Thom Brennaman Set to Return as Lead Broadcaster for The CW's College Football Games
ICARO Media Group
According to The Athletic, Thom Brennaman, the son of Hall of Fame radio broadcaster Marty Brennaman, will be making a comeback this fall as The CW's lead play-by-play broadcaster for nationally televised college football games. The announcement comes after Brennaman was sidelined from broadcasting since 2020 due to a homophobic slur he made on a hot microphone during a Cincinnati Reds game.
During the ill-fated incident, Brennaman, who has been doing play-by-play work in Major League Baseball since 1988, unknowingly made the offensive comment while under the impression that he was off the air. Upon realizing his mistake, Brennaman immediately apologized but swiftly shifted back into play-by-play mode when Nick Castellanos hit a home run, leading to an awkward and infamous moment.
The Reds took immediate action and took Brennaman off the air. A month later, Brennaman announced his resignation from his broadcasting position. Since then, the moment has become a social media meme in the baseball community.
Reflecting on his return to television, Brennaman expressed his gratitude to The CW for giving him another opportunity, stating, "There are no words to describe how grateful I am that they're rolling the dice. They don't have to do this." Despite the controversy surrounding him, Brennaman's extensive experience in covering baseball and football, including national broadcasts, has earned him recognition in the industry.
The decision to bring Brennaman back as the lead play-by-play broadcaster for The CW's nationally televised college football games shows their willingness to give him a second chance. Known for his energetic and knowledgeable commentary, Brennaman is expected to bring his expertise to provide an engaging viewing experience for football fans across the nation.
Although the specific details of the broadcast schedule have not been revealed, this news has undoubtedly created a buzz among sports enthusiasts anticipating the upcoming college football season. Thom Brennaman's return will mark a pivotal moment in his broadcasting career, as he looks to make a comeback and regain the trust of viewers.
As the fall approaches, fans will eagerly await Brennaman's return to the airwaves, providing expert play-by-play coverage of college football on The CW. It remains to be seen how his return will be received by audiences, but Brennaman is determined to make the most of this second chance.