Michael Irvin is soon returning to television, though his NFL Network future remains unclear. Plus: ESPN abruptly parts ways with a longtime executive, Scott Van Pelt gets the “Monday Night Countdown” gig, and Chris Fowler is skipping the US Open women’s final.
Irvin returning to TV as FS1 panelist
Longtime NFL Network analyst Michael Irvin, who has not appeared on-air since Super Bowl week, has reached a deal to join FS1 as a panelist on the network’s “Undisputed” morning show, per John Ourand of Sports Business Journal. According to Ourand, talks between the sides had cooled over the weekend before they eventually struck a deal.
In addition to his NFL Network role, the status of which remains in flux, Irvin had been a panelist on the ESPN morning show “First Take” the past two seasons. He was removed from both roles after being accused of inappropriate behavior at a hotel during Super Bowl week and has since sued his accuser and the hotel.
Irvin joins a rotation of panelists — including Richard Sherman and former ESPN host Keyshawn Johnson — who will fill the vacancy left by Shannon Sharpe. Sharpe, who had been on the show since its 2016 debut, departed FS1 earlier this year and will join a rotation of panelists on “First Take.” (Ourand 8.21)
ESPN abruptly drops longtime exec Fitting
ESPN on Monday abruptly parted ways with longtime SVP/production Lee Fitting, the executive in charge of the network’s college and pro football production, including “College Gameday,” Monday Night Football and the College Football Playoff. The move was announced via an internal memo from Norby Williamson, who assumed oversight of all ESPN football content earlier this year. Fitting had been with ESPN for a quarter-century.
Fitting’s departure would not seem to be related to the recent ESPN layoffs. (SBJ 8.21)
As expected, Van Pelt replacing Kolber on Monday Night Countdown
“SportsCenter” anchor Scott Van Pelt has been named the new host of ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown pregame show, replacing the laid off Suzy Kolber. The move, officially announced Monday, had been rumored for weeks. Van Pelt was one of two finalists for the job along with “NFL Live” host Laura Rutledge.
Van Pelt joins a short list of Monday Night Countdown hosts, following Kolber, Chris Berman, Mike Tirico and the late Stuart Scott. (ESPN PR)
Fowler to skip US Open women’s final for Texas-Alabama
ESPN lead college football and tennis play-by-play voice Chris Fowler will skip the women’s final of the US Open to call the Texas-Alabama college football game on September 9, per The Athletic, marking the first time he has missed the event since 2017. Fowler has traditionally skipped ESPN’s college football coverage entirely on the weekend of the finals. He is slated to call the men’s final on September 10. (The Athletic 8.22)
