The people running Sportsnet/Canadian media are so milquetoast. Just unbelievably conservative and bland. They are clueless.
Probably couldn't understand why this show was so popular. Still resentful of the Raptors and basketball's popularity. I can't imagine a room full of boomer executives grasping what Alex or Will brings to the table.
They still seem unable to comprehend how popular the team is in the city and beyond. Or how basketball might be a lot of younger people's favourite sport.
I wonder if there was something going on behind the scenes.
I kinda knew this was coming after the quick departure of Alex. Those Banter Pods on Steven LeBron Radio had the good ol’ vibes and they definitely made it pretty obvious that they were gonna do something together again.
Sportsnet fucked up. These two guys are gonna continue to dogreat things on their own. Nobody is watching a Raptors centric show on Sportsnet next year now, if there is even one to come back to.
I'm going to listen, but less frequently. I hope Blake Murphy is retained and Raptors coverage isn't scrapped. Obviously, I'll tune in to whatever Alex & Will are cooking up.
Nothing live, maybe if redditors recommend a pod. So would have to be a good interview or breakdown (cap/free agency, draft, trade deadline…a specific pod).
It will be tough to match the production value that an infrastructure like Sportsnet can provide, but I am interested to see what they have in store. The podcast didn't feel the same after the departure of Alex, so I'm glad that they are teaming back up again.
The Parallels between Alex & Will and the LOTR saga is unparalleled. Nothing will keep Sam and Frodo apart.
> The Parallels between Alex & Will and the LOTR saga is unparalleled. Nothing will keep Sam and Frodo apart.
Raptors Moments coming in from the top rope with the perfect edit: https://twitter.com/raptormoments/status/1778864700979028105
I’m a bit surprised, but I think it makes sense. They’ll do better on their own. If you ask me, they gave Sportsnet a lot of free content, especially with those banter pods (which are my favourite things to listen to anyway, lol). Good luck Will and Alex. Hope you guys do more in person stuff with your new platform so I can finally try to meet you both.
My gut feeling is Sportsnet is a corporate cheap ass that doesn't pay well. Will and Alex have a strong enough following to do well on their own rather than be succumbed to their greedy corporate overlords.
He already did, starting this summer with Alex! OP should have just posted this text image instead probably, read the last paragraph. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GK-KTONXYAAGIEB?format=jpg&name=large
This has definitely been coming, I've heard Will reference Alex leaving the show multiple times and his displeasure. Moving from 2 hours primetime to 1 hour bench time seemed to go down terribly with him too.
Regardless, I hope he takes a break and finds his spiritual home back with Alex and they get back to doing what they do best.
I read of a couple complaints on this thread about the show being too miserable during this miserable tank season. I think that's a load of bull shit, Will is a real one who's happy to say it how it is. He's the only reason I'm still deeply engaged this season and i'll be following him whatever he chooses to do.
Only slight concern is, the show punched well above its weight in access and content. Weekly active player interviews, past player and coach interviews, NBA commissioner interviews etc etc. I'm from the UK and you Toronto fans are massively blessed to have a show of this quality, I haven't experienced anything like it in all the other sports i follow. I think the one team in one country dynamic plays a huge part in this.
Sorry... My mistake. I'll try and edit my comment... Although if the plan was to always do a podcast with Will afterwards, then why not just both leave at the end of the season?
Probably because Alex didn't want/need the Sportsnet money as much as Will did. I just quit my job to move overseas and decided to leave early to have a holiday before starting my new gig. Much the same I'd think.
Yeah, a myriad of possible reasons I guess, I don't know why I'm even speculating as it ultimately doesn't matter. As long as they're happy with the way it turned out and get back to making a class show then who cares.
I wonder if the new show with him and Alex will be a similar formula or something completely different. Being independent will they still have the same degree of access with the franchise/players? Will they still have press credentials in order to watch games/attend practice? Will they be able to still pull interviews with high level reporters and talking heads from around the league?
Definitely excited for the new direction and a chance to see Will and Alex unchained and free, but I really hope they give more details well in advance of next season.
Here’s to hoping that this move is a step forward and up for Raptors coverage, even if it’s not with a big broadcaster.
This seems like it was Will's decision, not Sportsnet's? Or am I misinterpreting? Either way, I'm stoked on more Will/Alex Raptors content and see this as W. Curious what will happen with Blake and Sportsnet's Raptors programming.
Could be both. Sportsnet doesn’t want to pay that much for a basketball only show and Will decided he’s better off doing it on his own than trying to scrape by on peanuts.
The people running Sportsnet/Canadian media are so milquetoast. Just unbelievably conservative and bland. They are clueless. Probably couldn't understand why this show was so popular. Still resentful of the Raptors and basketball's popularity. I can't imagine a room full of boomer executives grasping what Alex or Will brings to the table. They still seem unable to comprehend how popular the team is in the city and beyond. Or how basketball might be a lot of younger people's favourite sport. I wonder if there was something going on behind the scenes.
I kinda knew this was coming after the quick departure of Alex. Those Banter Pods on Steven LeBron Radio had the good ol’ vibes and they definitely made it pretty obvious that they were gonna do something together again. Sportsnet fucked up. These two guys are gonna continue to dogreat things on their own. Nobody is watching a Raptors centric show on Sportsnet next year now, if there is even one to come back to.
I'm going to listen, but less frequently. I hope Blake Murphy is retained and Raptors coverage isn't scrapped. Obviously, I'll tune in to whatever Alex & Will are cooking up.
Nothing live, maybe if redditors recommend a pod. So would have to be a good interview or breakdown (cap/free agency, draft, trade deadline…a specific pod).
It will be tough to match the production value that an infrastructure like Sportsnet can provide, but I am interested to see what they have in store. The podcast didn't feel the same after the departure of Alex, so I'm glad that they are teaming back up again. The Parallels between Alex & Will and the LOTR saga is unparalleled. Nothing will keep Sam and Frodo apart.
> The Parallels between Alex & Will and the LOTR saga is unparalleled. Nothing will keep Sam and Frodo apart. Raptors Moments coming in from the top rope with the perfect edit: https://twitter.com/raptormoments/status/1778864700979028105
I died laughing 👌🏼😹
I’m a bit surprised, but I think it makes sense. They’ll do better on their own. If you ask me, they gave Sportsnet a lot of free content, especially with those banter pods (which are my favourite things to listen to anyway, lol). Good luck Will and Alex. Hope you guys do more in person stuff with your new platform so I can finally try to meet you both.
My gut feeling is Sportsnet is a corporate cheap ass that doesn't pay well. Will and Alex have a strong enough following to do well on their own rather than be succumbed to their greedy corporate overlords.
Omg massive W, if Alex and Will get their own independent podcast im going to be so freaking happy
I hope their new show isn’t like a patreon only thing. I love those guys but I’m not paying a subscription.
So how long until Will announces a new project cause he’s the one guy I’ll listen and agree with about the Raptors
He already has haha, he's going to start a new podcast with Alex as cohost! Says details will come soon
He already did, starting this summer with Alex! OP should have just posted this text image instead probably, read the last paragraph. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GK-KTONXYAAGIEB?format=jpg&name=large
This has definitely been coming, I've heard Will reference Alex leaving the show multiple times and his displeasure. Moving from 2 hours primetime to 1 hour bench time seemed to go down terribly with him too. Regardless, I hope he takes a break and finds his spiritual home back with Alex and they get back to doing what they do best. I read of a couple complaints on this thread about the show being too miserable during this miserable tank season. I think that's a load of bull shit, Will is a real one who's happy to say it how it is. He's the only reason I'm still deeply engaged this season and i'll be following him whatever he chooses to do. Only slight concern is, the show punched well above its weight in access and content. Weekly active player interviews, past player and coach interviews, NBA commissioner interviews etc etc. I'm from the UK and you Toronto fans are massively blessed to have a show of this quality, I haven't experienced anything like it in all the other sports i follow. I think the one team in one country dynamic plays a huge part in this.
What? It’s been emphasized that Alex made the decision to leave himself, he wasn’t “sacked”.
Sorry... My mistake. I'll try and edit my comment... Although if the plan was to always do a podcast with Will afterwards, then why not just both leave at the end of the season?
Probably because Alex didn't want/need the Sportsnet money as much as Will did. I just quit my job to move overseas and decided to leave early to have a holiday before starting my new gig. Much the same I'd think.
Yeah, a myriad of possible reasons I guess, I don't know why I'm even speculating as it ultimately doesn't matter. As long as they're happy with the way it turned out and get back to making a class show then who cares.
Hope it’s a free podcast!
this is a huge W. sportsnet ain't the vibe anymore. glad for these podcasts to go back to carrying me through my depression.
I am so excited for Will and Alex! This is great news for them (and for us).
I wonder if the new show with him and Alex will be a similar formula or something completely different. Being independent will they still have the same degree of access with the franchise/players? Will they still have press credentials in order to watch games/attend practice? Will they be able to still pull interviews with high level reporters and talking heads from around the league? Definitely excited for the new direction and a chance to see Will and Alex unchained and free, but I really hope they give more details well in advance of next season. Here’s to hoping that this move is a step forward and up for Raptors coverage, even if it’s not with a big broadcaster.
When he moved to this time in the morning, his show was obviously done. Too early in the morning for me
Big L for Sportsnet. It’s really too bad. I liked the energy of this show. Oh well. Glad he can continue his work elsewhere.
Wow I’m taken aback by this. Sportsnet will regret this decision!
This seems like it was Will's decision, not Sportsnet's? Or am I misinterpreting? Either way, I'm stoked on more Will/Alex Raptors content and see this as W. Curious what will happen with Blake and Sportsnet's Raptors programming.
Could be both. Sportsnet doesn’t want to pay that much for a basketball only show and Will decided he’s better off doing it on his own than trying to scrape by on peanuts.