Ricardo León Sánchez de Reinaldo (born July 3, 1958)[1][2] is a Cuban-American journalist, radio host, and author.

Sánchez was fired from CNN on October 1, 2010, following controversial remarks he made on a radio program.

[3] In July 2011, Sánchez was hired by Florida International University, to serve as a color commentator for radio broadcasts of the school's football team.

[6] Sánchez was born in Guanabacoa, Cuba, a township of Havana, and emigrated to the United States with his parents at the age of two.

[8] Of his childhood, Sánchez has said: "I grew up not speaking English, dealing with real prejudice every day as a kid; watching my dad work in a factory, wash dishes, drive a truck, get spit on.

In a newscast in 2009, he said: "I want to be respectful of this wonderful country that allowed us as Hispanics to come here, and I think it's easier if someone's able to understand me by Anglicizing my name.

"[1] Sánchez began his broadcasting career at WCCO's satellite sister station KCMT (now KCCO-TV) in Alexandria, Minnesota, while still in college.

He was hired at then-NBC affiliate WSVN (formerly WCKT) in Miami in 1982 and became a weekend anchor shortly thereafter.

[7] In 1986, Sánchez left WSVN for CBS affiliate KHOU in Houston,[10] then two years later, he returned to WSVN and began an afternoon anchor position with the station, which would switch its affiliation to Fox the following year.

On January 18, 2010, he began hosting Rick's List, a two-hour show in the afternoons where he invited viewers to share their opinions and questions via social media.

His use of social networking tools to create a citizen-driven news program was recognized by the Newseum in Washington, D.C.[13] On September 30, 2010, Sánchez was interviewed on Sirius XM's radio show Stand Up With Pete Dominick.

I had a guy who works here at CNN who's a top brass come to me one day and say,... 'You know what, I don't want you anchoring anymore.

In an appearance on Good Morning America, Sánchez told George Stephanopoulos: "I said some things I shouldn't have said.

He released a statement expressing regret for his "inartful" comments, adding, "I am very much opposed to hate and intolerance, in any form, and I have frequently spoken out against prejudice.

[32] In a letter to Abraham Foxman, the head of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Sánchez apologized once again, writing, [T]here are no words strong enough for me to express my regret and sorrow over what I said.

[34] In late 2010, Orthodox Rabbi Shmuley Boteach held a public event at Manhattan's Carlebach Synagogue with Sánchez, and commented, "Our community has enough problems without looking for anti-Semitism where it doesn't exist.

"[39] On July 27, 2011, The Washington Post reported that Sánchez had started a job as a radio announcer for Florida International University.

[41] In 2013, Sánchez returned to South Florida with a weekday show on Clear Channel-owned Newsradio 610 WIOD.