Sports

Cardinals' Preseason Broadcast Team Shake-Up: Pasch Out, Calvisi and Shipley In

The Arizona Cardinals are set to debut a refreshed radio broadcast team for their initial preseason matchup, the Hall of Fame Game, against the Carolina Panthers. This change comes as Dave Pasch, a familiar voice for Cardinals fans, transitions to an exclusive role with ESPN. His departure has led to a significant reshuffling within the broadcast booth, bringing new talent to the forefront for the upcoming season. Fans looking to follow the game's audio commentary will need to tune into the radio, as the national television broadcast will not feature the Cardinals' local announcers.

Taking the reins for the play-by-play commentary will be Paul Calvisi, who previously served as a sideline reporter for the team. He will be joined by A.Q. Shipley, who assumed the analyst position last year following Ron Wolfley's retirement after two decades. This duo is poised to offer fresh perspectives and insights into the Cardinals' preseason action. The game is scheduled to kick off at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. Arizona time) from Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, with the radio broadcast available on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.

New Voices for Cardinals' Preseason Broadcast

The Arizona Cardinals are introducing a fresh lineup to their radio broadcast team for the highly anticipated Hall of Fame Game against the Carolina Panthers. This shift is primarily due to the departure of Dave Pasch, who, after a long tenure as the team's play-by-play announcer, has opted to commit his full attention to his role at ESPN. His absence marks a notable change for fans accustomed to his commentary, necessitating a new dynamic in the broadcast booth. The team had initially hired J.P. Shadick, but his existing commitments with the Jacksonville Jaguars prevented him from joining the Cardinals until later in the week, thus paving the way for further adjustments to the broadcast roster.

With Shadick unavailable for the initial preseason game, Paul Calvisi, a seasoned sideline reporter for the Cardinals, will step into the play-by-play role. He will be accompanied by A.Q. Shipley, who joined the broadcast team last year as an analyst, succeeding Ron Wolfley after his distinguished 20-year career. This new pairing of Calvisi and Shipley is expected to bring a unique blend of experience and fresh insights to the radio commentary, offering fans a detailed and engaging auditory experience of the game. Supporters can listen to the Cardinals' official radio broadcast on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM as the game commences at 8 p.m. ET, providing a dedicated local perspective on the team's performance.

Broadcast Changes and How to Tune In

The upcoming Hall of Fame Game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Carolina Panthers will mark a significant transition for Cardinals' fans regarding their broadcast experience. Unlike regular season games where local television broadcasts are common, this national television event on NBC means that fans desiring a team-specific commentary will need to turn to the radio. The most prominent change is the absence of Dave Pasch, the beloved voice of the Cardinals for many years, who has now transitioned to an exclusive role with ESPN, leaving a void that the team is filling with new talent. This shift underscores a broader trend in sports broadcasting, where commentators often balance multiple roles across different networks and teams.

In light of Pasch's departure and the temporary unavailability of J.P. Shadick, the Cardinals have appointed Paul Calvisi, previously known for his sideline reporting, to take over the play-by-play duties. He will be joined by A.Q. Shipley, who seamlessly stepped into the analyst position last year following the retirement of Ron Wolfley, a long-standing fixture in the Cardinals' broadcast history. This new duo is tasked with delivering the game's action and analysis to the devoted Cardinals fanbase. Fans eager to catch every moment of the game can do so by tuning into Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. The game kicks off at 8 p.m. Eastern Time, corresponding to 5 p.m. Arizona time, ensuring that local fans can follow the team's first preseason outing with familiar voices, albeit new ones in their respective roles.