Arlo White Reportedly Accepts NBC Soccer Announcing Job
by Jeremiah Oshan on Nov 23, 2011 6:48 PM PST
in Sounders: News
Email
PrintArlo White has taken a job with NBC Sports to become their national soccer announcer, according to a report from KING5, the Seattle Sounders broadcast partner. This would be a considerable loss for Sounders fans, who have grown to almost universally love the British broadcaster.
@KING5Sports
KING 5 Sports@KING5Sports has learned that #Sounders broadcaster Arlo White is moving on. He's expected to be the lead voice for NBC's soccer coverage.
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When asked, the Sounders gave a "no comment at this time," which isn't exactly comforting. Sports Illustrated writer Grant Wahl had said that NBC was pursuing White, so it's not like this news comes out of the blue. But on a day in which the Sounders already lost two significant pieces of their team, this is not the kind of news most of us were hoping to hear.
White came to the Sounders at the start of the 2010 season, largely as an unknown commodity to the American audience. He had done some work with the BBC in England, but was far from a household name there.
It didn't take long for him to ingratiate himself with Sounders fans, though, and is now generally considered to be one of the best announcers calling the game in the United States. He is probably the best researched announcer here and puts in countless hours making sure he understands everything from the pronunciation of players' names to the opposing teams' tendencies. His goal calls will surely be attached to many of our best memories of the team.
Still, it's hard not to feel at least a little bit happy for him if this is true. White will surely be back in Seattle to call national games and this is clearly a good thing for his career. There are no details about what is happening, so it's at least remotely possible that he could somehow remain with the team on some kind of part-time basis (although that does seem like a long shot).
For now, we'll try to find out more information before jumping to any conclusions, but considering where this report is coming from, there's really no reason to doubt it.
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That totally sucks!
That hurts more than losing our two defenders
by Kevin Higginbottom on Nov 23, 2011 6:56 PM PST reply actions 5 recs
Well this is disappointing.
I wish him the best. I hope he doesn’t forget us.
I really don't think he will
Unless he’s a great actor, he really seems to love Seattle and the fans here.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Nov 23, 2011 7:01 PM PST up reply actions
Definitely a bummer for us, but just a huge win for the league.
I think having someone as good as Arlo in the booth will go a long ways towards attracting American fans to the game.
by moyerLIVES on Nov 23, 2011 6:57 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
It has been nice having an English commentator
Colabaro was awful. He bad-mouths soccer on his radio show.
by Kevin Higginbottom on Nov 23, 2011 7:01 PM PST reply actions
Callabro and his crowd at KJR (other than Gastineau) can EABOD.
I am so tired of Soccer being shown no respect by the major media in town. And now we lose our voice on broadcasts. My logic brain says yes, this is great for MLS, great for NBC, yadda yadda bla. But that doesn’t change that I hate seeing talent developed here and then leave. What made Niehaus great for the Mariners was he was THE voice of Seattle in baseball, many would say beyond baseball. Arlo White was becoming that … and now it won’t happen presumably.
I just hope we get someone half as good to replace him, though there is no replacing him.
Kitsap Pewmahs forever.
by luckystriker on Nov 23, 2011 7:07 PM PST up reply actions
Get your whine right.
Kevin is with KIRO not KJR. Atleast get your facts straight.
by Steen on Nov 23, 2011 7:19 PM PST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Calabro works at 710 ESPN not KJR
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Realized that a minute later
Not that it matters. Local on-air media blows off the Sounders, and really only Gastineau bothers. Having Arlo bridged that gap somewhat because he was such a literate and outgoing and confident spokesman for the Sounders and for Seattle Soccer and MLS. Just won’t be the same.
Callabro did work at KJR for 15 years since when, 1992? 1994? and has been at 710 for 2 or 3, one or two of them while it was called ESPN. It isn’t facts, its me not giving a crap about recent developments. His show is a total black hole for Soccer.
by luckystriker on Nov 23, 2011 7:36 PM PST up reply actions
Dick Fain regulary talks Sounders
Softy Mahler regulary talks Sounders
Ian Furness regularly talks Sounders
710 has an hour long program at 8AM on Saturday.
And I won’t argue. KC greatly disappointed me. Especially after having worked for him.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
KJR was mentioning the results of the expansion draft on every update yesterday.
KJR does a ton of things wrong. The amount of coverage they give the Sounders is not one of them. I would welcome it if the broadcasts switched to 950.
by Robert on Nov 24, 2011 10:14 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Surprising
710’s family is the carrier of Sounders matches, but they barely give them the time of day. I wonder if the Sounders deal is part of the Seahawks radio deal, making begrudging coverage unsurprising.
I don't care what ethnicity or nationility the next voice of the Sounders has
I only care that they know the game
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
by Dave Clark on Nov 23, 2011 7:21 PM PST up reply actions 5 recs
Totally agree
And they convey similar passion for the game and team as our beloved Arlo.
There's certainly some British announcers I prefer we don't get.
Like the second guy on Fifa. His voice annoys the crap out of me.
It’s just a shame Calabro doesn’t know the game better…
Oh, sure.
I’m not saying all Brits are capable of calling soccer. I’m just saying I’d prefer we get another Brit with the same talents as Arlo. Just not a fan of the way most of my fellow Americans call MLS games. Darke, Healey and White are top-notch.
Darke is awful when calling MLS games
his disrespect for the league is clear.
I never want Healey anywhere near this team again.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Yes, that Brit does an amazing job calling CONCACAF
so much better than having an American
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Why limit ourselves?
Soccer is a truly international sport. I wouldn’t mind seeing a capable latino taking over the mike. It would be nice to be able to break down some of the racial/cultural barriers in this market.
by Robb Lincoln on Nov 24, 2011 10:31 AM PST up reply actions
I hope they hire a British guy just to find out it was an American faking an accent to improve his resume
I’m not trolling here. I just think there’s nothing about being British that predisposes you to call a better soccer game.
volatilelyle.com
by almost awesome on Nov 24, 2011 11:33 AM PST up reply actions
I bet there are a lot of great American soccer announcers that just need a chance
I bet there are some right there in the Seattle market.
volatilelyle.com
by almost awesome on Nov 24, 2011 11:35 AM PST up reply actions
It would be awesome if they hired a guy who was already a big Sounders fan
But I don’t want them to just grab a random season ticket holder and give him a microphone.
I met a possum.
by s0merand0mdude on Nov 24, 2011 11:37 AM PST up reply actions
Who are the great american soccer announcers?
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
That's a great question
I just hope the Sounders give a little consideration to adding someone to that list.
There are a lot more guys with experience across the pond. I’d understand if Seattle goes that route. But it would be cool if they can find their own guy, IMO.
I’m really happy with John Strong down here. He graduated from UO’s journalism school paid his dues at the sports station. He called the USL games first, and got the promotion. But, of course, what’s far more important: He calls a good game. Just like Lamar Neagle, that local angle and dues paying makes it much more special, IMO.
As we build this league it would be great to build some great voices, too.
volatilelyle.com
by almost awesome on Nov 24, 2011 11:57 AM PST up reply actions
I agree with the local sentiment
but I’m not sure there’s anyone around here that could step in and perform at a high enough level (for soccer).
Pete Fewing?
I think Pete could grow into an excellent color guy. I like him as an analyst—he’s certainly growing in skill. I’d be curious to see Keller doing color, but he should probably get some experience in the studio (with the coaches?) first.
by asimismo on Nov 24, 2011 12:44 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Pete Fewing doesn't replace Arlo though
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Agreed. But that wasn't the question I was responding to.
You asked who the great American soccer announcers are, and I think Fewing has the right combination of soccer-savviness, personality, and tv-friendliness to develop. He’s started with analysis and has done color. I’m interested to see where that goes.
We all know Arlo can’t be replaced. That’s why it hurts so much.
Two questions
Who are the great British ones ? IMHO, most of them are terrible…and would be worse for a MLS team.
Is it possible not enough Americans have been given a chance ? It seems the MO is to go British or go ex-National team member. I hope the Sounders can find someone. I think they need to go young and break out of a box that leaves almost everyone disgruntled. I thought Calabro would have become that guy…..he definitely wasn’t to start.
I don't know any former players doing pbp
i do know that Schoen, Stone, Sullivan, Dellacamera, Strong, Schaad, and many others have gotten chances and are not brits.
I think there are only 4-5 brit pbp voices in US Soccer
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Sounder At Heart
I wonder if USL or NASL might be a good place to go poaching
volatilelyle.com
by almost awesome on Nov 25, 2011 1:38 PM PST up reply actions
Well, in addition to that...
…I really hope the person can speak the language acceptably and doesn’t sound like a blathering idiot.
Great news for Arlo. I wish we’d keep him, but I couldn’t be happier for the man and for the major upgrade MLS coverage just got. We’ll always have 2010-2011. And we’ll always know he’s rooting for us.
Boo! Tomorrow AM. I want all things now!
by Perrinbar on Nov 23, 2011 7:04 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Yes
while i’ll miss him this is good for US soccer.
by gstommylee on Nov 23, 2011 7:05 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
I think I'm okay with this…
You don’t hear him at the stadium, and away games usually have the home team or network announcers.
So I’ll miss him during replays, and at local events, and having his quality reflect so well on the organization… BUT: We’ll get to hear him announce more away games, some interesting non-Sounders league games, and we get to see quality get rewarded. Not to mention the MLS looks better for not having (as many?) complete chumps announcing. Obviously a great win for the league, and even as a selfish Sounder fan, at worst it’s about a wash for me.
The one thing I’m worried about is if they’ll force a partner on him, which could be tragic.
by mrbs on Nov 23, 2011 7:12 PM PST via mobile reply actions
I forgot about GotW/SotW highlights.
Those will be much less epic.
Did you never watch games on KONG ?
US Cup, or aways…. Arlo made them great. He will definitely be missed here. As for watching more MLS on TV, sure. That’ll be a benefit. Still can’t top seeing him in Temple or MC’ing an event.
Nationally on TV, we should now have heard the last “Fredy Montero is lazy” stupid comment. I am looking forward to the end of Jonathan Harke and JP Dumbacrappen. But that still doesn’t stop the anger over losing Arlo, because he was becoming a local treasure.
by luckystriker on Nov 23, 2011 7:21 PM PST up reply actions
Probably saw less games on KONG than on ESPN...
I’m guessing a Seattle fan that was attending local (CL/Starfire) games and watching away games (KONG, ESPN or CCL streams) will end up hearing more Arlo Sounders games next year than this.
Obviously local fans that were watching the home games on TV are getting screwed here.
There were many more KONG/KING away games than FSC/ESPN away games
probably about 4 times as many
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Well I stand corrected.
Next plan is to have enough franchise draw so that NBC picks up all of our away games.
Jeremiah didn't mention this
but Arlo clearly is blog friendly, that’s a rarity in his business. He regularly chatted with us at practices, and more importantly he gave us all over an hour of his time at Date with Sounder at Heart
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I actually think this is amazing for NBC, a well deserved opportunity for Arlo, and an advancement of the sport in the U.S.
But…. so sad for us. We were so spoiled the past 2 years.
by agtk on Nov 23, 2011 7:31 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
Of all our losses today
Wahl, Riley, Montano, and Arlo, Arlo is by far the hardest for us to replace.
by Brougham Hooligan on Nov 23, 2011 7:34 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Montano tweeted that his new team is Montreal
No other source that I know of. And no information of what the Sounders are going to get in the trade.
Hope it works out for him
Assuming he isn’t jumping the gun, I hope the change of scenery works to help him fulfill his potential. (The drinking age there is 18 and Montreal is a party town, so he certainly can get distracted if he strays off path…)
by PeterJH on Nov 23, 2011 9:35 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Has anyone actually seen this first hand?
This seems to be hearsay and I can’t find a twitter or facebook account for him.
by ballardiana on Nov 23, 2011 10:26 PM PST up reply actions
I found Montano's facebook account and he changed his profile picture
back to a Sounders jersey (used to be Impact jersey). https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001828389681
There is no mention of signing with Montreal on fb. Nor on twitter.
http://twitter.com/#!/miguelmontano32
thats not his account.. i have him on fb and his status says he on fb.
his profile pic on his account is a picture of his new tattoo
Here is a pic someone took of the FB note last night
http://t.co/TFoHFIDX Maybe he jumped the gun on the official announcement. All said and done, not a big surprise or loss for the Sounders if true
by Brougham Hooligan on Nov 24, 2011 11:24 AM PST up reply actions
Seattle should be able to get something
Although it would only be a late supplemental pick or a tiny bit of allocation.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
If JP Dellacamera
Can work nationally on FSC & locally with the Union, why cant Arlo do the same?
by Sam in P-Town on Nov 23, 2011 7:36 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
It depends
on the # of games NBC is airing. It might be hard to do both.
NBC/NBCSports are going to carry about 50% more games than FSC did
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Logistically it is a nightmare going NY / East Coast back and forth to Seattle. 5+ hr flight and 3 hour TZ diff.
Just a lot easier to hop a train from Philly to New York or Philly to DC or a short flight to Columbus or Toronto or New England.. you see my point. Half the league is located within 2 hours travel of Philadelphia. We’re basically over 5 hrs from anywhere except the west coast and SLC, counting time changes. NBC is based out of where, remind me, is it Portland, Salt Lake, Seattle or … New York. Thats why I don’t expect it would work. Though maybe he’ll want to, which would be awesome for us. Any time NBC carries Seattle, we win, obviously. Otherwise… not so much, at least not til we find who or what replaces Arlo.
by luckystriker on Nov 23, 2011 7:41 PM PST up reply actions
yes but.
Lots of NBS’s matches will be here. Sounders/Galaxy/RSL accounted for tons of matches
by Sam in P-Town on Nov 23, 2011 7:43 PM PST up reply actions
FSC had a match every week
He wont call more than 1 per week. Thats what JP was doing.
Hey.. John Harkes
is looking for a new job!
heh heh heh
Seriously though.. this stinks..
Was Arlo still commuting back and forth from England? Seems like the deal with NBC could improve his lot if he’s able to call fewer matches, with many of those he does call in places quicker to get to from London.
Some jokes hurt too much
to be funny
by look4wrd on Nov 23, 2011 9:18 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Harkes lands in Seattle and Dizzo gets his pitchfork out.
The SAH Links Guy
by Dizzo on Nov 23, 2011 9:31 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
You wouldn't be alone.
We could probably get a proper lynch-mob going.
Mariners Farm Review
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by c_dowley on Nov 24, 2011 4:56 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
NONONONONONONONONONO.
I realize that this theme has already been done. But what the !@$% can one do. If I was a lifetime baseball fan prior to finding this sport… Arlo took what I thought I liked and turned it into something I thrived to listen to.
Riley stung. Wahl did as well but to a lesser extent. This one hurts.
Sports.
by mdkathon on Nov 23, 2011 7:54 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Well, isn't this where we start the "ARLO PLEASE STAY!" Campaign?
NBC wont be broadcasting that many games.
by DaveValleDrinkNight on Nov 23, 2011 7:57 PM PST reply actions
don't
forget about versus/NBC Sports Network
They are contracted for 45 MLS matches next year
along with 4 national team matches.
Sounders 'til I die
by SounderJunkie on Nov 23, 2011 11:36 PM PST up reply actions
.
In each year of the deal, the NBC network will broadcast two regular-season M.L.S. games, two playoff games and two national team games (Soccer United Marketing, the marketing arm of M.L.S., owns the rights to the United States national team). The NBC Sports Network will televise 38 regular-season games, 3 playoff games and 2 national team matches.
I met a possum.
by s0merand0mdude on Nov 24, 2011 11:25 AM PST up reply actions
Well, do the math
38 regular season on VS + 3 playoffs on VS + 2 regular season on NBC + 2 playoff on NBC = 45
I met a possum.
by s0merand0mdude on Nov 24, 2011 11:32 AM PST up reply actions
Bummed, however...
Our loss is the gain of the American game. NBC is clearly taking this contract very seriously and signing Arlo is the latest in a string of very wise moves. Really enjoyed having him here, but now our FO can go get another quality announcer and we don’t have to laugh at the terrible national broadcast announcing FSC has become famous for.
by Derek Young on Nov 23, 2011 8:21 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
I doubt he'd become a regular play-by-play announcer...
…but I wouldn’t be the least surprised to have him get a new “color commentator” position, especially if the FO is worried that whoever we sign on as a regular announcer won’t connect with the fans in the way Arlo did. Any falling off in that regard would be mitigated by having Kasey throwing in his commentary as well. (Although I would hope someone at KONG would have their finger on the “auto-bleep” button every time someone scored on us.)
by regnaD kciN on Nov 23, 2011 10:00 PM PST up reply actions
Good luck to Arlo
Hurts so bad to lose him on our broadcasts, but at least I’ll be able to hear him regularly on NBC.
Liked him from his first guest broadcast against Houston for us and I tried to figure out who the heck he was,
Anyone know who the Brit play by play announcer is? I think he said his name was Olive White or something? He sounds familiar like he might do EPL games regularly or something.I’ll miss you being a Sounders homer Olive.
by Thalas on Nov 23, 2011 8:27 PM PST reply actions 5 recs
the way this day has gone
I fully expect the FO to announce Harkes as our new voice.
by chrisperry1983 on Nov 23, 2011 8:28 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Shhh Adrian reads this blog
Nos audietis in somniis, Nos audietis in altum: You will hear us!
by chrisso on Nov 24, 2011 7:44 AM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
I have complete confidence in the higher-ups to get an excellent replacement
I’d much rather have the Sounders trying to find a voice besides Arlo than NBC.
I met a possum.
by s0merand0mdude on Nov 23, 2011 8:29 PM PST via mobile reply actions
I'm sad, but I'm also happy
The sport needs Arlo more than we need Arlo. We need to grow this thing and Arlo might be that announcer that can finally bring the excitment home to the fan that casually tunes in on Thursday night for a game.
Top Ten list of crappy things this season
10) MLS refs
9) Philadelphia loss at home
8) Blood clots
7) Dallas loss at home
6) Penalty shooting
5) Starting 0-2
4) Man U
3) Losing Arlo
2) RSL leg 1
1) The Mullenation of Zak
Yes, I’m ranking the loss of Arlo as the 3rd crappiest thing to happen to the 2011 Sounders. And yes, if the 3rd crappiest thing that happened to your team is losing your announcer, you had a pretty good year.
by central_scrutinizer on Nov 23, 2011 8:56 PM PST reply actions
Maybe in England Nov 23rd is their equivalent of April Fool's Day and I just haven't heard of it before?
This sucks… :( But you can’t begrudge Arlo’s move and it’s only good sense by NBC… but holy crap that sucks. I really wonder how much of an inkling the FO had of this and where his replacement is going to come from.
I think he said he was still under contract w/SSFC
So presumably NBC got permission to approach him. This news is not surprising and our loss is a big gain for US Soccer fans. As others have pointed out, he’ll be back from time-to-time.
There is no rule that you cannot approach somebody who is employed with another employer
There are such rules in sports, but this is just a normal employment situation.
This is what happens when we leave people off the protected list.
:(
Sounders 'til I die
by SounderJunkie on Nov 23, 2011 9:08 PM PST reply actions 5 recs
I love Arlo's broadcasting with the strength of a thousand suns.
I’m excited he’s getting a well-deserved opportunity. I’ve come to root for Leicester because of him.
by Jackington on Nov 23, 2011 9:57 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
Arlo
has been a tremendous evangelist of the game in this region. He seemed to be well liked by the other sports media people. If this is a done deal, I’m sad, but this might allow him to be stationed on the East Coast which makes it much easier on he and his family. Who do we get next? Don’t let it go backwards. There must be some English speaking announcer who loves and knows the game.
Arlo's Friends?
Does Arlo have any former coworkers that he’s recommend for his position?
Fan of: Cardinals, Blues, Sounders, Yellow Jackets, Wolverines, Rams, and Blazers.
I am so bummed out right now
I played basketball in college and my best friend played soccer — that was my first real exposure to the game. The Sounders experience, even with KC in the booth that first season, sucked me right in and I because a fan. But listening to Arlo elevated the game to a new level for me. Not only did I become more engaged during each match, but I also began to understand the game more and more. He will be a great asset and advocate of the game from the booth for the American viewing audience. I just wish he was still going to be advocating for the Sounders.
Life's what happens while you're making other plans
Soccer evangelist-great title for Arlo
He combines a deep and well reasoned understanding of the modern sport with an uncanny ability to communicate his knowledge. A BIG BIG BIG win for MLS as a whole and a huge hole for the Sounders community.
by Robb Lincoln on Nov 24, 2011 10:40 AM PST up reply actions
F this all to the deepest pits of hell!!!!!
F you NBC for snatching our talent! Please tell me this is a hoax and that Daddy Allen will pay him whatever to keep Arlo here.
I don’t care if this is good for the league at all. Not at this point.
I am used to the best broadcaster and I dont want to settle for less,
Screaming from my yacht , cursing the fing world.
I hope Arlo's brother will come to more matches here in Seattle
He seemed to really love the experience.
I heard on the news last night that he'll be here another year
That his contract extends through the 2012 season. I hope that is true.
Which station?
I ask because he did sign a three year deal, but his employer was the one posting that he’s gone. He’s also not answered email, nor twitter, with questions about the report.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
It would be a pretty crappy move for the Sounders not to release him
Moving to the national stage would be a big career move and I’m sure it would be well compensated. It would be pretty crappy for the Sounders to refuse to release him from his contract if he wanted to go.
My guess the silence is due to some contract negotiations between Arlo, NBC and the Sounders. Arlo might not have finalized his new contract yet. Or perhaps the Sounders are trying to convince Arlo to stay or call some games on the side next season.
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