Longtime Sportsnet host Ron MacLean under fire again following recent interview
Photo credit: Sportsnet
In an unsurprising turn of events, longtime Hockey Night in Canada host Ron MacLean has found himself back under fire for his recent interview.
There are a few names attached to the NHL that have become synonymous with all that fans find wrong with the sport. There is Commissioner Gary Bettman, disgraced former sportscaster Don Cherry, and his increasingly outdated former co-host Ron MacLean. He first came under the microscope after Don Cherry was fired for his heinous on-air remarks against immigrants in Canada.
Upon this, many were either frustrated at MacLean for not standing up for his decades-long friend, or for not shoving him further to the side out of disgust. Ultimately, very few were left who did not want him to leave his post while he took some time to himself in the incident's aftermath.
"I don't mean to run away or skulk away, but I have to have these days to make sure I'm right in what I say this weekend, to think about all that's going on and process it, and that's where I'm at, and I'll leave it at that."
Last year, Ron MacLean had another close call with his career amidst an unfavorable public opinion. According to former Rogers Sportsnet employee Howard Berger, the company was set to make a series of layoffs, including MacLean. After 37 years on the air, fans who saw the news seemed more than excited that the Hockey Night in Canada host would be cut from the program.
"Former longtime Rogers/Sportsnet employee Howard Berger has reported that many changes will come to Sportsnet's Hockey Night in Canada broadcast next season, likely to be without MacLean, Kelly Hrudey, Kevin Bieksa and Jennifer Botterill on the panel. Berger adds: We may not recognize the /Hockey Night In Canada panel next season. 'Based on what I'm told, only Elliotte Friedman is safe from the changes and cost-cutting measures on the horizon.'
Fans have reacted positively to the pending departure of MacLean, who's been on the air for 37 years. The panel needs a new leader, and I personally find that David Amber has been amazing as the host when replacing MacLean. He should be given the job, in my book."
Fans have reacted positively to the pending departure of MacLean, who's been on the air for 37 years. The panel needs a new leader, and I personally find that David Amber has been amazing as the host when replacing MacLean. He should be given the job, in my book."
Any hockey fans worth their salt know that this expected termination never happened, and Ron MacLean is still a major contributor with Sportsnet. However, he has once again come under fire after becoming part of a recent interview. Rogers recently signed a deal that resulted in the company's acquisition of Bell Media's 37.5 percent ownership of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. Ron MacClean was the sole host who took the job of interviewing executive chair Edward Rogers and company president and CEO Tony Staffieri. Unsurprisingly, the longtime host has been deemed a sellout, with Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun sharing some of the harshest words about his participation in the press release.
"Ron MacLean should have said no. But clearly, his own self-respect has disappeared over time. He didn't have to participate in that dog-and-pony show interview with Ed Rogers and Tony Staffieri after the huge sale at MLSE.
MacLean has been around long enough to have walked away from that embarrassing infomercial."
MacLean has been around long enough to have walked away from that embarrassing infomercial."
Heading rapidly into 40 years with the company, there is little question that the NHL and its fanbase have outgrown the need for Ron MacLean. Yet, with both he and the company who hired him heading further in the commercial direction, there seems to be little signs of progress in hockey representation in the media. Hopefully, Sportsnet takes a hint from the public and parts ways with Ron MacLean instead of extending his next contract. Otherwise, they may have more fans choosing to watch something else.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 22 | 254 ANSWERS Longtime Sportsnet host Ron MacLean under fire again following recent interview Was Sportsnet host Ron MacLean wrong to take this hosting job? | ||
| Yes, he is a sellout | 136 | 53.5 % |
| No, it is his job | 83 | 32.7 % |
| No opinion | 35 | 13.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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