Tony Ventrella was an American media consultant who served as a sports director for KING 5.
Ventrella was prominent in Seattle’s sports media industry for over forty years. Throughout his career, he earned recognition, including three Emmy Awards.
Highlights
- Tony Ventrella was a prominent media broadcaster in the Seattle, Washington, area who served as sports director for KING-5 and KIRO-7 channels.
- Ventrella passed away on October 20, 2024, at the age of 80, following a long battle with Cancer.
- Tony is survived by his wife, Mika; three children, Tim, Peter, and Lisa; and seven grandchildren.
80-year-old Ventrella had wide experience in television and radio broadcasting, writing news, sports, public speaking, and entertainment.
Since starting his career in broadcasting in 1977 as sports Director at WANE-TV, Tony has continued to serve throughout his lifetime.
The broadcasting sports icon Tony Ventrella passed away on October 20, 2024, at the age of 80 after health complications from Cancer.
Tony Ventrella Is Well Respected In The Western Washington Community For His Work In The Sports Media Industry
Tony Ventrella was born in 1944 in Wilton, Connecticut, United States. He attended Wilton High School and completed his undergraduate education at Tri-City Barber College.
Similarly, Tony pursued speech communication at CT State Norwalk as a part-time student in 1962 and graduated in 1965.
Tony Ventrella began his career in the 1960s with a part-time job at the Wilton Bulletin in Connecticut. He also briefly ran a barbershop.
In 1977, Ventrella joined WANE-TV as a sports director and worked there for four years until 1981. One year later, in February 1982, he joined KING-5 TV.
Ventrella spent 12 years at KING from 1982-94 and worked with media personalities like Jean Enerson, Jeff Renner, and Aaron Brown before moving to KIRO-TV.
The broadcasting icon worked as a sports director at KIRO for eight years and shared his working hours with popular broadcasters like Steve Raible, Susan Hutcheson, and Happy Wappler.
After leaving KIRO-7 in 2002, Tony spent two years at KCPQ and other major stations in Seattle. In 2008, he joined the Seattle Seahawks as a digital media host.
While working as an in-house digital reporter for the Seahawks, Ventrella became a TV commercial writer, producer, and public speaker.
After leaving the Seahawks in January 2016, the media consultant Tony Ventrella was often seen as the guest broadcaster and sports event host.
Tony Ventrella, who was 80 on October 20, 2024, rests in eternal rest, leaving an impactful legacy on sports broadcasting in Seattle, Washington.
Tony Ventrella Is Survived By His Wife, Mika, Three Kids, And Seven Grandkids
Ventrella was married to Mika Shigeta, who is of Japanese ethnicity. The couple had three children: Tim, Peter, and Lisa Ventrella.
Vnetrella’s son Tim is a maintenance operator and lives with his family in Frisco, Colorado.
Similarly, Tony’s son Peter Ventrella is a sales manager at Good Chevrolet and previously worked at Ford Motor Company.
Peter shared the news of his father, Tony, through his social media. He writes,
It is with a very heavy heart that it was my Dad’s time to go do the great sportscast in the sky. He was loved by many, and passed away peacefully last night surrounded by loved ones. I will miss you Dad.
Peter Ventrella
Furthermore, Tony Ventrella’s only daughter, Lisa, is a teacher at Vancouver Public Schools. On June 15, 2019, he posted about his daughter earning her Master’s in Education.
Moreover, Tony Ventrella was the proud grandfather of his seven grandchildren: three grandsons, Zo, Angus, and Preston, and four granddaughters, Edie, Emmett, Zoey, and Hadley.
Additional Information
- Although Tony Ventrella’s net worth is not explicitly documented, his personal career wealth was estimated to be about $500K at the time of his demise.
- Tony’s annual salary as Sports Director at KIRO-7 was approximately $120K.
- Tony Ventrella’s parents were Mary and Tony Ventrella. He had three siblings: a brother, Phil, and two sisters, Bunny and MJ.
