The reaction to Alabama ending its 36-year relationship with broadcaster Eli Gold has been fast and furious over the last day.

Paul Finebaum, who joined me on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 in Mobile, put it succinctly.

“Mostly sad to see it,” Finebaum said Thursday. “There are a lot of reasons why. I don’t know very much about the ending. Too often, in the moment, we focus on why did this happen? How did this happen? I think about the 36 years he gave to Alabama.

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“This man is truly a Mount Rushmore-type figure. You think about (former Alabama coach) Nick Saban. You think about Eli Gold in the same sentence when you are speaking of the University of Alabama in recent times. There was something about yesterday – more than anything – I found depressing.”

Finebaum broke the story of John Forney being replaced in 1983. While there aren’t many similarities between the two, the emotions are still very much in line.

“I came away feeling badly for everyone,” Finebaum said. ” … I wish it had come out that everybody was on the same page.”

Gold, who appeared on the same show, 20 minutes after Finebaum, discussed the phone call he received from Saban on Wednesday, what Alabama offered him (tickets & parking pass), when he knew “something was up” at Crimson Tide Sports Network, the revisions of the official statement and more.

Others, of course, reacted to the news since Wednesday, including former Crimson Tide Sports Network analyst Phil Savage.

Sad to see the news today,” he posted on “X,” the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. “I’ll always treasure our 9 seasons together calling Alabama football (2009-17) that included five national titles. So many fond memories! My best wishes to Eli and family as well as Chris Stewart as a new chapter begins in 2024.”

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.