Why Al Strachan was fired by HNIC
October 21, 2009
Truth & Rumours
by William Houston
The inside story of how Al Strachan lost his job at Hockey Night In Canada shines a bright, not so pretty light into the world of sports television and how decisions are made.
Strachan refused to comment on his sudden ouster as a regular on Hockey Night’s Hotstove intermission segment, but publishing sources confirmed today that his departure is tied to a book he wrote with the no-so-subtle title of Why The Leafs Suck.
The book, released a few weeks ago by Harper Collins, apparently incensed the CBC, because Strachan was identified on the cover as being “from Hockey Night In Canada,” despite the fact permission had not been given by the network for the show’s name to be used on the cover of the book.
“Scott Moore (the head of CBC Sports and also head of marketing and advertising for the network) went ballistic,” said one insider.
Moore’s response seems out of character and raises more questions than it answers.
Why wouldn’t the CBC want its leading brand displayed on the cover of a book? Wouldn’t it be good publicity?
Was the content of the book a problem for the CBC? Apparently not. At least, that’s what sources told us.
Was the CBC pressured by the Toronto Maple Leafs to punish Strachan for writing a book that would embarrass the organization? Again, the answer seems to be no.
The principal title is: Why The Leafs Suck, but the book comes with the more hopeful subtitle: And How They Can Be Fixed.
That said, the book takes a tough look at arguably the most incompetent NHL franchise of the past 40 years.
In one chapter, Strachan comes down hard on Leaf general manager Brian Burke, who was hired last winter and is viewed by most in the Toronto hockey community as a top hockey guy.
Given the Leafs are winless and in last place early in the season, Strachan’s assessment of Burke might be worth reading.
But Strachan’s dismissal is only part of the story.
The CBC’s lawyers also demanded that Harper Collins cover over the Hockey Night reference on the book’s front with a non-removable sticker for all future copies leaving the warehouse. Book sellers were also required to cover over the name on the books that they had in stock.
Strachan, for his part, would say about his dismissal only, “The decision was made by Hockey Night In Canada, so you would have to ask them why they made it. But it involves a copyright issue and not an on-camera or production issue.”
Strachan, who lives in the small town of Saint Andrews, N.B., flew to Toronto weekly to appear on the Hotstove. He was paid in excess of $500 a show.