Arlo White to succeed Kevin Calabro as Sounders' Play-by-Play announcer
by redwolf75 on Feb 10, 2010 10:13 AM PST
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http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2011027342_sounders10.html
Calabro wasn't exactly "let go," as he was only on a one year contract in the first place. Looks like the team just wanted to go in a "different direction."
I don't know about others, but I actually like this move. As admirable as Kevin Calabro's enthusiasm and voice are, his ignorance of the game could be rather cringe-worthy at times. White has covered Premier League games, bringing some much needed experience to the table.
I am frontpaging this and adding in the press release from the Sounders as well.
Sounders FC Hire White as “Voice of the Sounders FC”
Renton, Wash. – The Seattle Sounders FC today announced Arlo White as the club’s play-by-play announcer. The “Voice of the Sounders FC” will be heard on all television and radio broadcasts.
“I am extremely excited to join the Sounders FC family,” said White. “When I came to Seattle last season for opening night, I was overwhelmed by the atmosphere at Qwest Field. This is a great opportunity for me to be a part of a first-class organization. I have high hopes for this club this season.”
White, 36, joins Seattle after spending the previous nine years with BBC Radio Sport in England where he served as a host on “BBC Radio 5 Live.” White also hosted the station’s flagship Premier League Football show, “Saturday 5 Live Sport,” and the “Monday Night Club” alongside the legendary BBC football commentator John Motson.
From 2002 to 2005, White was a key presenter on the “5 Live Breakfast” program. During that time, he covered the 2003 Cricket World Cup in South Africa, the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and various Champions League football matches.
In November 2006, White joined a very select band of broadcasters to have worked the “Test Match Special” and presented “Sports Report.” He served as the presenter of “Saturday 5 Live Sport” for several weeks, and was a regular voice on the network presenting “5 Live Sport.”
White has called five Super Bowls for BBC and hosted a weekly NFL show.
Last season, White was in the booth for one Sounders FC match, calling play-by-play versus Houston.
He and his wife, Lizi, are the parents of twin daughters, Eva and Amelie.
All Sounders FC league games not aired nationally on ESPN or FSC will be carried live on KING 5 or KONG 6/16. All games can also be heard on the radio home of Sounders FC, News Talk 97.3 KIRO FM. All Sounders FC Spanish language broadcasts will be aired on Ke Buena 1210 AM, except nationally aired broadcasts. Select Sounders FC Spanish language TV matches will be aired on KOMO2 TV, Comcast channel 114, a Univision sister station.
Feel free to share your thoughts on the change
FanPosts only represent the opinions of the poster, not of Sounder at Heart.
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Great, great change
I thought White did an awesome job in the Houston game, while Calabro made me want to stab my ears out with a blunt pencil every other week.
by The King of Norway on Feb 10, 2010 1:59 PM PST reply actions
Dumb
Replace one of the greatest announcers ever with what ?
So we can get someone who “knows” soccer ie. non American
Replace a legend in Seattle ?
With a British guy of course.
Never would have seen that coming…
What a joke.
Expect the same response as when they tried to appease the EPL lovers with the Seattle Alliance name
I have nothing against Arlo, I thought he did a decent job from what I heard, but what a slap in the face. Your legend just doesn’t stack up.
The Sounders better be careful, the fans might start to listen when they state Americans dont understand the nuances of soccer stick to basketball.
A legend does not a good soccer announcer make
IMO, Calabro may be a legend, but he never bothered to learn the sport.
I loves me some Dave Niehaus like you wouldn’t believe, but I wouldn’t want him calling Sounders games either. Some things just don’t translate.
by The King of Norway on Feb 10, 2010 5:31 PM PST up reply actions
umm, "replace with what?"
Mr. White has called 5 Superbowls. They didn’t hire him because he had a better accent, they hired him because KC didn’t work out. And quite honestly? KC could have put in more work – He said in an interview that he didn’t even watch tape of the Houston game he missed. That’s poor preparation, especially considering they were our playoff opponent.
Legend isn’t good enough on it’s own. You gotta earn it.
"The truth will set you free. But not until it is finished with you."
- David Foster Wallace R.I.P.
This wasn't particularily mean.
But the point does stand. They are vicious over there – but extremely knowledgeable.
by magistermilitum on Feb 10, 2010 8:29 PM PST up reply actions
I can't do mean
I often struggle with snark
I hope just to be critical but fair
I am not a Supporter
I am not a Fan
I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
I like that you aren't mean either. I like critical and fair and that is what you do and what makes Sounder at Heart great
I am surprised at the level of hatred many sports fans sitting behind a computer carry within themselves. I understand satire and when used well, writing negative things are fine, as everyone is in on the joke.
But, even in this fanpost, Redwolf used “ignorance” to describe Calabro. Using that specific word has a very bad connotation. There are many other words that he could have used to get his point across that would have been fine. Now, I am not going to be the word police and I am not going to lose any sleep over this.
I am just saying that there is a lot of overly negative and mean spirited posts overall on most sports blogs, sites, message boards, etc. and Dave, it is refreshing how you write.
We need more soccer bloggers like Dave
since so many soccer fans/supporters/bloggers have that massive superiority complex that makes them incredibly annoying.
Perhaps the word was a little too harsh,
but his lack of soccer knowledge got to me at many points last year. Not something one should expect from the “voice of the franchise.” Even he admitted that he didn’t put enough effort into the job in a recent interview with Don Ruiz.
I like the move
I could care less what his accent is, or his birthplace. I’m just happy we have someone who is not going to be confused by what is happening on the pitch and will provide insight.
I think there are plenty of Americans in Seattle that do understand the nuances of soccer, which is part of the reason why we need an announcer that does, as well. The other part of it is the announcer also plays the role of educator, and for those learning the game it makes a lot more sense to have it taught to you by someone who knows the game than someone who is often confused.
Crappy or not
KC was a Seattle icon, and I feel bad that it came to this. For me he was good enough for someone who had never called soccer before, and was forced to simulcast on radio. I honestly think that having one announcer do both radio and TV is less than ideal due to the fact that the TV cast suffers.
They should have bumped KC to radio and had Arlo do the TV. It’s still a shame he left, thank you so much for trying Kevin, I will miss you.
by Murk on Feb 10, 2010 4:55 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
I wish there was a way to continue to use KC, (Like radio), but there is no comparison. Arlo definitely has the chops for this job. Kevin hasn’t exactly been set adrift. He still has his talk show and basketball gigs. It was nice to hear a local recognizable voice, but now we have an announcer with some world cred, to match what the franchise is developing.
It's not about how bad KC did...
I think this move is all about how much KC was not around last year. I think they want a “voice of the Sounders” that can show up and do all the matches, not just some of the matches. With the CCL and Open Cup this year, Arlo will be at those games, even if it’s only an internet broadcast. KC wasn’t able to commit to that kind of schedule, especially with his NBA work.
by blakec on Feb 10, 2010 8:55 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
This is the best summation on the change.
Calabro was not really into doing it again. Calling the Sounders was priority number 5 for him. I think we deserve to have an announcer that is as committed to the team as much as we the fans are.
The reason people around here love Kevin so much is because of how much of a fan he was of the Sonics and how that translated into his game calling there. He did not bring that same excitement or fun to the Sounders matches and when combined with his soccer illiteracy it just wasn’t a good fit. This move makes sense and need not be treated as any kind of slight to Calabro.
Calabro seemed pretty understanding on his radio show yesterday.
According to him, the biggest issue wasn’t his lack of knowledge about the sport so much as it was his other obligations to 710AM and ESPN’s coverage of NBA and NCAA basketball. With the Sounders broadcasting more games this year that fall on weekdays, it made more sense to find someone who could commit to the entire schedule.
No improvement
I wasn’t against Calabro at first, but I assumed his knowledge of the league and the game would rise signifcantly by the end of the season. For whatever reason, it did not.
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