BREAKING NEWS: Gus Johnson Is Out At CBS, This Time For Real

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We have word from Dr. Doom and Gloom, Bob Raissman from the New York Daily News, that Gus Johnson is really out at CBS Sports after the network refused to match an offer from Fox.
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I wonder what “politics” means. Kind of a shock, but CBS has never been one to go with conventional wisdom. Gus has gained popularity for his calls in the NCAA Tournament, but he will no longer be part of the property. We’ll have more details as they become available.

So over the last year, Gus has lost two jobs that have been his bread-and-butter, CBS where he called the NFL and the NCAA Tournament for 16 years and MSG Network where he called the New York Knicks on both TV and radio for 17. He has been picked up by the Big Ten Network which is a Fox Sports property.

Last week, Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch originally reported that Johnson was out at CBS, only to have Raissman and then Johnson himself refute the report saying his departure from the Tiffany Network was “premature”; however it appears that was just delaying the inevitable.

Fox reportedly offered Johnson a package of college basketball and football games and with the Pac-12 coming into the fold in 2012, Johnson would be the signature voice the network is looking for. Fox will air the inaugural Big Ten and Pac-12 Championship Games this fall. And FX will a full package of games starting in September.

UPDATE, 8:40 p.m.: Raissman has written a story and explains what “politics” means. According to Raissman, some announcers at CBS had gotten jealous over Gus’ popularity at calling the NCAA Tournament. Raissman says Johnson will call NFL and college football games for Fox.

UPDATE, 9:50 p.m.: Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch gets the final word from CBS Sports:
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I’d say that’s pretty much final right there.

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