‘Superfan’ Quits KABC Radio

Ed (Superfan) Bieler’s second stint at radio station KABC is over. Bieler announced on the air Friday that he has resigned.

Bieler, who served as the host of KABC’s “Sportstalk” from 1973 through ’76 before being fired, was rehired last fall.

He said on the air Friday that, for some time now, he and station management have disagreed on the direction “Sportstalk” should go. It was recently cut from four hours to two.

He declined further comment, but his manager, Ron Bain of San Diego, said Bieler made the decision to resign while in Las Vegas last week for the Evander Holyfield-Buster Douglas fight.

“He called me from Las Vegas and said, ‘You may not like this, but I’ve decided to resign,’ “Bain said.

“I think a lot of factors were involved in Ed’s decision,” Bain added. “Certainly, all the rumors (about his demise) took a toll.”

KABC announced that Ira Fistell will temporarily replace Bieler on “Sportstalk” and a number of guest hosts will do on-air auditions before a replacement is chosen. No format changes are planned.

Said George Green, KABC general manager: “Despite any speculation to the contrary, Ed’s decision to leave was his own. It’s been a difficult year for him. We understand what he’s gone through.”