A LITTLE HEATED

Report: Detroit Tigers Broadcasters Got Into a ‘Physical Altercation’

Mario Impemba and Rod Allen were absent during the Wednesday night pregame broadcast.

Announcer Mario Impemba and analyst Rod Allen were reportedly absent from Fox Sports Detroit’s Tigers Live pregame show because they got into a “physical altercation” after Tuesday night’s game between the Tigers and the Chicago White Sox. The Athletic reports that while Impemba and Allen are known for their on-air banter, they’ve repeatedly clashed behind the camera due to their “distinctively different broadcasting styles.” Their replacements for the Wednesday night broadcast, Matt Shepard and Kirk Gibson, were reportedly notified of the change at the last minute. Impemba and Allen also reportedly booked separate travel arrangements after the game Tuesday “to avoid further issues.” One source described their relationship as being akin to “an odd couple” and said they have “not seen eye-to-eye for a long time.”