Eli Gold Not Expected To Return To Booth In 2024

[bamajas]

Man I love Eli Gold. My Dad was blind so he was always an important piece of my gamedays. But it is time to turn the page. I listened to his broadcasts last season and I was thinking then it was time for him to retire. So, I think it is a good decision by the University and a poor one by him to air this out in public if it is true.

Agree. Utmost of respect for him and far too many memories to count. But hearing he and Stewart calling games in the same season highlighted that he was no longer at his best

 

[bamacpa]

I may be in the minority here, but I prefer Chris and I think it was time for this decision...or maybe past time.

 

[Crimson1967]

Sad to say, but it had to be done if he only wants to work part time. I don’t ever listen on the radio so it isn’t going to matter to me but I know a lot of people enjoyed his work.

 

[CB4]

Similar in many ways to John Forney’s exit. John was let go when Perkins followed Bear. Paul Kennedy replaced him then Forney came back for a while starting in 1988.

John had also begun to experience some health issues (a stroke I believe) which really affected ability to follow the game action. Eli replaced him in 1989 IIRC.

 

[dayhiker]

Brown's comment about home and away adds some context.

 

[JergusTide]

Wonder if Chris Stewart will take over for him

The AL.con article indicated Chris is expected to take over: very happy for Chris - he does a great job.

 

[CoolBreeze]

If they pushed him out, then shame on them for not at least giving him enough money to keep him quiet about it.

They probably needed it for the NIL fund.

 

[CoolBreeze]

The AL.con article indicated Chris is expected to take over: very happy for Chris - he does a great job.

I love Chris Stewart, love him! Poor play by play guy on the radio for football though. Good with the color analysis but poor replacement for Eli Gold. Happy for him regardless.

 

[dvldog]

Bad look as right or wrong it could appear to some that coach KD had something to do with this. As in new coach pushing for a change.

 

[TiderJack]

I may be in the minority here, but I prefer Chris and I think it was time for this decision...or maybe past time.

Agreed. After hearing Chris call games I am a big fan. He gives faster more descriptive calls and is a much bigger homer which I liked.

 

[TiderJack]

Bad look as right or wrong it could appear to some that coach KD had something to do with this. As in new coach pushing for a change.

I would bet he had no say whatsoever in this and maybe did not know who Eli was.

 

[BamaBuc]

Bad look as right or wrong it could appear to some that coach KD had something to do with this. As in new coach pushing for a change.

Don't like the look so far that he seems to be striving for, reminds me of the vibe I was getting when Perkins took over...

Well, I didn't listen last year, and I don't think I will this year, just don't care for Mr. Stewart all that much... JMO!

 

[skipster63]

Man I love Eli Gold. My Dad was blind so he was always an important piece of my gamedays. But it is time to turn the page. I listened to his broadcasts last season and I was thinking then it was time for him to retire. So, I think it is a good decision by the University and a poor one by him to air this out in public if it is true.

Appropriate time to turn the page. Love Eli but it’s a good time to move on. Hope he can concentrate on his health. Some of us just don’t get to go out on our own terms but that’s life. Best to him.

 

[Ledsteplin]

Agreed. After hearing Chris call games I am a big fan. He gives faster more descriptive calls and is a much bigger homer which I liked.

He's OK. But still rather it be Eli. I always listen on the radio while watching TV.

 

[Ledsteplin]

Bad look as right or wrong it could appear to some that coach KD had something to do with this. As in new coach pushing for a change.

l
CKD has nothing to do with it. Likely Jim Carabin. vice president and general manager of the Crimson Tide Sports Network.

 

[bvandegraff]

I see both sides. Eli's a legend and has called all of Bama's greatest moments since 1989. That said, I was on the road for all but the end of the last Iron Bowl, and I have to say it was difficult at times to follow the action with his call. I think Stewart's done a really good job on the road games, and having one crew call all games makes sense.

Can't help but think that this story got out before the respective parties were ready for it to. I first saw the T News story on it that said Eli declined comment. Aren't he and the other announcers employees of CTSN/Learfield rather than UA? or are they connected somehow? There's a right way to handle something like this, but I suspect this was leaked to the press by somebody before the full plan was in place.

That said, thank you Eli for so many great calls. In my mind the words "Touchdown Alabama!" are always in his voice,

 

[Bazza]

Whole thing not handled right.

The optics of Mr. Gold being "pushed out" is NOT a good look for the university.....regardless of any of the details.

 

[Bama197]

I guess Eli can enter the transfer portal.

 

[AlistarWills]

Aren't he and the other announcers employees of CTSN/Learfield rather than UA? or are they connected somehow? There's a right way to handle something like this, but I suspect this was leaked to the press by somebody before the full plan was in place.

I had the same question. Finally had time to go digging some. CTSN is owned by IMG College/Learfield. So it’s a separate entity it seems with a licensing agreement with UA. How much say UA has in this is beyond me.

 

[bvandegraff]

I had the same question. Finally had time to go digging some. CTSN is owned by IMG College/Learfield. So it’s a separate entity it seems with a licensing agreement with UA. How much say UA has in this is beyond me.

Yeah, it's weird. Listening to Eli's interview on Tide 100.9 right now, he keeps saying "the university" decided to go in a different direction.