Tirico might be eliminated from consideration because of the uncertainty with the scheduleGETTY IMAGES
Following Mike "Doc" Emrick's retirement, Mike Tirico, the "face of NBC Sports, figures to be in the discussion when its network executives decide what to do next," according to Andrew Marchand of the N.Y. POST. Kenny Albert "could very well be the next man up," as he is NBC's No. 2 NHL play-by-play man and has done conference finals and the Olympics for years. But Tirico also is a "hockey guy and has called a few games for the network over the past few years." The issue in the short term that "could arise is the uncertainty of the pandemic on the schedule." The Tokyo Games are "scheduled for late July." While NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said that the "hope is for the season to begin after the new year, it is unclear yet when the Cup would take place." The schedule "could eliminate Tirico from consideration." NBC and Tirico "may also decide his plate is too full." NBC "also may look at John Forslund and young, up-and-comer Brendan Burke" (N.Y. POST, 10/20).
UNDENIABLE IMPACT: THE HOCKEY NEWS' Ryan Kennedy wrote a "number of high-profile friends 'crashed'" Emrick's retirement media conference call yesterday, including Bettman, NBC Sports Exec Producer Sam Flood, Islanders President of Hockey Operations & GM Lou Lamoriello, NBC's Al Michaels and Emrick's longtime booth partner, Eddie Olczyk. It was an "emotional Olczyk who really put Emrick's impact into perspective." Olczyk: "We all thank you, Doc, for your passion, your love for the game, your appreciation and love for people and I thank you for trusting me 14 years ago when Sam gave me the opportunity to sit next to you for the first time on NBC." Kennedy wrote the fact so many "high-profile names took time out of their schedules to celebrate Emrick publicly speaks volumes" (THEHOCKEYNEWS.com, 10/19). In Buffalo, Mike Harrington writes yesterday's call "became a sort of 'This is Your Life' event, with several celebrities chiming in to offer good wishes." Bettman on the call said to Emrick, "You have been simply magnificent at your craft. ... I just want to thank you for all the incredible energy and effort you've given us and our fans" (BUFFALO NEWS, 10/20).
Emrick won the Emmy Award for best play-by-play announcer seven years in a rowGETTY IMAGES
SOUNDTRACK OF THE SPORT: In Toronto, Steve Simmons writes "nobody ever called a game -- any game, in any sport -- better" than Emrick. His stage -- hockey in America -- "wasn't exactly huge," and yet in "eight different years, seven of them in a row, Emrick won the Emmy Award for best play-by-play man in sports." He "became the soundtrack of his sport." Simmons: "There was Doc and everybody else in America" (TORONTO SUN, 10/20). In N.Y., Draper & Knoll write Emrick "ascended to the top of his profession, jockeying with Canadian-born greats like Bob Cole and Dan Kelly in the pantheon of hockey's play-by-play announcers" (N.Y. TIMES, 10/20). In Chicago, Phil Rosenthal writes, "If you have a memory of some historic hockey event from recent decades ... there is a very good chance it's inseparable from Emrick's recitation of it." His retirement is a "seismic shift." There "has been no one better" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 10/20). NHL Network’s Jamison Coyle said Emrick is on the Mount Rushmore of "American hockey broadcasters or just American broadcasters in general." NHL Net’s Mike Johnson: “He is the soundtrack to the American hockey experience of the last 30 years” (“NHL Tonight,” NHL Network, 10/19). THE ATHLETIC's Richard Deitsch wrote Emrick was the "perfect soundtrack for a sport that often accelerates to a top speed faster than the eye can comprehend." He "littered his broadcasts with a panoply of verbs and facts and stories produced only through intense preparation" (THEATHLETIC.com, 10/19).
UNIQUE STYLE: In Toronto, Dave Feschuk writes Emrick will be remembered for his "undeniable way with a verb." By one "famous count during a broadcast of a 2014 Olympic men’s semifinal between Canada and the United States, Emrick used 156 different words to describe the movement of the puck." When he was calling a game, the puck "wasn't just passed." It was "shuffleboarded and shovelled and soccered." It was "finessed and regathered and collared." It "skittered and curled and angled and trickled" (TORONTO STAR, 10/20). In Philadelphia, Ed Barkowitz writes Emrick's "unique style often turned a violent game into a ballet of 6-foot men weighing 200 pounds" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 10/20). Fox’ Curt Menefee: “The best play-by-play guy in the business” (“NFL On Fox Pregame,” 10/19). ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser said hockey is the "hardest sport to call because it’s so fast and there are so many personnel changes, and Emrick made it sound like he was paddling a canoe in calm water.” ESPN’s Michael Wilbon: "Now it’s like, ‘Wow, what happens without Doc Emrick?’ I know it will go on, but it won't be the same and likely not as good” (“PTI,” ESPN, 10/19).
WHAT COMES NEXT? The N.Y. TIMES' Draper & Knoll write Emrick's retirement "could be just the beginning in seismic changes to how hockey is shown" in the U.S. NBC's longtime "exclusive rights agreement with the NHL to show games expires" after the '20-21 season, and with TV networks and streaming platforms "as voracious for content as ever, there very well could be new broadcasters and new play-by-play voices" (N.Y. TIMES, 10/20). The NHL has been talking with several networks (NBC, ESPN, Fox) about a new deal. Sources said that there is no fresh news on the rights front. While all sides are talking, nothing is imminent. The NHL's rights talks have not moved much in the past several months. The NHL has made it clear that it wants to spread its rights across at least two TV networks. Bettman has been on record saying that the NHL could be interested in a deal with a streaming company. It is expected the league will see a healthy increase in its rights fees (John Ourand, SBJ Media).
