Two games before he planned to announce the end of his
12-year career as Cowboys' radio analyst, Dale Hansen was
fired by station KVIL, saying the "hubbub" surrounding his
future was "distracting", according to Lyons & Fisher of
the FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM. KVIL GM Bob Cooper: "It was
distracting from what we were trying to do for the Cowboys
fans ... We certainly didn't want it to end this way, but we
felt it was something we had to do." However, Hansen said
he was told by KVIL's Cooper "that his dismissal was
primarily the decision of Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones."
Hansen: "Cooper said that Jerry was upset about all the
newspaper stories that said I was resigning and was too
controversial" (FT. WORTH STAR TELEGRAM, 12/13). KVIL
Program Manager Ron Chapman "insisted the station consulted
Jones but made the decision itself." Chapman: "There were
no objections from Jerry." Cowboys Dir of PR Rich
Dalrymple: "We appreciate the work Dale has done on our
broadcast for years. We have always had a very good working
relationship with him and intend to keep it that way."
Hansen has been critical of Jones, recently "calling him a
liar" in the wake of Leon Lett's drug suspension and
likening Jones to "a comical sitcom character" (Barry Horn,
DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 12/13).
