Legendary TSN Broadcaster Vic Rauter Announces Retirement After 53-Year Career
One of the most recognizable voices in Canadian sports television is stepping away from the microphone. Vic Rauter, the legendary TSN broadcaster famous for his signature "Make the final" catchphrase, has announced his retirement after an incredible 53-year career on the airwaves. The news marks the end of an era for sports broadcasting in Canada.
A Fitting Final Broadcast
Rauter's final broadcast will fittingly come with Saturday's final of the men's World Curling Championship, a sport he has become synonymous with over the past four decades. "When you're a 19-year-old walking into a job at a radio station right out of college, you just can't fathom this moment," Rauter said in TSN's official retirement announcement. "But after an amazing 53 years on the air, and as this curling quadrennial comes to a close, I've made the decision that this is the right time to step away."
The Toronto native, who will turn 72 in May, began his broadcasting journey in 1973 at radio station CFTR, where he worked as a news and sports reporter. After honing his craft there, Rauter moved to Global TV in Toronto and then to CBC before joining TSN in 1985, just one year after the network's launch.
A Versatile Broadcasting Career
During his extensive tenure at TSN, Rauter covered a wide variety of sports, demonstrating remarkable versatility:
- His first role at the network was anchoring the nightly SportsDesk broadcast (now known as SportsCentre)
- He provided coverage for MLS, NHL, and MLB games during periods when TSN broadcast both Blue Jays and Expos games
- He worked nine Olympic Games, beginning with the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and concluding with the 2012 Games in London
- He provided commentary for six editions of soccer's World Cup
The Curling Connection
While Rauter's career spanned multiple sports, it was curling where he truly made his mark and became a household name. His curling journey began soon after joining TSN when then-president Jim Thompson asked if he knew anything about the sport. Rauter teamed with expert Ray Turnbull to launch what would become a defining partnership in Canadian curling coverage.
"I'm so grateful for the many doors that have opened for me, most of all getting the chance to spend more than 40 years covering curling for this network," Rauter said about the sport that has come to define his career. "I've been blessed to be associated with this sport for so long. I started with the Canadian Mixed Curling Championship in Kamloops in 1986 and we've since watched it grow into a truly international game, being played at the highest level around the world."
Remarkably, since 1986, Rauter has worked every Brier or Tournament of Hearts except one in 2006 when CBC held the broadcasting rights to those events.
Tributes from Colleagues and Fans
Following the retirement announcement, tributes poured in from colleagues and fans across social media platforms. TSN posted a special package of Top 10 highlights from Rauter's illustrious career, celebrating his contributions to sports broadcasting.
TSN host James Duthie wrote on social media: "What a legend. Congrats Vic on a half century of gifting us one of the smoothest voices and deliveries in broadcasting."
TSN hockey insider Darren Dreger added: "A true pro. A legend in the industry. Congratulations on a Hall of Fame worthy career, Vic! 'Make the final.'"
Rauter's distinctive style, characterized by his smooth voice, professional delivery, and insightful commentary, has entertained and informed Canadian sports fans for more than half a century. His retirement marks the end of one of the longest and most respected broadcasting careers in Canadian sports media history.
