Rick writes - As always, if you have any media story you’d like to share or think that I might be interested in sharing, drop me a line at rick@eckhartzpress.com or amishrick@yahoo.com
I am surprised that Darren Pang is joining the Blackhawks as their primary TV analyst alongside Chris Vosters this fall on NBC Sports Chicago. Vosters did catch up with Pang, I think on the Blackhawks' social media platforms yesterday. Needless to say, Pang's excited about coming home.
I think Pang became expendable because of Diamond Sports' bankruptcy situation. Diamond is the parent company of those Bally Sports regional networks that used to be branded as FOX Sports until 2 years ago. I get the sense that a handful of NHL, NBA & MLB teams that currently have broadcast rights on these Bally Sports regionals suddenly have an uncertain future due to Chapter 11 and rights fees that these networks might not be able to pay as a result. Bally Sports West also just said goodbye to Los Angeles Kings' TV voice Alex Faust, whose own contract won't be renewed after 6 seasons.
From everything that I've read though, Pang isn't necessarily leaving Warner Bros. Discovery/TNT as part of its NHL team. There could still be opportunities for Patrick Sharp and/or Troy Murray to fill in for Pang when he's on TNT assignment this upcoming NHL season.
Nevertheless, I love this move the Hawks made to bring back the popular Pang to its TV broadcasts.