The legendary commentator has announced his intention to stand down from commentating.
After a decorated commentary career spanning 55 years, legendary Wide World of Sports caller Ray Warren today announced he has stepped away from calling live sport.
Making the announcement on tonight’s 9News bulletin, the man affectionately known as ‘Rabs’ called time on live match commentary, but he will remain an important member of the Wide World of Sports NRL production team.
Warren’s career without parallel stemmed from modest beginnings in the south-central New South Wales town of Junee, where he honed his skills as a boy before getting his start in radio in 1966 alongside Ken Sutcliffe.
Warren made his way into TV in 1974 with Channel 10 before joining Channel 9 in 1988 to call the Rugby League World Cup Final, setting out on an incredible career in rugby league commentary that led to him being titled as “The voice of rugby league” and honoured in the NRL Hall of Fame.
He has called 45 NRL Grand Finals throughout his career, and the news does mean he won’t reach commentating for a 100th State of Origin match, keeping it at 99.
Warren said:
“After talking with my family and calling rugby league and other sports for 55 years, I have decided my time in the commentary box is over. I will miss calling immensely but I think it’s time to move on with my 80th birthday only 12 months away.
“I really want to thank everybody so much. All my workmates at Channel 9, Channel 10, Radio 2GB and where I got my start at Radio 2LF in Young, who each gave a youngster from Junee a chance to turn his dreams into reality. Hopefully my story will carry some inspiration into the lives of other young kids from the country.
“To the game, the NRL and the players, for giving me the privilege of calling such a great product. And finally the viewers, for allowing me to share a little time in your living rooms since the early 1970s.”
Nine Chief Executive Officer, Mike Sneesby, said:
“The great Ray Warren is synonymous with Nine and rugby league for fans, players and most of all everyone here at the Wide World of Sports. We are so pleased that he will remain an integral part of the team and thank him for his five decades of calling live sport.
“We look forward to his insights, memories and character in our broadcast next week for Origin I and beyond. He brought the game to life for generations of fans in their loungerooms. You are the voice of rugby league, Rabs. Thank you.”
Nine Director of Sport, Brent Williams, said:
“From the Olympics to Melbourne Cups, the greatest NRL moments and everything in between, Ray Warren has been the voice of sport for generations of Australians. His passion and enthusiasm for his craft is infectious and positively impacts those who are lucky to work alongside him.
“Quite simply he raises others and elevates broadcasts to higher levels. While the incredible
commentary chapter of his career comes to a close, we are thrilled that Rabs will continue to play an integral role in our Wide World of Sports productions, including the upcoming State of Origin series.”
TV Blackbox exclusively revealed back in March that the legendary commentator was stepping back from the role, with Channel 9 giving him the ability to choose which games he would call.
Warren had signed a five-year contract with Channel 9 in 2017 which was due to expire at the end of the 2022 season.
Asked if he was retiring back then by News Corp, Warren said:
“Don’t ask me if I’ll retire. I don’t want to talk about it.
“Put it this way, I’m not going into the game as though it’s my last.”
The announcement of Warren’s retirement follows the departures of Peter Sterling as commentator and Erin Molan as broadcast host, who both left in 2021.
Matt Thompson is now expected to call the first Origin game this year.
I have now witnessed the retirement of the best 3 commentators in the world, Murray Walker, Ritchie Benaud and Ray Warren
Ray used to be a good caller back in the days but since the late 2000s, he couldn’t call the right player’s names properly and mispronouces the names of players and also getting sidetracked in his commentary. This was hard for me to listen to his commentary.
If you go back to London 2012, he mispronounces Shanghai as Sheng-eye.
We wish Rabbits GOOD HEALTH… To say that he is a legend is not enough…. Decency, intelligence, humor…. the lot…He is so badly missed as if the game of league is incomplete regardless what happens on the field of play……….