List of Major Indoor Soccer League (1978–1992) broadcasters explained

The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the United States that played matches from fall 1978 to spring 1992.

Local broadcasters

Team	Television station	Television announcers
Baltimore Blast	WJZ-TV	Al Trautwig, Lou Tilley, and Nick Zlatar
Buffalo Stallions	WUTV	Wayne Fuller,^[1] ^[2] Fred Hartrick, and Nancy Drew
Chicago Sting	SportsVision^[3] WPWR-TV	Chet Coppock,^[4] Mark Simanton, Howard Balson,^[5] and Dave Huson
Cincinnati Kids	WLWT^[6]	Tom Kelly and Bob Trumpy^[7]
Cleveland Crunch	SportsChannel Ohio	Steve French and Ty Keough
Cleveland Force	WOIO WUAB^[8]	Denny Schreiner, Bill McDermott,^[9] Nev Chandler, and Jack Corrigan^[10]
Dallas Sidekicks	HSE KTXA	Norm Hitzges, Mike Renshaw, and Timm Matthews^[11]
Denver Avalanche	KWGN-TV^[12]	Jim Conrad, Kyle Rote Jr., and Michael Ditchfield^[13]
Golden Bay Earthquakes	KICU-TV	Jon Miller^[14] and John Shrader
Kansas City Comets	KCTV American Cablevision^[15]	Don Fortune,^[16] Jack Harry, Kevin Wall,^[17] ^[18] Clive Griffiths, and Chuck Heinz
Los Angeles Lazers	KCAL-TV Prime Ticket^[19]	Chick Hearn, Bob Miller, Joel Meyers,^[20] and Bill MacDonald^[21] ^[22]
Memphis Americans	WHBQ-TV	Chris O'Donoghue
New York Arrows^[23]	WPIX^[24] WOR-TV MSG SportsChannel New York	Terry Leiweke,^[25] ^[26] ^[27] Kyle Rote Jr.,^[28] Spencer Ross, Roy Messing, Steve Albert, Nick Zlatar,^[29] and Bob Goldsholl
New York Cosmos	SportsChannel New York	Al Trautwig,^[30] Bob Ley,^[31] and Seamus Malin
New York Express^[32]	SportsChannel New York	Steve Grad and Seamus Malin
Philadelphia Fever	WPHL-TV PRISM	Harry Kalas,^[33] Rudy Getzinger, Andy Musser, and Walter Chyzowych
Pittsburgh Spirit	KDKA-TV CAC	John Sanders,^[34] JP Dellacamera, Terry Leiweke,^[35] and Chris Wright^[36] ^[37]
San Diego Sockers	KUSI-TV KSWB-TV San Diego Cable Sports Network Prime Ticket^[38]	Randy Hahn,^[39] ^[40] Alan Mayer,^[41] Richard Saxton,^[42] Bill MacDonald, Don Ebert, and Dick Calvert^[43] ^[44]
St. Louis Steamers	KDNL-TV Sports Time^[45]	Bob Carpenter,^[46] ^[47] ^[48] ^[49] ^[50] Bob Kehoe, Bob Brunette, John Sloan, Joel Meyers,^[51] and Bill McDermott^[52]
St. Louis Storm^[53]	KPLR-TV	Rich Gould and Ty Keough
Tacoma Stars	KSTW Prime Sports Northwest	Bob Robertson,^[54] ^[55] Jimmy McAlister, and Scott Coleman
Wichita Wings	KSN KAKE-TV	Mike Kennedy, Steve Shaad, Dave Phillips,^[56] and Roy Turner

Notes

• In their inaugural season, the Los Angeles Lazers games were broadcast on Cable Radio Network. Beginning in the second season, Bill MacDonald asked Jerry Buss and Ron Weinstein for permission to broadcast the Lazers home games on KBOB radio in Pasadena. MacDonald's family agreed to purchase the air time, and MacDonald's long running career was launched. During the 1983–84 season, the Lazers made the first entree into the television arena by broadcasting a few games on the Lakers and Kings KCAL 9 television network. Chick Hearn, the Lakers broadcaster, and Bob Miller, the Kings broadcaster, shared the play-by-play responsibilities. During the 1984–85 season, the Lazers began to broadcast their games on Prime Ticket, which was the regional sports network created by Dr. Jerry Buss for Southern California. This first Lazers broadcast was only the second event to have ever been aired on the Prime Ticket Network. Joel Meyers, a new and upcoming telecaster, joined MacDonald to become the team that announced every play from then on for the Lazers.^[57]
• The Wichita Wings would appear nationally on the USA Network, ESPN, and CBS. Their first local television contract was with KSN-TV (NBC) and announcer Dave Armstrong in 1981-82. KSN would continue to broadcast the Wings through the 1985-86 season. Other announcers included Craig Bolerjack, Mike Kennedy, and Steve Dennis. Former Wing Joe Howarth and Director of Media Relations Steve Shaad, respectively, would serve as the color commentator for several of those seasons. The 1986-87 season saw KAKE-TV (ABC) take over the broadcast. Mark Allan would be their announcer through the 1988-89 season. The Wings would have no television contract thereafter. KFH Radio (1330 AM) would broadcast the Wings from 1981 through 1986, with first Bruce Haertl and then Jim Hawley announcing. Steve Shaad, Blake Schreck, and Klaus Kollmai served as color commentators on the KFH broadcasts. In 1986, KRZ (1240 AM) took over the radio broadcasting, with Dave Phillips as announcer. As KNSS, they would continue to broadcast the Wings through the 1989-90 season. Phillips would be the voice of the Wings with KZSN (1480 AM) through the 1993 season. Steve Dennis took over KZSN's announcing duties in 1994 and continued through the transition to KFH in 1995-96. Former Wings goalkeeper Kris Peat served as announcer in 1996-97. In 1997, Rob Barzegar and KQAM (1480 AM) became the Wings radio broadcaster.

National broadcasters

The MISL made inroads on national television in 1982–83. While the spring would see the end of the league's two-year deal with the USA Network, CBS would broadcast a playoff game live from Cleveland on May 7 that drew an estimated four million viewers. One game during the 1983–84 season was televised on CBS (Game 3 of the championship series^[58] on June 2) as well.

1984–85 would be the final year the MISL would have games aired on network television, CBS broadcast Game 4 of the championship series live on May 25.^[59]

For the 1985–86 season, there was a steady national TV contract for the first time since 1983, as ESPN would televise 15 regular-season games and assorted playoff games.^[60]

Television network	Television announcers
CBS^[61] ^[62]	Gary Bender, Kyle Rote Jr., Dick Stockton, John Tesh, and Al Trautwig
ESPN^[63]	JP Dellacamera,^[64] Ty Keough, Bob Kurtz, Bob Ley, Seamus Malin, Shep Messing, and Bob Carpenter
Hughes^[65]	Jim Karvellas and Kyle Rote Jr.
Score^[66] ^[67] ^[68] ^[69]	JP Dellacamera and Ty Keough
SportsChannel America^[70] ^[71] ^[72]	JP Dellacamera^[73] and Ty Keough
USA^[74] ^[75] ^[76] ^[77]	Al Trautwig^[78] and Kyle Rote Jr.^[79] ^[80]

External links

• The MISL: A Look Back

Notes and References

1. Web site: LANCERS MOURN THE PASSING OF LEGENDARY ANNOUNCER WAYNE FULLER. Rochester Lancers. 12 February 2018 .
2. Web site: A SOCCER VOICE IS SILENCED: Wayne Fuller, voice of original Lancers, passes away. February 9, 2018. Front Row Soccer.
3. Web site: March 1987 Sting "Bee Lines" . Fun While It Lasted.
4. Web site: Chicago Storm. June 3, 2004. Big Soccer.
5. News: Leptich. John. September 7, 1988. CITY'S NEW SOCCER TEAM TO RELY ON OLD STING. Chicago Tribune.
6. Web site: From the Archives Part 3: Galbreath Field and the Cincinnati Riverhawks. February 8, 2017. Queen City Discovery.
7. Web site: Hartford Hellions. December 9, 2014. Soccer History USA.
8. Web site: Watch some old-school Cleveland indoor soccer. Brown. Doug. August 1, 2013. Cleveland Scene.
9. Web site: Buckprogram13. December 5, 2013. LinkedIn Corporation.
10. Web site: Jack Corrigan. Wancho. Joseph. January 24, 2018. SABR.
11. Web site: Dallas Sidekicks 1988-89 Front Office Gallery. kicksfan.com.
12. Book: Maierhofer, Ronald P.. September 2009. No Money Down!: How to Buy a Sports Franchise. 85. Dog Ear . 9781608441341.
13. Web site: The Avalanche That Rumbled… long before the Blizzard, Storm, Rapids and even the (other) Avalanche. Ottewill. Doug. March 13, 2018. Mile High Sports.
14. Web site: MISL History Game of the "Week" Golden Bay Earthquakes at Phoenix Inferno 12-11-82. March 27, 2020. Big Soccer.
15. News: Farnsworth. Steve. June 18, 1988 . KANSAS CITY PULLS THE PLUG ON KLAN ACCESS TO CABLE TV. Chicago Tribune.
16. Web site: "Hot Winter Nights" - Chapter 5--The Comets And The Media. November 6, 2010. Holland's Comet.
17. Web site: ABOUT KEVIN WALL. Kevin Wall Radio. 25 June 2019 .
18. Web site: Comets Returning. July 11, 2010. Big Soccer.
19. Web site: 1982-1989 Los Angeles Lazers. January 20, 2013. Fun While It Lasted.
20. News: Stewart. Larry. January 31, 1986. Versatility: One of Joel Meyers' Strengths. Los Angeles Times.
21. News: Foster. Chris. July 3, 1991. He's Having a Ball With 'It's Your Call' : * Television: Bill Macdonald, a graduate of Corona del Mar High and USC, enjoys hosting Prime Ticket's phone-in sports talk show.. Los Angeles Times.
22. News: Carr. Janis. October 25, 2011. Lakers lunch: Meet announcer Bill Macdonald. The Orange County Register.
23. News: November 10, 1982. WEDNESDAY SPORTS. The New York Times.
24. Web site: THE HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK ARROWS. April 27, 2016 . US SOCCER PLAYERS.
25. News: January 18, 1983. Zungul Deal Seems Closer. The New York Times.
26. News: Rhoden. William C.. January 12, 1983. ZUNGAL OF ARROWS PLACED ON WAIVERS. The New York Times.
27. News: June 27, 2008. Catching Up With World Series Of Golf CEO Terry Leiweke. Sports Business Daily.
28. Web site: OFFSIDE REMARKS: Repost: One writer's most memorable 25 indoor soccer games. Lewis. Michael. April 24, 2020. Front Row Soccer.
29. Web site: Nearly 300 Honor Staten Island's Newest Soccer Hall of Famers. January 16, 2018. Eastern New York State Soccer Association.
30. News: Chan. Kali. May 11, 2017. Emmy Award-Winning Sportscaster Al Trautwig '78 to Deliver the 121st Adelphi Commencement Address on Sunday, May 21, 2017.
31. Web site: 7-22-1984 Cosmos vs. World All-Stars Game Notes. DiSesa. J. Drew. July 22, 1984. Fun While It Lasted.
32. News: December 6, 1986. SPORTS TODAY. The New York Times.
33. Web site: Watch Harry Kalas Call an Indoor Soccer Game in 1978. December 20, 2012. NBC Sports.
34. Web site: 1978-1986 Pittsburgh Spirit. January 21, 2013. Fun While It Lasted.
35. Deford. Frank. February 28, 1983. SHOW, SEX AND SUBURBS. Sports Illustrated.
36. News: May 3, 1982. Pittsburgh Spirit general manager Chris Wright said Monday he.... UPI.
37. News: May 4, 1982. Pittsburgh Spirit General Manager Chris Wright said he's not.... UPI.
38. News: Appleman. Marc. September 8, 1996. 16 Sockers Games Are Scheduled on Prime Ticket Cable Network. Los Angeles Times.
39. News: Stewart. Larry. September 29, 1989. Finale for Scully May Not Be One. Los Angeles Times.
40. News: Springer. Steve. January 11, 1990. THE NHL : These Guys Know the Way to San Jose, but Will League?.
41. Web site: EPISODE #125: San Jose Sharks Broadcaster Randy Hahn. August 11, 2019. GOOD SEATS STILL AVAILABLE.
42. News: June 4, 1986. The Abbotsford News from Abbotsford, British Columbia .... The Abbotsford News.
43. Web site: Voice of the Rebels: Dick Calvert. Graney. Ed. November 22, 2019. unlvrebels.com.
44. News: Announcer Dick Calvert bids farewell to Sam Boyd Stadium. Las Vegas Review-Journal.
45. News: Sports Time Cable To Carry Steamers. March 30, 1984. 2D. November 10, 2019. St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
46. News: Caeser. Dan. January 19, 2017. Former Cards announcer Carpenter gets big honor in Oklahoma. St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
47. Web site: Mid-Con Tournament to Bring Bob Carpenter Home. Cameron. D. Forrest. February 23, 2005.
48. Web site: JP takes the lead in MLS TV booth. Mahoney. Ridge. April 1, 2018. Soccer America.
49. Web site: EPISODE 130: St. Louis: The Original Soccer City USA – With Dave Lange. September 15, 2019. GOOD SEATS STILL AVAILABLE.
50. Web site: EPISODE #99: Sports Broadcaster Bob Carpenter. February 10, 2019. Good Seats Still Available.
51. News: Kelley. Sean. October 30, 2013. Meet the New Orleans Pelicans broadcasters: Joel Meyers. NBA.com.
52. Web site: SOCCER BROADCASTING. MCDERMOTT DESIGN.
53. News: October 19, 1990. St. Louis Post-Dispatch from St. Louis, Missouri · Page 42. St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
54. Web site: A FIRST & LASTING IMPRESSION. MacDonald. Frank. February 5, 2016. The Frank MacDonald Blog.
55. Web site: A First & Lasting Impression - Original Voice of Sounders Blazed a Broadcasting Path. Saunders. Frank M.. February 6, 2016. Sounder at Heart.
56. Web site: Wichita Sports Hall of Fame to enshrine 2020 class in April. February 13, 2020. Hutch Post.
57. Web site: The Year in American Soccer – 1986 . Sover.net . 2012-07-12 . 2016-05-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090325061805/http://www.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1986.html#MISL . 2009-03-25 . dead .
58. News: July 11, 1992. ONLY MAJOR PRO SOCCER LEAGUE IN U.S. FOLDS. Deseret News.
59. News: Sarni . Jim . Blast For Soccer Fans: CBS Airs MISL Game . May 25, 1985 . . 2012-05-08 . 2012-07-16 . https://archive.today/20120716015450/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1985-05-25/sports/8501200962_1_misl-all-star-game-cbs-radio-american-cable . dead .
60. Book: MISL Official Guide 1989-90 . 1989 . 49.
61. News: Preston. Mike. June 11, 1992. Soccer league fizzles, extinguishes city's Blast Last-minute talks to replace teams fail. The Baltimore Sun.
62. News: Gaichas. Don. March 11, 2020. NWSL Signs Broadcast Deal with CBS, Twitch. Prost Amerika.
63. News: Appleman. Mark. November 14, 1986 . Major Indoor Soccer League Preview : Things May Change, but Sockers Still Favorites. Los Angeles Times.
64. News: Tannenwald. Jonathan. March 1, 2011. J.P. Dellacamera moves to FSC, stays with Union. The Philadelphia Inquirer.
65. News: Eskenaz. Gerald. March 20, 1979. Indoor Soccer: Losing Money, Gaining Confidence. The New York Times.
66. News: Leptich. John. February 14, 1988. IS A VERDICT NEAR FOR MISL?. Chicago Tribune.
67. News: Appleman. Marc. February 7, 1988. MISL Review : MISL Coach of Year Honor Would Seem to Be Newman's Due. Los Angeles Times.
68. Web site: Baltimore Blast (1980-1992). August 30, 2010. NASLhistory.
69. Web site: 1987-88 MISL Season. Litterer. Dave. Just Sports Stats.
70. News: Knowles. Joseph. February 26, 1989. Tacoma Stars forward Preki and Wichita Wings.... Chicago Tribune.
71. News: Free. Bill . December 2, 1990. APSL-U.S. Federation feud could hurt World Cup club. The Baltimore Sun.
72. News: Geis. John. April 6, 1992. MSL NOTEBOOK / JOHN GEIS : Owners Don't Delay in Making '92 Plans. Los Angeles Times.
73. News: McKee. Sandra. February 11, 1992. Only steady as player, Dawkins rises to All-Star status as coach. The Baltimore Sun.
74. Book: Maierhofer, Ronald P.. September 2009. No Money Down!: How to Buy a Sports Franchise. 81. Dog Ear . 9781608441440.
75. News: Sarni. Jim. May 25, 1985. BLAST FOR SOCCER FANS: CBS AIRS MISL GAME. South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
76. News: Marks. Jon. June 28, 2019. Years After Fizzling Out, MISL 40th Reunion Ready For Launch. Forbes.
77. Web site: The MISL: A Look Back. Just Sports Stats.
78. Web site: When Indoor Soccer Was King. Hecken. Phil. July 11, 2009. Uni Watch.
79. Web site: OFFSIDE REMARKS: Repost: One writer's most memorable 25 indoor soccer games. Lewis. Michael. April 24, 2020. Front Row Soccer.
80. News: February 20, 1982. The Town Talk from Alexandria, Louisiana · Page 46. Newspapers.com.