In one of the more memorable media exits we’ve seen in some time, long-time University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee basketball play-by-play announcer Bill Johnson decided to leave that role after 17 seasons, and he did so with an incredible Instagram rant about the university’s administrators and athletic director Amanda Braun in particular. Here it is:

To quote Groucho Marx “Hello, I must be going!” Before the decision is made for me, I am officially announcing my retirement as the voice of Milwaukee Panthers Men’s basketball. I would say it’s taking the last life boat off the Titanic, but that would be unfair to the crew of the Titanic. Never have so many competant, talented people been run off by such a talentless group of entitled beaurocrats. No matter how much the coaches, players, and support staff care, they can’t overcome incompetent administrators. UWM leads the world in incompetent administrators. I criticize awful athletic directors like Koonce, Costello, Geiger, and Braun. It’s not their fault. Hell, if they elected me President I’ld take the job. If I suck at it, it’s not my fault. I’m not qualified to be President. Should Amanda Braun turn down an AD job just because she’s horribly under qualified? Hell no. She’s a bad AD, and a deplorable human being, but those are the cards she’s been dealt. Those in charge of the UW System have failed to hire effective administrators. Failed. F F F F! It has been my pleasure to work with the wonderful players and coaches for 17 seasons. The players, coaches, parents and the fans have been like my family. I will miss Panther hoops the rest of my life. Best of luck to my friends that are still imprisoned at UWM Athletics. Fight on, brothers (and sisters.) Keep your heads low and make us proud. Finally, best of luck to LaVall Jordan, his staff, and the players. As so often happens in the NCAA, it’s not your fault. Win and get out quick, because long term is fatal at UWM Athletics. Panther Nation, it has been my pleasure.Cheers!

A photo posted by Bill Johnson (@bjohnson613) on


The UWM Panthers’ program has produced famed coaches like Bo Ryan and Bruce Pearl, but it’s been in tougher shape lately. Tensions particularly grew after their 20-13 season this year, where Braun decided it wasn’t in the best interests of the program to participate in a lower-level postseason tournament, then fired head coach Rob Jeter after 11 seasons and informed the players via a group text message to “check your e-mail.” So, there are clearly some unhappy people there. It’s still remarkable to see an announcer go full Howard Beale, though, especially one who’s been there so long. It seems like Johnson has done this:

[Deadspin]

About Andrew Bucholtz

Andrew Bucholtz has been covering sports media for Awful Announcing since 2012. He is also a staff writer for The Comeback. His previous work includes time at Yahoo! Sports Canada and Black Press.

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