Phil Chenier won’t return as Wizards’ primary color commentator after 33 years on the job

After 33 seasons as color commentator on Washington Bullets/Wizards games, Phil Chenier will soon move on to a new role.

The Washington Post’s Dan Steinberg reported Thursday that this will be Chenier’s last season in the CSN booth. Executives at the network reportedly decided they wanted “a fresh voice” for Wizards games. Chenier will stick around as a studio analyst, occasionally working games in three-man booths and doing on-air work for Monumental Sports Network.

At only 66 years old, Chenier seems as sharp as ever, so it’s not like CSN had to replace him. The network apparently just decided someone else could do the job better than the guy who’s done it for more than three decades.

Chenier seems to have taken the news pretty well. Via the Post:

“You know, at some point, in some kind of way, this was gonna come to an end. I’m glad it’s not because I’m dying or something,” he quipped. “It’s a company decision, and they were gracious enough to have me stay around and do some other things to stay involved. Everybody has to come to the realization that all good things must end.”

Chenier is the only full-time color commentator in Bullets/Wizards franchise history, so his absence might take some getting used to for D.C. fans, some of whom are already very upset.

Phil Chenier is a treasure. His knowledge, calm, professionalism, and excellence in the role, to me, is Wizards basketball.

— Danny Rouhier (@funnydanny) April 6, 2017

https://twitter.com/funnydanny/status/850009241800892416

https://twitter.com/funnydanny/status/850009739757015040

https://twitter.com/funnydanny/status/850011246481076224

First guy to say hello to me three years ago when I covered my first Wizards game? Phil Chenier. Nicest guy ever. Sad day.

— Neil Dalal (@NeilDalal96) April 6, 2017

Phil Chenier is a legendary Great Guy, a true Bullets/Wiz icon and his 45 better be in the Verizon Center rafters next year https://t.co/2oNQ9oV3bM

— David Malitz (@malitzd) April 6, 2017

When the Wizards were awful Phil Chenier was one of the only reasons to watch CSN broadcasts. Why on earth is he leaving? This is a mistake.

— Cleaver's Henchdwarf (@cowgirl_bebop) April 6, 2017

There isn't one bad thing I can say about the job Phil Chenier has done for the #Wizards. A true professional and a legend in D.C. sports.

— Bradley Smith (@B_Smith301) April 6, 2017

Even Wizards point guard John Wall was bummed by the news.

Not the Legend !!RT @PostSports: End of an era: Phil Chenier won't return as CSN's Wizards primary … https://t.co/vQdj10oNom

— John Wall (@JohnWall) April 6, 2017

For longtime Wizards fans, it will certainly be odd to hear a different voice alongside play-by-play man Steve Buckhantz next year.

[Washington Post]