Despite an ongoing friendly rivalry while competing for largely the same audience, Sportsnet and TSN workers came together on Thursday to send their best to one of their colleagues.
Employees of both networks sent their well wishes to Arash Madani after he was let go by Sportsnet after 16 years with the network.
Madani announced the news Thursday in an emotional social media post.
“It’s not lost on me that a first-generation Canadian from Truro, N.S., was able to live out his dream. Maybe what meant most over the years were the number of Maritimers and those of Middle Eastern descent who would stop to tell me they appreciated how I represented them when they’d see me on air. The biggest lessons I’ve learned here: You never know the impact you can have on those around you,” Madani wrote.
Sportsnet’s Jamie Campbell, who worked with Madani frequently on Toronto Blue Jays broadcasts, was one of the first to post a tribute to his departing colleague.
“Unparalleled in his craft and a top-notch human to boot,” Campbell wrote.
Hockey Night in Canada host Elliotte Friedman was arguably the biggest name to offer a tribute, sharing the sentiments with his nearly 900,000 followers on X.
Very sorry to hear, Arash. Love your work and your passion.
You will be great wherever you go https://t.co/2bne3gCcLe
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 13, 2025
Fellow Sportsnet colleague Christine Simpson called Madani “a true friend and an incredible pro.”
TSN’s Ryan Rishaug and Chris Johnston both shared memories of covering the Sochi 2014 Olympics together, while Josh Lewenberg shared kind sentiments as well.
“Nothing but love and respect for you, my friend! Your work and your accomplishments in this crazy business speak for themselves. I have no doubt that you’ll crush whatever comes next,” Lewenberg said.
MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson also shared a touching tribute, discussing how Madani comforted him when the former thought he’d made a mistake by jumping ahead of the latter in an interview with former Blue Jays pitcher Marco Estrada.
“I was young and thought I’d f***ed up, so I apologized to Arash later for stepping on his toes. He said, ‘Dude, nothing I’m doing is ever more important than what you’re doing,'” Matheson wrote.
Meanwhile, CBC’s Devin Heroux called Madani “a storyteller extraordinaire,” with the pair having worked alongside each other in several Olympic Games.
Madani has yet to reply to any tribute, though we’re sure he’s soaking them in in what’s surely an emotional time.
