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Legendary broadcaster exposes and insults the Toronto Maple Leafs

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Samer Dagher
July 18, 2024 (7:14 PM)

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Photo credit: CBC

Former broadcaster Jim Hughson, known to hockey and video game fans worldwide, has spoken critically about the Toronto Maple Leafs fanbase.

Hughson, who retired in September 2021, had a distinguished career with Hockey Night in Canada, Sportsnet, the Vancouver Canucks, and EA Sports video games. Despite his accomplishments, Hughson has one particularly negative memory from his time calling games, related to the Leafs and their fans.

Hughson recalled receiving numerous complaints from Leafs fans, accusing him of not being a genuine supporter of their team.

"One downside of having the top chair on Hockey Night in Canada is you basically become a Toronto Maple Leafs broadcaster," Hughson said. "Everyone in a local fanbase expects their broadcasters to be like them. It's hard to win."Local people didn't think I was a big enough fan, and others thought I was too much of a fan," he recalled. "When I broadcasted the Maple Leafs, fans wanted me to be just like them, and if I wasn't, they assumed I hated the team."

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Hughson was also a strong critic of social media, noting that it has significantly impacted broadcasting.

"As the years have gone by, I've noticed a real change in fandom. Part of it is social media, but it's just the way local fans expect their broadcasters to be like them," he said. "Now, you get judged every minute on social media, which has changed broadcasting entirely."

Despite the criticism from Leafs fans, Hughson's voice remains iconic in the hockey world. His contributions to the sport will be remembered by fans for years to come.

Credit Hockey Feed:Ex-broadcaster Jim Hughson exposes Maple Leafs fans

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18 JUILLET \| 72 ANSWERS Legendary broadcaster exposes and insults the Toronto Maple Leafs Do you agree with what Jim Hughson said about the Toronto Maple Leafs?
Yes	49	68.1 %
No	23	31.9 %
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