Gregg Zaun reveals details behind Sportsnet firing for ‘inappropriate behaviour'
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Now, eight years after his high-profile firing from the broadcaster, Zaun isn't afraid to admit his mistakes.
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Zaun, a former Blue Jays catcher during his playing days, opened up during a podcast appearance this week about his unceremonious departure, including about the allegations made against him and how greatly they have affected him personally and professionally.
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'I definitely made mistakes. I let celebrity get in my head,' Zaun said during Monday's episode of the Toronto Legends podcast. 'I was never as famous in Canada as a player as I was as a broadcaster. I mean, I couldn't walk down the street.
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'My life was turned upside down, ruined. My professional career, ruined,' he added. 'I can't get a job in television. There's not a lot of forgiveness for people that look like me in this world. And it's my fault. It's absolutely my fault.'
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While Zaun said that he was 'shocked' by the allegations, he also held himself accountable for letting things get too far.
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'There are certain topics of conversation that don't belong in the workplace. And it's funny, the biggest mistake that I've made is thinking that because a lot of the conversations and exchanges were initiated by females in the workplace that they were somehow OK. That I was somehow justified in participating in those conversations. The tomfoolery, the hijinks. These allegations, they were shocking to me,' Zaun said.
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'I was just having fun with willing participants. Yeah, the environment was inappropriate. It was my fault for letting it get as far as it did. I should have been classier and I definitely should be held to a higher level of accountability,' he added.
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Several anonymous Sportsnet employees previously told the Canadian Press that Zaun had made sexual comments 'with the clear intention of making us uncomfortable.'
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During the podcast interview, Zaun said that the network pushed him to become a 'Manalyst,' which he described as the 'Don Cherry of baseball.'
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'Sportsnet created that 'Manalyst' guy. They wanted 'Don Cherry of baseball,' so I gave it to them,' Zaun said.
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The Province
a day ago
- The Province
Gregg Zaun reveals details behind Sportsnet firing for ‘inappropriate behaviour'
Former Toronto Blue Jays catcher was fired by network as in-studio analyst in 2017 over allegations made by several female coworkers. Don Cherry, left, joins Gregg Zaun on the set of Sportsnet's Blue Jays Central in 2014. Postmedia files During his tenure as an in-studio analyst on Rogers Sportsnet for the Toronto Blue Jays, Gregg Zaun never was afraid to call it like he saw it. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Now, eight years after his high-profile firing from the broadcaster, Zaun isn't afraid to admit his mistakes. Zaun, a former Blue Jays catcher during his playing days, opened up during a podcast appearance this week about his unceremonious departure, including about the allegations made against him and how greatly they have affected him personally and professionally. 'I definitely made mistakes. I let celebrity get in my head,' Zaun said during Monday's episode of the Toronto Legends podcast. 'I was never as famous in Canada as a player as I was as a broadcaster. I mean, I couldn't walk down the street. 'My life was turned upside down, ruined. My professional career, ruined,' he added. 'I can't get a job in television. There's not a lot of forgiveness for people that look like me in this world. And it's my fault. It's absolutely my fault.' Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. While Zaun said that he was 'shocked' by the allegations, he also held himself accountable for letting things get too far. 'There are certain topics of conversation that don't belong in the workplace. And it's funny, the biggest mistake that I've made is thinking that because a lot of the conversations and exchanges were initiated by females in the workplace that they were somehow OK. That I was somehow justified in participating in those conversations. The tomfoolery, the hijinks. These allegations, they were shocking to me,' Zaun said. 'I was just having fun with willing participants. Yeah, the environment was inappropriate. It was my fault for letting it get as far as it did. I should have been classier and I definitely should be held to a higher level of accountability,' he added. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Several anonymous Sportsnet employees previously told the Canadian Press that Zaun had made sexual comments 'with the clear intention of making us uncomfortable.' During the podcast interview, Zaun said that the network pushed him to become a 'Manalyst,' which he described as the 'Don Cherry of baseball.' 'Sportsnet created that 'Manalyst' guy. They wanted 'Don Cherry of baseball,' so I gave it to them,' Zaun said. But Zaun says he's capable of more than that sort of role. Read More 'People misunderstand or underestimate my versatility. I can be whatever you want me to be. You want me to be the loud guy. You want me to cause a ruckus. You want me to polarize the fan base. I can do that,' Zaun said. 'Do you want me to just be quiet and go put my head down and be a soldier, and accomplish a list of tasks that you want from me? I can do that too. It's just easier to blame my past transgressions, my past mistakes, as the reason why you don't want to have a conversation.' Zaun, who currently lives in B.C. after splitting with his third wife, says that he has been sober for two years and hopes to get a second chance in the sport he loves – be it in broadcasting or as a coach. Vancouver Whitecaps Vancouver Whitecaps News International Soccer News
Toronto Sun
a day ago
- Toronto Sun
Amid Jays mania, future of president Shapiro murky
Toronto Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro says he has had conversations with Rogers, but went no further than that. Jon Blacker/The Associated Press Having watched his presidential sporting peers shown the door and having built a relationship with two of the highest-profiled executives in the field, Mark Shapiro is fully aware of the nature of the business. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account In a way, he's the last man standing when looking at Toronto's three major sporting entities. The Blue Jays, given the very nature of baseball and its summer calendar, are the lone team remaining until fall arrives when both hockey and hoops will begin anew. The Jays have been the talk of the town and of the country. The buzz hasn't been this high since the days of Jose Bautista. Despite the Jays' success and the team's expected inclusion in the post-season, the fact remains Shapiro's contract does expire this season. He oversaw the renovation and re-imagination of Rogers Centre where fans have flocked back to the ballpark to a venue that has earned rave reviews. As they prepared to play host to the Chicago Cubs for a three-game series, Shapiro gathered with the media in the hours leading up to Tuesday's first pitch. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. While the session couldn't be described as a total love-fest, at least for many of the media in attendance, it was hard not to notice the sense of accomplishment resonating from Shapiro. Shapiro and GM Ross Atkins have been raked over the coals for years among fans and media alike. One can excuse either for basking in the glow of success, while at the same time completely aware how times can easily change, how a team's fortunes can be random and fickle. 'I have a distinct appreciation for the city of Toronto and the opportunity to lead a team that represents an entire country, which was at the root of the decision 10 years ago to come here,'' said Shapiro. 'I also have a distinct appreciation for the level of empowerment that I have in this role that is pretty unique throughout baseball, someone to lead both the business side and the baseball side and help represent Rogers ownership at the league level as well. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'And when I think about alternatives, I've never been a grass is greener guy, 24 years in one place in Cleveland and 10 years here now. The appreciation for what I have and the people I get to work with every day and the city I work in and the country I live in, those things are the drivers for me to remain here.' Fair enough. At the same time, there is the business side to sports. Brendan Shanahan's contract expired following the Leafs' second-round loss to the Panthers in the NHL playoffs. Masai Ujiri's deal had one year remaining, but the Raptors' head honcho and ownership agreed to a mutual parting of the ways. Of the city's Big 3 teams, only Ujiri was able to lead a team to a title when the Raptors won the NBA championship in 2019. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Jays have not been as positioned to at least make a deep run since the days of Joey Bats and for that Shapiro and his one-time besieged GM who has yet to be properly commended for his work must be given their flowers. Those flowers can easily wilt. Shapiro admitted he has had conversations with Rogers, but that's all he was willing to offer. 'I don't think it's appropriate for me to comment other than what I just said,'' he added. 'I want to remain here and I can also say that both Edward (Rogers, executive chair of Rogers Communications) and Tony (Staffieri, president and CEO of Rogers Communications) have been reciprocal in that desire. 'These jobs in professional sports I've spent my entire adult life working in it and the reality exists having talked with Shanny after that (exodus) happened and having a distinct appreciation for Masai there's an understanding that comes with it. Sometimes it's your own doing, sometimes it's situational, the nature of sports and outcomes and randomness that happens. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I feel grateful every single day I get to pull into Rogers Centre, pull into Dunedin (home of the Jays' spring training) and work in this role with the people I respect and care about so much. Gratitude is more what I focus on and there's always the understanding that it comes to an end at some point.' The precise end date remains up in the air. Does Shapiro stay beyond this season or does Rogers ownership, which has complete control of MLSE, tweak how the Blue Jays are managed at the top. As president and CEO of the ball club, there's not much to quibble with what Shapiro has done or what Atkins has done. Entering Tuesday's play, the 69-50 Jays had the best winning percentage in the American League. In the Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette era, the club has yet to win a playoff game. Vlad Jr.'s 14-year, US $500-million deal kicks in, while Bichette is a pending free agent. Shapiro was asked about Bichette, but said now is not the right time to discuss it. Whether Shapiro's time will soon expire in Toronto is up in the air. fzicarelli@ Toronto Blue Jays Opinion Toronto & GTA Toronto Blue Jays Toronto Blue Jays
Global News
a day ago
- Global News
Blue Jays reinstate Gimenez from injured list
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook TORONTO – The Toronto Blue Jays reinstated second baseman Andres Gimenez from the 10-day injured list Tuesday and designated infielder Buddy Kennedy for assignment. Gimenez, a three-time Gold Glove award winner, missed five weeks with a left ankle sprain. The moves were announced shortly before the Blue Jays opened a three-game series against the visiting Chicago Cubs. Story continues below advertisement Entering play Tuesday night, Gimenez had five homers, 23 RBIs and a .218 average. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Kennedy had one hit in two games for the Blue Jays. He also played four games for the Philadelphia Phillies earlier this season. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 12, 2025.
