BREAKING: Sportsnet and CBC make decision on Ron MacLeans future in broadcasting

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Dan
June 29, 2022 (12:32)

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Best known as a hockey broadcaster since he began working for Hockey Night in Canada in 1986, Ron Maclean has been a mainstay in Canadian hockey for nearly 40 years.

Though less of a polarizing figure than his now-dismissed longtime broadcasting partner Don Cherry, MacLean has become something of a relic in broadcasting, with many fans of the fast-changing NHL hungering for new blood in broadcasting to keep up with the world and with hockey.

It appears as though Rogers Sports and Media's recent announcement regarding cuts and restructuring to their hockey broadcasting empire is reflecting that desire among fans.

Breaking: as alluded to below, I am told the first casualty of the cuts is @hometownhockey_ which I am told will not return. https://t.co/ZXW1ok3b5H� jonah (@yyzsportsmedia) June 28, 2022

MacLean's show Hometown Hockey was recently cut by the network, but it was revealed he will still be in the broadcasting booth on Hockey Night in Canada.

Ron MacLean loses �Hometown Hockey,' will return to �Hockey Night in Canada' https://t.co/saaZdZXXmr� SeanFitz_Gerald (@SeanFitz_Gerald) June 28, 2022

It will be interesting to see if this recent cut to Hometown Hockey reflects a growing trend and is the begin of a phaseout of the 62-year old MacLean, or if Rogers continues to rely on old faces rather than coming up with new strategies to innovate broadcasting and bring in some more diverse voices and perspectives.