For Immediate Release:
Contact: Kelly Wietsma
equisponse@aol.com 914-261-6379
Track Announcer Tom Durkin Announces Decision
Not to Renew His Contract as NBC's Triple Crown Announcer
April 26, 2011 - Saratoga Springs, NY – Tom Durkin today announced his decision to not to renew his contract to call the Triple Crown races this year for NBC Sports. The following are statements from Durkin, Ken Schanzer, President, NBC Sports and Dick Ebersol, Chairman, NBC Sports Group.
FROM TOM DURKIN
"The experience I've had working with NBC Sports, over the last twenty seven years has been the most satisfying and rewarding of my professional life. And so, it is with deep regret that I have made the decision not to renew my contract as NBC's Triple Crown announcer. It was an extremely difficult decision to make and one that came after almost a year of reflection. Because of the stress of the event I felt it was not in the interest of my best health. My biggest disappointment though, is not being able to work with my NBC colleagues, many of whom have become some of my dearest friends."
FROM KEN SCHANZER, PRSIDENT, NBC SPORTS:
"Tom Durkin is a legend. He is not only one of the great race callers of all time, but I have been honored to call him my friend for more than a quarter-century. While I regret that he has made the decision to not call the Triple Crown for us, I understand it and wish him nothing but the best."
FROM DICK EBERSOL, CHAIRMAN, NBC SPORTS GROUP:
"It's rare in this business that you find someone who has such extraordinary talent, who works relentlessly, and never ceases to be the nicest person in any room he is in. We will truly miss Tom on our Triple Crown broadcasts."
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