Fox makes a surprising pick for its World Cup studio team. Plus: ESPN has hired Larry Fitzgerald, Pat McAfee is returning to College Gameday, and more — including the resolution of the lawsuit against Doug Gottlieb.
Chad Johnson to be part of Fox World Cup studio
Former NFL WR Chad Johnson (née Ochocinco) will be part of the studio team for Fox Sports’ FIFA World Cup coverage, it was announced Wednesday. Johnson, who has not previously worked for Fox Sports, played competitive soccer in his youth and had a four-day tryout with MLS club Sporting Kansas City during the 2011 NFL lockout. He joins a studio crew that also consists of host Kate Abdo, former USMNT player Maurice Edu, and a rotation of guest analysts. (Fox Sports PR)
ESPN hires Larry Fitzgerald in latest NFL move
ESPN announced Thursday that it has hired former Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald as a studio analyst. Fitzgerald will make multiple appearances as an on-site analyst for Monday Night Countdown, joining second-year ESPN analysts Robert Griffin III and Alex Smith as new additions to the program. He will also contribute to playoff editions of the Sunday NFL Countdown, including during ESPN’s Super Bowl studio coverage.
The Fitzgerald hire is just the latest in a series of NFL moves by ESPN. The network is also adding former Colts CB Darius Butler as an analyst for NFL Matchup and has announced contract extensions with a number of NFL reporters and analysts — the aforementioned Smith, Steve Young, Booger McFarland, Jeff Saturday, Jeff Darlington, Dan Graziano, Kimberley A. Martin, Ed Werder and Stephania Bell. (ESPN PR)
Pat McAfee returning to College Gameday
ESPN announced Wednesday that radio host Pat McAfee will return to College Gameday as a full-time analyst starting this weekend, returning to the show after a two-year absence. McAfee previously served as a contributor on Gameday in the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
In addition to his Gameday role, McAfee will also host six college football “Manningcast” alternate presentations on ESPN2, contribute to ESPN’s Super Bowl and Pro Bowl NFL coverage, and make select appearances on ESPN’s “Get Up!” morning show. (ESPN PR)
Plus: Gottlieb suit, Al Michaels, Kay Adams
Baseball agent Casey Close is dropping his lawsuit against Doug Gottlieb after the Fox Sports radio host retracted and apologized for his claim that Close failed to notify Dodgers 1B Freddie Freeman of a contract offer by his former team the Atlanta Braves. … New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft lobbied Fox Sports to hire former NBC NFL play-by-play voice Al Michaels as its lead play-by-play voice, the New York Post reported early last week. As most are well aware, Fox did make an offer and Michaels ended up with Amazon. … Former “Good Morning Football” host Kay Adams began hosting a new morning show on Fanduel TV (formerly TVG) Tuesday. Adams confirmed to the New York Post this week that she had previously been negotiating with Amazon for the Thursday Night Football hosting role, but that the sides were unable to come to terms. (ESPN.com 9.7, NYP 8.29, NYP 9.7, Fanduel PR 9.5)
