Spring Break
Football Analysis: Roberts' best shot to come back is soon
Legendary voice could be part of new broadcast team
Ken Fowler
Issue date: 10/18/07 Section: Sports
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Almost a year and a half after Westwood One forced him out of the job he loved, Tony Roberts is praying to get back behind the microphone.
The Chicago native who grew up a fan of the Fighting Illini but made his name as the voice of the Fighting Irish said he hopes he can come back to Notre Dame's national football broadcasts.
"There has never been a day that I haven't thought about coming back to Notre Dame," Roberts said in a recent telephone interview. "It's like being in prison and waiting for your freedom. Right now I'm a captive and I just have to deal."
For the man who called Notre Dame football games from 1980-2005, his best chance might come soon.
Westwood One, Notre Dame's radio broadcast partner for 40 years, is ending its exclusive deal with the Irish after this season. The two sides failed to come to terms on an agreement that would have extended the only national contract in college football.
"The Notre Dame relationship was a long and mutually beneficial relationship, but I would categorize it as a mature property with us depending on how one wanted to look at it," Westwood One CEO Peter Kosann said in an August conference call to discuss the company's earnings. "It was a low cash flow deal at best and, you can argue, could be unprofitable if we had, quite frankly, agreed to their terms going forward."
So now, Notre Dame must look for a new radio partner.
In June, several media outlets reported Notre Dame was close to a deal with ISP Sports, but nothing has come of the rumored relationship. Associate Athletic Director John Heisler said the University is engaged in negotiations and would announce a deal once it is complete.
Under the Westwood One contract, Notre Dame games have been broadcast in all 50 states and overseas. The contract also allowed for Roberts' departure without the University having a say in the decision.
According to terms of the deal, Notre Dame allowed the radio distributor to choose the on-air personalities.
The Chicago native who grew up a fan of the Fighting Illini but made his name as the voice of the Fighting Irish said he hopes he can come back to Notre Dame's national football broadcasts.
"There has never been a day that I haven't thought about coming back to Notre Dame," Roberts said in a recent telephone interview. "It's like being in prison and waiting for your freedom. Right now I'm a captive and I just have to deal."
For the man who called Notre Dame football games from 1980-2005, his best chance might come soon.
Westwood One, Notre Dame's radio broadcast partner for 40 years, is ending its exclusive deal with the Irish after this season. The two sides failed to come to terms on an agreement that would have extended the only national contract in college football.
"The Notre Dame relationship was a long and mutually beneficial relationship, but I would categorize it as a mature property with us depending on how one wanted to look at it," Westwood One CEO Peter Kosann said in an August conference call to discuss the company's earnings. "It was a low cash flow deal at best and, you can argue, could be unprofitable if we had, quite frankly, agreed to their terms going forward."
So now, Notre Dame must look for a new radio partner.
In June, several media outlets reported Notre Dame was close to a deal with ISP Sports, but nothing has come of the rumored relationship. Associate Athletic Director John Heisler said the University is engaged in negotiations and would announce a deal once it is complete.
Under the Westwood One contract, Notre Dame games have been broadcast in all 50 states and overseas. The contract also allowed for Roberts' departure without the University having a say in the decision.
According to terms of the deal, Notre Dame allowed the radio distributor to choose the on-air personalities.