NHL Panthers Decide To Part Ways With TV Broadcaster Denis Potvin
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Potvin Has Been Panthers' Analyst
Since Inaugural '93-94 Season |
NHL Panthers TV analyst Denis Potvin yesterday was "told his contract would not be renewed" for the '09-10 season, according to Brian Biggane of the PALM BEACH POST. Panthers radio analyst Bill Lindsay, who has called games for the team the past two seasons, will join Steve Goldstein on the FS Florida telecasts, while Randy Moller "will go solo on radio." Potvin, who has been the Panthers' analyst since their inaugural season in '93-94, said, "I had understood the Panthers had a (new) three-year deal with Fox and just assumed I'd be part of that. But I assumed wrong." While the move from four broadcasters to three "undoubtedly will save money," Panthers President Michael Yormark said that "isn't important." Yormark cited "two reasons for the change: Lindsay was one of the most popular and recognizable players in franchise history, and Potvin had not made a 12-month commitment to the franchise, instead spending the summers in Canada." Yormark: "When we hired [Goldstein] we told him, 'We want you to help us market 12 months a year.' Same thing with Lindsay. And Moller works at it 12 months a year. The only broadcaster not here in the summer months was Denny. And that was a factor." Biggane notes Potvin also has been "more critical of the team's failures than many analysts" (PALM BEACH POST, 5/7). Yormark said that the team "wanted to change the look and feel of its broadcasts while moving Lindsay ... into a prominent role and allowing Moller to expand his role" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 5/7).
ECONOMIC DECISION? In Ft. Lauderdale, Steve Gorten wrote the Panthers, "like many other businesses these days, are struggling financially, so they needed to trim, and in this case, Denis was the victim of these tough economic times" (SUN-SENTINEL.com, 5/6). Yormark said that the decision "had nothing to do with finances," but Potvin "does not agree" (MIAMIHERALD.com, 5/6). Potvin said the team had "talked about renegotiating at a lower rate. We never got to that. ... Once you're somewhere for so long, you think you're a lifer. But times are different now." Yormark said that he was "unaware of any discussions with Potvin about taking a pay cut and insisted the decision was not financially driven." In Miami, Jackson & Richards note the Panthers' contract with FS Florida "gives the team considerable influence over broadcast matters, including announcer selection" (MIAMI HERALD, 5/7).
NOT IN THE JOB DESCRIPTION: The MIAMI HERALD's George Richards wrote due to the Panthers' new FS Florida deal, the team "will be handling a lot of the ads." Richards: "Read into that what you will. Sounds to me like games are going to become one big infomercial. And the team wants its broadcasters to sell the team, sell tickets, sell sponsorships during the offseason." The Panthers "obviously want more from their broadcasters than them just being, you know, professional broadcasters." Yormark: "That was a factor. We want our broadcasters here, help market the franchise, meet with season ticket holders. That's very important" (MIAMIHERALD.com, 5/6). In Ft. Lauderdale, Ethan Skolnick writes Potvin "gave voice to the endless frustration of Panthers fans the past few years. You knew he was on the Panthers' side, but he didn't sugarcoat poor performances." Potvin was a "major plus for the franchise," and he has "more name recognition than 75[%] of the players who have passed through here in recent years" (SUN-SENTINEL.com, 5/7).
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