Sportsnet 650 (CISL-AM) Vancouver has laid off several key staff, following a tumultuous few months for the network that’s seen the release of several high-profile contributors.
Vancouver market sports veteran Rick Dhaliwhal, who was part of The Starting Lineup with James Cybulski and Perry Solkowski, is among the on-air casualties. Jawn Jang, who co-hosted midday show “The Playbook,” alongside Satiar Shah, was also let go. Both Jang and Dhaliwhal had been with the station since its launch in Sept. 2017.
Producers Cam Mitchell and player-turned-broadcaster Kellan Tochkin are also out.
Today was my last day at SN 650.
Want to thank the great staff for the last 2 years.
So much fun with @JamesCybulski and @psolkowski
Don’t know what the future holds.
Thanks for all the texts and DM’s.
Will try and return them all soon.
Good day everyone!— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) October 15, 2019
Thank you and see you soon.
— Jawn Jang (@jawnjang) October 15, 2019
Thanks @DhaliwalSports @JamesCybulski and @psolkowski for an amazing year and change. To get to learn from you three and the silver fox was more than words to express #Grateful
— Kellan Tochkin (@KellanTochkin) October 15, 2019
Tuesday’s layoffs in Vancouver follow cuts at Sportsnet 590 The Fan (CJCL-AM) Toronto over the summer that included longtime Prime Time Sports host Bob McCown, and Hockey Central at Noon contributors Nick Kypreos, Doug Maclean, and John Shannon, in addition to an unspecified number of off-air positions.
In June, the network told Broadcast Dialogue it was “repositioning Sportsnet for the future,” alluding to changing audience consumption trends. Rogers Media has yet to comment on Tuesday’s staffing moves in Vancouver.
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