ESPN expected to change No. 2 broadcasting team after NFL Network deal: Sources

ESPN is expected to change its No. 2 NFL game-calling team of Chris Fowler, Dan Orlovsky and Louis Riddick Jr. due to its new NFL dealin accordance to sources briefed on ESPN’s plans.

As a part of a possible new sales space, Jason Kelce has emerged as a darkish horse candidate on the analyst aspect, in accordance to sources briefed on discussions, whereas NFL Network’s Kurt Warner can also be within the combine. Kelce is a studio analyst on ESPN’s “Monday Night Countdown.”

ESPN’s Dave Pasch and Mike Monaco are contenders to be a part of the brand new sales space as play-by-play announcers. ESPN executives are nonetheless finding out their plans, and different candidates, like Bob Wischusen, may emerge.

As a part of its agreements with the NFL, ESPN will now not have “Monday Night Football” doubleheaders amongst its seven additional video games included within the deal. There is a excessive probability that these seven matchups will likely be worldwide, which might not enable Fowler, ESPN’s No. 1 faculty play-by-play announcer, to be commonly out there, whereas additionally taking Orlovsky and Riddick overseas for his or her studio work for just a few days. Riddick additionally calls faculty soccer video games, whereas Orlovsky does some faculty soccer studio work.

Depending on the schedule, which is on the NFL’s discretion, there’s a probability that Fowler, Orlovsky and Riddick may nonetheless find yourself within the combine for a recreation right here and there, however nothing is formally determined as of but.

ESPN declined to remark.

ESPN’s No. 1 NFL broadcasting team of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman stays as they enter the ultimate seasons of their five-year offers for a complete mixed worth of $165 million. The duo will name ESPN’s first Super Bowl subsequent February.

ESPN formally took over NFL Network this week as a part of a sequence of agreements during which the league took a ten % stake in ESPN.

ESPN views NFL Network equally to the SEC Network, and ESPN isn’t trying to make main adjustments in how it’s run, evidenced by NFL Network’s govt producer, Charlie Yook, persevering with in his place. Yook will now report to ESPN govt vice chairman Mike McQuade.

ESPN is concerned with retaining NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, whose contract is up on the finish of the month, in accordance to the identical sources. ESPN will maintain the NFL Network’s Draft presentation, led by Rich Eisen, the identical for this April.

The preliminary plans are to have two separate draft reveals sooner or later, however there could possibly be extra cross-pollination. However, with the draft simply three weeks away, ESPN doesn’t plan to alter its protection for this yr.

Eisen had known as lots of the NFL Network’s worldwide video games with Warner, however doesn’t seem to be a number one candidate to proceed in that position. Eisen already has his radio present on ESPN Radio and ESPN’s direct-to-consumer apps.

Warner was a candidate for ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” previously, however a deal by no means materialized.

The team of Fowler, Orlovsky and Riddick started collectively three seasons in the past and by no means absolutely met. They all produce other assignments, as Fowler can also be ESPN’s lead tennis announcer. Orlovsky is an everyday on all of ESPN’s studio reveals, together with “NFL Live.”

Riddick, who has a participant personnel background, was beforehand on the No. 1 “Monday Night Football” team. He is a featured contributor on ESPN’s draft protection and studio reveals.