Rick Allen, formerly the voice of NBC’s NASCAR Cup Series, has joined the Carolina Panthers as their entertainment PA announcer. Allen’s departure from NASCAR was abrupt, surprising even Michael Jordan. Allen revealed he was “crushed” by the replacement and felt silenced by NBC, leading to speculation about the reasons for his exit.

NASCAR announcer resurfaces with NFL after shock disappearance that baffled Michael Jordan

Rick Allen has a new gig with Panthers. Source: X

Former NASCAR Cup Series announcer Rick Allen has a sweet new NFL gig, and it is a shock to many! Rick Allen, who was the voice of NBC’s NASCAR Cup Series coverage for over a decade, suddenly exited through the 2024 season. His departure was so sudden that NBA icon and 23XI Racing co-owner Michael Jordan was left shocked at his exit.

Ex-NASCAR announcer Rick Allen has a new Panthers gig, after baffling 2024 disappearance

To mark his latest gig, Allen shared the news on social media. On X, Allen shared a photo from the announcer’s booth at Bank of America Stadium. “Let’s go!! Starting my new role as entertainment PA announcer for @Panthers football games! #KeepPounding,” he wrote.

However, it’s fair to say Allen still carries some heaviness about his past replacement. Recently, Allen reunited with former colleague Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the latter’s podcast ‘Dale Jr Download’, where Allen admitted he was “crushed” when he found out he was being replaced.Allen revealed that he was quite miffed with how NC handled his exit from the NASCAR Cup Series and added that the network told him not to say anything or release a statement about being replaced. “You said I kind of disappeared…I did. I was told not to say anything initially and then I kind of just thought I’m gonna not say anything,” Allen revealed.

The Voice of NASCAR Reveals Michael Jordan's Insane Reaction After Being Forced Out of the Booth - EssentiallySports

“Would you have done it differently?” said Earnhardt Jr., to which Allen replied, “I think so now.”

Allen broke down how his exchange with NBA legend Michael Jordan, who was very taken aback by the switch and even asked him about it.“We were at Michael Jordan’s golf course. The first think that Jordan says to me: ‘What’d you do man? Howcome you aren’t announcing the races? You’re NASCAR’.Allen continued, “I sat there and I was like ‘oh my’. Not only does Jordan know who I am, which I was like wow, okay. He thought I had done something wrong and that’s why they put Diffey in. By me not saying anything, and the way NBC did it, I think it looked like I had done something wrong and that’s why I wasn’t [on anymore]. And so I think I would have been more vocal, just so the people know it wasn’t my choice.”