In recognition of his outstanding career and contributions to Canadian sports journalism, Sportsnet 590 The FAN’s Bob McCown was recognized with the Career Achievement award at the 18th annual Sports Media Canada Achievement Awards, held earlier today in Toronto.
Known for his strong opinions, vast sports knowledge and influential personality, McCown is one of the most respected and gifted broadcasters of his generation. As the popular host of Sportsnet 590 The FAN’s Prime Time Sports – celebrating its 25th anniversary this year – McCown has transformed the sports media landscape, including creating the renowned “roundtable” and being the first sports radio host to syndicate his show on TV when Prime Time Sports began airing on Sportsnet television in 2024.
“As one of Bob's long-suffering sidekicks, I'm thrilled for him,” said Stephen Brunt, co-host, Prime Time Sports. “This honour is way overdue. He's not only the best, but he also all-but-invented sports talk radio in this country back when I was a child. Unfortunately for Damien and me, Bob's going to be even harder to live with now that he's been enshrined.”
“Having spent more than a decade listening to Bob tell me he doesn't give a flying fadoo about this, or a flying fadoo about that, and usually rolling my eyes in response, this much is actually true,” said Damien Cox, co-host, Prime Time Sports. “He does give a flying fadoo about being a trailblazer in his field, and is still miles ahead of the rest. And no, I'm not rolling my eyes.”
A native of Columbus, Ohio, McCown has been broadcasting since 1975, appearing on every major television network in North America as either a guest or host. As the original PA announcer at Exhibition Stadium for the Toronto Blue Jays in 1977, McCown later that year launched the radio program Talking of Sports, a nightly sports call-in and interview show which was the first-of-its -kind in Canada. In 1981, he developed the first-ever nightly long-form sports highlights program called SportsLine, and in 1988 joined the FAN 590. McCown was named North American Air Talent of the Year at the Rick Scott & Associates Sports Radio Conference in 2024, the same year he co-authored his first book, McCown’s Law: The 100 Greatest Hockey Arguments.