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ESPN is reportedly eyeing a major reunion with superstar sports personality Colin Cowherd, according to Michael McCarthy of FrontOfficeSports.
The 59-year-old Cowherd, known for his successful eight-year run at FS1, where he hosts “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” on both FS1 and Fox Sports Radio, has garnered immense popularity and has proven to be a ratings powerhouse.
Cowherd’s current deal with FS1 is set to expire in early 2025, following the conclusion of the NFL season.
While he is currently enjoying success with his startup sports podcast network, “The Volume,” ESPN sees the potential in bringing him back to their network.
The decision comes as ESPN faces struggles with their radio ratings, leading them to cancel the “Keyshawn, JWill and Max” morning show and lay off co-hosts Keyshawn Johnson and Max Kellerman.
In light of these challenges, ESPN views Cowherd as a potential solution to boost their ratings and regain their competitive edge.
Insiders have revealed to McCarthy that ESPN is willing to go to great lengths to secure Cowherd’s services, understanding the value he brings to their network.
With Cowherd’s ratings hitting an all-time high, Cowherd’s negotiation with Fox for a new deal is being closely watched, and it is expected to be a major one.
“The monster negotiation coming up for Fox is Colin,” warned one of the sources in the report. “His ratings are at an all-time high. And he causes zero issues — unlike Skip Bayless.”
Despite recently undergoing painful downsizing measures, ESPN seems committed to investing in top-tier talent like Cowherd to turn their fortunes around.
They recognize the significance of retaining and attracting major sports personalities to stay competitive in the ever-evolving media landscape.