Legendary college basketball announcer Bill Raftery delivered another unforgettable call on Friday night, blending sports and politics in a way only he can. While calling the Illinois vs. Purdue matchup, Raftery referenced former President Donald Trump’s recent tariffs on Canada and Mexico, a topic that has dominated economic headlines in recent weeks.
Raftery’s Viral Tariff Comment
The moment happened just before halftime, when Ontario-born Illinois forward Will Riley sank a three-pointer. As the ball swished through the net, Raftery quipped:
“How ’bout this kid? No tariff on him. He can knock ’em down.”
The remark immediately went viral, with college basketball fans flooding social media to celebrate the veteran broadcaster’s quick wit.
“Bill Raftery is a national treasure,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter) in response to CBS Sports’ Tom Fornelli, who had posted the quote.
“Best in the business,” another fan added.
A third person gushed, “We love Raff!!”
One fan even compared Raftery to legendary Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully, writing:
“Raftery still has his fastball in his 80s. The college hoops version of Vin Scully.”
Another fan took things even further, asking:
“Best college basketball call ever?”
Trump’s Tariffs: The Context Behind Raftery’s Joke
While Raftery’s quip was lighthearted, the U.S.-Canada trade tensions he referenced are no laughing matter.
Earlier in the week, Trump announced a 25% tariff on certain imports from Canada and Mexico, citing concerns over trade imbalances and fentanyl smuggling. However, after facing backlash from business leaders and economic experts, he delayed the tariffs by one month for many goods.
Here’s how the tariff situation currently stands:
- Auto-related imports from Canada and Mexico that comply with the 2020 USMCA trade agreement will be exempt from the 25% tariff for a month.
- Potash imports from Canada, which are essential for U.S. farmers, will face a 10% tariff instead.
- Canadian energy products will also be taxed at 10% under Trump’s proposal.
- In response, Canada hit back with $30 billion CAD (~$21 billion USD) in retaliatory tariffs, targeting U.S. products like orange juice, peanut butter, coffee, appliances, footwear, cosmetics, motorcycles, and paper products.
Despite Trump’s temporary postponement, Canada’s retaliatory tariffs remain in place, according to Canadian government officials. Meanwhile, the uncertainty surrounding the trade conflict has caused instability in the stock market and concern among American consumers.
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Raftery’s Timeless Appeal
Though the economic and political implications of the tariff dispute are serious, Raftery’s well-timed joke was a reminder of his unique ability to entertain and engage audiences.
At 81 years old, Raftery continues to bring energy, humor, and personality to college basketball broadcasts, proving why he remains one of the most beloved voices in sports broadcasting.
With March Madness around the corner, fans can only hope for more classic Raftery moments—whether they’re about basketball, politics, or anything in between.