Augh!
Ron MacLean and the CBC can’t agree on his contract, so he won’t return unless things get better. The online petition. And now Labatt’s is gravely concerned. Ron MacLean gets $400,000 a year and wanted a 10-15% raise this year. Don Cherry makes $700,000. In what world, tell me, is Cherry worth more than MacLean? The latter can manipulate the former with but a cock of the eyebrow. Although I am concerned over the future of Hockey Night in Canada, I can’t help but love the situation – Beer Baron calls the public broadcaster over concerns with the staffing of a hockey opinion show… only in Canadia, eh? Know what I’m talkin’ aboot? (thanks Jost)
Those CBC cunts better sign him and fast. With Don Meehan at the helm of Ronnie’s ship it should be done in hours. Let’s hope so or else be prepared for Grapes and Kelly Hrudy or some other equally uninteresting pairing.
Cut the greedy fucker loose. Do you know how many thousands of people would happily take on his cushy “watch-and-talk-about-sports” job for free?
And while they’re at it, the CBC should ditch all their sports and entertainment shows and stick to the one thing they do well — news.
Oh, come on bags. Ron MacLean is the best at what he does. The guy’s a braniac, he’s got an insane memory for sports, he’s got the poise of a diplomat, and he can deal with Cherry, which I’m sure isn’t easy.
CBC already has newsworld – that’s what you’re looking for, ain’t it?
As a non-sporto, I’m gonna have to take your word for it when it comes to MacLean’s skillz. But c’mon, almost a half a million bucks for yakking about hockey one night a week (in a season that lasts two-thirds of the year)? Cry me fucking river, MacLean.
I’m firmly with Sanks on this one. I haven’t read his contract but MacLean does commentary in a number of sport and society milieus not just HNIC. So indeed, he would be getting paid for more than just one night a week wouldn’t he? The fucking money is peanuts no matter how you slice it but if Grapes is getting that much more than MacLean then surely Ronnie asking for the equivalent of a new , (albeit high-end), car shouldn’t end negotiations. Take the money from that god awful shite Pat Joey Jeremiah Music Works cock sucker program and blow the fuckin whistle already.
A lot of these TV personalities are overpaid, no doubt. But I think it’s pretty fair to assume that MacLean generates the extra cash for the CBC. If advertisers are threatening (granted, probably idly threatening) to pull ads from the telecast, then he’s gotta be worth something to a lot of people. And I wouldn’t be too surprised if some profits from Hockey Night go into a bit of news funding.
I’ve read that the problem with giving MacLean the cash is that it would mean giving Peter Mansbridge more money too. But I don’t think too many people would lose their minds if CBC told Mansbridge to fuck off.
tv funfact: the highest-rated show on newsworld is Antique Road Show.
As I posted on your weblog, bags, if HNC’s viewers each sent in 10 cents it would more than pay for MacLean’s raise. And someone has proposed doing just that.
Remember, he does olympics as well. He’s a champ. TV, and especially TV sports, is big money. It sounds like a lot to pay one man, but of course Mats Sundin gets $9-mil a year, right?
Not that Ronnie has gotten any goals lately, but hey.
Yeah, but Sundin gets paid by the Leafs. MacLean gets paid by you and me. Big difference.
Is hockey not Canadian enough for you now? I’m frankly proud that the CBC has the best hockey coverage, and I just want to see them keep it up. HNC is like the highest rated show in Canada, it should pay its people well.
Aw, I’m just being an old crank. I actually have learned to appreciate hockey (getting married to a jock will do that to you), but I still hate the hockey=Canadian equation, mostly because there are people out there who make me feel like I shouldn’t live here just because I don’t live and breath the sport.
I understand, mageebags. Basketball lovers like you and me, constantly having to hear about the Canadian identity being tied to hockey. It’s very frustrating sometimes.
I used to be like that… but then I saw the light… er, ate the puck? Took the check? Got run into the boards of wisdom?
ok…this is retarded!, with they money that these sports casters make, we could do so much..health care, schooling. How do you feel about your money paying MacLean and Cherry???….pretty shitty, eh?
So lets put the money into something that would benefit us, the people of Canada!!!
~Think~
D, I hear what you write! You are a very crazy person. I like you!