Steve Roah Fired at Channel 5; Ed Arnold Is Likely Replacement

Steve Roah, Channel 5’s weekend sportscaster, has been fired, effective July 1, Jeff Wald, the station’s news director, confirmed Tuesday. A likely replacement is Ed Arnold, who was Channel 7’s weekend sportscaster until he was fired six weeks ago. Arnold worked at Channel 5 before moving to Channel 7 about 11 years ago.

Reportedly, Joe Torre, the Angels’ TV commentator, auditioned for the Channel 5 job but is not considered a strong candidate. Torre is also a former major league manager.

Roah, who came to Channel 5 from an NBC affiliate in Reno about five years ago, said: “I was told I was being let go because I was near the end of my two-year contract and because of the availability of Ed Arnold.”

Said Wald: “There’s no animosity on our part. Steve is a competent sportscaster and a hell of a nice guy. We simply came to the end of an agreement and feel we can grow with someone the caliber of Ed Arnold.” Wald, however, said that the deal with Arnold has not been completed.

Roah is currently the president of the Southern California Broadcasters Assn. and said he will remain in that position.