Any dreams that Seattle Sounders fans had that the Arlo White to MLS on NBC thing was going to fall apart is gone. The loss for the Seattle Sounders and its fans will be the gain of MLS and the United States national team. White's comments on twitter today clearly show an appreciation for the team, the players and the fans.
In the press release from NBC he makes it even more clear to the national audience.
"It is a tremendous honor for me to join the NBC Sports Group, an organization that I have revered from afar for many years," said White. "I am extremely passionate about the future of Major League Soccer, and this partnership with NBC will provide a huge boost for the sport in the United States. I am very proud to have been called up to play a major role in it.
"I am indebted to the Seattle Sounders FC and the club's wonderful fans," White added. "Joe Roth and Adrian Hanauer provided me with an opportunity for which I will always be grateful. It was a privilege to serve as the voice of the Sounders, and I thank the supporters for giving me such a warm welcome."
White's weekly radio show with Gas and Hot Shot Scott on KJRAM (950AM & 102.9FM) is expected to continue next season to quote Gas "I know good radio." So Seattle fans will still get some of his insight into the team and the league.
Also announced in the release from NBC is the first game they will carry. It will not be the Sounders, nor the Los Angeles Galaxy, but instead it will be one of the Sunday March 11 games. This means that the first national game on the new network with Arlo White doing play-by-play will feature either Chivas USA or FC Dallas. While nabbing Arlo is great for NBC the game selection is a bit lacking for a season opener.
Here's a classic Arlo call to relive the magic. It's the late Fucito winner against KC.
Jeremiah and myself will miss seeing Arlo at practices as much as we miss his calls of the game. We will also never be able to thank him enough for his time when he came to Temple Billiards for the Q&A with you.