In a decision months in the making, ESPN has cut ties with Curt Schilling. In other news, ESPN has also parted ways with a pair of college football broadcasters, and Mike Tirico will reportedly receive an offer from NBC when his contract expires.
ESPN Cuts Curt
- ESPN announced Wednesday that it has fired MLB analyst Curt Schilling, one day after he once again posted controversial, politically charged commentary to social media. Schilling was suspended just seven months ago for the same offense, with the network demoting him from its lead Sunday Night Baseball broadcast team. In part because of Schilling’s propensity to thrust ESPN into the culture wars, the network instituted guidelines on political speech earlier this year that the former pitcher flouted with regularity. He had been with the network since 2010. (ESPN Media Zone)
Schad, Smith Also Out
- ESPN has parted ways with college football insider Joe Schad and analyst Robert Smith, Sports Illustrated reported earlier this week. Both had been with the network since 2005. Smith announced his departure via Twitter back in January. (SI.com via Awful Announcing)
NBC to Court Tirico
- ESPN broadcaster Mike Tirico is expected to receive an offer to join NBC Sports when his contract expires “relatively soon,” according to The Big Lead. Tirico, who is part of nearly every major event broadcast by ESPN, has been with the network 25 years. (The Big Lead)
