Sinclair Mourns Death of Board Member, Judge Basil A. Thomas

BALTIMORE, Sept. 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- With great sadness, Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBGI) announces the passing of long-time Board member, Basil A. Thomas, 98. 

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"During his 20 years as a Board member, Judge Thomas had an immense impact on Sinclair and served our Company and shareholders in an exemplary fashion," commented David Smith, Chairman of Sinclair's Board.  "He was man of great wisdom; a voice of reason with an incredible desire to learn.  In the early days of Sinclair's formation, he was an invaluable advisor to me and my brothers as we took over and grew the Company, and even before then to my father.  There was no question that someone of his integrity and insight had to be a part of our Board, and we owe much of our success to his friendship, counsel and service."

Judge Thomas was recently awarded the 2013 Baltimore Business Journal Outstanding Directors Award.  When asked to sum up a director's main role or responsibility, Mr. Thomas responded, "Integrity… integrity to your responsibility, your moral integrity, … and your credibility. But it all boils down to one thing. If you keep in sight your function — why you're there — and you're true to it and true to yourself and committed to the goals that you were selected to pursue, I think the word integrity is that and more."

Judge Thomas has served as a Sinclair Director since November 1993.  From 1961 to 1968, Mr. Thomas was as an Associate Judge on the Municipal Court of Baltimore City, and from 1968 to 1983 he served as an Associate Judge of the Supreme Bench of Baltimore City.  He retired from the bench in 1982 and served as counsel to the law firm, Thomas & Libowitz until December 31, 2007.  Mr. Thomas was a member of the American Bar Association and the Maryland State Bar Association. A graduate of the College of William & Mary, Judge Thomas received his L.L.B. from the University of Baltimore. Judge Thomas is the father of Steven A. Thomas, a senior attorney and founder of Thomas & Libowitz, counsel to Sinclair.

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., the largest and one of the most diversified television broadcasting companies, owns and operates, programs or provides sales services to 162 television stations in 77 markets, pro forma for pending transactions.  Sinclair's television group is affiliated with all major networks and reaches approximately 38.7% of all U.S. television households. For more information, please visit Sinclair's website at www.sbgi.net.

SOURCE Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.