Brad Galli bids heartfelt goodbye to Channel 7, stays mum on future
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WXYZ-TV sports anchor and director Brad Galli bid a warm, grateful on-air goodbye to Channel 7 on Friday, May 1. But he didn't share the specifics of what he has hinted will be a brand-new role for him in the Detroit marketplace.
Galli, who has worked for the Motor City's ABC affiliate for 15 years, said near the end of the station's 6 p.m. newscast that he has "really appreciated so many people asking me what I'm going to be doing next, and I'm excited to share what I'll be doing in town, in Detroit, very soon."
But Friday night was for celebrating the past. Galli devoted several minutes to thanking viewers and the Channel 7 staff for their support.
"The fact that you choose to watch us nightly, that's why being the sports guy on 7 has been a badge of honor," he said to everyone tuning in to his farewell.
Galli, who is 36, announced March 20 on social media that he would be leaving the station for a new career move. "I'm excited to work more independently in this new chapter, sharing my work in new places that allow me to be around more often at night with my wife and kids," he shared on Facebook.
The Detroit native, an alum of Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills and Marquette University in Milwaukee, joined WXYZ in 2011. Four years later, he was elevated to sports anchor at the station after his predecessor, Tom Leyden, left for a job in Boston.
The best team! My @WXYZDetroit colleagues threw a party in the newsroom on my final day at the station, with a big cake and a lot of kind words.
I’ve been a part of this team since my first internship in 2009, and I’m forever thankful for the amazing people I got to call my… pic.twitter.com/l2yWVfAlgg— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) May 1, 2026
During the Friday broadcast, the two-time Emmy winner and three-time honoree as Michigan Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sports Media Association choked up at times as he recalled his journey at WXYZ, starting with being hired right out of college.
He expressed his appreciation for Channel 7 colleagues like Leyden and the late Don Shane, "the local TV icon that made me want to get into this in the first place." Then went on to thank everyone from producers, videographers to sports and news colleagues and the behind-the-scenes crew.
Near the end of his comments, Galli said, "I'll tell you that my parents always had Channel 7 on and I wanted to work here forever. Back in 2009, I walked into this building applying for an internship. My girlfriend at the time, Claire, wished me luck. We've been married for more than 11 years and have two wonderful kids."
The camera cut a few times to his wife and children, who were in the studio.
While anchor Simon Shaykhet and meteorologist Dave Rexroth bantered fondly with Galli, anchor Carolyn Clifford said, "We are so proud of you ... We're going to miss you, but we are so happy to see wherever is coming your way next and we know it's going to be fabulous."
Clifford also told him, "You are part of this family and will always be part of this family."
Said Galli (in what sounded like an indication he won't be joining a competing TV station), "Our family is going to keep watching Channel 7. We've got your backs and we're going to continue to support each and every one of you. ... All the love in the world to you guys"
Galli also posted a photo Friday on X (formerly Twitter) of his farewell party in the Channel 7 newsroom, tweeting, "The best team! My @WXYZDetroit colleagues threw a party in the newsroom on my final day at the station, with a big cake and a lot of kind words. I’ve been a part of this team since my first internship in 2009, and I’m forever thankful for the amazing people I got to call my work family."
Contact Detroit Free Press pop culture critic Julie Hinds at jhinds@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: WXYZ-TV sports anchor Brad Galli says heartfelt goodbye to viewers
