Eric Francis leaves Postmedia

[Jiri Hrdina]

I met him a few times and he always treated me very well. A really nice guy who cares deeply about the city.
I find the claims that his "mom got him the job" to be unfair. He has been able to hold down a long career in the newspaper business because he was good at it. You may have disagreed with his viewpoints (I often did) but he wouldn't have stayed employed just because of a family relationship.
Nothing but best wishes to him from me.

[calgarywinning]

I agree his writing and analysis really tightened up about two years ago. Little less hyperbole, more insight.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Bailing out before the Postmedia ship sinks. Smart move.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Reaper

It reeks of him being asked to resign and him not having anything lined up yet. He'll pretend he's been keeping it under wraps waiting for the right time to announce when in reality he has to find something to announce.

A lot of media people are jumping ship these days. There really isn't any future in it as a career, especially print.

[dissentowner]

Can't stand him, always writing trash. He would be a perfect journalist for the Sportster. Really hope to God he is not on SN.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I met him a few times and he always treated me very well. A really nice guy who cares deeply about the city.
I find the claims that his "mom got him the job" to be unfair. He has been able to hold down a long career in the newspaper business because he was good at it. You may have disagreed with his viewpoints (I often did) but he wouldn't have stayed employed just because of a family relationship.
Nothing but best wishes to him from me.

I'm sure he's a decent person, but if you dress sardonic clickbait in a three piece suit, it would be Eric Francis.

And this is coming from a pretty cynical guy.

[Huntingwhale]

Sometimes his article amused me. Sometimes they made me mad. But at the end of the day, he brought coverage to the Flames and gave us stuff to discuss. If he was stirring the pot and getting people riled up and discussing his articles, it means he was doing his job well and I'm sure his employers appreciated that. He's also known to do a ton of charity work so you gotta give him credit for that.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

A lot of media people are jumping ship these days. There really isn't any future in it as a career, especially print.

Twenty-eight years with the company is a lot to unpack. Anyone in a similar situation would take time off.

Takes the company package (he'll draw full salary for 76 weeks based on his years service). He'd be dumb not to.

And he takes the money now before Postmedia inevitably self-implodes, after which he'd get sweet bupkis.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by greyshep

I get that he likes to stir the pot, but I am a bit surprised that so many on here seem to dislike him so much. Once you know his shtick I think he's tolerable.

I enjoyed his radio hits with Rob Kerr.

I'm with you on this.

He annoyed me in the Sutter era because he seemed hell bent on goating the team and it's players for the most part.

lately though he seems to write more the "every one chill out" kind of pieces that fits well with my non-extreme nature!

Have to admit I have wondered in the past few years if he was too tight with the team though, more positive than negative.

[Geeoff]

I wonder if he's gonna start a podcast? Seems like the thing to do these days.

[calgarywinning]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I'm with you on this.

He annoyed me in the Sutter era because he seemed hell bent on goating the team and it's players for the most part.

lately though he seems to write more the "every one chill out" kind of pieces that fits well with my non-extreme nature!

Have to admit I have wondered in the past few years if he was too tight with the team though, more positive than negative.

I agree, he seemed to very tight in recent years, which led to more insightful articles and less inflammatory ones. You gotta see if you can pick this job up. You'd be perfect.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

I swear to God, I will watch Flames games muted if Francis is on the Sportsnet panel...

But ... Francis was a staple on the intermission panel all season.

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

...I would assume that he's going to be focused exclusively on TV. That said, I really hope Francis isn't the next Flames host. Leslie and Singh are both much better at it.

I don't think Francis is all that well suited to being the game host—I agree, Leslie and Singh are both much better in this role.

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Twenty-eight years with the company is a lot to unpack. Anyone in a similar situation would take time off.

Takes the company package (he'll draw full salary for 76 weeks based on his years service). He'd be dumb not to.

And he takes the money now before Postmedia inevitably self-implodes, after which he'd get sweet bupkis.

Just curious, but why does he get a package upon quitting?

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

He's leaving the newspaper business altogether, so no, he's not going to the Athletic. I doubt he'll be on Sportnet either - he's not a good enough analyst even by their modest standards.

No, sounds like he's getting out of media altogether. Wouldn't surprise me if he went into marketing or event planning.

There is a package offer for select individuals at Postmedia right now. Likely a good option for some. I'd be willing to bet he is one of those. (No special knowledge on him though I know of others.)

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by IamNotKenKing

Just curious, but why does he get a package upon quitting?

Likely not "quitting" - just taking an offer from a company looking to reduce OpEx and future commitments.

[Bezer]

Good riddance..

[Gallick]

I really hope he is kept as far away from the Flames broadcasting team as possible. I would tolerate almost anyone before him.

[Vinny01]

Unlike the Oilers with Spector the Flames do not really have a full time columnist/reporter at SN. I could see him taking this role for the Flames.

[stone hands]

I often wondered if Francis ever said or wrote something he actually believed in his long career or if it was 100% based upon what would generate the most views, sort of like a prehistoric clickbait website

[skcli]

He is doing full time fund raising with Pizza events.