Lee Baker has been with ABC 7 Amarillo KVII for 37 years, but left February 2025 after he said his Sinclair Broadcast Group job was eliminated.
"Coming up, my final sportscast at KVII-TV, ending 37 years at the station and nearly 42 in #Amarillo," Baker posted on X. "The sports director/sports anchor positions have been eliminated due to a change in the news format. TKS to all for following and see you on down the road."
This week, the Amarillo Independent School District honored him for his dedication and service to the community. The Texas Association of Broadcasters recently honored him for "Exemplary Service to the Texas Broadcast Industry and four decades in the air in Amarillo."
In 2018, Baker was inducted into the Lone Star Emmy Silver Circle.
According to his bio, he was the longest-serving sports anchor in Amarillo, with nearly 42 years in the market.
Baker began his broadcasting career in 1980, starting in radio in Farmington, New Mexico, selling ads and doing some play-by-play commentary.
In a 2018 interview with anchor David Bradley, Baker shared that a wisecrack landed him his first television job.
He joined KFDA NewsChannel 10 Amarillo in September 1983 before moving to KVII in March 1988.
Originally from Indiana, Baker served four years in the Navy and is a Vietnam veteran. He attended Indiana University.
Coming up, my final sportscast at KVII-TV, ending 37 years at the station and nearly 42 in #Amarillo. The sports director/sports anchor positions have been eliminated due to a change in the news format. TKS to all for following and see you on down the road part 1
— Lee Baker (@KVIIsportsguy) February 22, 2025
