`Fabulous Sports Babe' Sues Kjr, Lands Radio Job With Espn

Nanci Donnellan, the brash broadcaster known as The Fabulous Sports Babe, has landed a job with ESPN radio.

Pulled off the air by KJR (950 AM) nearly three months ago, Donnellan also filed suit yesterday against the Seattle radio station in King County Superior Court.

She charged KJR with breaching her employment agreement and has asked the court to dissolve the contract, which has two years remaining. She is not seeking damages, other than court costs.

Donnellan, who could not be reached for comment, said before she was taken off the air that she was being "held hostage" by KJR. Listeners frequently called in with salutations of "Free the Babe." Sonic Coach George Karl also joined in the sentiment on the air.

Tom Lee, KJR program director, declined to comment until he had more details about the suit.

In the suit, Donnellan said her job with ESPN would begin in May and that she is moving to Bristol, Conn. An ESPN spokesman said her weekday sports talk show would debut July 4. Presumably, she would work ESPN weekend shows until then.

Donnellan would be the first female broadcaster to conduct a national sports talk show.

It was not immediately known if her ESPN show would be broadcast locally. KJR is an ESPN affiliate.