You won't be seeing any of referee Ted Valentine in the Big Ten this year, as the conference has decided not to rehire the conference official after 34 years.
Over 34 years, basketball referee Ted Valentine, aka "TV Teddy," has garnered both respect and vitriol from coaches.
— ChicagoSports (@ChicagoSports) October 31, 2018
But the Big Ten, the conference with which he is most associated, opted not to offer him a contract for 2018-19. https://t.co/3n9Y3MTxdt via @TeddyGreenstein pic.twitter.com/5acWbiRAmv
Valentine has been known as "TV Teddy" throughout his career for his tendency to play to the cameras.
“Let me tell you about the ‘TV Ted’ stuff,” Valentine told the Chicago Tribune. “Don’t mean nothing. Ted Valentine is always on TV, and they’ve got to attach a name somewhere. As I’ve gotten older, I laugh more, I smile more, I high-five kids. I have nothing to prove no more.”
Valentine's recent run-in with trouble (and perhaps what pushed the Big Ten over the edge) was last season, when he turned his back on North Carolina senior Joel Berry when Berry tried to discuss a non-call with Valentine.
UNC's Joel Berry tried to discuss a non-call with referee Ted Valentine.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 4, 2018
Valentine was not interested. pic.twitter.com/dP5jeL90pK
The Big Ten removed Valentine from two conference contests after that incident. Of course, there was also this infamous run-in with Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin back in 2014.
Despite being removed from Big Ten games this season, Valentine will still continue to officiate college basketball, as he is signed with the AAC, SEC, and ACC.
Regardless of your feelings about him, one must recognize that the Big Ten will look a little different without Ted Valentine boisterously roaming the court.
