Michaels Reportedly Is Reprimanded by ABC Boss

Al Michaels, ABC’s top sportscaster, and Dennis Swanson, ABC Sports’ president, are at odds.

The disagreement, sources say, stems from Michaels’ teen-age daughter Jennifer’s working as a messenger for the network at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Salt Lake City, a job that pays $50 a day.

Swanson, citing a company policy against nepotism, has reprimanded Michaels, possibly even suspending him.

However, Michaels is not expected to miss any assignments.

He is not scheduled to work again until April 7, when ABC televises the Santa Anita Derby.

But there has been speculation a suspension could involve loss of salary, and with Michaels making about $1.5 million a year, the amount could be substantial.

The suspension reportedly may be two weeks to one month.

Michaels, according to his wife, Linda, was out of town Wednesday night and not reachable by telephone. She declined to comment, as did ABC officials.

ABC televised the figure skating from Salt Lake City Feb. 10-11.

Jennifer Michaels, a sophomore in high school, accompanied her father to Salt Lake City, and, more to have something to do than anything else, worked as a messenger, or runner.

Another ABC runner, who asked not to be identified, said under a new policy runners cannot make more than $150 per event, which is three days’ pay.

The same runner said a co-worker, the son of an ABC cameraman, was not able to take a higher position because of ABC’s nepotism policy. But working as a runner apparently was permitted.

Swanson replaced Roone Arledge as head of ABC Sports in January, 1986. Since then, ABC has been shut out of three Olympic negotiations, lost baseball and missed opportunities to get either the NCAA basketball tournament or the NBA package.

Michaels and commentator Dan Dierdorf at times made cracks about ABC losing events during “Monday Night Football” telecasts. One time both said that the way things were going, they may end up covering volleyball.