One of the most popular and excitable play-by-play voices in sports is leaving his primary employer.
Sports Illustrated reported Thursday that CBS NFL and college basketball play-by-play voice Gus Johnson has left the network after the “two sides could not agree on a new deal” (sportsillustrated.cnn.com, 5/5).
Johnson had been with CBS since 1995, and in recent years has become a rock star in blog circles for his exuberant calls.
Despite ending his relationship with CBS, Johnson will reportedly still work this weekend’s Manny Pacquiao/Shane Mosley boxing match on CBS corporate sibling Showtime.
In addition, Johnson has reportedly spoken to Fox about a role on the network’s expanding college football coverage. Johnson already works for Big Ten Network, in which Fox Sports has a minority stake.
(Information from sportsillustrated.cnn.com)
