A LEGENDARY NHL broadcaster is not returning to television due to cost-cutting measures.
John Kelly, the long time St. Louis Blues broadcaster, will no longer be with the team next season.
The St. Louis Blues are parting ways with broadcaster John Kelly[/caption]
Kelly served as the Blues broadcaster for two decades[/caption]
The decision was announced by the Blues on Thursday and was labeled as a “strategic realignment.”
The team and FanDuel Sports Network released statements regarding Kelly’s departure.
“John Kelly’s legacy as the television voice of the Blues will forever be treasured and respected,” Chris Zimmerman, Blues President and CEO of Business Operations, said.
“John holds a place of high honor with the St. Louis Blues, and we plan to pay tribute to John and his amazing career calling our games in the season ahead.
“John Kelly will always be part of our family.”
“We want to sincerely thank John for his exceptional work in the booth throughout his career,” Norby Williamson, President of Production and Programming at FanDuel Sports Network, said.
“He’s been a true pro and solid ambassador for the Blues organization, and we deeply appreciate the impact he’s made over the years.”
With Kelly being relieved of his duties, the Blues are moving to a simulcast model.
The announcing team will serve both television and radio audiences.
Chris Kerber will serve as the play-by-play broadcaster and Joey Vitale will serve as an analyst.
The duo have spent seven years together calling Blues games on the radio.
As expected, the move is already wildly unpopular among Blues fans.
“Terrible. This decision,” one fan said.
“This is stupid. Whoever thought this was a great idea should be ashamed and they have tarnished the Blues,” another fan said.
“What a joke. Simulcast is for the minor leagues,” a third fan said.
Fans were left fuming with the decision to let Kelly go[/caption]
“John Kelly is Blues hockey. Horrible mistake,” a fourth fan said.
“This is a bad bad bad bad bad decision,” a fifth fan said.
Many Blues fans called out the move as a cheap cost-cutting maneuver.
A simulcast allows for just one broadcast crew across two different mediums.
TV broadcasts and radio broadcasts require different styles, but Blues fans won’t get that next season.
