Report: Tigers broadcasters had physical altercation

Fox Sports Detroit broadcasters Mario Impemba and Rod Allen missed Wednesday's game against the Chicago White Sox after getting in a physical altercation following Tuesday's game, according to The Athletic.

The Detroit Tigers are skidding through the final stages of a disappointing season, but their television broadcasters are displaying plenty of fight.

Too much fight.

Fox Sports Detroit broadcasters Mario Impemba and Rod Allen missed Wednesday's game against the Chicago White Sox after getting in a physical altercation following Tuesday's game, according to The Athletic.

Impemba, who handles play-by-play, and Allen, the analyst, reportedly have a tense relationship. It wasn't immediately known what led to their differences turning into a physical matter.

The duo was replaced by Matt Shepard and Kirk Gibson for Wednesday's contest.

Fox Sports Detroit flew the 55-year-old Impemba and 58-year-old Allen back to Detroit on separate flights to avoid further discord. The network flew Shepard and Gibson to Chicago on late notice.

"My only comment is this we are addressing an internal matter and we will not have any further comment at this time," Fox Sports Detroit general manager Greg Hammaren told The Athletic.

The Tigers (57-83) are off Thursday. Detroit opens a three-game home series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday.

Impemba and Allen have worked together on Tigers broadcasts since 2002. Allen played 31 major league games with three different organizations, including 15 games for Detroit's World Series championship team in 1984.