The drama surrounding the firing of KNBR sports talk host Ralph Barbieri ramped up on Sunday afternoon. First, big-time San Francisco lawyer Angela Alioto put out a release saying Ralph was wrongfully terminated for “being late.” KNBR shot back with its own statement, saying Alioto and Barbieri were all wrong.

It all promises to become a classic San Francisco legal tussle, complete with spin cycle and dirty laundry.

In case you want to see exactly what the two sides are alleging, here are the two statements (and a bonus Ralph response to the KNBR response!):

Angela Alioto’s press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 15TH, 2012

Contact: Angela Alioto, Joe Alioto Veronese, Steven L. Robinson Attorneys for Plaintiff

Phone: (415) 568-1533, (415) 434-8700

Email: angelaav@aol.com

… Ralph Barbieri, Local Legend, Respected San Francisco Sportscaster, Proud Single Father And Member Of The Bay Area Radio Hall Of Fame, Was Illegally Terminated By Cumulus Inc. Of Atlanta Georgia, Susquehanna Radio Corp, And By Radio Station KNBR.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA– For 28 tumultuous years, native San Franciscan, Ralph Barbieri, lent his passionate opinions and his unique edgy voice to the radio airways on KNBR 680. In doing so he achieved phenomenal success and near legendary status, recently being inducted into the Bay Area Radio Hall Of Fame.

Barbieri was the first broadcaster in the Bay Area to successfully do a sports talk show during afternoon drive commute hour, thereby paving the way for KNBR to turn into a 24-hour sports talk station. Throughout his entire career, whether alone or paired with Tom Tolbert as The Razor and Mr. T, his shows were always at or near the top of the ratings. KNBR and Barbieri seemed like a perfect match.

This is the same Ralph Barbieri who was wrongfully terminated for an alleged “cause”, ie. “for being late”. The termination is nothing less than Age Discrimination, Disability Discrimination, Breach of Good Faith And Fair Dealing, and Breach of Contract, inter alia. Barbieri is 66 years old and has a slow-developing form of Parkinson’s disease, which he spoke publicly about for the first time last October, 2011. As a result of this wrongful termination, Barbieri has lost his entire salary and all health benefits.

On Tuesday, April 10th, 2012, Barbieri was summoned into the Market Manager’s office and was told that he was terminated, effective “immediately”. He was stunned; after 28 years it was over in a flash. Then, he was escorted off the premises, like a common criminal.

Barbieri’s contract does not end until October 31st, 2012. Indeed, just two months ago, on February 1st, 2012, Barbieri was given a bonus for his stellar performance.

According to Barbieri’s attorney, Angela Alioto, “The action by KNBR , Susquehanna Radio Corp., and Cumulus. Inc, sends the message loud and clear that if you are 66 years old and have a disability, “we don’t want you anymore”. The message we will send, right back to them, loud and clear, is that this type of despicable illegal behavior will not be tolerated in the City and County of San Francisco.”

KNBR’s response:

The following is a statement from Bill Bungeroth, Vice President / Market Manager, Cumulus, San Francisco.

“It is disappointing that Ralph’s lawyers have issued a press release filled with inaccurate statements and baseless accusations.

The simple fact is that Ralph refused to honor some of the most basic terms of his contract. As a result, KNBR exercised its right to terminate the contract.

Ralph does not disclose that KNBR offered him a contract to continue his pay and benefits for the next six months. His response to that offer was to make disparaging statements about KNBR in the press.

It is completely implausible that the termination of Ralph’s contract had anything to do with his age or the fact he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. KNBR renewed his contract this past fall with full knowledge of those circumstances. At that time, Ralph publicly recognized that the Company “didn’t view the Parkinson’s as a red flag.”

“That statement is true. It never has. ”

Ralph’s response to KNBR’s response:

Ralph Barbieri called this reporter late Sunday and criticized KNBR’s offer to pay him for another six months. He said they did offer to pay him for another six months, but that the offer could be terminated after one month by management.

That’s it for now. Keep your eyes open and watch for flying lawsuits.