yahoo
Bob McElligott, who spent 17 years as the radio play-by-play announcer for the Columbus Blue Jackets, has released a video message to his supporters after the organization decided not to extend his contract. The 55-year-old broadcaster took to his Twitter/X account on July 31 to share his thoughts, days after the team's initial announcement on July 29.
In the video, McElligott, who declined an interview request from The Dispatch on July 30, reflected on the emotional toll of the past week. "Well, it's been a tough week, but I just wanted to take a minute to express my gratitude and appreciation to you for all the nice things that you've said to me and about me on social media in the last couple of days," he said.
The veteran announcer acknowledged the unique nature of his profession, noting that broadcasters often work without knowing their audience. "You know, every night when you sit down behind a microphone, you have no idea who you're talking to. Heck, some nights, you don't know if you're talking to anybody at all," he admitted. "But what I've learned this week is that I've been talking to a lot of people and that I've had an effect on a lot of people."
Key Analysis
McElligott's departure comes as the Blue Jackets plan to overhaul their broadcast setup. The team will now simulcast their television broadcasts, featuring play-by-play announcer Steve Mears and analyst Jody Shelley, for radio. Additionally, the NHL will take over production of the team's TV broadcasts, though specific details on how fans can access these games have not yet been disclosed.
In his farewell video, McElligott hinted at future endeavors, vowing to be "back and doing something else" at some point. He concluded with a nod to his signature catchphrase, which he used to celebrate Blue Jackets victories. "I got two words for ya! Thank you," he said, flipping the script on his usual "Game over!" exclamation.
Originally reported by yahoo.