Reactions pour in from Vancouver sports fans after Sportsnet 650 shuts down
Vancouver sports fans are mourning the loss of their only sports-talk radio station.
While the city was preparing for its final FIFA World Cup match between Colombia and Switzerland, it was announced that Sportsnet 650 would be closing effective immediately. The abrupt closure has now left a massive void in Vancouver’s sports coverage moving forward.
Rogers told Daily Hive in an emailed statement that the closure stemmed from “declining audience and revenue trends,” and affected six stations across Canada, including Sportsnet 960 in Calgary as well.
The sudden loss of one of Vancouver’s biggest sports media platforms has sent shockwaves throughout the industry. Even B.C. Premier David Eby felt compelled to send words of support to those at the stations affected.
It’s clear that this decision has impacted a lot of people in the province.
We all benefit from having local news outlets and this is a blow for British Columbians.
Journalism > Profits.
BC is going to miss Sportsnet 650 and AM 1130. I’m thinking of all their staff, producers, and journalists today. https://t.co/Vr81M9Qdc0
— David Eby (@Dave_Eby) July 7, 2026
Fellow Vancouver sports journalists have also been sending their support to the people affected by the closure. Though they may have worked at different outlets, the station often had different media members on the air as guests for certain segments and shows.
The respect that the Vancouver sports reporters and broadcasters have for one another is evident.
1st 1040 and now 650.
This is what happens when you don’t have local ownership.
They never cared about the people or the city, just profit.
After Donnie and Dhali, the best part of my week was my hit with Halford and Brough.
Just a horrible day.
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) July 7, 2026
“Rogers pulls a #BellLetsCut, as Toronto pulls the plug on another VAN radio station. Gutted for all those at 650, as well as all the listeners who made it part of their routine,” wrote Grady Sas of Canucks Army. “Hoping those impacted land on their feet, whether that’s through podcasts or a different industry.”
these days suck. It’s a small circle to begin with and then the giant telecoms swing the axe. It’s always their solution. Feel for my friends and colleagues at 650.
— Jeff Paterson (@patersonjeff) July 7, 2026
“Absolutely gutted for my colleagues at Sportsnet 650. Some incredibly talented people at that station who deserved a proper sign off,” said David Quadrelli with Canucks Army.
Some thoughts on the awful news regarding 650 and 1130 today pic.twitter.com/t2jyhrIhWD
— Ryan Henderson (@RJHenderson7) July 7, 2026
These words of support were not limited to just Vancouver media members. Reporters and broadcasters across the country and into the United States were also busy reacting to the news in disbelief.
Sending lots of love to my friends in Calgary and Vancouver ❤️ Someone please scoop up the incredibly talented and great people that are now available for the next generation of media.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 7, 2026
“Sad to see 960 and 650 stop broadcasting. Lots of talented people pay the price, but I expect many of them will resurface soon,” wrote Sports 1440’s Jason Gregor out of Edmonton. “The business model works when done properly. We at Sports 1440 are proof of that. I hope listeners in CGY and VAN get the same opportunity EDM sports fans did.”
The decision to shut down SN650 is seismic. Losing another major sports media voice in Vancouver is a devastating loss.
That station has produced an incredible amount of talent and gave so many young voices a platform.
A sad day for sports media in this city.
— Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) July 7, 2026
“I’m not even from Vancouver, and every time I went on or tuned in, I knew that SN650 rocked in all the ways a sports radio station should. This sucks. Another big loss in Canadian media,” said The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler.
I hate the sports media industry sometimes.
So many talented people at 650, on air and behind the scenes. https://t.co/wn0A8eVrrS
— Down Goes Brown (@DownGoesBrown) July 7, 2026
The fan outcry in the early hours after Sportsnet 650’s demise has also been intense. Many fans were used to tuning into the station on a daily basis or had listened to Canucks games over the airwaves.
Canucks anthem Jugpreet Bajwa shared his disappointment on social media.
I’ve always loved Sportsnet 650. It’s been my go to for sports coverage over the years, and through the highs and the lows, they’ve also shown me so much support as a local artist. Whether it was sharing my Canucks anthem performances or simply encouraging me along the way, it…
— Jugpreet Bajwa (@JuggyJag) July 7, 2026
“Absolute JOKE! Halford and Brough are awesome, big mistake,” said one angry fan.
This is bullshit! Mutiny!!!! @Rogers are corporate scumbags and care more about saving a few bucks than the entire heritage of hockey and how it’s been built over the last hundred years!
— Matt Friesen (@frezenmatt) July 7, 2026
“I’m beyond disappointed, and I will be looking for ways to take any of my business from Rogers. It may be a small thing in their eyes, but it’s what I can do as a customer,” said another angry fan.
I feel sick hearing this news. Not that they care but as a @Rogers customer (formerly Shaw) I’m ditching all their services. I’ve been thinking of doing this since the Shaw takeover and this is the final nail in the coffin. #FuckRogers
— Tammeh (@Tammeh69) July 7, 2026
It’s unclear who or what will fill the void over Vancouver’s airwaves with the station’s departure. For the sake of sports fans in the city, you can only hope that something rises out of the ashes sooner rather than later.