Ron MacLean: Great or Greatest Sports Broadcaster Of All Time

G P

Correspondent Written on August 13, 2008

I have been watching a lot of the Olympic coverage, and like most people I watch it during prime time. Ron MacLean is the host of prime time, as usual, and it got me to thinking... What are we going to do in 2010?

As most of you know CBC lost the broadcasting rights of both the 2010 and 2012 Olympics to CTV and Rogers Media. No real surprise there considering everything else CTV has purchased from under CBC's nose: Curling, CFL Football, The Olympics, and more recently the "theme." In CBC's defense they did just purchase the Canadian Broadcasting rights to Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy from under CTV's nose. (Take that CTV!)

Anyway... What this means is that in 2010, 22 years since CTV last had the rights to an Olympics, the Olympics won't be aired on CBC, and more importantly we won't have Ron MacLean greeting us every evening as our host. Another fear I have is that what we are going to be listening to Brian Williams (Not to be confused with the American news anchor) in the prime time spot instead. To which I say Boooo!

(Is it just me or does he seem to still be REALLY pissed about Ben Johnson and the 1988 steroids debacle)

I can't imagine the Olympics without Ron MacLean. I don't want to. I won't.

Anyway... back to the main topic of this piece. Great or Greatest sports broadcaster/anchor of all time. (Sorry Ron Burgundy, but he has you beat... you too Costas)

From his spot with Don Cherry on Coaches Corner, his constant arguments with Garry Bettman, his interviews, his commentary, his knowledge and yes... even his dry humor. Who else even comes close to him? No one.

In fact he has my vote for next commissioner of the NHL. Anyone else?

Ron is well on his way to winning his 5th Gemini for Best Sports Broadcaster, which will be Gemini #9 in total. He's had me watching men's and women's gymnastics for god's sake. I have never been so enthralled with swimming, and how the Olympians are breaking, sorry smashing, all the world records.

Mr. Hockey Night In Canada.

Mr. Olympic Prime Time.

Multi-Gemini award winner.

Referee.

Sports fan.

Genius. I think so.

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written on August 13, 2008 Opinion