REMENDA OUT Drew Remenda, the popular San Jose Sharks color TV analyst will not be back with the team next year.
Remenda, I'm told, was simply not offered a contract and that the decision was not a budgetary matter, necessarily. Read into that what you will, (I will at a later time).
"This is a stunning development, " said a reliable source who asked for anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation.
All announcers for the Sharks are paid for by the team, which broadcasts its games on Comcast.
Remenda has been with the Sharks for 12 years. In 2006, he left the team to go back to his native Canada and work for the CBC before being lured back after a year and rejoined the Sharks broadcast team for the 2007-'08 season.
Attempts to reach both the Sharks and Remenda were unsuccessful.
*Rich Lieberman 415 Media Exclusive
UPDATE: 6: 28 PT: Remenda has now confirmed my report to the Mercury News.
*Follow me on Twitter
Unbelievable...that's NOT the kind of roster changes I'm looking for from Doug Wilson...
ReplyDeleteListening to Drew made the game entertaining....it won't be the same now.
DeleteThat's a real bummer, Drew is/was one of the best parts of the Sharks broadcast. As a not so hardcore fan one reason I'd tune in was just to listen to Drew. He will be missed!
ReplyDeleteYeah - that was the problem: the announcing.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a huge hockey fan. But enjoyed listening to him and he seemed very knowledgeable. Someone on KNBR just said that he was the most popular person on the Sharks. I agree.
ReplyDeleteI would not be surprised if Sportsnet/Rogers reaches out to sign Drew. They would be fool not to.
ReplyDeleteSince Sportsnet now own the majority of the NHL TV rights in Canada, they have to stockpile TV analysts. I don't think there's been a massive exodus of CBC and TSN on-air personalities to Sportsnet so Rogers has to get them from other sources.
It did seem like he was doing more network stuff towards the end of the season. I remember a number of LA games where he was the analyst in between the Sharks games.
ReplyDeleteSo will Jamie Baker be taking the slot!
This is real BS. Drew sometimes can be honest but he is a straight talker. Wilson has F.U the team now this
ReplyDeleteSharks, as a season ticket holder, I love you, but.....
ReplyDeleteDUMB DUMB DUMB DUMB DUMB.
Hedican will be the replacement. Good in the studio, but will be a real step down in the booth. How they let someone who's as great of an ambassador for the team as Remenda go is beyond me. It would be like the Giants getting rid of Kruk and Kuip.
Bob Fitzgerald on line 1.
ReplyDeleteThis was on the Sharks Facebook page last week, no?
ReplyDeleteCSN announcer salaries are paid by Comcast, but the Sharks provide the medical and other benefits. Radio announcers are paid by the team.
ReplyDeleteIn addition, my sources tell me the team's director of broadcasting was also let go.
There's no doubt these are $$$ moves. Don't let the team say anything different.
Kevin Kurz... #not
ReplyDeleteWhat an organization! Really big news today, Stalock and Brown sign 2 year contracts and D.R.is gone. Sheesh!!!!,
ReplyDeleteExcellent analyst, with a great personality and delivery. Fixture with the team, from the beginning as an assistant coach and later (the long stints) in the broadcast booth. A very sad day for "Drew's Crew."
ReplyDeleteLast week, I saw an ad that the Sharks were hiring a new marketing manager. Don't know if broadcasting falls under marketing, but seems like there might be a shake up in that department.
ReplyDeleteReally bad move, great analyst and ambassador for the team. A replacement will only be a step down.
ReplyDeleteNo big loss. McSorely is probably available
ReplyDeleteIt seems that if you have someone that honestly says it like it is, he gets canned.
ReplyDeleteThat's why DW is still the GM of the team.
HORRIBLE move
ReplyDeleteJohn Tortora is the DB that let the 5 time Emmy winning broadcaster go. He probably will replace him with some lousy homer, because he couldn't handle the truth. The statement explaining his "firing" sits so wrong too. He's a great guy, but we want to move in another direction". Someone on top didn't like the truth. Well John, you lost 4 more TV viewers in this household alone. I'm sure if Drew decides to broadcast for another team, he will have a far higher chance of broadcasting a Stanley Cup game.
ReplyDeleteI have been a sharks fan since the city announced they were able to secure an NHL team way back when. I have admired the class and dignity with which it has run its operation. I have supported the team for every win and every loss. The loss to the Los Angeles Kings hurt. We were beat by a better team. I can accept that. The release of Drew Remenda I cannot accept. Drew is the most colorful, insightful, and funny color commentator in the entire league. I watch a lot of hockey. Drew and Randy are the dynamic duo of broadcasting. They made watching the Sharks FUN!
ReplyDeleteBRING BACK DREW.
BRING BACK DREW
BRING BACK DREW