Raptors fans might be saying goodbye to Jack Armstrong’s signature “Helloooo!” amid reports that the longtime analyst doesn’t have a contract for the coming season — and Chuck Swirsky feels TSN should do whatever it takes to bring Jack back.
Armstrong, who has been part of the team’s broadcasts since the 1998-99 season, appears to be caught in tricky contract talks due to the Raptors recent change in ownership.
“While all eyes have been on Rogers and Hockey broadcasters, one Jack Armstrong remains unsigned for the upcoming season & the Raptors,” Toronto-based media insider Jonah Sigel posted on X on Tuesday afternoon.
“This one is tricky given the fine folks at TSN but I’m told sides aren’t close as MLSE & TSN aren’t in agreement.”
Earlier this year, Rogers secured a deal to take full control of MLSE and its properties. Armstrong, meanwhile, has been an employee of TSN and Bell Media during his tenure in the Raptors booth.
Alongside Matt Devlin, who provided the play-by-play, Armstrong has called Raptors game on TSN For the past 18 years. He also has worked as an in-studio analyst during the NCAA March Madness.
What did Chuck Swirsky say?
Chuck Swirsky, who called hundreds of games alongside Armstrong in the early 2000s, thinks that the situation is “ridiculous.”
“This is absolutely ridiculous. Seriously?” Swirsky wrote in a post on Tuesday afternoon. “Jack is an institution.
“I am out of the loop on everything and everyone in Toronto, but I love the city — love Canada — and have a deep, deep endearment for the Raps.
Swirsky then tagged TSN, asking the broadcaster to “do the right thing.”
“TSN, I implore you-do the right thing. Sign Jack, now. He is Raptors ball.”
Swirsky later noted that he deletes his X posts on a daily basis.
Like Armstrong, Swirsky also began calling Raptors games in the 1998-99 season, though the latter started out on the radio. The two were paired up on TV in 2001 and remained together until 2008, when Swirsky left the organization for personal reasons and joined Chicago Bulls broadcasts.
Has Armstrong commented on the situation?
With Armstrong’s signature catchphrase of “get that garbage out here,” fans can only hope that he’s not kicked to the curb in any sort of cost-cutting measures.
Armstrong and TSN did not immediately reply to requests for comment over the contract situation, while the network is also yet to announce its lineup of broadcasters for Raptors games this coming season.
After the team takes part in Media Day in Toronto on Sept. 28, it will head to Quebec City for training camp the following day.
The regular season tips off at home on Wednesday, Oct. 21, against the Chicago Bulls and fans certainly hope that Armstrong will be on the call.
“If Matt and Jack are not the voices for the Kyle Lowry retirement weekend/games, we may riot,” one user posted on Reddit.
“Jack may be a homer, but he is our homer,” another commented. “The passion and the love he has for the game and players is second to none.”
“Jack should be untouchable and only go when he says it is time,” one user commented on X, noting his history with the team. “He can be replaced but you will lose with that the history of the team and him having seen all the games.”
“Jack and Matt are icons of Raptors media. They better not mess with their chemistry,” another posted.
“Get that garbage outta here and sign Jack!!!” a third user wrote.