Butch Stearns out at Fox 25 Boston

(November 6, 2009) In another sign that local TV news is throwing in the towel in the media sports battle, FOX 25 has cut loose beloved veteran sports anchor Butch Stearns after a decade with the station, the Herald has learned.

FOX 25 confirmed yesterday that they have not renewed Stearns’ contract but wouldn’t comment on their reason for letting him go. Stearns - the station’s top sports anchor - isn’t being replaced.

“I’ve known about this for a while now, and next week will be my last week at FOX 25,” Stearns said last night. “I’ll have a lot more to say about my future then.”

The station also threw cold water on speculation it plans to wipe out its sports department, saying it will use its last remaining sports ace, Ryan Asselta - and news staff - to cover the beat.

“We have a robust news and sports department and we’ll utilize current staff to cover Boston sports,” said FOX 25 spokeswoman Maggie Hennessey-Nees.

Stearns, a longtime contributor on sports radio powerhouse WEEI-AM (850), went to work for FOX 25 in 1999 and was promoted to main sports anchor two years later.

The decision to oust Stearns - a 49-year-old Braintree native - comes more than a year after WBZ-TV (Ch. 4) sent sports icon Bob Lobel packing.

Stearns’ exit leaves FOX 25’s sports department with only one on-air personality and one producer, compared with an average of three on-air sportscasters at its local rivals.

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