Show Notes
After 17 years as an NHL broadcaster, Bob McElligott's team decided not to renew his contract. In this first episode, he says thank you ... what's next. Bob talks about the weeks since the news, the people who reached out, and the ones who told him they listened over the years driving an 18-wheeler, cleaning schools at night, working third shift at the plant, and tuning in to the Monday mailbag. Then he shares what he's been building: Clear Breakaway, an online platform that breaks from the way sports content usually gets made, usually with one announcer talking at the masses. He'll have opinions. He'd rather have a conversation. Hockey, baseball, football, basketball and sports in general are all on the table. He also announces the first piece: a twice-weekly podcast with Aaron Portzline of The Athletic, starting this week. Training camp is open, there's a big question at the top of the roster, and Bob says there's no one he'd rather work through it with. There's more coming in the next couple of weeks. For now what do you want to hear? Send your questions to [email protected], we look forward to reading them.
More from Clear Breakaway
Bob McElligott and Aaron Portzline talk about the state of the Columbus Blue Jackets, as they prepare to face the Vegas Golden Knights.
Cleveland’s season ends one series short. The Guardians fall to the Rays in six games in the ALCS, and the offense goes quiet after Game 1. Bob breaks down what went wrong, what’s next for a young Cleveland core, and why baseball needs a salary floor more than a salary cap. Then: are pro sports pricing fans out of the stands? Bob runs the numbers on what a family of four really pays for tickets, parking, hot dogs and beer, and asks where your ceiling is. Plus the topic Patreon members voted for: streaming. Too many apps, too many subscriptions, and too many hoops just to follow your team. In the second half, Bob takes your questions: Luxury Suite member Duncan’s $1,200 night at a Canucks game, the 80-inch TV vs. the stadium seat, whether corporate buyers are driving up prices, the Brewers and the “Timeless Ticket,” $10 walk-up Penguins tickets in 1985, and whether last year’s Stanley Cup ratings were about the matchup or about free TV. CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to Sports Attack 00:57 5-star review from DeusJes 02:26 Tonight’s three topics 03:17 Topic 1: Guardians lose the ALCS 16:59 Salary cap or salary floor? 17:50 Topic 2: Are fans being priced out? 29:55 Topic 3: Too many streaming apps? 38:03 Patreon perks and our Luxury Suite members 40:08 Duncan’s $1,200 night at the rink 42:12 Couch vs. stadium: the 80-inch TV question 45:15 Are corporate buyers driving up prices? 51:40 The Brewers and the Timeless Ticket 57:36 $10 Penguins tickets in 1985 59:37 Stanley Cup ratings and free TV 61:41 What’s coming up on Clear Breakaway Leave us a 5-star review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. It’s the best way to help new fans find the show, and yours might get read on the air. Get your questions answered first and vote on the third topic each week: patreon.com/clearbreakaway The Rush ($5) · Top Shelf ($10) · Luxury Suite ($25) Watch live Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET on YouTube. Follow Bob: @BobbyMacSports #SportsAttack #ClearBreakaway #Guardians #ALCS #MLB #NHL #SportsPodcast #Columbus
The Columbus Blue Jackets lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs, 6-2, at Nationwide Arena, Bob McElligott answers your questions and comments.
Bob McElligott and Aaron Portzline preview tonight's match-up between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Kirill Marchenko returns to Nationwide Arena while Matthew Knies and Emil Andrae go up against the Leafs.
Bob McElligott brings you a Monday Mailbag, answering your questions about the Columbus Blue Jackets. The biggest concern is who's going to score goals.