A familiar face on the popular “CFL on TSN” panel will be missing this season.
Matt Dunigan, a fixture on the flagship Canadian football television program for the past 25 years, will not return as the league kicks off its 67th season.
Dunigan’s departure, first reported by 3DownNation’s John Hodge, was confirmed by a Bell Media spokesperson in a short statement to the Star.
“Matt has been an integral part of TSN’s coverage of the league, and we thank him for his dedication, passion and insights over the years,” the statement said. “We value Matt’s time with TSN and wish him nothing but the best.”
It was not clear what led to this breakup, and TSN did not disclose whether Dunigan’s departure is part of any larger structural changes within the organization.
Dunigan did not return requests for comment on the matter.
TSN has provided CFL coverage since 1987, and the “CFL on TSN” studio panel has been a fan favourite for years. The current format features studio host Kate Beirness (who took over hosting duties from Rod Smith in 2021), while the panel has included a rotating crew of former CFLers such as Dunigan, Davis Sanchez, Henoc Muamba and Milt Stegall.
Former CFL coach Jim Barker is also a regular panelist on the three-hour show, and Brian Williams — former host of “CFL on CBC” — was an occasional contributor.
Dunigan, 64, first joined TSN in 1999 following over a dozen years as a quarterback in the CFL. A two-time Grey Cup champion (with Toronto and Edmonton) and three-time CFL all-star, he was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
The CFL is in Week 2 of the pre-season with regular season action kicking off June 5.
