TORONTO (CP) - Hockey Night In Canada will look vastly different to Canadian hockey fans this season after the CBC announced Monday that host Ron MacLean would not be back after 17 years with the network.
The CBC released a statement Monday afternoon saying negotiations with MacLean had ended at an impasse.
``CBC Television is disappointed that we have not been able to reach a successful contract agreement with Ron MacLean,'' the release said. ``CBC Television recognizes the significant contribution Ron has made to the success of CBC Television's Hockey Night in Canada and countless other sporting events.
``We felt that our offer was fair and respectful. Our offer recognized and rewarded Ron's contribution to CBC Sports.''
MacLean reportedly was looking for $600,000 a year in his new deal after earning $400,000 a year in his old contract.
Don Cherry, MacLean's long-time partner on Coach's Corner, signed a new deal last week reportedly worth $700,000 a year.
"What happened to X-Pac? Who do you think is in the burgers?"
Originally posted by The GoonHe may land somewhere else, but really, who would pay him $600 000 to just be a hockey broadcaster? I just don't see that happening.
Thats the thing. You don't have to pay him that much to just do hockey.
He is great at doing everything he has tried. Award winning, in fact.
As opposed to his partner on HNIC who makes $700K, just for hockey. MacLean wants $600K for doing more than just hockey!!!
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McLean is amazing and the CBC is absolutely insane to have let him go... He was worth EVERY penny of that $600,000 and I'm quite surprised he WASN'T making that before!
The Olympic Games are always fun, but watching McLean cut in every 10-15 minutes - going over the action and ending with FANTASTIC one-liners made me stay put on CBC instead of going over to the US networks.
Explain to me why Cherry makes MORE than McLean? McLean holds down the fort, works the entire HNIC, is in master control for EVERY CBC playoff game, and is simply there.
I trust TSN is all over him - signs him to a huge one year deal - CBC feels the backlash from hockey fans - and are forced to take him back next year.
Ron MacLean is simply the man when it comes to Studio hosts. And it was mentioned earlier, but MacLean at the Olympics was awesome.
For awhile Cuthbert could've taken over, but now he's the solid number two guy on play by play (and he better be number one soon).
(edited by El Nastio on 2.10.02 0031) Habs: 5-0-0-0. Defeated the Sens (my #2 team). 5-4 Renegades: Last place. All you need to know. Man of the Week: Tim Raines, a class act who has retired from baseball Goat of the Week: TBA Next VG Review: Chorno Cross. Next OSVG Review: Mike Tyson's Punchout
I agree that it is a shame that MacLean won't be on my tv every Saturday night this year. You'd think the CBC would have realized his value, but, hey, it is the CBC we're talking about here
What will be truly interesting (and probably very, very entertaining) is to see whether his replacement will be able to handle Cherry during Coach's Corner. It took MacLean a couple of years to adjust to Cherry's antics; and even then he still had to wrestle Cherry in the right direction at least once a week.
I'm reminded of the year NBC tried to start a prime time interview-type show with Tom Brokaw and Katie Couric (I think). One of their early guests was Robin Williams, and Couric was silly enough to think she could run a straight-up interview with him. That's what I picture for HNIC this year: someone hopping into that booth and not realizing exactly what working with Don Cherry is going to be like. He's going to run rampant over everything. Unfortunately I submit that this is not a good thing: MacLean's ability to keep Cherry on track while still allowing him to be Don Cherry(tm) was one of his greatest talents.
/tarnish...
how come you're so afraid of things that dont make any sense to you? do you water your raisins daily? do you have any raisins? is there anything that does make sense to you? are you afraid of twelve button suits? how come you're so afraid to stop talking?
Don't look now, but according to the reports this morning, the negotiations are back on...
That's what happens when your #1 sponser (Labatts) isn't happy with what has transpired. The report I heard this morning mentioned that Labatts has made comment to CBC about letting him go...
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It looks like things are going good and Ron will probably be returning. Now they need to get Don to work more days during the play-offs. I just can't take Kelly Hrudy. The guy has the personality of a tulip.
I just can't believe this is front-page news across this country for two solid days now.
Dave Hodge left, Brian MacFarlane left...why is MacLean so special? Sure he's a solid broadcaster, no question, but why all the fuss? It's being played like without him, no one's even going to watch the actual hockey anymore.
Maybe it's just me...
"Synthetic, waxin' that ass until it's varnished I'm fuckin' up your credit 'til your wages get garnished"
Originally posted by BullittI just can't believe this is front-page news across this country for two solid days now.
Dave Hodge left, Brian MacFarlane left...why is MacLean so special? Sure he's a solid broadcaster, no question, but why all the fuss? It's being played like without him, no one's even going to watch the actual hockey anymore.
Maybe it's just me...
I think the big difference is this is 2002, when media is huge. If it had been Dave Hodge or MacFarlane today, I think we would be going through the same thing.
Back then did we even know what our media personalities made as salaries??
Remember the Sports World is no longer about the sports. It's about business, contracts and money. Listen to Sports radio and that's what gets talked about 75% of the time. Not the actual sport....
---------- And the real wonder of the world is that we don't jump too ----------
I think the big difference is this is 2002, when media is huge. If it had been Dave Hodge or MacFarlane today, I think we would be going through the same thing.
Back then did we even know what our media personalities made as salaries??
Remember the Sports World is no longer about the sports. It's about business, contracts and money. Listen to Sports radio and that's what gets talked about 75% of the time. Not the actual sport....
Oh, I'm not doubting that...it's just funny hearing the "Man on the Street" segments where people seem to be more willing to NOT watch the games simply because MacLean may not be around.
"Synthetic, waxin' that ass until it's varnished I'm fuckin' up your credit 'til your wages get garnished"
Originally posted by Bullittit's just funny hearing the "Man on the Street" segments where people seem to be more willing to NOT watch the games simply because MacLean may not be around.
Well I was the poster who freaked out when I thought WWE was pushing out Lilian. Some said "Calm down, she's just a ring flowerpot(tm-crz)" Damn you no she's not! It will effect my enjoyment of the show if she's not on =). I guess it shows not only wrestling fans get hysterical over stuff like this
McLean is the man, he's a great straight guy to play off Cherry. Plus he's an amazing host who is smart and witty, that guy rules. To be honest seeing the ABC coverage of hockey. Boy could they use someone like McLean.
Actually in a morbid kind of way, when I heard The Score's uber-hottie Martine Gaillard was signed to do HNIC rink side reporting I did wonder how funny would it be seeing this busty blond girl co-hosting with the unPC Cherry =). I mean he gets on poor McLean really hard whenever McLean dares to disagree with him, What would he do if this "chick" questions his hockey opinion? And what would be the over/under on him calling her "a broad" or "blondie". Personally I give Martine about "3 minutes" before she runs out of the studio in tears after Cherry gets through with her (LOL)
Editorial comments on the Ottawa Citizen were very negative, claiming MacLean is out of line asking for that much money (at 600k, he'd be making more than 26 privates in the Canadian army, and make enough for about two and a half prime ministers). Reader comments in the paper show a strong support of MacLean. I'm gussing 70/30 (although the paper said 60/40).
Side note; I met a co-worker of Martine's once. Nothing but positive things they had to say about her. I think she'll be a great addition to the HNIC team (plus she does look rather fine....the guy said that mostly everyone at over there looks at her).
Habs: 6-0-0-0. Face the hated Mapleleafs on Thursday. I don't care if it's the pre-season. Habs vs Leafs is Habs vs Leafs. Period. Renegades: Last place. All you need to know. Man of the Week: Jose Theodore hasn't lost a step. Goat of the Week: CBC for not signing Ron MacLean right away. Next VG Review: Chorno Cross. Next OSVG Review: Mike Tyson's Punchout
MacLean can hold his own with Cherry. That's more than you can ask from just about anyone else. They both occasionally look ready to punch the other out...that's chemistry right there
MacLean also has a unique, ultra-conservative, ``I'm a level six referee'' outlook on things that I don't think is easy to come by.
As for putting a buxom blonde within eye and earshot of Don Cherry, well, let's see how it goes. You never know, he might try to play an over-the-top respectful role in an effort to bring her onside with him against MacLean. I would, however, like to start a pool on how long it takes him to get caught looking at her chest on National TV.
The more I think about it, the more I think Don Cherry is the closest thing to Bobby Heenan that `legitimate' sports broadcasting will ever see.
/tarnish...
how come you're so afraid of things that dont make any sense to you? do you water your raisins daily? do you have any raisins? is there anything that does make sense to you? are you afraid of twelve button suits? how come you're so afraid to stop talking?
Originally posted by BullittI just can't believe this is front-page news across this country for two solid days now.
Dave Hodge left, Brian MacFarlane left...why is MacLean so special? Sure he's a solid broadcaster, no question, but why all the fuss? It's being played like without him, no one's even going to watch the actual hockey anymore.
Maybe it's just me...
Who are Dave Hodge and Brian MacFarlane?
Btw, if I'm not mistaken I think MacLean will be on Open Mike tonight.
Please tell me you're joking. Dave Hodge is argueably one of the BEST sports host in the country (if not the world), period. He had MacLean's job beforehand.
MacFarlane is good as well.
(edited by El Nastio on 3.10.02 1952) Habs: 6-1-0-0. Lost to the Mapleleafs (ARG!). Renegades: Last place. All you need to know. Man of the Week: Jose Theodore hasn't lost a step. Goat of the Week: CBC for not signing Ron MacLean right away. Next VG Review: Chorno Cross. Next OSVG Review: Mike Tyson's Punchout