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Toronto Maple Leafs‘ regional broadcaster Joe Bowen started calling hockey games in 1982. He has been the voice of the Leafs for generations and the recognizable voice and face associated with the organization. Canadian telephone giants Bell and Rogers both have part ownership in the hockey club. Things changed last season during Rogers’ purchase of the hockey coverage, as Bowen was pulled off television broadcasts and restricted to only radio broadcasts in Toronto on TSN Radio 1050 and Sportsnet the FAN 590.
Now there are rumors that he will have the rug taken out from under him again as the Maple Leafs, Bell and Rogers are suggesting that they may ask Bowen and his radio analyst to call games from Toronto while the team is playing their 41 road games this fall. If the rumors are true, it is silly and such a disgrace to a Toronto sports broadcaster legend.
Some people are suggesting that perhaps Toronto’s GM Lou Lamoriello had something to do with Bowen’s further limited role. Other fans will probably start blaming one of the two Canadian giant telephone moguls. Last fall, fans were so irritated about Bowen being off the television that there were online petitions to correct the situation. To date, however, there have been no changes and he’s restricted to just radio.
Rogers has a long-term deal with the NHL to televise games in Canada for not just the Maple Leafs, but also for the six other Canadian franchises. Depending on who you ask, there appears to be a mixed review on the coverage of hockey games north of the border. Some are in favor of the new personality shuffles, while other Canadians are not willing to accept changes to their hockey broadcasts.
Rogers and Bell are fighting with one another for sole ownership of the hockey club. Perhaps this move is being suggested as a way of cutting costs as, let’s face it, the hockey club will not be good this fall. They are destined to be at the bottom of the league and in discussions to obtain the likely No. 1 overall selection in 2016, Auston Matthews.
The Maple Leafs and Bowen should be a joint package and reunited on television where he belongs. Tell me you don’t get chills hearing this play-by-play of a playoff game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Maple Leafs:
