“He really ratcheted up interest in the team,” Millman said. “No one worked harder at his job or harder at promoting the Fan. He’ll be with us for awhile yet and we’ll get around to discussing replacements in the summer.”
Swirsky, who previously worked in Chicago for 10 years, said it was “family considerations” that led him to make the move later this summer.
“I have to do this for my family,” Swirsky said yesterday. “I love Toronto, I thought I would be here for life, but family has to come first.”
Swirsky, his wife and three children live in Burlington but will relocate to Chicago closer to the start of the school year and the NBA season.
He will continue to host his afternoon radio show on The FAN 590 “for the foreseeable future.”
“Chuck has done a phenomenal job being a significant ambassador for the Raptors and the sport of basketball,” said Jack Armstrong, who worked alongside Swirsky as a television analyst for the last 10 years.
“He really embraced that and really enjoyed it.”
There was no immediate word on the process to replace Swirsky, or potential candidates.
The entire Raptor broadcast picture is a bit clouded with the decision by Sportsnet to drop all of its basketball coverage, leaving the team to put its games on a combination of The Score, TSN and CBC, along with, perhaps, the club’s own cable channel.
Swirsky said he first heard of any interest from the Bulls last Thursday in a conversation with Maple Leaf Sports officials. He said once he talked the situation over with his family, it became obvious the move had to be made.
In the decade he was here, he did a wonderful job promoting the game and the team when it was needed most. How in the world he maintained any semblance of enthusiasm through some of those wretched years is beyond me (of course, he missed the truly awful first couple of seasons).
Obviously he evoked great passion – on both sides of the aisle – and as an entertainer-slash-broadcaster, isn’t that what he’s supposed to do?
He’ll be missed by many, not missed by others but there will be broadcasts next year and someone will fill his shoes.
if I know Maple Leaf Sports, this is not going to be the highest-paying gig in network television, regardless of who gets it.
So all of us who’d love to repatriate Dan Shulman or even John Saunders should come the realization that it’s not financially possible. Too bad, though. Either of those guys would be great.
Oh, and one other thing to think about when you’re hoping some big name NBA broadcaster might be interested: As much as some of you’d like to think otherwise, broadcasting Toronto Raptor games to the relatively miniscule audiences they draw is not the biggest plum in television history.
Two league sources have confirmed that when the Suns agreed to give D’Antoni permission to talk to other clubs, the Bulls and the Knicks in particular, there was one condition: they would not grant permission to D’Antoni to talk with the Raptors.
The suggestion was that the Toronto ban was initiated by the Suns and reflective of the desire of Suns owner Robert Sarver to not be seen to doing any favours for current Raptors president and former Suns general manager Bryan Colangelo. There is no indication the Raptors were seeking permission to talk with Phoenix.
Former Bradley University men’s basketball star Anthony Parker was honored as one of the Euroleague’s 50 Greatest Contributors during this past weekend’s Euroleague Finals in Madrid. In addition, Parker was named one of the 12 best players to compete in both the NBA and the Euroleague, according to an ESPN.com article accompanying the Euroleague 50 Greatest Contributors List.
Interestingly, sources also tell the Tribune that while D’Antoni was given permission from the Suns to interview with the Knicks and Bulls, he wasn’t extended the same courtesy when it came to former Phoenix GM Bryan Colangelo and the Toronto Raptors.
Money again would have played a key role. Sam Mitchell is the coach in Toronto, and while there have been rumors about his possible departure, he still has two years and $8 million left on his contract with the Raptors.
Not everyone has that outlet to fill the gap in the week when there should be Raptors ball on to watch. I guess you could use video games to try and recreate the season and have Toronto win it all but really does that ever make you feel that great?
So what do most of the fans do to fill all of the extra time they now have until November?
We have come up with a long list that could help to ease the loss of your favourite NBA team.
By no means are these medical miracles but they are solid suggestions and could benefit the person trying them out.
I was BLOWN away. I had no clue this was coming. I didn’t even hear a rumble or rumor about this – and in this industry … that’s a big deal (that news like this could be kept so tight-lipped).
I didn’t hear Chuck’s statement on the FAN; I was too busy making my Turkey and Swiss! But after listening to his segment on the FAN website (check the Headlines for the link – if you haven’t heard it already) and then speaking with him personally, it’s clear that Chuck is leaving Toronto for all the right reasons. This decision is based on family and whether it’s cliche or not … family comes first.
Chuck is going from TV … back to radio; a rare move in this business. He’s also – based on his comments – leaving money on the table in going back to Chicago (where he spent 15 years earlier in his career). But being back state-side had too many positives attached to it – especially for his FAMILY – for Chuck to pass up.
Chuck became synonymous with Toronto. He WAS the Raptors. He was bigger than the players and coaches in many folks’ eyes. Filling in his footsteps will be a HUGE task for whoever ends up calling games for the Raps next season. Chuck was an icon in this city (and country).
I, like most of you, will miss the Swirsk. The Raptors loss is definitely the Bulls gain. Chicago’s airwaves will be exploding with Chuck’isms in no time. Bulls fans will be growing up on Salami and Cheese for years to come.
Going into next year the Raptors need to trade away T.J Ford. I like what he brings to the team. I was even in the minority that somewhat liked the trade when he was brought to Toronto. His time with the team has passed by though. The team plays with a much better flow with Calderon on the court. I look at Calderon as being from the Steve Nash /Jason Kidd/John Stockton mold. Guys who don’t need to take shots but make guys around them better. Calderon needs to be the starter on this team. Ford obviously has a problem with that…..why let him return next year and cause a distraction?
Raptors are only able to win 1 game of their seven game series against the Magic. The Magic exposed the Raptors at the weakest areas, rebounding and offensive guards. Toronto now has an off-season of decisions, around keeping their coach, what to do with the 2 point guards, how to improve their rebounding and focus on better team defense.
I have had my concerns about the way he approaches calling games but I have nothing but praise for the person. My Dino Nation Blog is able to be what it is thanks in part to Chuck Swirsky. I think it is sad that some have taken his departing as a chance to take shots at him. Whatever you may think of him as a broadcaster, he has always been kind to me and almost any Raptor Fan that took time to talk with him. He said it was always a pleasure talking Raptors Basketball and he lived it.
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I floated a theory out to Jeff, RaptorsTalk, and Lansdell yesterday that he was moving back to allow his kids to have an American education.
I also thought he was still under contract.
Reading the above makes me believe I was right on both counts.
If so, can I say ANTONIO DAVIS??
I’ve always said that AD requesting a move on behalf of his family was okay with me. If I was American and knew I’d be heading back there at the end of my career, I’d want my kids getting an education there. I say the same with Chuck.
Now, though, it will be interesting to see if the typical hypocritical Raptor fan will show face again. If you booed and hated AD, you should be doing the same with Chuck. AD carried this team to their only second round appearance and got hatred in exchange. Chuck merely covered the team and did little to further this team outside the local market (except for his misguided vote one year that made him a laughingstock). If AD deserved boos, then Chuck should deserve a firing squad.
Scotts last blog post..Linkage – May 7
maybe he left cause he didn’t actually get his citizenship:
http://ihtraptors.blogspot.com/2008/05/10-reasons-why-suck-will-leave-raptors.html
lol…
he will always have my boos. i think he is a good pbp guy, but he does too much. like that kid in school he was hurting for friends, and over compensated.
Raps Fans last blog post..An Open Letter to Chuck Swirsky
the misguided vote the one for bargnani for ROY?
Raps Fans last blog post..An Open Letter to Chuck Swirsky
ding ding ding
Scotts last blog post..Linkage – May 7
I never thought anyone would actually desire an American education for their kids. Granted, we’re talking private school here but that often means you need to dodge creationism rather than bullets in the classroom.
Granville Waiters Ghosts last blog post..Linkage – May 7
Point taken, but I would think many believe if you plan on moving back to the US (or your kids are), education from an American school goes a lot further than one from a Canadian one, depending on what you are wanting to “specialize” in.
Scotts last blog post..Linkage – May 7
I couldn’t care less about the (strangely controversial) “Canadian School System Comment”, but can I still dislike AD for dogging it in his final days here despite getting paid max money?
what is it with Toronto fans and their love of the term “dogging it”? Maybe he was just getting old and run down, hence him bowing out of the leg shortly thereafter?
Man…
Scotts last blog post..Linkage – May 7
I don’t think it’s a term used only by Toronto fans. Dwight Howard’s a Beast. Discuss.