VIDEO: Ron MacLean open to 'cameo role' next season

Contrary to the rumour mill that was swirling earlier this summer, Ron MacLean will indeed be back on Hockey Night in Canada when the puck drops on a new NHL season in October.

Will his on-air role be a bit different? That remains to be seen.

But during a recent appearance on Village Media’s Inside the Village podcast, the iconic CBC sportscaster made clear that he’s willing to play more of a “cameo role” on the show, if needed. He also pointed out that during the most recent playoffs, he and David Amber co-anchored Hockey Night in Canada.

“That’s very important: to have a succession plan for a company and even for us as colleagues,” MacLean said on the podcast. “I don’t mind playing on the fourth line, so that would be kind of the way I’d look at it. If they were to come to me and say: ‘OK Ron, why don’t you be Andy Rooney or Jack Whitaker or Allen Fotheringham’ — any of these folks who have a back page or a cameo role, but a presence, so that I’m employed and feel valued and worthwhile and have a purpose, but not necessarily have to be the person that’s considered the main anchor.”

In typical MacLean style, he also poked fun at himself during the interview. 

“I do sometimes look at myself in promos and think: ‘Good grief, you’re Waldorf and Statler up there,’” he said. “It’s not fair to the viewer to be dragging this on.”

You can watch the full episode HERE. MacLean touched on plenty of topics during the interview, from his relationship with Don Cherry to the surging popularity of sports gambling to his annual sit-down with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.

Hosted by Scott Sexsmith and Michael Friscolanti, the Editor-in-Chief of Village Media, Inside the Village is a news and current affairs podcast that provides a weekly window into some of the best local journalism from across our chain of Ontario newsrooms. Produced by Derek Turner, the program also explores bigger-picture issues that impact people across the province.

Every episode is available HERE. If you prefer the audio version, it is available wherever you find your favourite podcasts.

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