[News] Rick Ball leaves Flames broadcasts for Chicago

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by Bingo

The man just made the broadcast family like.

Friendly face.
Friendly voice.

Huge loss for the fan base.

I loved the quality of Ball's broadcast where he is 100% on point during play, but it also sounds like you're listening in on two buddies just watching a game. Great balance, and I bet a tough one to strike as a pro.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Jesus, even our PBP guy is jumping ship for a more exciting team lol.

Bigger market + doesn't have to work for the cheapskates at Rogers = $$$

If I were in his shoes, I'd take the Chicago gig if it meant doing PBP on drying paint. ‘More exciting team’ would have nothing to do with it.

[Muta]

Looks like Chicago.... took their Ball and went home.

[Toonage]

^ Grudging applause

[OldSam]

Very sad about this news, but best of luck, Rick. Great guy.

[TheScorpion]

They have a high bar to clear for a replacement. Ball was the best. Just unbelievably smooth.

[Hockey_Ninja]

We really are losing everyone good huh? Thanks for all the great calls Rick. Chicago just got a real one

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by Icon

Well that sucks balls.

fyp

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

Bigger market + doesn't have to work for the cheapskates at Rogers = $$$

If I were in his shoes, I'd take the Chicago gig if it meant doing PBP on drying paint. ‘More exciting team’ would have nothing to do with it.

Yeah this is an opportunity to further his career and US media and broadcasters get paid a lot more $$$ than they do in Canada. With apologies to Whalen, probably the best Flames PBP caller ever.

[Ferarri]

The wizard BT does it again. Lost another star.

[gilligans_off]

Harnaryan Singh’s "Kadri" pronunciation is enough for me to hate this news. Crossing my fingers he doesn’t end up being his replacement.

[dino7c]

He was one of if not the best at Sportsnet and they never treated him as such

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Booo! Crappy news. Happy for him though as it's a desirable gig, making more dough, and most importantly doesn't have to work for Rogers anymore.

This makes me happy for him.

Any one with class and talent like Ball deserves better than Rogers.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by gilligans_off

Harnaryan Singh’s "Kadri" pronunciation is enough for me to hate this news. Crossing my fingers he doesn’t end up being his replacement.

Oh man, lol, forgot about that. 82 games of it huh?

AND Hrudey?

[Jiri Hrdina]

Oh man this sucks. Happy for him, but sad for us. He's fantastic.

[SeanCharles]

Gutted

Hopefully we aren't left with Singh or Wills. They just don't have the same aesthetically pleasing sound and delivery.

[gilligans_off]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

This makes me happy for him.

Any one with class and talent like Ball deserves better than Rogers.

As does everyone lol

All the best Ball

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Now Rogers will saddle us with the cheapest option available. Could mean double duty for one of the guys already on to save even more dough. Because that's Rogers.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

This makes me happy for him.

Any one with class and talent like Ball deserves better than Rogers.

Yeah this shouldn't be turned into a sky is falling thread. A really good man made a choice to better his career and it had nothing to do with leaving Calgary or the Flames. He would have taken the job even if the Flames were in the Stanley Cup finals as it's a better gig than working for Rogers.

[Puppet Guy]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Now Rogers will saddle us with the cheapest option available. Could mean double duty for one of the guys already on to save even more dough. Because that's Rogers.

I'd rather have them go with NO commentators.