It's starting... My 10 year run as television voice of the @ChicagoFire has come to a end. Just wanted to thank the club and it’s passionate supporters. Some great memories, on to the next adventure. #cf97— Dan Kelly (@DanKelly_21) October 25, 2019
Pumped to be adding @toddyoshio to our team to lead game presentation. Todd and I worked together in Seattle and he's one of the best in the business. 149 days until the 2020 home opener. Let's go, TA!#cf97 https://t.co/IJrZGJ0ALh— ⚽️ Kyle Sheldon (@kylesheldon) October 24, 2019 Well a more positive way of looking at things is that the team seems to making significant upgrades on the presentation / fan experience side of things, which has arguably been even worse than the play on the field under Hauptman. I just hope that whoever they have lined up to do TV isn't just some random Brit.
Chances are it's probably some random guy. We're talking about a play by play guy, which can't really be filled by a former player. If we can get a pre and post game show going I'd like to see Klopas moved there and get someone else (Doody?) on the color commentary.
Yeah, this personnel move seems like missing the forest for the trees. As for the ESPN+ thing....I was a Direct Kick subscriber every year of the Fire's existence until the ESPN+ move. The After the 2nd game that wasn't available on Direct Kick I was fed up with the broadcast bullshit entirely and I cancelled it. I'll pay for the watching the games if I get the full league, but not less than that.
I have no real malice towards Dan Kelly other than he wasn't very good at calling soccer games. He clearly didn't know the sport, the terminology, the subtle yet important situations like a longtime fan of the game would and certainly a TV play by play announcer MUST. I liked the Irish guy fine because he had that. Klopas doesn't bother me and I enjoyed the midweek show that turned up on YouTube reviewing the past game and a bit of pregame and an occasional player interview. I would watch those or play them into my car radio on the way to Fire games. They should get back to that. You know what else was pretty cool, remember game day programs at the gate??? Holy hell... Ancient history.
I cannot believe that he was "announcing" for the Fire for 10 years and never learned a goddamned thing about the sport. I am ever so glad to never have to hear his disgusting voice and ridiculous idioms again. He was the epitome of the Andrew Hauptman Era, a perfect symbol of the below average ambition and way below average delivery that infected the Chicago Fire. He needed to be excised. Good riddance. Oh, and good luck wherever you land next, Dan Kelly. I hope you have a long and prosperous career doing something else.
Some guys who convert form other sports just never figure it out. I really like Dallas's Mark Followill, for example, but he's been doing it for seven years now.
This news is the highlight of my day. I have had a pretty good day today, and this just tops it off today. Mods, please close the "Dan Kelly Career Death Thread" that I have had in my brain for 10 years. Thank you.
I was going to post that, but did not want to be "negative." One of my best friends is a life-long Hawks fan (his parents worked in the Hawks FO for 40 years) and he still bitches about how awful Dan Kelly was as a hockey announcer.
For the first time in years, I have used my powers as a Wikipedia editor to update Dan Kelly's status on his Wikipedia page. It is truly a great day.
Unlike many people on this site, I never was bothered by Dan Kelly. Frank Klopas on the other hand, makes my ears bleed. His incoherent color commentary is more than a bit annoying. No need to start every sentence with "to me Dan". We know it's you Frankie! I have been a huge Frank Klopas fan since his days as a Mathers high school soccer player. It's time to remove Frank from the commentary booth and make him an " ambassador" to the team. Sort of like what Dennis Savard is to the Blackhawks. Get a real commentary person.