[News] Rick Ball leaves Flames broadcasts for Chicago

[Bluzman]

I’m sure the big market $$$$ was too good to resist.

[droopydrew19]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Legit expecting Wills to do both radio and TV now and he will be expected to call away games in Calgary.

God. Please. No

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Beninho

This really is the darkest timeline

Why does the universe hate the Flames and its fans...I really don't get why we don't get to have nice things ever. (and our rivals have 2 of the greatest players of all time handed to them).

Please don't be Wills though...that would be the worst possible choice.

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Legit expecting Wills to do both radio and TV now and he will be expected to call away games in Calgary.

This is probably close to right...but I'd guess it would mean Wills would travel on the road again.

Yuck though.

[Royle9]

Willis would be an awful pick.
Already tough to listen to games on the radio, it’s bad.

[Lionel Steel]

Terrible news, Rick did a fantastic job.

A lot of comments about Loubo in this thread, but sincerely doubt he'd ever want to work for Rogers again after hearing his interview with Boomer last summer

[Scrambler]

This really sucks, Rick did a great job and made the games enjoyable to watch. Him with Greg Millen made a great pairing. I wonder who will get instead.

[Jiggy_12]

Huge loss.

Honestly what's next?

this has to be among the darkest 2 years for any fanbase, anywhere ever.

[Funkhouser]

I vote we either get Scorp, or that guy who used to do the Stockton Heat announcing and sounded like he was about to have an aneurism every two minutes (he was great).

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

Huge loss.

Honestly what's next?

this has to be among the darkest 2 years for any fanbase, anywhere ever.

Arena deal falls apart again, team moves to Atlanta, wins cup in 2 years.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Funkhouser

I vote we either get Scorp, or that guy who used to do the Stockton Heat announcing and sounded like he was about to have an aneurism every two minutes (he was great).

Gimme 25 years. We'll see! Dream job ...

[dammage79]

Sad day. But good for Rick Ball. The Blackhawks job is a coveted spot.

Now we wait to hear who will be the Flames caller.

[monkeyman]

Way to go Rick. good luck with the new gig, we’ll miss you.

[BigT112]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

Huge loss.

Honestly what's next?

this has to be among the darkest 2 years for any fanbase, anywhere ever.

Honestly, someday when this darkness is over, someone should write book about this era. Start the book just after Game 7 OT in the Dallas series and you're off. It's just one thing after another.

It's insane the amount of s**t this franchise has gone through.

[ComixZone]

What an awesome opportunity for him.

What a loss for us.

Good on ya, Ball.

[TOfan]

Pat Stienberg, come on down.

[Bingo Jr.]

I didn't think losing a play-by-play guy would ever sting like this.

[Funkhouser]

Him, Ryan Leslie and Bieksa were the only things keeping me from watching the US feeds 100% of the time. But since I sail the high seas, my viewership loyalty probably has no impact for Sportsnet!!

Fair thee well Rick!

[Strange Brew]

Well this absolutely sucks. Damn it.

Happy for him I guess, would have preferred his current gig be more lucrative.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Because Sportsnet is so cheap, I would expect the #1 choice being the radio broadcast being used(puke Willis sucks).

If not it's going to be Singh, he lives by me so hes obviously a cheap cost in the city.

Both choices are awful, and I will probably end up cancelling Sportsnet and just watching out of town feeds for games.

[bdubbs]

This sucks. Congrats to Rick for the better opportunity!

Being a Flames fan can really test your mettle...