Chuck Swirsky returns as play-by-play voice, adds TV duties


TORONTO: May, 31, 2001 --- Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. (MLSEL) announced Thursday it has renewed its broadcast partnership agreement with The Fan 590 through the 2003-04 season. As per company policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. As part of the agreement, popular play-by-play broadcaster Chuck Swirsky will return for his fourth season as the voice of the Raptors on The FAN 590.

"The FAN 590 has been with us building the brand for three years and we're delighted to continue working with them to bring Raptors basketball closer to our ever-growing fan base," said Tom Anselmi, Senior Vice-President, Business, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. "The FAN has done a great job not only as a broadcast partner but also in helping us to promote the team and develop a loyal following."

"Raptors basketball is growing in popularity, as they continue to succeed and mature as a team," said Nelson Millman, Program Director, The FAN 590. "We look forward to continuing to deliver the excitement of Raptors basketball to all Toronto fans."

Swirsky

MLSEL also announced that Swirsky has been named play-by-play announcer for the club's television broadcasts on Sportsnet Ontario. The 43 games broadcast on Sportsnet Ontario will be simulcast on The FAN 590.

"We are excited to have Chuck Swirsky as the primary voice of the Raptors for both our radio and television broadcasts," said Anselmi. "Chuck has done a wonderful job on our radio broadcasts and we're confident his knowledge and enthusiasm will be equally well received on television. Of even greater importance, we look forward to involving Chuck, who lives here in Toronto, as a key representative and host for the many community events and corporate initiatives that we participate in."

"Swirsky's enthusiasm and knowledge of the game make him a great addition to the show," said Doug Beeforth, Vice President and General Manager, Sportsnet Ontario. "Adding Chuck to a broadcast that already includes Rob Faulds and Leo Rautins, combined with some of the new ideas we have for the halftime and post-game shows, promise to make this the best Raptors season on Sportsnet Ontario ever."

Prior to coming to Toronto, Swirsky was the sports director at WJR in Detroit where he called the action for the University of Michigan for four seasons. He also anchored the pre- and post-game shows for the Detroit Red Wings for four years and for Wolverine football.

Swirsky rose to prominence as the sports director at WGN Radio in Chicago from 1982-94. He served as the basketball play-by-play voice for DePaul University for 10 seasons. He was also the host of the Chicago Bears Radio Network for eight years and held similar responsibilities for the Chicago Cubs Radio Network for a dozen seasons.

Swirsky will join Leo Rautins, who enters his sixth season as Raptors television analyst, for the games on Sportsnet Ontario. He will continue to pair for a fourth season with broadcast partner Jack Armstrong on The FAN 590.

The FAN 590 and Sportsnet Ontario have been the Toronto Raptors broadcast partners since 1998.