Some notes around the sports media ecosystem:
• Why did Wayne Gretzky decide to become a first-year broadcaster at age 60?
“It was for a few reasons, not just one particular reason,” Gretzky, a new member of Turner Sports’ NHL coverage, said this week. “We have five children and our second youngest child is going to NYU in New York City. Our youngest daughter turned 18 and is now attending SMU. I have a 100-year-old mother-in-law that we live with in St. Louis, so (my wife) Janet and I moved as a family to St. Louis to be closer to her and spend as much time as possible with her. It was kind of a tough year with spending 20 days and watching my dad (Walter) pass, so we’re getting an opportunity to spend time in the Midwest with Janet’s family.
“Coupled with that, we have two grandboys who live in Florida. When the opportunity arose to be part of hockey again, it was just Janet and I at home. Coming into Atlanta (where Turner Sports is located) is relatively easy from St. Louis and from Florida. To be part of a group that really wants hockey to do well. I love being part of the team, and I haven’t been around that in a long time. Hockey is my life. I love the game. I love everything about it. So when they ask me to be part of this, I was genuinely excited. I’m really looking forward to this opportunity because we’re going to have a lot of fun and we’re going to enjoy this and we’re going to love watching hockey.”
Check out The Athletic on Tuesday for a deep dive on Turner’s upcoming NHL coverage (written by me) and ESPN’s coverage (written by Sean Shapiro).
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