CBS is reportedly willing to back up the Brinks truck for Tony Romo. Also: Fox Sports is parting ways with an executive, the XFL is negotiating with Fox and ESPN, and the SEC/Big 12 Challenge is sticking around for six more years.
Romo in Line For Big Pay Raise
CBS is planning to offer lead NFL on CBS analyst Tony Romo a significant pay increase when his contract expires at the end of next season, the New York Post reported Tuesday. His current salary is estimated to be around $4 million. Romo is in just his second season as an NFL broadcaster, but has already become arguably the league’s highest-profile TV analyst. His performance on last week’s AFC Championship Game was praised almost across the board, even on competing networks.
Prior to joining CBS in 2017, Romo was in negotiations with Fox to become the network’s #2 analyst behind Troy Aikman. [NYP 1.21]
In Shake-Up, Fox Parting Ways With Entz
Fox Sports has parted ways with president/production John Entz, ending his seven-year run with the company, Sports Business Daily reported Thursday. Fox is consolidating its production and operations departments, promoting Brad Zager — currently EVP of both — to oversee the new effort. Zager will also replace Entz as Fox Sports executive producer. [SBD 1.24]
XFL in Talks With Fox, ESPN
The XFL, which is returning next year, is negotiating media rights deals with Fox Sports and ESPN, Sports Business Journal reported Tuesday. The deals would include games on ABC and FOX, as the XFL is seeking to put two-thirds of its games on over-the-air TV.
During the original XFL season in 2001, the majority of games aired on NBC or the now-defunct ‘netlet’ UPN. [SBJ 1.21]
SEC/Big 12 Challenge to Continue
ESPN has reached a deal with the SEC and Big 12 to continue the annual SEC/Big 12 Challenge for an additional six seasons, it was announced Saturday. The event, which debuted in 2014, will continue to take place on a bye week during the conference schedule. [ESPN PR 1.26]
