ESPN's TAFOYA Talking With KSTP

(From The Minneapolis Star Tribune -- By Judd Zulgad)

MICHELE TAFOYA's contract with ESPN runs through 2006, but it appears THE EDINA RESIDENT might be interested in staying closer to home when that deal expires.

Tafoya, the sideline reporter for ABC's MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL (MNF), talked to officials at KSTP (Channel 5) about a role at the station that could land her in A NEWS ANCHOR CHAIR. KSTP is looking for anchors because it plans to add a 4-4:30 pm newscast.

"I can confirm she was here," said CHRIS BERG, News Director at KSTP. "She is under contract with the networks, and we have no interest in her until her obligations are done with them. We're looking at her for down the road as someone who can be an anchor at this television station."

Tafoya, a former KFAN TALK-SHOW HOST who also did sports for WCCO (Channel 4), has separate agreements with ABC and ESPN, even though both are owned by DISNEY. Her ABC DEAL runs through the end of THIS NFL SEASON, which will be the network's last doing MNF. Last week, ESPN announced that Tafoya would be one of its sideline reporters when it takes over the MNF PACKAGE in 2006. She also is ESPN's top NBA SIDELINE REPORTER.

Tafoya, due to give birth to her first child on November 28th, did not want to comment on discussions with KSTP but said she has no plans to try to get out of her network agreements early.

"I am fully intending to honor my contracts but it's flattering to be thought of by others," she said.

KSTP has talked to several candidates for anchor jobs. ROB HUBBARD, General Manager, said the plan is for KSTP to launch the newscast as soon as possible.

"Our goal is to have already started it," he said of the 4-4:30 pm show. "When we have two more anchors we have confidence in (we'll start). It's that simple."

Considering the amount of time Tafoya has left on her contract with ESPN, one would have to believe that if KSTP were to hire her, it would come well after the launch of the additional news show.

"She's a bright articulate person who is well rounded and understands what news is," Berg said of Tafoya. "She is not just a one-dimensional sports person."