Given the indelible impact and legacy of Fred McLeod, and how he touched so many across the media and fan community, as well as the team he loved, the Cavaliers organization is naming the combined television studio and media workroom space at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse after him. THE FRED MCLEOD TV STUDIO & MEDIA WORKROOM will be a lasting tribute to someone that was universally admired, respected and appreciated as a fellow media member and willing mentor to a countless number across the industry.
Before and after every Cavaliers home game, home and visiting team media members gather in the television studio and media workroom space on the event level of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse to hear from, and interview, the Cavaliers head coach. The space is also used for many other media events and reporting elements throughout the year by attending media covering games and events for newspapers, magazines, television, radio, websites and other digital platforms, as they write and file their respective stories and coverage inside the walls of this important area.
McLeod, the 14-year play-by-play television announcer for the Cavaliers, passed away unexpectedly on September 9th. Details are forthcoming regarding the official dedication event for the Fred McLeod TV Studio & Media Workroom at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
A Strongsville, Ohio native, Fred served as the television voice of the Cavs since joining the team and FOX Sports Ohio in 2006. His NBA broadcasting career spanned 36 seasons, having spent 22 seasons with the Detroit Pistons, in addition to 14 overall with the Cavs (1979-80; 2006-19). The multi-regional Emmy Award winner called more than 1,000 games during his time with the Wine and Gold. His diverse and extensive sports broadcasting career also included time in the NFL (Detroit Lions) and MLB (Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers), as well as local television sports reporting and anchoring in multiple cities, including Cleveland and Detroit.
Fred was one of the most accomplished and respected announcers in the NBA and all of sports and was known for his love, passion and enthusiasm for his hometown Cavs and Cleveland. He was friendly and welcoming to all his fellow media colleagues, regardless of experience or outlet they represented, including up-and-comers who sought advice from him and appreciated his willingness to spend time supporting them. Fred made a lasting impression, so it is fitting that he will have this permanent space dedicated to his memory.
In connection with the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse transformation project, the state-of-the-art TV studio and media workroom space was recently re-designed, expanded and updated for optimal use, media support, technology and efficiency.