Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
The Raptors and TSN broadcast team may be without beloved analyst Jack Armstrong for the upcoming NBA season.
According to Jonah Sigel, Armstrong remains without a contract for the upcoming season with TSN and MLSE.
“While all eyes have been on Rogers and Hockey broadcasters, one Jack Armstrong remains unsigned for this upcoming season… This one is tricky given the fine folks at TSN but I’m told sides aren’t close as MLSE & TSN are in agreement….”
While all eyes have been on Rogers and Hockey broadcasters, one Jack Armstrong remains unsigned for the upcoming season & the @Raptors . This one is tricky given the fine folks at TSN but I’m told sides aren’t close as MLSE & TSN aren’t in agreement….
— Jonah Sigel | Sports media + streaming (@yyzsportsmedia) September 8, 2026
With the NBA just over five weeks away from tipping off for the 2026-27 season, it remains unclear if Raptors fans will be hearing iconic calls such as “Helloooo” or “Get that garbage outta here” when the season begins.
Armstrong has been a part of the Raptors broadcast team since 1998 with TSN and Bell Media, but with Rogers’ recent full acqusition of MLSE, they now have full control over broadcast decisions for the upcoming season.
When the news broke, the NBA world was furious:
Chuck Swirsky, former Raptors play-by-play man and current radio play-by-play host for the Chicago Bulls wrote on Twitter: “This is absolutely ridiculous. Seriously? Jack is an institution . I am out of the loop on everything and everyone in Toronto but I love the city-love Canada and have a deep, deep endearment for the Raps. @tsn I implore you-do the right thing. Sign Jack -now. He is Raptors ball”
This is absolutely ridiculous. Seriously? Jack is an institution .
I am out of the loop on everything and everyone in Toronto but I love the city-love Canada and have a deep, deep endearment for the Raps. @tsn I implore you-do the right thing. Sign Jack -now. He is Raptors ball https://t.co/2coDfGxZr9
— chuck swirsky (@ctsbulls) September 8, 2026
Zach Lowe wrote: “How to drop several spots in the League Pass Rankings. The Raptors without Jack Armstrong would be unthinkable.”
Many fans, including myself, grew up to Armstrong’s voice on the broadcast. His off the wall calls, upbeat attitude, and clear adoration for the game of basketball made you feel like you were home. Heck, the first time I made the trip from Nova Scotia for a Raptors game I came back with one piece of merchandise, a Jack Armstrong “Get that garbage outta here” T-shirt.
Armstrong is a cornerstone of Raptors basketball, the fact that a deal isn’t yet done is absurd. While there is still time for the sides to come to an agreement, I hope that today’s outcry has shown MLSE just how meaningful Armstrong is to Canadian sports.