最新杏吧原创

Blues president and CEO Chris Zimmerman defended the decision on Friday morning to oust television play-by-play broadcaster John Kelly, saying that he 鈥渄efinitely wouldn鈥檛 characterize it as a cost-cutting move.鈥�

On Thursday evening, the Blues (along with FanDuel Sports Network Midwest and 101 ESPN) announced that the club would not renew Kelly鈥檚 contract, and that they would be transitioning to a simulcast with Chris Kerber and Joey Vitale calling the action. The announcement brought outrage from Blues fans on social media, with plenty criticizing the organization for being cheap.

Zimmerman said the decision to change the broadcast was a joint one with FanDuel Sports Network.

鈥淎re there some costs to be saved by not having two separate productions?鈥� Zimmerman said. 鈥淪ure, but when you look at the scope of our business, what we鈥檙e investing in, how we鈥檙e investing in the business, how we invest in players, it鈥檚 just not the driver. 鈥� We鈥檙e not going to save our way to success here. We鈥檙e going to win in a new media world based on how good the product is, how engaging and, oh yes, of course, a big part will also always be about the quality of the team and how entertaining they are.鈥�

Among the other changes to the television broadcast are Jamie Rivers returning to the studio after two years as the primary analyst on the broadcast, the addition of Chris Pronger to Blues Live, the elimination of Alexa Datt鈥檚 duties as host, and the expansion of Andy Strickland鈥檚 job as rinkside reporter to include reporting and hosting from road games as well. Scott Warmann and Bernie Federko will continue on Blues Live.

Kelly was the television voice of the Blues for 20 seasons beginning in 2005-06 after previously working in Tampa Bay and Colorado. With longtime partner Darren Pang, the duo formed one of the best broadcasts in hockey. Pang left to join the Blackhawks broadcast two years ago, and now Kelly is gone, too.

Kelly is the son of former Blues broadcaster Dan Kelly, who called games from 1968-89. Dan Kelly has a banner in the rafters in 最新杏吧原创 and the press box at Enterprise Center is named after him.

鈥淭he Bluenote will always hold a special place in our family, and it has been a privilege to be part of this team鈥檚 journey,鈥� Kelly said in a statement posted on X. 鈥淢y late father, Dan Kelly, helped pioneer the game of hockey in 最新杏吧原创, and having the opportunity to carry on that legacy in this city has been one of the greatest honors of my life.

鈥淭o the people of 最新杏吧原创 and the passionate Blues fans, thank you. Your unwavering support has meant everything to me and my family. The outpouring of kindness over the years has been truly humbling. This fanbase is one of a kind.鈥�

Zimmerman noted that the new leadership at FanDuel helped play a role in this decision, as longtime former ESPN executive Norby Williamson leads production and Jay Rothman oversees the NHL broadcasts. Rothman produced primetime NFL games for ESPN for about 20 years, first with Sunday Night Football before ESPN gained Monday Night Football. Zimmerman called them 鈥渧isionaries in the business,鈥� and said he met them two months ago.

鈥淭hey brought a lot of fresh ideas,鈥� Zimmerman said. 鈥淭heir entering the picture and wanting to bring a little bit different feel to the production also certainly has played a role.鈥�

Diamond Sports Group, the parent company of FanDuel Sports Network, emerged from bankruptcy in January about two years after initially filing for Chapter 11. It now operates under the name Main Street Sports Group.

In making this decision in conjunction with FanDuel Sports Network, how confident was Zimmerman in the future of the network? The Blues have two seasons remaining on their agreement with the network, though the 2026-27 season can be opted out.

鈥淚 believe that this group is going to succeed,鈥� Zimmerman said. 鈥淚 believe it鈥檚 going to continue to be prudent for us to think about change that may be ahead. Anybody who thinks that they have the answer to what local sports television in our league and others looks like in 24 months, or in 48, or pick your time, there鈥檚 going to be more change.

鈥淭his decision is about working to build something together with our partner that we believe can be successful now. That鈥檚 all that is realistic for us to be looking at right now is what鈥檚 right ahead of us and how we continue to evolve.鈥�

Last season, the Blues aired games primarily on FanDuel Sports Network, with three of them airing over-the-air on KMOV or Matrix Midwest and streaming on Victory+. Zimmerman said the organization didn鈥檛 process the findings from the 2024-25 season until after the playoffs.

Kelly was informed earlier this week that he would not be returning.

鈥淲e鈥檙e charging ourselves with creating the most engaging, entertaining and as well as informative product that we can,鈥� Zimmerman said. 鈥淲e think that Kerbs, obviously, his talents are unquestioned. We believe that we鈥檝e got one of the best in the business and a team between the two of them that has chemistry, a commitment to the game, a commitment to learning, a commitment to our brand that is going to give us a dynamic, fresh broadcast.鈥�

The Blues will become the latest NHL team to simulcast their television broadcast on the radio. Last season, the Sabres, Stars, Hurricanes and Kings did so. The Islanders recently announced that they will do the same.

鈥淭he simulcast is a part of the story, but it鈥檚 a smaller part,鈥� Zimmerman said. 鈥淚n terms of the future, let鈥檚 face it, the television people have said 鈥榃ell, which gets priority? The television or the radio?鈥� Have no doubt, the two biggest ways that the Blues drive interest in the sport start with television and the in-arena experience. First and foremost is television.鈥�

Zimmerman was asked how he would respond to Blues fans upset with the decision.

鈥淚鈥檇 say I completely understand,鈥� Zimmerman said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a challenging announcement to hear. It鈥檚 unexpected. But I would say that just as we do on the ice, we鈥檙e working to bring what we believe can be the best product and the best experience viewing our game as possible. We made a very hard decision, and we make it with massive respect for John, what he means and will always mean to our organization as we feel about his family as well.鈥�