UPDATE 8/2/06 12:35 PM: This move is being confirmed not only by the Plain Dealer’s Roger Brown, in a story now posted to Cleveland.com, but also by local sports radio reporter Joe Lull in his “Lull on Sports” blog. Both are reporting that long-time Cleveland Cavaliers TV voice Michael Reghi is being replaced by Detroit Pistons TV voice Fred McLeod.
Lull quotes sources that say Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert actually interned for McLeod in Detroit many years ago. We were unaware that Gilbert has broadcast interning in his past, but we don’t know his resume all that well. We didn’t remember that McLeod has some history in the Cleveland TV market, as a sports reporter/anchor at what’s now WJW/8.
Still unclear: Reghi’s overall status with FSN Ohio. It appears quite possible that he will continue to work for the cable network, as his name was listed as recently as today as part of the network’s new Browns coverage. And it appears from all reports that the move to change the Cavaliers’ TV broadcast team came out of Quicken Loans Arena, and not out of FSN Ohio in Independence.
More as it becomes available…
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We’re told that a reliable source is reporting changes on the Cleveland Cavaliers’ TV broadcast team, and there are signs that it may actually be happening.
The sports TV website “Call of the Game” is reporting that FSN Ohio is buying out the remaining two years of the contract of Cavs play-by-play voice Michael Reghi, and that Detroit sports voice Fred McLeod is being tabbed to replace him.
To that end, the Detroit Free Press reports that McLeod is leaving his sports anchor post at Detroit NBC affilate WDIV/4, and his job as the Detroit Pistons’ TV play-by-play voice on FSN Detroit, and is “seeking a broadcast job with the Cleveland Cavaliers”.
It’s hard for us to believe that a sportscaster would leave both of his jobs at major market TV outlets if he didn’t believe a new job was in the wings.
The move makes sense when you consider Cavs owner Dan Gilbert’s numerous ties to the Detroit area. Gilbert lives in suburban Detroit, and his Rock Financial firm is based there. He’s a long-time Pistons season ticket holder, and has likely watched McLeod for years.
OMW also hears that another Detroit broadcaster is thought to be the “heir apparent” to long-time Cavaliers radio voice Joe Tait…whenever the veteran broadcaster decides to retire. That name reportedly has Cleveland ties…
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