Following his deparrture from competitive play, Newfoundland and Labrador's Brad Gushue is stepping into several prominent new roles. The legendary skip is set to lead USA Curling's high-performance division, join a revamped Grand Slam of Curling broadcast team, and release a new memoir .
Directing high-performance strategy for USA Curling
Gushue has transitioned from the ice to the front office by accepting the position of high-performance director for USA Curling. In this capacity, he is tasked with overseeing national team operations, athlete development pathways, and overall high-performance strategy for the federation. As reported by The Canadian Press, Gushue will remain based in Newfoundland and Labrador while making necessary trips to the United States to fulfill his new responsibilities.
This move represents a significant shift in the sport's landscape, as elite athletes move into administrative roles to shape the next generation. By applying his experience as a six-time Brier champion to an international federation, Gushue is positioning himself as a key architect of North American curling strategy. This role allows him to influence the sport's trajectory from a macro level, moving beyond the immediate tactical decisions made during a single game.
A major broadcast shakeup at The Curling Group
The media landscape for curling is undergoing a significant transformation, as Gushue joins the Grand Slam of Curling broadcast team. His debut is scheduled for October 13 at the Co-op Invitational in Victoria, marking his first major appearance as a television analyst.. This appointment comes as part of a broader overhaul by The Curling Group, the owner of the Grand Slam series.
According to the report, this restructuring includes the departure of veteran analysts Kevin Martin and Mike Harris, as well as the retirement of longtime Sportsnet host Rob Faulds. Gushue will join a new analyst roster that features Jennifer Jones and Brent Laing, alongside broadcasters like Darren Dupont and John Cullen. This shift suggests a move toward a new era of commentary for the sport, replacing established veterans with a mix of contemporary legends and fresh voices.
The November 3 launch of "The Making of a Champion"
Beyond his administrative and media comitments, Gushue is entering the literary world with his new memoir, Gushue: The Making of a Champion. The 288-page book, which was written in collaboration with veteran sportswriter Stephen Brunt, is scheduled for release on November 3. To support the launch,Gushue plans to embark on a cross-Canada book tour next month.
The memoir offers a rare opportunity for fans to understand the mental and physical rigors required to reach the pinnacle of the sport.. Given Gushue's decorated career—which includes Olympic gold in 2006 and a 2017 World Championship—the book is expected to be a definitive text for those interested in the psychology of elite competition.
Navigating former rivalries and daughters' curling schedules
While Gushue has expressed confidence in his ability to provide strategic insights to viewers, he has noted the personal challenge of analyzing athletes he once competed against. Transitioning from a fierce competitor to an objective commentator requires a significant psychological shift, especially when dealing with former rivals. It remains to be seen how he will maintain the necessary distance to provide unbiased analysis.
Furthermore, the sheer volume of his upcoming professional commitments raises questions about his ability to manage his personal life. Gushue has acknowledged that his daughters' busy curling schedules will add significant pressure to a fall calendar that is already heavily populated with boradcasting and book tour dates. Whether he can successfully balance high-level sports administration, media appearances, and family life remains one of the most immediate questions facing the former skip.
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