You know how Cleveland’s owner Dan Gilbert grew up a Pistons fan and how he’s trying to model the Cavs after Detroit?
The Cleveland Cavaliers fired TV play-by-play announcer Michael Reghi and replaced him with Detroit Pistons broadcaster Fred McLeod.
Reghi, who held the position the past 12 seasons, had the last two years of his contract bought out by the Cavaliers.
McLeod is a good announcer, but that’s ruthless. I don’t know much about Reghi, but canning a guy with over a dozen years of experience to bring in an out-of-towner from a divisional rival? I’m curious what the fans in Cleveland think about Gilbert’s little brother/big brother infatuation with the Pistons.
I’ve always enjoyed McLeod as an announcer, but there is a possible silver lining to the move. From the Free Press:
McLeod has been the voice of the Pistons on cable for more than two decades. [FSN media relations director Tim] Bryant said FSN will give “strong consideration” to George Blaha.
Blaha did play-by-play for Channel 20 telecasts and radio broadcasts on WDFN-AM (1130) last season. FSN color analyst Greg Kelser will return, Bryant said.
I didn’t have cable growing up, so almost all of my memorable Pistons memories include Blaha narrating the action. Sometimes in the playoffs I still turn down the sound to the TV and listen to Blaha on the radio, so I would love to have him doing the majority of the broadcasts on cable. And, not to get my hopes up too much, is there any reason he can’t do TV 20 and FSN?
McLeod leaving Local 4, Pistons broadcasts
Cavs replace TV announcer Reghi with McLeod [ESPN]
That would suck for me if Blaha went to fsn b/c I dont have fsn since I’m in windsor. I can only get channel 20
This is one thing that I don’t mind that the Cavs have acquired. I honestly couldn’t stand Fred. It’s one thing to be emotional but every ball that hits the rim and goes in doesn’t have to be announced as “he rubber rimmed it!”
I will take George and Bill anyday.
Although I do think that it’s pretty cold of Gilbert to fire Michael Reghi, fans seem pretty upset and rightfully so. At least he got paid for the remainder of his contract.
Lebron James you’re ridiculous!!
Really disappointed that you called Fred McLeod a good announcer. He was the polar opposite of listening to Reggie Miller announce the Pistons early on in the playoffs. McLeod’s over-enthusiatic play-by-play was equally as annoying as Reggie Miller’s attempts to announce the Pistons into a loss. The main difference between the two was that Reggie Miller actually knew more about basketball than just the players nicknames. It’s amazing that Dan Gilbert is such a successful businessman and thinks hiring Fred McLeod is a good idea; it makes me believe that I have at least an outside chance of owning a NBA team sometime in my life.
Mason might be heading to Cleveland too.
Fadel: I know a couple of guys in the Detroit News joked around about that on Friday, but there haven’t been any other legitimate rumors about that, has there?