The hunt for on-air talent is heating up in the Hockey world as the marriage between the NHL and NBC comes to an end and the new era of ESPN and Turner Sports is set to begin next season. Already we’ve seen talent like Kenny Albert and Eddie Olczyk heading to Turner Sports, with ESPN picking up Ray Ferraro to join their in-house talent like Steve Levy and John Buccigross.
Now Sean Shapiro of The Athletic is reporting that ESPN is courting Wayne Gretzky for a broadcasting role.
From Shapiro:
ESPN has approached and pitched Wayne Gretzky about a broadcasting role, according to multiple sources. Whether Gretzky, an alternate governor for the Edmonton Oilers, is interested is unknown, but at this point ESPN hasn’t been given a “no.”
If ESPN were to get Gretzky into their broadcasts as either an in-studio analyst or in-game color analyst, it would be a huge victory for the network as they head into being the primary home of the league for the first time in over 15 years. Gretzky is the most recognizable name in hockey, he’s The Great One, the inspiration for Michael Scott’s greatest quote, he would instantly become must-see TV for hockey fans on ESPN.
We’ll keep up with all the news of the talent signings by ESPN and Turner as the 2021 season comes to a close and the next generation of the NHL on ESPN and Turner Sports unfolds.
