Los Angeles sports fans have long been blessed with legendary voices calling the games of local sports teams. From Vin Scully and the Dodgers, Chick Hearn with the Lakers, to Bob Miller and the Kings. Nick Nickson fit that bill too, as the longtime radio voice of LA’s hockey club, before eventually moving over to television the past few years. However, with the Hall of Fame broadcaster calling it a career back in May, Kings games this coming season will feature a new play by play voice.
And from what we’re hearing, it just might be voices — yes, plural.
Allow us to explain.
Borrowing a hockey term, word on the street is that 2025-26 will be a bit of a bridge year for Kings hockey on FanDuel Sports. In the end, that statement may have two separate meanings as well.
First, the Broader Contract
As previously reported, the Kings entered into a three-year agreement with FanDuel Sports in September 2023. It was a contract believed to also include a one-year option (or perhaps even a pair of one-year options). Will 2025-26 mark the final season of Kings hockey being broadcast on the same channel fans have essentially been able to find them on for 30+ years? Sure, the station has gone through various name changes along the way, but it’s pretty much remained as the primary home of LA hockey for decades.
There’s been some behind the scenes chatter of the Kings and FanDuel remaining as partners for the next two seasons. We’ll have to see how that info develops over time and how things eventually play out. It certainly appears as if things are still very much up in the air regarding any official information being available. About the only thing really certain is the fact the entire TV and streaming landscape is changing at a feverish pace, and the Kings want to best position themselves to make their games available to the widest audience possible.
LA’s current deal with FanDuel Sports Network is believed to be one of the richest among all of the regional sports network (RSN) contracts in recent memory. Note: even the term ‘FanDuel Sports Network’ is a bit generic here, as it’s actually a collection of various RSNs owned by Main Street Sports Group (formerly Diamond Sports Group).
Diamond made headlines in recent years through their bankruptcy proceedings. One of the rather convoluted parts of all that, though, is that the station responsible for actually airing Kings games — labeled FanDuel Sports Network West — was not wholly part of those bankruptcy proceedings. According to research and various court documents, that specific channel is a separate LLC — with Angels owner Arte Moreno and AEG (the Kings parent company) both holding a stake in it. Exactly how it’s tucked into the Main Street Sports portfolio has never been fully explained.
Thus, what happens to that channel beyond this season is somewhat unknown. Where the Kings go next summer, if anywhere, is a totally different conversation best saved for a different day. However, we strongly believe the organization is looking at all options to expand their reach both over the air (with current partners, including FDSN, KCAL, etc.) and via streaming options.
Specifically looking at 2025-26, we expect the Kings to ultimately offer a TV package pretty similar to last season. With 14 national broadcasts already announced, that leaves 68 games still unaccounted for presently. Last season, the Kings aired 60+ games on FanDuel and seven games on KCAL. We’d expect the split to be similar for 2025-26; that’s just a guess, though. Nothing has been formally announced by the team, yet we’d expect their plans to come to light sometime over the next week or so.
Now, the On-Air Talent
Last season saw the Kings start off with largely a simulcast of their games, with Nickson on play-by-play and Jim Fox serving as the color analyst. Mid-year a full-time radio broadcast entered the equation with Josh Schaefer handling radio play-by-play responsibilities. A native of Southern California, Schaefer — who grew up cheering for the Kings — had been doing PxP for the team’s AHL affiliate in Ontario since 2021.
From what we’ve been able to gather via various sources, Schaefer’s primary responsibility in 2025-26 will be Kings radio broadcasts. Additionally, he will call some games on TV. How many? We’ll have to wait for whatever formal announcement the Kings are believed to be currently working on.
When the details do finally arrive, we’re hearing veteran play-by-play voice John Kelly is likely to be hired by FanDuel for this season’s Kings television coverage.
Ironically, Kelly was let go by FanDuel in St. Louis earlier this summer in what was referred to as a “re-imagining” of their broadcast coverage for Blues games. Essentially, they were moving to a local simulcast, covering both FanDuel Sports Network Midwest and 101 ESPN radio.
Kelly takes after his father Dan, who was also a longtime voice of Blues hockey. Over the past 35+ years, the second-generation talent has worked for the Blues, Lightning, Avalanche, and had a series of national NHL game assignments. He first appeared on a St. Louis broadcast during a game in November 1988 vs. Philadelphia [ed note: There’s always a Flyers connection, isn’t there?].
Many in the media have believed Schaefer to be the heir apparent to the Kings’ seat in years to come. For now, it appears he may be sharing in some of those responsibilities with Kelly over the next two years. Perhaps the well-respected veteran could even perhaps serve as a mentor during this transitionary phase.
From what we’ve heard, Fox is expected to return in his role as TV color analyst for the upcoming campaign. Exactly what role Daryl Evans will play hasn’t been made clear. We’d assume he’ll serve as the primary color guy alongside Schaefer on radio broadcasts — with the duo perhaps even staying intact when Schaefer does some TV games this coming season. Last season, Schaefer primarily worked with Evans on radio, with occasional games featuring former Kings forward Nate Thompson providing color commentary.
As for Kelly and what Kings fans can expect, Blues loyalists are said to love him and there was quite a bit of social media outcry when he left St. Louis early this summer.
If he does end up getting the job in LA, the Kings and Blues first contest of the season comes on October 21, and that should be an emotional affair.
Perhaps Kelly’s most memorable call against the Kings came during Game 1 of the first round of 2013’s Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Blues were short-handed in overtime, trying to kill a double minor, when Alexander Steen stole the puck…
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-522840723937225840-1'); });
Follow @mayorNHL
Note to webmasters/reporters: When recapping news or interviews from this site please remember to include a link to www.MayorsManor.com
Continue reading...