Kornheiser Offered Buyout By Post

Tony Kornheiser said on Thursday's edition of ESPN's "PTI" while discussing whether the Knicks should buy out the contract of coach Isiah Thomas, "Let me speak as a man being offered a buyout as we speak. The Washington Post offered me a buyout. My feeling is that buyouts are great, and that if you were to offer me a buyout from newspapers, radio and TV for two years cash right now, you would never see me again" ("PTI," ESPN, 4/3).

CHASS MULLING OFFER: Commenting on Thursday's item on TheBigLead.com, N.Y. Times MLB writer Murray Chass said that while he was considering a buyout from the paper, he had not made a decision. "It's an attractive offer and one that might not come again,'' said Chass, who has been at the Times for 38 years. "But I am not being forced out and I am not going to retire." Sources have said that Chass' buyout would be for two years' salary, but he would not confirm that. As for the suggestion that Chass would have more difficulty finding a new job than some of his colleagues at other major metro dailies in similar positions, including the Chicago Tribune's Sam Smith and the Boston Globe's Jackie McMullen? "I've had several offers already," Chass said. "I have a few more weeks to decide on the Times offer and I intend to use them" (Terry Lefton, THE DAILY). Meanwhile, Smith has signed to be a contributor to Comcast SportsNet Chicago (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 4/4).

NOTES: In St. Louis, Dan Caesar reports KFNS-AM host Kevin Slaten “temporarily is off the air” and producer Evan Makovsky is out after a “controversial interview last week with Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan.” Duncan thought he was “having a private conversation with Slaten, but instead was on the air” (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 4/4)….Fox has hired former Braves and Orioles pitching coach Leo Mazzone as an analyst for its MLB coverage (USA TODAY, 4/4)....Florida State Univ. football radio analyst Peter Tom Willis has been fired after 10 seasons and said the decision was because he was “too critical” of the team (TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT, 4/4).