In a crucial moment for any TV network that wants to stay in the business of broadcasting NFL football games, ESPN this evening is calling in some big guns. Before kickoff on tonight’s “Monday Nigh…
,” the sports-media giant will feature an opening segment designed with help from colleagues at Disney sibling Marvel. The montage looks similar to the opening of one of the studio’s super-hero blockbusters. Viewers will hear narration from Samuel L. Jackson, the actor who plays Nick Fury and has enjoyed a continuing presence in Marvel’s popular films.
ESPN makes its case to the league as the network continues to rebuild its “MNF” on air team. For years, ESPN viewers knew they’d be greeted by Jon Gruden or Mike Tirico. The former left in 2018 to coach the Raiders, while Tirico decamped to NBC Sports in 2016. In their place, the network has tried Joe Tessitore, Booger McFarland and Jason Witten, while not-so-quietly reaching out to eye-popping candidates like Peyton Manning “You have to have a group that has chemistry together.
ESPN faces more pressure than some of its rivals. Its rights contract with the NFL lapses after the 2021 season, while deals between the league and NBC, Fox and CBS end after 2022. There is speculation that the NFL and the networks could unveil new terms as soon as November. “The conversations are still at a relatively early stage, but are sort of moving along nicely,” Fox Corporation CEO Lachlan Murdoch recently said during a recent investor conference.
“There is speculation coming from everyone but us,” says Magnus, who declined to comment on any of the scenarios.
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