Rogers SportsNet Reverses Decision On Avery After NHL’s Call

Rogers SportsNet Declines To Add Avery To Playoff Lineup

Rogers Sportsnet’s decision not to use former Kings C Sean Avery on its NHL playoff studio show was made “after the NHL expressed its disapproval with the choice,” according to sources cited by Chris Zelkovich of the TORONTO STAR. NHL Senior VP/Broadcasting John Shannon — formerly Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment VP/Programming & Exec Producer –- indicated that he had “spoken with Sportsnet officials Doug Beeforth and Rick Briggs-Jude about Avery, but that the decision was the network’s.” Shannon: “We talked about what we thought was going to make good television. In my opinion, their panel was better without Sean Avery” (TORONTO STAR, 4/19). NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said he was not consulted on the matter and added, “It was Sportsnet’s decision. They were free to do or not do whatever they chose. ... I don’t have a problem with John expressing his view” (NHL). In Toronto, William Houston notes Avery, who was released by the Kings this month, “had made disparaging remarks about Europeans and French Canadiens and was alleged to have uttered a racist remark.” Syracuse Univ. Center for Popular Television Dir Robert Thompson said of the call made by Shannon, “The league was trying to achieve a set of goals, which were to protect its image. That part makes sense.” But Thompson added that the part that “doesn’t make sense ... was Sportsnet’s rolling over.” Thompson said Sportsnet “has the most explaining to do if it’s purporting to be a journalistic sports operation” (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 4/20).

LEAF BLOWER: Zelkovich writes today the CBC “isn’t worried about losing money on the Stanley Cup playoffs ... despite not having the country’s two most popular teams,” the Maple Leafs and Canucks. CBC Media Sales Exec Dir Rene Bertrand: “We’re quite positive and actually all our sponsors are back.” But ad buyers said that the CBC “could come up short if a Canadian team fails to advance to the Stanley Cup final.” TASAC Group Media Dir Eli Paper: “There is inventory and I think the heat is on.” But Bertrand said that having unsold ads “is part of CBC’s strategy.” Bertrand: “Usually Stanley Cup fever catches on and lots of advertisers pick up their phones and call us” (TORONTO STAR, 4/20).