We are joined by Joe Bowen, the legendary longtime voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs, for a candid conversation about 44 years behind the microphone, the biggest moments in Leafs history, and the personalities who shaped the franchise.

Joe takes us back to some of the most unforgettable moments of his career, including Nikolai Borschevsky’s legendary overtime winner in Detroit and the controversial Wayne Gretzky high-stick in 1993. He also shares stories about Harold Ballard, Cliff Fletcher, Pat Quinn, Lou Lamoriello and the many colourful characters he encountered along the way.

Bowen also discusses how sports broadcasting has changed, why travelling with the team was so important, what has been lost in the move to television monitors and why he believes radio still matters.

Topics Covered:
Joe Bowen reflects on 44 years as the voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs
Why travelling with the team made such a difference for broadcasters
The story behind Nikolai Borschevsky’s unforgettable overtime goal in Detroit
Wayne Gretzky’s missed high stick on Doug Gilmour in the 1993 playoffs
Harold Ballard, Steve Stavro and the changing ownership of the Leafs
Why Cliff Fletcher was Joe’s favourite general manager
Lou Lamoriello and the decision to remove broadcasters from the team charter
Stories about Pat Quinn, John Brophy, Pat Burns, Brian Burke and Mike Babcock
The personalities who shared the broadcast booth with Joe
Why radio broadcasting is losing something in today's sports media landscape
Life after retirement and Joe’s upcoming book, Holy Mackinaw!

After 44 years, Joe Bowen has become part of the fabric of Maple Leafs history. From legendary calls to unforgettable behind-the-scenes stories, the Bobcat of Leafs radio takes us back through an incredible career and explains what made it so special.

What’s your favourite Joe Bowen call or Maple Leafs memory? Drop a comment below!

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of In the Press Row!

(00:01) Joe Bowen Joins In the Press Row
(01:10) 44 Years With the Leafs
(02:36) The Art of Radio Play-by-Play
(04:52) Why Broadcasters Need to Travel With the Team
(12:46) Nikolai Borschevsky’s Legendary Goal
(16:29) Wayne Gretzky’s Missed High Stick
(18:53) Harold Ballard, Steve Stavro and Leafs Ownership
(20:17) Cliff Fletcher and Lou Lamoriello
(26:32) The Colourful Coaches of Leafs History
(34:21) The Voices Beside Joe in the Broadcast Booth
(38:53) Retirement and Joe’s Legacy
(41:12) Joe Bowen’s Upcoming Book

For more, be sure to visit Yyzsportsmedia.com and follow @yyzsportsmedia.

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Bob McCown is back on In the Press Row.

We are back with Bob McCown, the legendary longtime host of Prime Time Sports joins Jonah Sigel for a candid conversation about his recovery, the state of Toronto sports, the changing sports media landscape and why he believes Major League Baseball could be headed for a work stoppage.

Bob talks openly about what the stroke took away from him, what he has regained and whether he will ever play golf again. Then, just like old times, the Bobcat gets into the issues dominating sports.

Topics Covered:
Bob McCown opens up about his stroke, recovery and how he’s doing today
Keith Pelley’s growing role at MLSE and what Bob thinks people misunderstand about his job
Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers and expectations for the former Raptors star
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s disappointing season and his controversial comments about his contract
What really went wrong with the Toronto Blue Jays
Why Bob believes MLB could be headed for a lockout and a shortened season
The end of an era for Saturday night hockey on CBC
Rogers’ massive NHL rights deal and why Bob calls the economics potentially “suicidal”
Why Bob watches TSN regularly but almost never turns on Sportsnet outside of the Blue Jays and hockey
What Canadian sports television has lost since the days of Don Cherry

McCown has never been shy about saying exactly what he thinks, and that hasn’t changed. From the Blue Jays and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to Rogers, Sportsnet, Hockey Night in Canada and the future of Major League Baseball, the Bobcat is still the Bobcat.

And most importantly, he answers the question people continue to ask: How is Bob doing?

What do you think about Bob’s take on Rogers, Hockey Night in Canada and the future of the Blue Jays? Drop a comment below!

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of In the Press Row!

(00:02) Bob McCown on His Stroke and Recovery
(01:23) Keith Pelley, MLSE and Toronto Sports
(05:10) Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers
(07:34) Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and What Went Wrong With the Blue Jays
(11:53) Why Bob Thinks an MLB Work Stoppage Is Coming
(13:28) Hockey Night in Canada, CBC and the End of an Era
(14:07) Bob on Rogers, Sportsnet and the $12 Billion NHL Deal
(18:14) Paying to Watch Sports and the Future of Sports Television
(18:43) Why Bob McCown Is Still Missed

For more, be sure to visit Yyzsportsmedia.com and follow @yyzsportsmedia.

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• College Football: Luke Willson discusses NIL, the transfer portal, and why he prefers the strategy and culture of professional football.
• CFL Growth: Willson argues that the CFL should focus on developing better players and improving the quality of football rather than relying on marketing or rebranding.
• Super Bowl: Willson breaks down the Seahawks’ infamous goal-line interception and the impact the loss had on the locker room.
• Seahawks: He reflects on Pete Carroll, Marshawn Lynch, and Russell Wilson, and what made Seattle’s culture special.
• NFL Outlook: Willson shares his thoughts on the NFC West, coaching changes, and several players he’s excited to watch.
• Football’s Future: Willson talks about coaching, broadcasting, and whether he would encourage his own child to pursue football.

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