We rarely cover the comings and goings of the Tulsa media scene, but I'd like to wish our deepest and dearest career sympathies to well-known news personality Sunny Leigh.
The former radio host and morning news anchor was recently fired by Rincon-owned Tulsa Fox 23 in apparent retaliation for an age discrimination lawsuit she filed against her former media employer – Sinclair's KTUL Channel 8.
Well, at least that's what it seems like!
In a lengthy Facebook post that went viral across Green Country this week, Sunny explained the reason for her sudden absence from the Tulsa newswaves.
The post has received over 15,000 reactions, and serves as a friendly reminder about how local journalism has been increasingly consolidated and controlled by corporate media conglomerates that are more focused on finances, controlling (mis)information and being petulant dicks than serving their communities.
Here's the post:
See what I mean? That was so long we had to put in our own commercial break!
Here's a quick TL;DR if you need it:
• In late 2023, Sunny – along with longtime Tulsa news vet Mark Bradshaw – were unceremoniously shown the door by Sinclair’s KTUL Channel 8. The company said it was a cost-cutting and restructuring move, but both Sunny and Bradshaw alleged age discrimination. A few months later, they lawyered up and filed a lawsuit.
• As that lawsuit slowly crawled its way through the courts, Leigh landed on her feet at Fox 23, scoring a gig hosting their morning show in October 2024.
• By all accounts, things were going well. She was given new segments and responsibilities, ratings were up, viewers were enjoying their morning coffee, and everything seemed to be trending in the right direction. Then last Thursday, Sunny was summoned to her teary-eyed boss’s office and essentially fired without explanation – only told it was a “corporate directive.”
• The following Monday, that mysterious corporate directive became more clear. Rincon had entered into an operations agreement with Sinclair – the very company Sunny was suing – and if you know how to connect dots (or have ever watched a single episode of Succession), she was essentially being let go as retaliation. As a result, Sunny is considering even more legal action.
Of course, that’s just my TL;DR.
I'm sure Sinclair, Rincon and their lawyers would have a different interpretation of outcomes and events. I'll let you know when they write a viral Facebook post in response to Sunny's claims.
In the meantime, and at risk of exposing my very obvious bias, I wish Sunny the best of luck landing on her feet somewhere. I also hope she’s victorious in her case against Sinclair and hits them squarely in the financial mouth:
Seriously, I know most corporations are evil, soulless entities that don't care about the people or communities they serve (see Paycom or Devon), but Sinclair takes that to Sith lord extremes.
They're ruthless, manipulative liars, and only exist to push propaganda through the trusted facade of local news. They deserve every bad thing that's coming to them, incluing Sunny's punch in the mouth.
Stay with The Lost Ogle. We’ll keep you advised.
