Legendary Toronto sports radio host Bob McCown calls it a career
Former Toronto radio host Bob McCown is finally walking away from his career.
After a lengthy career spanning over seven decades, one of the biggest names in Canadian radio is calling it quits from the sports media scene at age 72.
Having worked for Sportsnet, TSN and Global over the course of his lengthy career, McCown had most recently been the host of a self-titled podcast alongside John Shannon and a series of rotating cohosts.
"The best of the best is walking away. It was an honour and a pleasure to work with Bob McCown, to get this opportunity to cohost his podcast in recent months, and to listen for last several decades," the Toronto Sun's Steve Simmons posted on Thursday night. "Bob invented sports radio in Canada and turned the medium into his own."
The best of the best is walking away.
— Steve Simmons (@simmonssteve) December 6, 2024
It was an honour and a pleasure to work with Bob McCown, to get this opportunity to co host his podcast in recent months, to listen for last several decades. Bob invented sports radio in Canada and turned the medium into his own.
Back in June 2023, he suffered a series of health scares that caused him to miss several months on his podcast.
"I guess I should let you know that I have had two strokes over the last couple of weeks and have been in hospital since," McCown said on X at the time. "Can't walk or talk but am getting better very slowly! Hope to get home and back on the podcast as quick as possible!"
McCown eventually returned to the scene after a few months away but had frequent absences even after his official return.
He began his radio career in 1975 and left traditional radio in 2019 after a lengthy run at Sportsnet.
It does appear that McCown's cohost will be launching a new venture.
As per Toronto sports media insider Jonah Sigel, Shannon will launch a new podcast alongside Daren Millard, a former TSN personality who currently works on the Vegas Golden Knights broadcast team.
Breaking: I'm told on Monday we will see the launch of a new NHL podcast with @darenmillard & former @FadooBobcat co-host/partner @JShannonhl ! All hockey talk, from the USA and Canada.
— jonah (@yyzsportsmedia) December 6, 2024
The new podcast is expected to launch on Monday.
