Written by Ell
| 11 July 2008
Kenny Stabler will take a leave of absence from the Crimson Tide Sports Network's broadcast of the 2008 season. Stabler joined the broadcast as the color analyst at the start of the 1998 season, and has served every season since. It is hoped he'll return for the 2009 season.
Who will be on the radio this year?
Tom Roberts will take over for Stabler for
this season. Roberts started as the crew's statistician in 1979. This will be the 30th season in the booth or on the sidelines with the Tide. You may know him from the Alabama's Greatest Games video series or from Crimson Tide Today on radio all over the state. If you're old enough, you may remember him from Channel 13 in Birmingham.
Some may call this move uninspired. It's the first major decision for
Jim Carabin since his ascension to the General Manager of Crimson Tide Sports Marketing and some expected a big name former Bama star to take over. However, it's tough to make a big splash with a new hire when you know you're only keeping the seat warm for Kenny Stabler - who plans to return next season. That's why you don't see a big new name here.
Roberts has ample experience in the booth and was the color analyst for Eli Gold's play-by-play of Bama basketball broadcasts in the late 80's and early 90's. He "hosted" the broadcast last season - giving scores and updates in and out of commercials and managing the pre-game show. He's also credited as Executive Producer for the Nick Saban Show.
The full release is below:
STABLER TAKES LEAVE FROM TIDE RADIO NETWORK FOR 2008
For Immediate Release - July 11, 2008
TUSCALOOSA, AL - Ken Stabler, popular color analyst on the Crimson Tide Sports Network, has asked to take a leave of absence from that position for the 2008 football season. The former Tide All-America quarterback has been part of the radio broadcast crew for Alabama Football the past 10 years.
"We regret that Kenny will not be part of our broadcast team during the upcoming season, but accept and understand his decision," Jim Carabin, general manager of Crimson Tide Sports Marketing, the multimedia rights holder for the University of Alabama athletics program and producer of the Crimson Tide Sports Network, says.
"We are entirely supportive of Kenny and his family and feel that this is the right thing for them at this time."
Tom Roberts, longtime member of the Crimson Tide Sports Network crew, will take over Stabler's color analyst duties for the 2008 football season.
"It is with much regret that I will not be part of Crimson Tide football broadcasts this coming year," Stabler says, "but there are matters in my personal life that demand my full attention at this time. I will deeply miss being part of the Crimson Tide Sports Network team and the wonderful interaction that I always enjoy with the many Tide fans throughout the season."
