Over the weekend, a big change occurred in the sports media world, as ESPN’s Erin Andrews left ESPN to take on a role at Fox Sports.
This change is a great move for both Andrews and Fox Sports. After spending the majority of her career at ESPN as a side line reporter, Andrews will now see her role expand immensely. Andrews, among her many new duties, will host a new college football studio show in prime time. She’ll have the chance to potentially be Fox’s version of Chris Fowler, a huge step up from her role in Bristol.
Regarding her decision, Andrews told Sports Illustrated,
“This was a difficult move but it was the right move because it’s allowing me to do so many things that I probably would not have been able to do had I stayed at ESPN”.
Fox Sports, on the other hand, has been trying to make its mark in the college football world and adds an impressive talent to its arsenal. After all, Andrews isn’t just a typical broadcaster, she’s become a brand. From her appearances on television shows such as Dancing with The Stars and cameos in movies, her name resonates with more than just the average sports fan.
At the same time, the people over at the worldwide leader can’t be happy. Though ESPN has been making all the appropriate statements, deep down it must be really upset. There were long standing rumors that Andrews and colleague Michelle Beadle didn’t get along. These rumors intensified after Beadle criticized Andrews in last year’s infamous ESPN tell-all book.
Coincidentally, both of their contracts were up this year, and ESPN allowed Beadle to leave for the NBC Sports Network. Assuming, that should have made it easier to retain Andrews, but perhaps ESPN thought she had gone as far as she could go. Apparently, Fox Sports had other ideas.
Photo Credit: articles.businessinsider.com
Steve Rosenberg
Recent Comments