Eli Gold not returning in fall of 2024 as voice of Alabama football, ending 35-year run

Longtime Alabama football radio voice Eli Gold, who has served Crimson Tide fans as a play-by-play announcer for 35 years, will not return to the Crimson Tide Sports Network in fall of 2024, according to sources with knowledge of the situation not affiliated with the university.

Chris Stewart, CTSN's play-by-play voice for Alabama basketball, will take over the role. He will likely stay in his role as men's basketball announcer, too.

Gold declined to comment when reached by The Tuscaloosa News on Wednesday.

"Eli has been an invaluable member of our broadcast team," Jim Carabin, Vice President and General Manager of the Crimson Tide Sports Network said in a statement. "We are grateful for his years of service and wish him all the best in this next chapter. CTSN is fortunate to have someone as part of our existing broadcast team in Chris to step up and seamlessly transition into this role."

Gold, 70, has called Alabama football games since 1988. He missed the 2022 season before announcing a cancer diagnosis 13 months ago, and returned to his previous role in 2023 for Crimson Tide home games and the Iron Bowl. Stewart filled in for Gold during the 2022 season and called 2023 road games and the postseason.

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A Brooklyn native who lives in Birmingham, Gold is not expected to retire from broadcasting.

Gold's award-winning broadcasting career also has spanned various roles covering NASCAR events, as well as the NFL, the Birmingham Barons and UAB Blazers basketball.

Reach Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on Twitter @chasegoodbread. Reach Nick Kelly at nkelly@gannett.com.

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