Cherry's future with HNIC in doubt
WebPosted Thu Apr 29 16:30:14 2004
There's a chance Don Cherry won't be behind his familiar Coach's Corner desk after this season.
Don Cherry, right, has not yet reached contract terms with the CBC for next season. The 70-year-old hockey commentator told the Globe and Mail the CBC has not committed to renewing his contract for Hockey Night in Canada next season.
Cherry told the newspaper he would like to return as co-host of the popular Coach's Corner segment.
CBC spokesperson Ruth Ellen Soles said the network had not yet decided on Cherry's status for next season. She said the network will review all contracts, including Cherry's, once the hockey playoffs conclude in June.
"If they want me, they haven't approached me on that, one way or the other," Cherry told the Globe.
"And if the CBC doesn't want me, I've had a good ride. I have no regrets and I wouldn't change anything."
Since news broke that Cherry might not return to Hockey Night in Canada, the CBC has received hundreds of emails, the vast majority of them demanding that Cherry be brought back next season.
Cherry has reportedly received overtures to work at other networks. However, sources inside CBC have told Sports Online that Cherry would choose retirement in favour of shifting to another broadcaster.
"I would like to stay with the CBC for the simple fact that I get a big kick out of it. I could make more money at other places," Cherry told the Globe.
Cherry's opinionated style has earned him legions of fans as well as a number of critics. He's been accused of crossing the line on several occasions during his 23-year CBC career.
The most recent controversy stemmed from the Jan. 24 Coach's Corner segment, when Cherry, while discussing the merits of protective visors as mandatory NHL equipment, said: "Most of the guys that wear them are Europeans and French guys."
The CBC went on to place Coach's Corner on a seven-second delay. The official languages commissioner also investigated Cherry's comments.
Whether viewers will see Cherry on Hockey Night in Canada next season is an open question for another reason: there's no guarantee that there will be hockey for the Coach to rant about. The labour contract between the NHL and its players expires on Sept. 15, 2004 and many observers aren't optimistic that a dispute can be avoided.
If, as many expect, the owners lock out the players, there will be no hockey, no Hockey Night in Canada and no Coach's Corner in the fall, perhaps for the entire season.
WebPosted Thu Apr 29 16:30:14 2004
There's a chance Don Cherry won't be behind his familiar Coach's Corner desk after this season.
Don Cherry, right, has not yet reached contract terms with the CBC for next season. The 70-year-old hockey commentator told the Globe and Mail the CBC has not committed to renewing his contract for Hockey Night in Canada next season.
Cherry told the newspaper he would like to return as co-host of the popular Coach's Corner segment.
CBC spokesperson Ruth Ellen Soles said the network had not yet decided on Cherry's status for next season. She said the network will review all contracts, including Cherry's, once the hockey playoffs conclude in June.
"If they want me, they haven't approached me on that, one way or the other," Cherry told the Globe.
"And if the CBC doesn't want me, I've had a good ride. I have no regrets and I wouldn't change anything."
Since news broke that Cherry might not return to Hockey Night in Canada, the CBC has received hundreds of emails, the vast majority of them demanding that Cherry be brought back next season.
Cherry has reportedly received overtures to work at other networks. However, sources inside CBC have told Sports Online that Cherry would choose retirement in favour of shifting to another broadcaster.
"I would like to stay with the CBC for the simple fact that I get a big kick out of it. I could make more money at other places," Cherry told the Globe.
Cherry's opinionated style has earned him legions of fans as well as a number of critics. He's been accused of crossing the line on several occasions during his 23-year CBC career.
The most recent controversy stemmed from the Jan. 24 Coach's Corner segment, when Cherry, while discussing the merits of protective visors as mandatory NHL equipment, said: "Most of the guys that wear them are Europeans and French guys."
The CBC went on to place Coach's Corner on a seven-second delay. The official languages commissioner also investigated Cherry's comments.
Whether viewers will see Cherry on Hockey Night in Canada next season is an open question for another reason: there's no guarantee that there will be hockey for the Coach to rant about. The labour contract between the NHL and its players expires on Sept. 15, 2004 and many observers aren't optimistic that a dispute can be avoided.
If, as many expect, the owners lock out the players, there will be no hockey, no Hockey Night in Canada and no Coach's Corner in the fall, perhaps for the entire season.
HE WILL BE BACK NEXT SEASON......
