In addition to airing on ESPN+ and Disney+ as originally announced earlier this year, “The Rich Eisen Show” will also be added to the ESPN Radio lineup from Noon to 3 p.m. EST starting Tuesday, Sept. 2, Sports Media Watch has confirmed.
The program is moving into the daypart currently featuring Joe Fortenbaugh and Q Myers, both of whom are reportedly remaining with the network in different roles. Andrew Marchand of The Athletic was the first to report that Eisen’s show would be airing on ESPN Radio.
It should also be noted that Eisen will continue his role at NFL Network, which could be part of a reported potential deal under which Disney would acquire NFL-owned media properties. NFL owners have reportedly been informally notified to be ready for a potential vote surrounding an agreement between the two entities.
Eisen’s show is distributed by Westwood One and currently airs on the Infinity Sports Network, an arrangement that began this past January. Concurrent with this move, radio host Jim Rome brought his program to the afternoon drive timeslot to be syndicated and distributed by Westwood One.
The radio programs hosted by Eisen and Rome were airing at the same time under the previous arrangement under a partnership between Westwood One and Audacy, the latter of which owns Infinity Sports Network. Eisen first joined Westwood One in 2020 after his program had previously been distributed by Premiere Networks on FOX Sports Radio since commencing six years earlier.
This new arrangement will place Eisen on the air at the same time as Stephen A. Smith, who is joining SiriusXM Mad Dog Sports Radio to host a weekday sports talk program. Smith remains with ESPN under a multiyear contract in which he serves as a featured commentator and executive producer on the morning television show, “First Take.”
Furthermore, former NFL punter Pat McAfee is continuing to host his program, “The Pat McAfee Show,” that airs on ESPN and across a variety of digital platforms. These offerings, along with the rest of the studio commentary lineup and other ESPN content, are going to be accessible through the forthcoming direct-to-consumer service from the network launching in the early fall.
Eisen’s podcast network, which was created under his production company and distributed, marketed and monetized through a deal with Cumulus Media, is also reportedly going to be on ESPN platforms. Moreover, the vertical is said to be adding an unnamed podcast in which Eisen will interview colleagues from his time anchoring “SportsCenter” from 1996 to 2003. In addition to his radio show, Eisen also hosts the “Overreaction Monday” podcast with Chris Brockman.
The remainder of the ESPN Radio lineup ahead of Eisen’s program is remaining the same, including the morning drive program, “UnSportsmanLike,” featuring Evan Cohen, Chris Canty and Michelle Smallmon as it prepares to enter its third year. The program recently started broadcasting from a new studio from New York City and is also simulcast on ESPNU. Mike Greenberg formerly hosted a two-hour midday show, but he stepped away from his radio program amid taking on more television responsibilities as the host of “Get Up” and “Sunday NFL Countdown.” Clinton Yates has been hosting a new show in the timeslot since February that is also simulcast on ESPN3.
