The mysterious disappearance of Paul James

Paul James is arguably one of the better TV soccer commentators in this country. He worked for The Score and most recently for GolTV and established himself as a guy with well-formed opinions and intelligent insights. But James is out of the TV business for now, spending most of his time trying to relaunch his media career while wondering how he ended up on the outside.

Most likely,we'll never know why his television career was interrupted.

James, coach of the York University women's soccer team, says he'd rather not talk about what happened other than to say he wasn't happy with the way he was treated by the digital channel when it let him go before the 2009 Major League Soccer season.

Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, which has purchased GolTV outright, will say only that it informed the highly respected broadcaster that he wasn't part of its plans once it gained control of the channel from Insight Sports. According to MLSE broadcast director Chris Hebb, he had enough staff announcers when GolTV was acquired and James wasn't needed. Other GolTV staffers were retained, however.

But there were troubles involving James and former Toronto FC coach John Carver that may have been part of the story. The troubles go back to last season when Carver lit into a reporter for asking what he thought was a silly question at a press conference.

In his regular GolTV spot, James said that Carver was out of line and that the reporter didn't deserve that kind of treatment. End of story, at least until James was told that Carver wanted an apology.

James decided against it and left a message for Carver explaining the reasons for his decision.

``I wasn't prepared to apologize," James says. ``I hadn't said anything that I need to apologize for."

James heard nothing more until he was told his contract was not being renewed. It's possible this was all a misunderstanding and Carver's dispute with James may not have been an issue.

But, sadly, it's also possible that a coach had a hand in a media outlet's decision-making.

It certainly wouldn't be the first time. TSN announcer Dave Hodge was sacked from Toronto Argonauts broadcasts two decades ago for saying uncomplimentary things about the team's play. A Blue Jays general manager once upbraided an announcer on a team flight for on-air comments perceived to be negative.

 This month, a report in the Columbus Dispatch pointed out how team management frequently gave Columbus Blue Jackets announcers directions on what they should and shouldn't say.

That may have been the latest story on team interference, but it sure won't be the last.

Comments

[John]

You can see the MLSE influence on Gol TV's TFC broadcasts. Now they just have two sock puppet hosts with limited knowledge of the game and no analyst. The result is the hot female host Pietrillo asking Godfrey questions that he's in no way qualified to answer. His responses are all fluff because the fact is he used to be the host himself. That's the way MLSE wants it though. Without a qualified analyst there's nobody to question or criticize all of the coaching mistakes.... It's kind of like the Chinese state controlled media.

[Matt]

In a country that is trying to progress in the soccer world it is most disappointing to see how easily we let our top talents in the industry fade away or pushed aside. The need for quality analysis and insight on the game is dire. In order to be respected by the rest of the soccer world we need to have our most talented minds at the forefront of the industry.

[Ajax Rules]

I agree with John, Lee is a good host, but when it comes to tactical analysis he is way off. It's like Goltv is satisfied going with two hosts in the studio, it doesn't make for good TV. What a disaster MLSE have now for TFC telecasts without a qualified analyst in the studio. It is why I turn the volume on the TV down now until the game begins.

I feel as if MLSE approaches all their TV programs the same way. Raptors TV, Leafs TV, and now GolTV are all non critical and pro MLSE at any cost. Since Rick Vaive, no analyst has questioned the leafs in a professional and proper way. That is why most people I speak to at work refuse to watch leafs TV. Leafs TV is, a way over the top "homer" network. For shame MLSE!

[jloome]

Ah, the blog; now even the Star is resorting to reporting BS and innuendo as if it were fact.

James was also repeatedly critical of Mo Johnson, who holds way more clout that Carver did. So why no assumption that it was Mo who had him fired - or does it not occur to your crack reporters that perhaps Carver will make a convenient scape goat now that he's back in England.