Believe me. I’m just as surprised as you are.

So my life took a big turn this week. The biggest thing is Adam and Chris can no longer make fun of me for being unemployed. Oh, there’s lots of stuff they can still mock me for. The other day I went to get a hat and Greg at Pro Image in Pickering goes “So uh… You got a head on ya, eh?” I still ended up buying a hat but only because it was adjustable. Should I stop awkwardly delaying this? Ok.

Rogers Sportsnet has hired me for a full-time contract position.

First and foremost, I’m thrilled to join them. I love hockey and that’s where all the hockey is so it’s a perfect fit. The old Fan 590 is where I got my start in media, halfway through the first season of my LFR videos and second year of University, when I was just 19-years-old. I walked through the offices there today and saw many of the people I first met back then and helped me develop my skills. It feels like a homecoming.

The role is largely internal so I can’t really say much about it. That seems to be a trend with bloggers this summer, eh? What I can say is you will probably hear me on the radio from time time time and not just on sports stations and not just in Toronto. The job has national responsibilities. I want to stress that nobody forced Rogers to give me these responsibilities and I even showed them this video to ask them if they were totally sure.

Pretty sure my exact words to Don Kollins were “I make videos with toys and reenact scenes from 300.” The fact I wasn’t escorted out is probably a sign Sportsnet is down to have some fun with this.

What does this mean for everything else?

After speaking to the mighty and awesome Wanye, I won’t be able to be the Managing Editor on this great website anymore. That’s the bad news. The good news is you will still be able to find my videos and podcasts on this site! That’s the other good news – I’m going to continue to do my videos and podcasts! In speaking to Sportsnet I stressed how important it was to me to continue to do my videos and podcasts and they agreed. After all, the reason I’ve had any success in my blogging (career?) so far is because of the videos, podcasts, and the amazing viewers and listeners who tune in.

Even though this isn’t a goodbye, I want to thank you all. If you’ve ever watched a video, if you’ve ever listened to a podcast, if you’ve ever read a blog post, if you’ve ever sent me a quick message over Twitter, Facebook, or any other kind of social media or email – thank you. Your support is what allowed me to get this kind of opportunity. Even your criticisms have helped me grow as a person. Like I said – I was 19 when I started down this path, technically 18 when I began Radio & Television at Ryerson, and it has been a learning process. Whether you’re new or you’ve been here the whole time – thank you.

As for this site, it’s filled with amazing writers and we’re working on brining in a few more over the coming weeks, including the Next TLN Blogger contest. They don’t need me managing them to be great. They’re great on their own.

The season is less than a month away and I have a lot of work to catch up on. Let’s crush it!

Steve

PS – Look at Mrs. Dangle got me. What a keeper.





