Canada’s Sportsnet “quietly parted ways” with NHL announcer Jeff Marek after he was accused of leaking draft picks to a friend. According to a report from The Athletic.
Marek was the network’s NHL Draft commentator.
He has disappeared from social media since July 9 and has not appeared on television or aired his podcast, 32 Thoughts, leaving fans worried.
“Jeff Marek of 32 Thoughts has completely disappeared off the face of the earth since draft night,” says X-user Jack Manning. Tweeted on July 23rd.
According to The Athletic, Marek was “under investigation by the NHL for allegedly telling a friend which players teams would draft in the first round of the draft just before the selections were made public.”
Because the draft took place at the Sphere in Las Vegas, the NHL referred the situation to the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
“As a law enforcement and regulatory agency, the Nevada Gaming Control Board does not comment on whether it is investigating specific individuals or entities,” the board told The Athletic in a statement.
Representatives for the NHL and Sportsnet did not immediately respond to requests for comment, as did Marek, who declined to comment but did confirm that he left the X show last week.
“After 13 great years at Sportsnet, I am moving on to the next step,” he wrote on July 26. “It has been an amazing journey and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with so many great people and play a role in bringing sports and hockey news to fans across Canada and around the world. I will have more to share soon.”
Marek was accused of leaking the prediction to his longtime friend, Mark Seidel.
The report said no “gambling irregularities” were found in the situation, but Seidell tweeted his accurate prediction before the draft picks were officially announced.
Marek has more than 20 years of experience in Canadian sports media and joined Sportsnet in 2011.
His teammate and NHL insider Elliotte Friedman on the “32 Thoughts” podcast thanked his longtime partner.
“Life throws unexpected twists at you,” he wrote to X. “I will miss having him as my teammate, but I’m grateful he’s been an amazing co-pilot at the start of the 32 Thoughts podcast journey, which will continue for years to come.”
