Gus Johnson Leaves CBS; Larry Scott, FOX Need To Pounce
by Brian Floyd on May 5, 2011 2:02 PM PDT
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On May 5, 2011 at approximately 1:30 p.m., March Madness passed away due to heart disease. It was 72-years-old. I say this because Gus Johnson, the announcer we know and love, did not have his contract renewed by CBS and will be leaving the network to pursue other opportunities. His enthusiastic play-by-play was a staple of the NCAA Tournament, with fans tuning in to watch Gus call close games.
And I am heartbroken.
But from darkness and despair rises hope. From the Sports Illustrated story announcing Gus' exit at CBS:
Industry sources said Johnson has spoken with Fox Sports about a role in its college football coverage. Fox Sports (which has a 49 percent ownership share in the Big Ten Network) recently upped its inventory of college football as part of the 12-year, $3 billion contract between the Pac-10 (soon to be the Pac-12) and ESPN and Fox.
Please make this happen, Larry Scott and FOX. In fact, make Gus Johnson the flagship announcer for the Pac-12 Network. You want instant viewership? Gus Johnson is your man. People tune-in simply to hear the sultry sounds of Gus. He draws viewers.
While I'm saddened Gus won't be calling NCAA Tournament games in the future, I can only hope he'll be associated with the Pac-12 in a large capacity. Make it happen, Larry. Make Gus a part of my daily life.
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Someone tell Moos to get on his red phone and tell Scott right now.
Do it! Do it!
"I don't know. I never smoked AstroTurf." Tug McGraw, when asked if he preferred grass or artificial turf
Nothing better than Gus Johnson calling a nail-biter in the NCAA Tournament
Though I might prefer Kevin Callabro.
I don’t understand why CBS is so in love with Jim Nance and Clark Kellogg.
The most boring duo of announcers in major sports history.
Yeah, I'd like to know the real story behind this.
It makes no sense that CBS would let one of their top assets get away. There has to be more to this than has surfaced.
Andy Wooldridge, andy_wooldridge@yahoo.com
BuildingTheDam.Com
Go Beavs!
My reaction to this news:
Critics are Raving over Jeff "GoCougs" Collier: "Jeff Collier is an idiot" - WSU Cougar Men's Basketball Player Marcus Capers
SBNation Seattle Contributer -- WSU Daily Evergreen Newspaper columnist -- Twitter: @JeffdCollier
Didn't say anything about his big 10 contract elapsing
Would be thrilled to see him as the lead pbp guy on Fox’s college stuff but it wouldn’t make sense for him to be on the Pac12 Network unless the Big 10 lets him go.
He only does basketball on Big 10 network
He did Sunday NFL on CBS, so he couldn’t do college football on Saturday. Now that he’s free on his Sunday commitment, he can work on college football. I don’t know the terms of his contract with the Big 10, but it would be possible for him to do Pac12 Football and Big 10 basketball.
Critics are Raving over Jeff "GoCougs" Collier: "Jeff Collier is an idiot" - WSU Cougar Men's Basketball Player Marcus Capers
SBNation Seattle Contributer -- WSU Daily Evergreen Newspaper columnist -- Twitter: @JeffdCollier
Unlikely scenario
“I don’t know the terms of his contract but”
That’s my point, we don’t know the details of his contract with the big 10. It might actually be impossible for him to do both.
I don't think this is true.
He’s reportedly in discussions with FOX and his goal, also reportedly, is to work college football. There’s clearly no exclusivity clause with the Big Ten, sooo…
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