:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61237477/usa_today_9730116.0.jpg)
Following the explosive news of the physical altercation between Rod Allen and Mario Impemba, the long-time Detroit Tigers television broadcast team, fans have been left wondering what would become of the pair.
Friday afternoon it was announced that FSD’s frequent Lions broadcaster Matt Shepard would take over the play-by-play duties on Friday’s game, and later that same day FSD released a statement regarding Impemba and Allen.
After speaking with all involved parties, FOX Sports Detroit has decided not to schedule Rod Allen and Mario Impemba for any future Tigers telecasts this season. Since this is an internal matter, we will have no further comment.
— FOX Sports Detroit (@FOXSportsDet) September 7, 2018
It remains to be seen how this will impact the team during the 2019 and whether one or both of the parties will return, perhaps in different roles.
The Tigers have responded to the decision in an official statement, saying, “The Detroit Tigers support our partners at FOX Sports Detroit in their decision regarding Mario Impemba and Rod Allen.”
Mario Impemba has yet to release a statement on the matter, but Rod Allen responded to accusations of his physical actions by saying, “I’ve always conducted myself as an honorable professional and I always will. Because this is a personnel matter. I can’t comment right now.”
We likely won’t get any further updates until a decision is made regarding the long-term future of the pair. While it hasn’t been explicitly annouced, it seems likely that color commentary duties will be filled by Kirk Gibson, and possible Craig Monroe who filled in on Wednesday.