Don't say goodbye: DJ, Dunny remember the historic 18-year run of Real Salt Lake broadcasting dream
Don't say goodbye: DJ, Dunny remember the historic 18-year run of Real Salt Lake broadcasting dream
After nearly two decades of local, over-the-air (and streaming) broadcasts managed by Real Salt Lake (and currently, KMYU), David James and Brian Dunseth signed off for the final time last Sunday.
After nearly two decades of local, over-the-air (and streaming) broadcasts managed by Real Salt Lake (and currently, KMYU television), David James and Brian Dunseth signed off for the final time last Sunday as the regular team-run local broadcasts begin to conclude in Major League Soccer’s final deal of the status quo.
It’s been a historic partnership between the two co-Voices of RSL, with James providing the play-by-play track of some of Salt Lake’s best moments (and lowest lows), while Dunseth broke down the tactics, the analytics, the context and (occasionally) provided the comic relief every weekend for local Utah soccer aficionados.
But after 18 years on the air and a broadcast deal that was the widest ranging free broadcast and television stream in Major League Soccer, DJ and Dunny called their final game from the studio at American First Field during RSL’s 1-1 road draw at the LA Galaxy.
The season isn’t over yet, but Salt Lake’s regular-season finale against the Portland Timbers — a match RSL needs to win, or say hello to the offseason — will be broadcast on ESPN2 at 3 p.m. MDT. And with Dunseth already helping ESPN’s studio coverage of Decision Day 2022, the duo always knew that last Sunday would be their final time together in the booth.
Apple takes over Major League Soccer’s local television and streaming options beginning next year, and while DJ and Dunny have known that 2023 would mark a massive change in the soccer broadcasting world (plus $1.5 billion worth of reasons why it’s a good move for the league over the next 10 years), that didn’t make the move any easier.
“I would say it’s surreal,” Dunseth said. “DJ and I have been doing this countdown thing, joking around, since we knew about it since June. It was always fun and games, but then all of a sudden it hit 13 games, then nine games, then we had 4-5 games left. We always knew that there was a good chance I’d be at ESPN for Decision Day or the threat of the game being picked up by ESPN.
“Last week, we made sure to get our last picture together and to record something to go into the stadium next weekend. We were all aware of it, but I woke up and I realized this morning that this is it.”
The two have grown up, both personally and professionally, from the moment Dunseth dangled his oldest son over his lap as a baby during his first-ever pre-production meeting at Sinclair Broadcasting and as James sent his oldest child off to college.
But through it all, one thing stood out about the hundreds of broadcasts the duo have conducted.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” James said. “I don’t know if people realize how much fun it’s been. Just calling games, in general, is fun. Being in the moment, as close as you can get without playing in the game — it’s fun and great. But there’s a huge team with us, as well, from the stage manager to the booth camera to multiple people in the truck who I have known for a long time.
“You get in the rhythm, and there’s a real sense of community. As individuals, we’ll still see each other. But we won’t all hang out together at once, so it’s the end of our own inside jokes that no one else will get. That’s the stuff we’ll really miss.”
In the 18 years since RSL first began broadcasting its games on local television (and later into the streaming era), Dunseth has been part of the team in some way in every season but one. As soon as he retired as a player, he jumped into the broadcast booth — and fans and colleagues have loved every minute of watching him grow into his new role.
Ditto for James, who grew into his role with the Beautiful Game after being a longtime television news anchor at KUTV and sports talk radio co-host with 1280 The Zone.
Together, they’ve become a family.
“We spend a lot of down time traveling, and you get into each other’s lives a bit and their families,” James said. “When I sent my first kid away to college, I was a bit mopey — and Dunny was right there, first to make fun of me, but then to take notes at what he’ll be going through soon enough.
“Now I can light him up as his kids grow, too, and he gets old. I think all five of our collective kids have been in the booth at some point.”
The duo may not be going far, either; James remains gainfully employed by Sinclair Broadcasting, co-hosts a daily morning radio show with Patrick Kinahan, and has been involved in interviewing with Apple and MLS to determine any potential fit within the new agreement (though he admits nothing is imminent, and his contract with KUTV and KMYU must always come first).
Dunseth remains among the most popular MLS broadcasters in the country, and while nothing is immediately imminent regarding a role with the new organization, signs point to him likely finding a spot within the new television deal — if he wants it. There will be plenty of spots to be had, too, with dozens of national broadcasters calling games from coast-to-coast; multilingual simulcasts available in Spanish, French and other languages; regular live streaming of MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT Academy matches and tournaments; and a weekly whip-around show that the league insisted on producing under the new deal signed with Apple.
A lot of the specific details, though, might not be known until MLS ramps up its broadcasting under the new agreement next February — or just before the start of the 2023 season.
Both certainly could reunite, even at America First Field, in the near future. They’ll always have the friendship, even brotherhood, as well.
But it won’t be quite the same.
From sharing Uber rides early in the morning to the airport to trekking through downtown Portland or taking an ill-advised hike up the mountain in Montreal (for which James still resents Dunseth to this day), the duo have been nearly inseparable during the MLS season every year and have grown into each other’s lives, as well.
Listen to the entire conversation on the current edition of the Salt City FC podcast, available where ever you get your podcasts. And don’t forget to like and subscribe.