Go behind the scenes with B.C. Lions broadcaster Bob Marjanovich as he reveals the demanding yet rewarding routine of life on the CFL road.
A Glimpse Beyond the Microphone
Life as a Canadian Football League play-by-play announcer may sound glamorous, but as B.C. Lions broadcaster Bob Marjanovich explains, it’s a grind filled with early flights, long hours, and late-night returns. His candid account of a recent road trip to Ottawa shows that behind every broadcast is a well-rehearsed routine.
Travel That Starts Before Sunrise
The journey begins with a 7 a.m. departure from Vancouver’s South Terminal, where the Lions board a dedicated WestJet charter. Unlike commercial flights, the chartered plane allows coaches, staff, and players to travel together — though a seating hierarchy places coaches up front, staff in the middle, and players at the back.
Routine in the Air and on the Ground
Once airborne, most passengers use the four-and-a-half-hour flight to rest, review game film, or relax with movies and video games. Upon landing in Ottawa, buses and equipment trucks await, ensuring a seamless transfer to the team hotel. Even before check-in, broadcasters seize the opportunity to interview players for pre-game shows.
Preparation Beyond the Broadcast Booth
Marjanovich’s preparation doesn’t stop with interviews. He and his colleagues spend hours editing audio, updating charts, and planning live reads for the game. Meals are another part of the tradition, often shared with colleagues or local broadcasters, offering moments of camaraderie before the intensity of game day.
Game Day in Detail
With late checkouts secured, game day mornings allow for sightseeing — in Ottawa, that might mean a stroll to Parliament Hill or lunch at ByWard Market. Three hours before kickoff, the broadcast team boards the bus to TD Place, where they set up equipment, finalize scripts, and settle into the booth, hoping for clear sightlines and reliable connections.
The Long Road Back Home
The work doesn’t end with the final whistle. After teardown, broadcasters and staff join the team for a late-night charter back to Vancouver. Eastern trips with evening kickoffs often mean touching down at YVR near 4 a.m., making for an exhausting turnaround. Wins bring celebratory cigars, while losses lead to quiet reflection on the flight home.
Why the Job Still Matters
Despite the grueling schedule, Marjanovich stresses the privilege of being part of the CFL experience. The behind-the-scenes work, the travel quirks, and the unpredictable nature of live broadcasting may be tiring, but they are also part of what makes the job special. For fans tuning in across Canada, the polished play-by-play is built on countless unseen hours of preparation and travel.
This article is original and written specifically for Surreyspeak.com
