Ryan Clark will reportedly re-sign with ESPN. Plus: Luke Donald will serve as lead analyst for NBC’s next two PGA Tour events; Richard Sherman arrested for driving intoxicated.
Ryan Clark to stay with ESPN
NFL analyst Ryan Clark will reportedly sign a new deal with ESPN, per a report in The Athletic on Monday. Clark was very forthright about his contract situation with the network earlier this month, posting on social media that his contract had expired and that he intended to negotiate a deal that would pay him more for less work. Front Office Sports reports the contract will be worth in excess of $2 million per year.
The former Steelers DB is a staple of ESPN’s NFL programming, appearing on First Take, Get Up, SportsCenter, and Monday Night Countdown with regularity. According to the report, Clark is expected to continue hosting his popular podcast The Pivot, which is not associated with ESPN. (The Athletic, 2.26) (FOS, 2.26)
Luke Donald next in line for NBC analyst tryout
NBC continues its search for a new lead golf analyst to replace Paul Azinger, this time with European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, the network announced Sunday. The five-time PGA Tour winner will make his broadcasting debut and serve as lead analyst for the upcoming Cognizant Classic and Arnold Palmer Invitational next to play-by-play voice Dan Hicks.
Donald will now join the ongoing list of potential lead analysts for NBC’s golf coverage. Since Azinger’s ouster, NBC has used a rotating cast of analysts including Kevin Kisner, Paul McGinley, Curt Byrum, Brad Faxon, Jim “Bones” Mackay, and Frank Nobilo for its PGA Tour coverage. It’s unclear how long NBC will continue its search for a permanent lead analyst. (NBC, 2.25)
Richard Sherman arrested for DUI
Amazon NFL analyst Richard Sherman was arrested for driving under the influence Saturday in Seattle. The former All-Pro cornerback spent the weekend in King County Jail in Seattle, and was reportedly released after posting bail of $5,000 on Monday. In 2022, Sherman pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges related to drunk driving and a domestic disturbance.
Since its inception two years ago, Sherman has been a staple of Amazon’s Thursday Night Football. Whether the repeated drunk driving incidents will jeopardize his current role for the streamer is unknown. Sherman is set to appear in court on Wednesday. (AP, 2.26) (TMZ, 2.26)
