The Big Show is back.
Arguably the best SportsCenter tandem in history will be reunited on Football Night in America next season. Former ESPN personality Dan Patrick will join the NFL pregame show alongside longtime partner Keith Olbermann, in a move that is sure to garner far more media attention at the start of next season than the FOX acquisition of Michael Strahan.
Patrick, who left ESPN in August of 2007, will become the third co-host on the increasingly crowded show, joining the aforementioned Olbermann and Bob Costas, who will continue as the primary host.
NBC will play to Patrick and Olbermann’s strengths, having them “do the highlights straight through until about 8:00,” in segments that should be very reminiscent of the duo’s mid-90s stint on SportsCenter.
This move seemed to be almost a foregone conclusion from the moment Patrick became a free agent. Patrick met with NBC Sports chairman Dick Ebersol last summer to discuss, among other things, a potential spot on NBC Olympic coverage. While Patrick will not be a part of coverage of the upcoming summer Olympics, he will contribute to the 2010 Winter Games.
Related: “Move over Costas: Dan Patrick should join Olbermann on Football Night.“, “Dan Patrick talks with Dick Ebersol.“, and “Patrick may cover Olympics for NBC.“
