During post-game Matt mentioned that today may have been his final broadcast as the “Voice of the Niners” and wanted to thank the listeners for 24 years of calling Niner sports. He didn’t go into any specifics but got the impression that it could be either a change in our relationship with Learfield or within the company itself. Hmm…
He is an institution and incredible play by play announcer. If this was not his decision, someone has some explaining to do. He is as loyal a Niner as there is. Trying to not get too pissed until I hear the full story.
We are dumping our partnership with Learfield.
Well, we’re not the only one doing that.
End of an era… Can’t believe it’s been that long since he took over for Jags.
I hope he comes back. Still has many years left in the tank.
clt says the poor guy had to use his trading card to get on a plane
There’s more:
https://x.com/MattCltRadio/status/1900429386626601044
I’ve always felt bad for Matt in a way. We’ve just watched our football and and basketball, which is bad enough. He has had to try and describe it for other people.
Without swearing haha
I was a student when he first came on board. I still remember his call from the Plavich half court shot. He’s been a great one. I know for me, I often mute the TV and listen to Matts play by play at home.
Just read the tweets above, good to hear he will be back!
He will be back
Well this was a confusing situation
That was confusing but I’m glad he’s not leaving!
Matt has won me over though it took a while. In hindsight he has been rowing upriver for this fanbase almost his entire run.
First, it was tough to follow Dave Jageler aka “Jags”, who I believe is still currently the voice of the Washington Senators. My fellow old farts know what I mean there. At one time, someone had like a geocities (yes we are ancient) page with some of Jags’ best radio calls on it. They were that good.
Then compound that with the fact that we have enjoyed almost zero postseason success during his tenure.
In fact, we have lost so many games that he and Trevor Wilt were discussing how tired his signoff (“hope you enjoyed the game if not the outcome”…) is now. They were both light hearted about it, but I know Matt wishes he didn’t have to say it so often.
Several years ago, I sat in front of him at one of our preseason events (whatever replaced midnight madness) for a season where the roster looked particularly weak. He wasn’t calling it, just watching as a fan. Group I was with was pretty pessimistic watching what we saw on the floor, but Matt stayed positive. Unwavering support.
So tip of the hat to him for staying such a supportive voice of the program through the toughest stretch of revenue athletics we have perhaps ever had. Hopefully, better things ahead for all of us.
Following Jags was tough since he was an all-time great. I think Jags nearly got thrown out of a game complaining on the air about the refs and they could hear him. That was a classic
I was driving back home from grad school (Tennessee) on either 26 or 74 listening to his call when he did that. I wanna say it was vs SLU? I was laughing so hard I almost put my car in a ditch…
I remember Jags and Gary talking about me doing that on air one time. I think they liked that story.
Speaking of Jags’, I believe the last game he ever called for us was when he returned in 2004 to do that Syracuse game on CSET…the one were Plavich hit 10 threes and we upset the defending national champions on their home floor?
Man. “…those were the days”
clt heard he will be back
When you think about some of the season’s we’ve had that Matt has had to watch game after game, that’s tough. When I have had enough at home I can turn it off or in person just leave or drink. Not Matt. I would love to pick his brain sometime, I bet he’s got some stories for sure lol.