ESPN is reportedly close to a new deal with Stephen A. Smith; ACC Network’s Mark Richt says he is “doing fine” after a heart attack; Fox Sports reportedly wants Greg Olsen on its XFL broadcasts; original ESPN employee Lou Palmer has passed.
ESPN close to long-term deal with Stephen A. Smith
ESPN is close to a long-term contract extension with First Take co-host Stephen A. Smith, The Big Lead reported Monday. According to the report, Smith’s deal will last through 2025 and be worth “tens of millions.”
Earlier Monday, ESPN announced that Smith will begin hosting a half-hour SportsCenter prior to the network’s Wednesday NBA games. [The Big Lead 10.21]
ACC Network’s Richt “fine” after heart attack
ACC Network college football analyst Mark Richt says he is “doing fine” after suffering a heart attack on Monday. Richt, who is in his first year of broadcasting, also said he plans “to be at work this week.” [ESPN.com 10.21]
FOX wants Olsen for XFL, says NYP
Fox Sports is expected to begin discussions with Carolina Panthers TE Greg Olsen about joining its XFL coverage next year, the New York Post reported Monday. He would work on the network’s secondary XFL team. Olsen has served as a guest NFL analyst for FOX on multiple occasions, including on this past Sunday’s Cardinals-Giants game. [NYP 10.21]
Original ESPNer Lou Palmer passes away
Former ESPN SportsCenter anchor Lou Palmer, who was hired by the company a year before its 1979 launch, died on Friday at 83. In addition to SportsCenter, Palmer also served as a play-by-play voice and reporter during his ESPN tenure. He left the company in 1985 after it failed to renew his contract and went on to join WFAN in New York. [ESPN Front Row 10.20]
