Pat Steinberg reflects on 22-year run at Sportsnet 960 after shutdown
The longtime Calgary Flames broadcaster shared a heartfelt statement after Rogers shut down the all-sports station July 7.
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Pat Steinberg, Calgary's most prominent sports broadcaster, released a statement Saturday reflecting on his 22-year tenure at Sportsnet 960, which Rogers shut down abruptly on July 7.
The station's closure left the Calgary Flames without a radio home for next season and displaced numerous broadcasters. Steinberg, who joined the station in spring 2004, described the shutdown as devastating but emphasized pride in the work he and his colleagues produced.
"Being a part of Calgary Flames hockey on this station is all I ever wanted to do," Steinberg wrote. "So when I think of a 22-year run, all I do is smile. Personally, I am proud of every ounce of blood, sweat, and tears."
Steinberg credited his early inspiration to legendary broadcasters Peter Maher, Doug Barkley, Jock Wilson, and Mitch Peacock, whose work inspired him to pursue sports broadcasting. At Sportsnet 960, he worked alongside on-air personalities including Joe Sports, Kevin Usselman, Rob Kerr, and Mike Richards, and eventually hosted the call-in show Overtime starting in 2009.
Rogers cited "declining audience and revenue trends" for shutting down six stations across the country, including another Calgary outlet, 660 News. Steinberg said the community support throughout the week had been overwhelming.
