Joel Connable, Best Anchor, Gets Ready for NBC Lawsuit

Kyle Munzenrieder June 10, 2009 2:07PM

[
          {
            "name": "Related Stories / Support Us Combo",
            "component": "12278355",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "6"
          },{
            "name": "Air - Billboard - Inline Content",
            "component": "12278351",
            "insertPoint": "2/3",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7"
          },
          
          {
            "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size 2",
            "component": "12278352",
            "insertPoint": "12",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "12"
          },{
            "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size 2",
            "component": "12278352",
            "insertPoint": "4th",
            "startingPoint": "16",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "12"
          }
          
            ,{
              "name": "RevContent - In Article",
              "component": "13536732",
              "insertPoint": "3/5",
              "requiredCountToDisplay": "5"
            }
          
        ]

The decision to name Joel Connable as Best News Anchor in our "Best of Miami" issue came months ago. Then WTVJ had to go and fire him, and no one is really sure why. Not even Connable, who's suing the last-place station.

WTVJ, an NBC-owned and -operated station (until they can unload it, anyway), says Connable agreed to take a free trip in exchange for featuring a luxury hotel in St. Thomas in a report. SFLTV, a blog that keeps a keen eye on the local news, landed an interview with Connable. He explains his side of the story and says he did nothing wrong. He didn't even end up going on the trip.

"I did not solicit favors from anybody... and I am truly hurt by the allegations," Connable tells the blog.

The rumor, though, is that NBC just wanted Connable and his sizable paycheck out of the way.

KEEP MIAMI NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started Miami New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Miami, and we'd like to keep it that way. With local media under siege, it's more important than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. You can help by participating in our "I Support" program, allowing us to keep offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food and culture with no paywalls.

Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1.