San Diego, CA
Court upholds verdict for former news anchor Sandra Maas in KUSI’s appeal of equal pay lawsuit
A San Diego appeals court on Tuesday upheld the judgment and what amounted to a $1.775 million award to former news anchor Sandra Maas, who sued the company that previously owned KUSI, alleging it violated equal pay laws by paying her significantly less than her co-anchor.
The opinion comes nearly three years after a San Diego Superior Court jury also found for Maas in her whistleblower claim, in which she argued that her contract was not renewed because she pushed back for the pay disparity.
McKinnon Broadcasting Co., which had owned KUSI when Maas worked there, had challenged the verdict on various grounds, “none of which we find persuasive. We affirm the judgment,” reads the opinion issued Tuesday from the 4th District Court of Appeal, Division 1.
Maas’ attorney, Josh Gruenberg, said in an email Tuesday that the appellate court “confirmed that the jury’s findings were supported by substantial evidence and that the process was impartial and sound.” He called the opinion “a true celebration of equal pay rights and of a judicial system that holds firm — even on appeal.”
“Most importantly, it brings long-overdue closure to a grueling chapter in Sandra Maas’s life,” Gruenberg said. “It takes courage to come forward, and even greater courage to withstand the blocks and tackles that followed in this case.”
Attorneys for McKinnon did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment.
According to arguments and evidence in the 2023 trial, Maas was paid a lower annual salary than male co-anchor Allen Denton during their years anchoring the TV station’s flagship newscast. In 2010, when they first teamed up, she was paid $120,000 annually, and he made $200,000.
When he retired, in 2019, his annual salary was $245,000. Hers was $180,000. That same year, Maas left the station. Maas’ attorney told the jury that when Maas asked for equal compensation, her contract ultimately was not renewed.
Pam Vallero, one of Maas’ attorneys, told the jury in opening statements of the four-week trial that the two anchors had sat “side by side at the same news desk, reading from the same teleprompter, anchoring the same newscast, but paid significantly different by KUSI.” That, she told the jury, “is why we are here.”
The attorney for KUSI told the jury during opening statements that Maas had been “paid fairly for her work in light of her experience, in light of her work ethic, attitude and overall value.”
Maas’ counsel argued that she had worked in broadcast television for 33 years, compared to Denton’s 37 years on TV. KUSI’s attorney said Denton had 48 years of experience, counting 11 years in radio before jumping to TV.
Maas, who worked at CBS 8 in San Diego in the 1990s, started at KUSI as a morning anchor in 2004. Denton, who had worked in the Bay Area, joined KUSI in 2010.
Aside from upholding the verdict, the appeals court on Tuesday also upheld the award of more than $2.3 million for Maas’ attorneys fees.
The San Diego Padres went from spending like crazy under owner Peter Seidler to steadily slashing payroll after his passing. With the team finalizing a record-breaking sale, it appears new leadership will take things back in the other direction.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the “early belief around baseball is that new apdres owner José E. Felicianio “will be in it to win” and could become very aggressive to improve the team. That could include getting into a bidding war for Tarik Skubal.
MLB Power Rankings Week 4, Padres Sit Near Top
Heyman wrote that there’s a belief the Padres may begin “resuming the winning strategy” that fans fell in love with under the late Seidler. That could show up in the winter during MLB free agency, with San Diego potentially joining the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets in the pursuit of two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal.
It would be a strategy that is certainly music to the ears of Padres’ general manager A.J. Preller. He’s consistently been one of the most aggressive decision-makers in baseball, as demonstrated last summer when he dealt prospect Leo De Vries to the Athletics to acquire All-Star closer Mason Miller.
One other thing to note is the Padres’ long-standing interest in acquiring Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran. While he isn’t believed to be available right now, that could change if the team is still struggling this summer. In that event, San Diego stands out as a potential trade partner.
The Padres would certainly have to shell out $50-plus million per season to land Skubal, making him the highest-paid pitcher in baseball history. What will be interesting to see is if San Diego searches for ways to shed specific player salaries to make signing Skubal a little easier to afford.
Hector Estevane
OBITUARY
It is with deep sorrow that I announce the passing of Hector F Estevane. Hector was born in Miami, AZ and passed away on March 16, 2026 in Lincoln, NE at the age of 98. Hector was surrounded by family and friends.
In the sacred silence, Hector was released into the light where his spirit will live on…knowing his time on earth was well served and complete.
Hector’s interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, 4470 Hilltop Dr., San Diego, CA 92102 on May 1, 2026 at 10:00 am. Rest in Peace Dad. I love you, cre
San Diego FC manager Mickey Varas emphatically shut the door on any potential U-turn regarding the club’s decision to separate record-signing Hirving Lozano from the team’s 2026 plans.
It’s been a difficult start for San Diego’s sophomore season in Major League Soccer. Winless in their last six matches, the 2025 Western Conference finalists are currently sitting 10th in the conference standings. A player of Lozano’s caliber could theoretically help San Diego end their slump, but when asked about El Chuky’s potential return to the pitch, Varas had an unequivocal two-word response.
“No chance,” he said.
Two words are all it took for Varas to once again confirm that, under his watch, the Chuky Lozano era in San Diego is over.
What Happened Between San Diego and Lozano?
San Diego announced in January that Lozano was not part of the team’s plans for 2026 and encouraged him to look for a new team during the winter window. Lozano, who was the club’s first ever Designated Player signing, was cast aside after only one season, but why?
“It’s not worth getting into details,” Varas said about the situation in January. “This is a decision that was made based on an analysis of the whole year. This wasn’t just one thing that happened or something that happened at the end of the year.
“There were many things that we analyzed for us to decide we don’t fit together. This isn’t judging us as a club or him as a player, it’s simply saying that it’s not a good fit and what’s best for us is to continue without him.”
Lozano—still contracted with the MLS side through the 2028 season—has spent the entirety of 2026 training by himself, separated from his teammates, evidenced by recurring posts on his social media.
Cracks in Varas and Lozano’s relationship started at the tail-end of last season. The Mexico international was benched for the final game of the regular and one playoff match for a reported altercation with the manager, centered around the decision to substitute him at halftime in a previous outing. Disciplinary issues have been common for Lozano throughout his career.
The relationship between the pair fractured to a point of no return, and that’s widely regarded as the main reason for the current situation.
Lozano had offers to leave the club this winter, but the player refused to relinquish the fourth-highest salary in MLS, even if that meant giving up on the opportunity to represent Mexico in his third career World Cup this summer.
But with Varas doubling-down on his decision to do without Lozano, the saga will continue into the coming months.
Important Summer for San Diego, Lozano
The summer transfer window represents the next potential opportunity for Lozano and San Diego to go their separate ways.
The club could certainly use Lozano’s DP spot to target a high-caliber reinforcement, and finding a new home would allow El Chucky to get his career back on track considering he hasn’t played a single minute since Nov. 2025; however, the 30-year-old’s reluctancy to waive his lucrative salary could continue unless San Diego offers him a juicy payout.
The player seems unbothered by the situation. If Lozano has already surrendered his World Cup hopes in favor of his salary, then evidence suggests he’d have no issue continuing this way.
Alternatively, if San Diego’s struggles continue, and Varas can’t correct course, then it’s not out of the question that his manager job could potentially be at stake—especially with Lozano’s situation casting a dark cloud on the team’s season. If a new manager were to come in, then it’s not unrealistic to assume Lozano could be granted a second chance.
This last scenario is perhaps the least likely, meaning once again, Lozano and San Diego will have to make a decision on what the future holds this summer. The player has all the leverage, but how long can he continue training by himself before he decides enough is enough?
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