Sportscasters from across the country are rallying around veteran colleague Arash Madani, who has parted ways with Rogers Sports & Media’s Sportsnet after 16 years.
Madani, arguably best known for his time as the Toronto Blue Jays on field reporter, revealed in a post to social media Thursday that his time as a national reporter with the network had come to an end, writing that it had been “a thrilling ride” covering everything from Super Bowls to NBA Finals, Wimbledon, The Masters, Olympic Games, and more.
À bientôt mes amis — pic.twitter.com/DBgQSnycsV
— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) March 13, 2025
“It’s never been lost on me that a first generation Canadian who grew up in Truro, Nova Scotia was able to live out his dream, covering all of these on national television,” wrote Madani. “To do court-side interviews at Canada’s Masters 1000, to work with Bob Cole on HNIC, to be Bob McCowan’s co-pilot in the heyday of drivetime radio, to deliver the play-by-play call of Canada winning the Billie Jean King Cup, and to be on the same Jays broadcast crew as Schulman and Buck? Truly Amazing.”
“We all understand what we sign up for: a volatile industry where change is the constant, and I had been able to avoid until now. While disappointed, appreciate the run and all that’s come with it,” he continued.
“Maybe what’s meant most over the years is the number of Maritimers and those of Middle Eastern descent who would stop to tell me they appreciated how I represented them when they’d see me on-air. The biggest lessons I’ve learned here: You never know the impact you can have on those around you.”
Prior to joining Sportsnet in 2009, Madani worked as a reporter for The Score for a year and did a turn as an anchor and reporter for A-Channel Ottawa. He got his start in journalism freelancing for the Truro Daily News, while still in high school.
Madani received the George Gross Award from Sports Media Canada in 2017, recognizing the top sports broadcaster of the year.
He has also served in a volunteer capacity as a member of the Program Advisory Council for Centennial College’s Sports Journalism program, and has served on the Board of Directors of Football Canada.
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“No CDN sportscaster was more cerebral and sensitive in his/her interviews and features than @ArashMadani,” wrote sports columnist Richard Griffin, in a post to X. “That consistently sage perspective covered baseball, tennis, hoops, Olympics & more. So today, very quietly, Sportsnet let Arash go. Rogers and RSN viewers are the losers.”
“Arash has been best-in-class in our industry for a long time, someone who brought the same tremendous skill and energy to a USport semifinal as he did to the Olympics, Super Bowl, NBA Finals or countless other assignments. And a great teammate and colleague on top of it,” wrote Sportsnet NBA reporter Michael Grange.
“Unparalleled in his craft and a top-notch human to boot,” added Blue Jays Central host Jamie Campbell. “We’ll miss you friend.”
“Our business was better for Arash’s passion, knowledge and enthusiasm,” posted sportscaster John Shannon. “It will be better again when he’s back on the air.”
