Colin Cowherd To Depart ESPN

According to multiple reports, Cowherd is in talks to join FOX Sports, which would pair the personality with former ESPN producer Jamie Horowitz, who produced SportsNation. “He came to national prominence on ESPN with his unique perspective on sports and society. Endings always bring new beginnings…” ESPN boss John Skipper announced the news today in a formal statement.

The Hollywood Reporter said that Disney has ordered ESPN to cut $100 million from its budget next year and $250 million from its budget in 2017. Reports indicate that he’ll be joining Fox Sports.

Esports is a blossoming industry and ESPN is one player that does not intend to get left behind. The difference here was that ESPN did make an aggressive bid to keep Cowherd, but was upstaged by Fox, who are clearly looking to make a big splash. And earlier this month, the network announced that Keith Olbermann would be leaving the broadcaster later in July.

Colin Cowherd is leaving ESPN. Cowherd’s brand of psudeo-scientific, armchair socio-economics is better suited for a network known primarily for its shoot-from-the-hip, lasiez-faire political leanings. While I think Cowherd understandably wants more of a presence on TV, I don’t think he’d be too thrilled to give up his radio show to do it. His role in the company, which could include a daily presence on Fox Sports 1, is unclear. I think podcast and digital and Sirius is the future. Spokespersons for Fox Sports and NBC Sports could not be reached for immediate comment.