Sherry Ross was the first woman to serve as an analyst for a Stanley Cup Final game. She was the first woman to call play-by-play for any NHL game.
And on Tuesday, she was fired by the New Jersey Devils, along with the team’s equipment manager and video coordinator.
According to NJ.com, the Devils did not comment on Ross’ firing. Ross herself seemed to take the news graciously in a serious of tweets.
I wish nothing but the best for the Devils players and coaches. But keep an eye on eBay for lots of NJD merchandise on sale soon!
— Sherry Ross (@SherryDarlingNJ) May 23, 2017
Want to thank @MattLoug for 10 years of putting up with me. Couldn't ask for a better broadcast partner.
— Sherry Ross (@SherryDarlingNJ) May 23, 2017
ESPECIALLY want to thank former Devils GM Lou Lamoriello, for encouraging me to tackle a completely new career and make some history (1/2)
— Sherry Ross (@SherryDarlingNJ) May 23, 2017
Professionalism and loyalty are qualities prized by LL. Hope I didn't disappoint. I hope there will be more women broadcasters in the future
— Sherry Ross (@SherryDarlingNJ) May 23, 2017
Whether or not the Devils were justified in firing Ross—which is impossible to evaluate without knowing their reasons—it’s worth recognizing her role as a pioneer for women in hockey. Ross worked for the Devils from 1992-95, calling the 1994 Stanley Cup on the radio. After 12 years as a newspaper columnist, she was re-hired by New Jersey in 2007, and on Nov. 25, 2009 she became the first woman ever to call play by play for an NHL game. In all, she’s got a decade and a half as an analyst and three Stanley Cups on her resume.
Even 23 years after Ross first made history calling a Stanley Cup game, women in broadcast booths are hard to come by, especially in play-by-play roles. Individual women like Doris Burke, Jessica Mendoza, Beth Mowins and Suzyn Waldman have broken through, but for the most part woman are funneled toward sideline reporter positions, not analyst roles.
Hopefully Ross lands a new job soon and continues breaking barriers.
