Ryen Russillo is leaving ESPN for The Ringer; longtime NFL writer Don Banks has passed away; ESPN has extended a pair of college football analysts.
Russillo leaving ESPN for Ringer
ESPN broadcaster Ryen Russillo is leaving the company to join The Ringer effective next month, Sports Business Daily reported Monday. Russillo, whose ESPN contract expires August 31, has been a frequent presence on The Ringer in recent years and will now work for the site exclusively. His new role will include expanding his “Dual Threat” podcast to thrice-a-week during NFL season. [Sports Business Daily 8.5]
NFL reporter Banks passes away
Longtime NFL reporter Don Banks, who began a new job with the Las Vegas Review-Journal less than a week ago, died Sunday at 57. According to the Review-Journal, Banks died in his sleep just hours after covering Saturday’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Canton, Ohio.
Banks was best known for his 16 years with Sports Illustrated from 2000-16. In between SI and the Review Journal, he wrote for The Athletic. Prior to SI, he spent more than a decade with the St. Petersburg Times and Minneapolis Star-Tribune, covering the Buccaneers and Vikings, respectively. [Review-Journal 8.4]
ESPN extends Palmer, Mora
ESPN announced Monday that it has reached contract extensions with college football studio analysts Jesse Palmer and Jim Mora. Palmer will continue in his current role on ESPN’s halftime and postgame studio team, working alongside the returning Joey Galloway and newcomer Matt Barrie. As first reported by The Big Lead last month, Barrie is replacing the fired Adnan Virk in the role.
Mora will continue in his role on ESPN2’s halftime and postgame studio team, working with the returning Emmanuel Acho and new host Kevin Connors. He will also take on a game analyst role, working a number of Friday games alongside play-by-play voice Dave Flemming. [ESPN PR 8.5]
