Longtime Tigers TV announcers suspended after alleged fracas
DETROIT (AP) — Detroit Tigers television announcers Mario Impemba and Rod Allen have been suspended for the rest of the season after allegedly getting into a physical altercation earlier this week.
Fox Sports Detroit announced the decision on Friday. The longtime popular pair reportedly tangled in the broadcast booth Tuesday before a game in Chicago against the White Sox.
"After speaking with all involved parties, Fox Sports Detroit has decided not to schedule Rod Allen and Mario Impemba for any future Tigers telecasts this season," network spokeswoman Courtney Welch said in a statement. "Since this is an internal matter, we will have no further comment."
Impemba and Allen are in their 17th season as the team's main television team. Allen has split color-commentating duties with Kirk Gibson and Craig Monroe in the past two seasons.
Matt Shepard and Gibson, who traveled to Chicago to announce Wednesday's game. The Tigers were off Thursday, and Shepard and Gibson were back in the booth as the Tigers host the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday.
Allen defended himself on Twitter on Thursday.
"I've always conducted myself as an honorable professional and I always will," he said. "Because this is a personnel matter. I can't comment right now."
A message for Impemba was not immediately returned.
