Another one jumps from Nexstar
Another reporter is jumping from the local Nexstar duopoly this month. WYOU anchorman Phil Yacuboski says he's looking for other jobs, after losing an arbitration case to get his non-compete clause axed so he could head to WNEP...or at least "consider" it. His argument was that the clause was voided when he got a contract extension in 2004.Yacuboski isn't the first Nexstar employee to try to get out of their non-compete. Perhaps you've heard about Rachel Barnhart, a former reporter for WROC in Rochester, N.Y. She managed to circumvent her non-compete (scroll down) as a "web reporter" for competing station WHAM. Because Barnhart only appears online, she can wait it out there until she can go back on-air.
Other reporters are using the online loophole, and with everything WNEP is doing to its website, maybe Yacuboski can be the station's first "web reporter?"
posted by Howard Beale at 11:28 AM
16 Comments:
You'd think that a "non-compete" agreement signed with a gun to your head (that is, you must agree to it if you want the job -- hardly a true voluntary act) would void that part of the contract.
While it protects the investment (promo costs) of the station, it is at the expense of the talent's ability to freely pursue employment opportunities. A one-sided gain; management can only benefit, labor can only suffer.
Non-competes are protection for stations that invest time and money in developing talent. It's difficult to believe WYOU did anything that would make Phil a hot item to competitors. That said, I also don't understand why Phil made it an issue. As an anchor, he clearly doesn't attract an audience. As a reporter, he isn't known for exclusives. What could he offer to WNEP that would help that powerhouse?
Yacuboski...
HA, HA. LOSER, DORK, TYPICAL VALLEY HENNAH (AND THAT COMES ACROSS ON TV)
HE HAS TO BE THE FIRST PERSON TO LOST AN ARBITRATION CASE AGAINST NEXSTAR. WHAT A JOKE!!!
PHIL, CAN YOU SAY "LEADED OR UNLEADED"???
Poor, dumb Phil. After months and months and months of trying to find other work (with no takers) he BEGGED for a contract extension. Then he was surprised when the station explained to him that extending his contract meant EXTENDING HIS CONTRACT! All terms intact!
WNEP has made some questionable hires lately, but does anyone out there really think 16 is dumb enough to hire a disgruntled, disloyal, dishonest SCHMUCK like Phil Yacoboski?
Prospective employers, if you're looking for someone to give 30%, this is your guy!
Hysterical! I only worked in the same building-- read worked on the BRE side-- he always seemed to think he was a bit better than everyone else.
So Howard, does this mean that Diane L. will have more airtime in which to hawk her CDs come this year's Christmas/NY holiday season?
Those are some harsh comments...Phil doesn't deserve to be kicked by commrades when he's down. I hope he does become WNEP's first web reporter. In the meantime, lighten up on the poor guy.
I think Phil is a nice guy -so what if he is a "typical valley hennah"! I have no idea what that means and even if i did I would still think its discriminatory. Don't label people -it only make you the ignorant one. Phil doesn't seem to have a big attitude -just a bit personality. There's a big difference. He always gives credit where credit is due. I've seen him publically give fellow employees the "attaboy" or "attagirl". I also think he is a hard worker and doesn't give just 30 percent. He always does the best job at the Children Miracle Network telethons! Don't judge the legal case unless you know the specifics. How can anyone in the ranks not throw their support behind him for having the guts to stand up to a media conglomerate? His leaving will be a loss to WYOU. More credible than say -Eric Deabill who I've seen make up facts. You people are so judgemental and mean spirited. Phil has been with the company for so long the least John D. could have done was cut him some slack.
While Phil's a solid reporter, he's been ailing--- he wants to get out of the Nexstar hole-- he's wanted to for a while.
And I think Eric Deabill is solid edition to that station.
Phil is gone. Move on people. As for Eric? Who!!!! They need a female to compliment weather and sports. People come and go in this business. WYOU will not shut down.
To the 7:02 post...
I so hope that you intended to write that "Eric Deabill is a solid ADDITION" --NOT--as you wrote a "solid EDITION!" I also hope you are not in the business. God help us all.
I was never a big Yacuboski fan (even when I worked with the guy) but I'm glad he sued Sook the Schnook. Nexstar is a terrible company, and they deserve all this negative publicity. Phil should be able to head up to Moosic. But he may have to slave in a smaller market for a year, so he can come home again. Maybe he's headed back to Binghamton for a while?
Binghamton seems like a big demotion (even when you're coming from WYOU), so unless a station made Yacuboski an offer he couldn't refuse, I doubt he'd fall back to such a low market.
I think if he did wait it out, WNEP might look at him. Yacuboski's a local guy, born and raised, and if you look at WNEP's lineup, you'll see they like to hire the hometown crowd.
Yes, Binghamton would be a huge demotion. But if Phil is leaving, and needs a job...and if there is a job in Binghamton open, I would think he would have to go somewhere for a while so he can continue to eat and pay his bills.
I read with interest the comments from several "insiders" at the WBRE/WYOU family as you anonymously drag down a solid, dedicated reporter. One was looking for exclusives... like the ones the Times Leader borrows? Phil has put years of work into the company, reporting on whatever the assignment editor decides. Why must there always be the negative "ha ha" comments when someone stands up for themselves. Phil has demonstrated committment to a less than upright organization for years. One that allows a repeat drunkard to keep his job, one that skirts the legality of duopoly and spits in the face of consumers by charging cable companies for carriage of signals that belong to the public.
I wish for once we could just wish someone well without degrading ourselves - as we attempt to degrade others.
Phil had a lot of courage and managed to make a go of things. I know he is from "our area", but I think he found out a contract too late that his company thought less of him than he did of himself. When THAT happens, it really is time to move on.
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