TSN's Calgary reporter Salim Valji among Bell Media layoffs

Bell laid off nearly 700 employees across Canada on Thursday, including one who will have a huge effect on Calgary sports fans.

Daily Hive can confirm that TSN’s Calgary bureau reporter, Salim Valji, was among 40 employees from Bell Media who were let go.

Valji has been reporting on the Calgary Flames, Calgary Stampeders, and other sports news in the city since he was hired for the job in November of 2020. The Alberta native replaced Jermain Franklin, who left Calgary for a role with TSN in Toronto in July 2020.

“I’ll have more to say at a later date but I’m truly grateful for the past five years in my role. Calgary’s an incredible city and I’m proud to live here,” Valji told Daily Hive on Friday.

“I loved being a voice for fans and telling stories that humanized the players and teams at Saddledome and McMahon. Certain parts of the past few years have been quite challenging, but overall it’s been an enriching experience. I hope to continue telling these stories and wearing colourful suits.

“Lots of gratitude and lots of reflection.”

Fans and media colleagues have been expressing their support for Valji since sports media insider Jonah Sigel broke the news on social media.

Brutal news. I always appreciated Salim’s storytelling. He did a good job diving into topics away from the game that showed off the players personalities

Wishing the best for @salimvalji

The Athletic, and now TSN no longer have a reporter covering the #Flames and Calgary sports https://t.co/8dX6vTa7rn

— Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) November 20, 2025

If TSN doesn’t hire a replacement, it’ll mark the second major sports outlet to effectively exit the city in the last 14 months, as The Athletic hasn’t had a reporter based in Calgary since 2024.