NHL analyst Chris Chelios will not have contract renewed amid ESPN layoffs. Plus: Albert Pujols will serve as on-air analyst at MLB Network, the Los Angeles Kings let go of play-by-play voice Alex Faust and Matt Cassel joins NBC’s Big Ten coverage.
Chelios out at ESPN
NHL analyst and Hall of Fame defenseman Chris Chelios will not have his contract renewed by ESPN as the network begins to purge on-air talent in its latest round of layoffs.
Chelios started at ESPN during the 2021-22 season, the first of the network’s seven year media rights deal with the NHL. According to the report by Front Office Sports, the decision to let his contract expire was not performance based. Chelios is likely the first in a longer list of names that will not see their contracts renewed.
Per Andrew Marchand in the New York Post, ESPN will be targeting veteran talent earning large salaries who have appeared on air less frequently in recent years. (FOS 6.5) (NY Post 6.5)
Albert Pujols joining MLB Network
Albert Pujols agreed to a role as Special Assistant to the Commissioner on Monday, a job which includes appearing as an on-air analyst for MLB Network. The shoe-in first ballot Hall of Famer will begin his television duties Tuesday morning on MLB Central.
Pujols made his analyst debut over the weekend during Peacock’s broadcast of Cardinals-Pirates. He will continue analyst duties throughout the week, appearing Wednesday on MLB Tonight. Pujols will also contribute on-site coverage to MLB’s London Series between the Cardinals and Cubs on June 23rd. (MLB 6.5)
Faust let go by Kings
The Los Angeles Kings announced they would not renew the contract of play-by-play announcer Alex Faust on Monday. Instead, the Kings will look to solidify a single broadcast team comprised of Nick Nickson, Jim Fox, and Darryl Evans.
The Kings also released a statement thanking Faust “for representing the organization and our community with dignity and class,” called him “an extremely talented and passionate broadcaster,” and wished him “the utmost success in the years ahead.”
Faust released a statement on Twitter acknowledging the realities of the regional sports network business had something to do with his firing. He stated that the team is currently without a TV rights partner for next season, and his “role was a casualty of the current climate.” (Morgan 6.5) (Faust 6.5)
Cassel to appear on NBC Big Ten coverage
Matt Cassel will join NBC’s Big Ten pregame coverage this season. The former USC signal caller and NFL veteran will join Joshua Perry and Maria Taylor in the NBC studio. Cassel has recently appeared on NBC Sports Boston for pregame and postgame duties during football season.
Notably, Cassel only completed 33 passes during his college career. But with his alma mater set to join the Big Ten, he can provide some West Coast flair to the new look conference. (NY Post 6.5)
