After seeming ready to retire, a familiar voice at ESPN is sticking around for two more years.
ESPN college football and basketball play-by-play voice Ron Franklin has agreed to a two-year deal to remain with the network, reports the Houston Chronicle.
Under the new deal, Franklin will call a “slightly less extensive” slate of college basketball games and “a full round” of college football games.
Last year, Franklin said he was “98.5% sure” that he would retire from broadcasting following the expiration of his contract in April.
That decision seemed more likely after ESPN removed him from his longtime position on the network’s Big Monday college basketball telecasts, assigning him instead to Wednesday and Saturday night games.
“They have said, ‘Wait ’til after football, we want to talk to you.’ But with some of the things going on, golly, stuff like this. … It?s hurtful to have it happen.” Franklin told The Oklahoman last November.
(Houston Chronicle, via The 506; The Oklahoman; Sports Business Daily)
