The people have spoken.
At least that’s what disgraced former MLB and NFL announcer Thom Brennaman believes.
The long-time play-by-play man lost his jobs last year after uttering an anti-gay slur during a Cincinnati Reds broadcast.
Brenanaman has owned up to his mistake and apologized time and again for his indiscretion. He knows what he said was wrong. But after a year in broadcasting hell, Brennaman thinks it might be time for him to return to doing what he loves. Per the Cincinnati Enquirer:
If I’m in the grocery or getting a cup of coffee at the local convenient shop, 99% of those I bump into, I’ll hear, ‘We wish you were back, we miss you!’ Let’s say it’s even 90%. Are execs going to make a decision to appease the 10%? Wouldn’t you listen to the massive 90%?
Brennaman also said he’s received help from long-time MLB voice Bob Costas.
Although I’ve met Bob several times since, I can’t say I know him well. But Costas has been amazingly helpful. He’s told me that the crime doesn’t match the punishment.
Brennaman’s world fell apart last summer while calling a Reds game. According to CNN, Brennaman was heard “saying on the Fox Sports Ohio broadcast, ‘One of the f*g capitals of the world,’ before then resuming his on-air duties. It’s unknown what led to that remark and the context behind it. The comment was made after a commercial break.”
Brennaman was then pulled off the broadcast and the Reds issued a statement denouncing his homophobic comment.
According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, Fox Sports Ohio released a statement shortly after the Reds: “The language that Thom Brennaman used this evening is hateful, offensive, and in no way reflects the values of FOX Sports Ohio. We agree with the Reds’ decision to suspend him until further notice.”
FOX Sports subsequently announced Brennaman would not work on NFL broadcasts for the network in 2020. Since then, Brennaman said the network let his contract expire.
Brennaman officially resigned from his role with the Reds in September.
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In February, Fox Sports Ohio announced John Sadak, who “most recently worked for CBS Sports as a national TV play-by-play announcer” would replace Brennaman. Sadak, who also did some radio for the Mets on WCBS-AM, grew up in Edgewater and Brick Township, going to Brick Memorial High School. Sadak went to college at Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J.
In July, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported Brennaman will be “calling high school events via Chatterbox Sports.” According to the Enquirer, Chatterbox Sports is a “subscription-based service” which broadcasts “numerous high school events and also offers podcasts.”
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Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com.
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