Newly retired Mark Sanchez has joined ESPN/ABC. Also: ESPN and Turner are set to compete for Candace Parker; Nate Burleson is sticking with CBS; Notre Dame-Georgia will air on CBS in primetime.
Sanchez joins ABC college football studio
ESPN announced Tuesday that it has hired former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez as a college football analyst. The news was first reported by the New York Post. Sanchez, who announced his retirement from the NFL shortly before the announcement was made, will appear on ABC’s college football studio shows alongside Kevin Neghandi and Jonathan Vilma, filling the vacancy left by Mack Brown. He will also contribute to College Football Live and the “Get Up!” morning show. [ESPN PR 7.23, NYP 7.23]
Turner, ESPN, could end up in “bidding war” over Parker
Turner Sports is hoping to reach a new deal with basketball analyst Candace Parker, whose contract has expired, but could end up in a “bidding war” with ESPN, according to The Big Lead. Parker joined Turner Sports in 2017 and has served as an NBA and NCAA Tournament studio analyst. ESPN already employs Parker’s teammate on the WNBA Sparks, Chiney Ogwumike. [The Big Lead 7.22]
Burleson reaches extension with CBS
CBS “The NFL Today” analyst Nate Burleson has reached a two-year extension to remain with the network, the New York Post reported Tuesday. Burleson is entering his third season on the CBS pregame show. In addition to the contract extension, Burleson is adding a role on “Extra Extra,” a syndicated entertainment program set to launch in September. Neither the extension nor the new role will affect his NFL Network “Good Morning Football” duties. [NYP 7.23]
Notre Dame-UGA to air on CBS in primetime
CBS announced Tuesday that it will televise the September 21 Notre Dame-Georgia college football game in primetime. The network gets one primetime SEC selection per season and had used that pick on LSU-Alabama every year dating back to 2011. The selection had been an open secret since CBS announced its SEC telecast windows in May, with its primetime game scheduled for September 21 rather than the customary November. [CBS]
