Strikeforce
Multi-time Strikeforce broadcaster Gus Johnson out at CBS [UPDATED]
May 6, 2011 - 9:40:53 AM Multi-time Strikeforce broadcaster Gus Johnson out at CBS [UPDATED]

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Veteran play-by-play announcer Gus Johnson is leaving CBS Sports after nearly 16 years with the network and it's affiliates, according to a report from Richard Deitsch at Sports Illustrated.

Johnson, one of the main voices for NCAA's March Madness on CBS for the last 16 years, as well as a broadcaster for NFL telecasts on the network since 1998, is leaving after failing to come to terms with the network on a new contract.

He's best known to MMA fans for his time with Strikeforce on both Showtime and CBS, a gig that left much to be desired for most viewers, with Johnson's relative lack of knowledge compared to his fellow broadcasters being a detriment to the shows.

There's no word on how this may affect him continuing with Strikeforce events on Showtime, as he will still be a part of this weekend's Showtime Pay-Per-View broadcast of the Manny Pacquiao vs. Shane Mosley fight, though it's likely that Showtime broadcast is his final one with that network as well.

Link to Original Source Article

Penick's Analysis: This is one of the remaining questions that will be interesting to have answered over the next year, and that's the question of how broadcasts might change with Zuffa now owning Strikeforce. Obviously Johnson's leaving CBS has nothing to do with Zuffa, but whether he's replaced or not by someone else could bring Zuffa into the fold. It may not, as Showtime controls productions still, and they may decide simply to keep the team they use when Johnson wasn't going forward. Really, I think that's the likeliest scenario for the moment, and as long as Strikeforce is around and on Showtime we're likely to see whomever Showtime decides to place into the broadcast booth.

UPDATE 5/6: The New York Daily News has now reported that this is premature. Per their report, Johnson's contract with CBS expired after the NCAA Final Four, but he has received an offer from Fox that CBS will have a week to match when he presents it to them. So while it's still likely he'll probably be out, it's not a done deal just yet.