ESPN pounce to make much loved host part of new schedule as $2bn NFL Network left on verge of disaster
Rich Eisen is set to return to ESPN after more than two decades away from the network. The sportscaster, who has worked with the NFL Network since 2003, will take The Rich Eisen Show from Roku to ESPN in the fall. Eisen will take his popular show to ESPN, according to reportsGetty According to The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand, the show — which runs from Noon to 3pm — is set to be part of the network’s upcoming enhanced direct-to-consumer offering. It may also land on ESPN Radio. Similarly to The Pat McAfee Show, Eisen’s program will be licensed by ESPN, meaning he is expected to maintain ownership and editorial control. The terms of the deal are not yet known, according to Marchand’s report. Eisen, said to have a net worth of $40million, left ESPN 23 years ago to become the face of the NFL Network. He has worked as a host of various pre-game, halftime, and post-game shows, as well as and providing occasional play-by-play and is the network’s anchor for three days of NFL Draft coverage. The sportscaster is expected to remain the featured host on the network’s GameDay program and it’s draft coverage. ESPN, meanwhile, is set to launch its direct-to-consumer offering in the fall of 2025, which will allow customers to forgo traditional cable TV to subscribe. It is expected to land prior to the beginning of the NFL and college football seasons. The forthcoming flagship streaming app will simply be known as ‘ESPN’ and pricing will be announced in dur course. Eisen worked with ESPN until 2003, when he moved to the NFL NetworkGetty Reports have previously speculated it could cost $25 or $30 a month. The addition of Eisen’s show is the network’s latest effort to ramp up content on the platform, and their partnership could grow in the future, as ESPN and the league have long been in talks about NFL Media’s assets. As ESPN’s direct-to-consumer service nears launch, a deal, which has been close before, could soon be completed. Eisen is set to follow another NFL Network broadcaster, Peter Schrager, to the ‘Worldwide Leader in Sports’. Schrager’s move was confirmed in April, and he will make regular appearances on shows including First Take, Get Up, NFL Live and SportsCenter as part of his deal. It is not yet clear if Eisen would appear across any shows other than his own, but should his move be confirmed, it would mark another significant blow for the $2bn NFL Network. Eisen is set to follow fellow NFL Network star Schrager to ESPNGetty The 55-year-old has built a business around having a network base and licensing his talk show program, which began in 2014. It previously aired on NBC Sports Network and Peacock before moving to Roku in 2022 and is currently distributed by Westwood One across the US on radio. ESPN has also made other hires in recent months as it prepares for its first two Super Bowls in 2027 and 2031. President of content Burke Magnus has brought across director Artie Kempner from Fox to serve as the new director of Monday Night Football. Kempner will be the third different director to work with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman – regarded by many as the best in the booth. The pair are entering the fourth season of their five-year contracts that are said to be worth a combined $165m. First Take star Stephen A. Smith also signed a new five-year, $100m contract with ESPN earlier this year. Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our NFL Facebook page, subscribe to our talkSPORT End Zone YouTube channel for all the offseason news, interviews and more
Rich Eisen is set to return to ESPN after more than two decades away from the network.
The sportscaster, who has worked with the NFL Network since 2003, will take The Rich Eisen Show from Roku to ESPN in the fall.
According to The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand, the show — which runs from Noon to 3pm — is set to be part of the network’s upcoming enhanced direct-to-consumer offering.
It may also land on ESPN Radio.
Similarly to The Pat McAfee Show, Eisen’s program will be licensed by ESPN, meaning he is expected to maintain ownership and editorial control.
The terms of the deal are not yet known, according to Marchand’s report.
Eisen, said to have a net worth of $40million, left ESPN 23 years ago to become the face of the NFL Network.
He has worked as a host of various pre-game, halftime, and post-game shows, as well as and providing occasional play-by-play and is the network’s anchor for three days of NFL Draft coverage.
The sportscaster is expected to remain the featured host on the network’s GameDay program and it’s draft coverage.
ESPN, meanwhile, is set to launch its direct-to-consumer offering in the fall of 2025, which will allow customers to forgo traditional cable TV to subscribe.
It is expected to land prior to the beginning of the NFL and college football seasons.
The forthcoming flagship streaming app will simply be known as ‘ESPN’ and pricing will be announced in dur course.
Reports have previously speculated it could cost $25 or $30 a month.
The addition of Eisen’s show is the network’s latest effort to ramp up content on the platform, and their partnership could grow in the future, as ESPN and the league have long been in talks about NFL Media’s assets.
As ESPN’s direct-to-consumer service nears launch, a deal, which has been close before, could soon be completed.
Eisen is set to follow another NFL Network broadcaster, Peter Schrager, to the ‘Worldwide Leader in Sports’.
Schrager’s move was confirmed in April, and he will make regular appearances on shows including First Take, Get Up, NFL Live and SportsCenter as part of his deal.
It is not yet clear if Eisen would appear across any shows other than his own, but should his move be confirmed, it would mark another significant blow for the $2bn NFL Network.
The 55-year-old has built a business around having a network base and licensing his talk show program, which began in 2014.
It previously aired on NBC Sports Network and Peacock before moving to Roku in 2022 and is currently distributed by Westwood One across the US on radio.
ESPN has also made other hires in recent months as it prepares for its first two Super Bowls in 2027 and 2031.
President of content Burke Magnus has brought across director Artie Kempner from Fox to serve as the new director of Monday Night Football.
Kempner will be the third different director to work with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman – regarded by many as the best in the booth.
The pair are entering the fourth season of their five-year contracts that are said to be worth a combined $165m.
First Take star Stephen A. Smith also signed a new five-year, $100m contract with ESPN earlier this year.
Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our NFL Facebook page, subscribe to our talkSPORT End Zone YouTube channel for all the offseason news, interviews and more
