Michael Russo, the Wild beat writer for the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, reports in his blog that after news broke on the new TV hire, Wild fans were outraged with their selection:

"The hire comes after three days worth of almost universally negative feedback from fans over [Anthony] LaPanta's expected hiring on blogs and message boards."

He goes on to explain that it may be because it was the choice of the local Fox affiliate and the Wild, essentially, had to play ball in order to keep the peace on their big TV contract with them.

Ultimately, I believe this is an example of this team taking a safe, conservative approach instead of doing the right thing, putting their foot down, TV contract be damned, and controlling the outcome.

Is this a sign of what is to come this off-season? I fear what may be if they can't land one of the two big fish they apparently have their eye on. Then what?

I know that re-building is a process. But, if you're going to be a struggling franchise, can't you at least give the fans a TV voice they don't so soundly reject at the outset? Or how about at least a big fish in the TV announcing booth?

In any event, below is the press release. Thoughts?

MINNESOTA WILD NAMES FOX SPORTS NORTH AND KFAN BROADCAST TEAMS
ANTHONY LAPANTA NEW TELEVISION PLAY-BY-PLAY ANNOUNCER

SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The National Hockey League’s (NHL) Minnesota Wild today named Anthony LaPanta television play-by-play announcer. The team also announced it has re-signed broadcasters Mike Greenlay (television analyst), Bob Kurtz (radio play-by-play) and Tom Reid (radio analyst) to contracts. Kevin Falness will also return as Producer and Host of the Wild radio broadcasts. Per club policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed.

“I have dreamed of doing NHL play-by-play since I was very young,” said LaPanta. “To have this opportunity in my hometown is truly special. I am a lifelong resident of the State of Hockey, and hockey is in my blood. From my work covering the Minnesota Wild for the last eight years, to calling games at the high school and college level, to spending as much of my free time as possible as a youth hockey dad, the game has been a huge part of my life. This is the opportunity of a lifetime for me.”

LaPanta, a graduate of Totino-Grace High School and St. John’s University (Collegeville, Minn.), has covered the Twin Cities sports scene since 1991. The New Brighton, Minn. native has hosted the pregame and postgame shows on FOX Sports North for the Twins, Wild and Timberwolves nightly since 2004 and served as the television play-by-play announcer for the University of Minnesota men’s hockey team the past two seasons. He has also served as a play-by-play announcer for the Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Timberwolves on a fill in basis. Before joining FOX Sports North, he was the television voice of the St. Paul Saints for ten seasons and was the radio play-by-play announcer for the Twins in 1999. LaPanta has won four regional Emmy Awards (two for play-by-play and two for anchor/host) and was involved in the development of the Hockey Day Minnesota concept. LaPanta and his wife, Margo, have four children, and reside in Shoreview, Minn., where he is active in the hockey community.

“We are excited to add Anthony’s experience and work ethic to Wild telecasts on FOX Sports North,” said Matt Majka, Minnesota Wild Chief Operating Officer. “He is an involved member of the great hockey culture here in Minnesota and we think Anthony will do a fantastic job calling games for our fans in the State of Hockey.”

LaPanta and Greenlay will be seen on FOX Sports North, the exclusive local television home for Wild hockey.

“This is a great opportunity for Anthony, we’re enthusiastic about his new role in our Wild telecasts,” said Mike Dimond, Senior Vice President and General Manager for FOX Sports North. “Anthony has worked long and hard as the face of our network. We’ll miss him in that capacity, but thankful he’ll still be part of our network moving forward.”

Kurtz, Reid and Falness will be heard on KFAN Radio (100.3 FM) and the extensive Wild Radio Network that covers the State of Hockey.

Greenlay enters his 11th year as the Wild’s television analyst since being assigned to the post on Aug. 13, 2002. The former goaltender previously served as the radio analyst for the Anaheim Ducks (1999-2001) and the Nashville Predators (1998-99) and also worked as a television analyst on several networks. He began his broadcast career with the Houston Aeros in 1995, serving as the team’s radio and television color analyst for FOX Sports Southwest.

Kurtz is the only radio play-by-play announcer in team history. The Detroit, Mich., native previously spent 11 years working with New England Sports Network in Boston, where he was the network’s play-by-play voice of the Boston Red Sox and also worked an array of other events, including Boston Bruins and Boston University hockey. Kurtz also worked seven seasons as the lead television announcer for the Minnesota North Stars and was a member of the Minnesota Twins radio team in 2011.

Reid will work his 13th year with the Wild and 11th as the team’s radio analyst. He spent his first two years with the club as television analyst, before partnering again with Kurtz, with whom he worked North Stars television broadcasts in the 1980’s. Following his 11-year career in the NHL, the defenseman spent 12 years as a television/radio analyst for the North Stars. Reid has also worked as a television analyst for University of Minnesota hockey and the Minnesota State High School League Hockey Tournament.

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