SIAP: Tom Jackson Likely Done at ESPN

[champ6369]

They need to bring back Australian Rules Football instead of all their talk shows

They still show Aussie rules fb.

 

[chnash318]

They still show Aussie rules fb.

Really? When? Love that sport

 

[tturman]

Looks like Tom Jackson is done at ESPN.

The mass exodus of big-name talent from ESPN could be set to continue with Tom Jackson, who was described in multiple reports Monday as being close to parting ways with the network. The 65-year-old Jackson, a former Broncos linebacker, has been teamed with Chris Berman on popular NFL-related programs since 1987.

By some reports, Berman himself is entering his final year as a leading voice on ESPN's NFL coverage. "Sunday NFL Countdown" and "Monday Night Countdown" are undergoing major on-air personnel changes at a time when the network has lost the likes of Bill Simmons, Skip Bayless, Colin Cowherd and Mike Tirico.

Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News was the first to report Monday that Jackson was "likely" not to return to his familiar spot on the Sunday "Countdown" panel. "He's still weighing his options," Raissman quoted a source as saying. "This will be Tommy's call. … The situation is fluid."

"My guess is he is going to leave," another source told Raissman. In 2015, Jackson, a member of the Broncos' Ring of Fame, was given the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award from the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Pro Football Talk cited "multiple industry sources" in claiming that "Jackson won't be coming back." The website indicated that ESPN's re-hiring of Trent Dilfer, who had been rumored to be heading elsewhere for more money, was based on an expectation of the void Jackson would be leaving behind.

Jackson was selected by Denver in the fourth round of the 1973 NFL draft, and he went on to spend the entirety of his 14-year NFL career with that franchise. He was a three-time Pro Bowler, was named first-team all-pro after the 1977 season and played in two Super Bowls.

If Berman and Jackson both depart by 2017, "Sunday NFL Countdown" would have an entirely different look from 2015, when its panel also featured Cris Carter, Keyshawn Johnson and Mike Ditka, a trio that has been replaced with Dilfer, Randy Moss, Matt Hasselbeck and Charles Woodson.

They need to replace them with 2 women, one gay guy, and a transgender.

 

[moblack82]

ESPNs website format sucks @ss

 

[utfan101]

One of my favorites. Very knowledgeable and straightforward in his commentary. Sorry to see him go.

 

[madbone63]

Here is my 2 cents on ESPN. They realize that outside of live sports and original content they have nothing else to offer. So they are investing in tv contracts and shows like 30 for 30 while cutting cost at the personality level. No one cares about their 30 different "sports talk" shows where some over paid asshat tells us what he or she thinks. Also people are going to watch the live sports regardless of who is calling the game. So why spend money there. I think they are attempting to concentrate their funds where it matters and cut the fat. Of course that would mean that ESPN is run by someone other than complete morons and I doubt that is the case.

Disney is not stupid. They see the writing on the wall and have for some time. It's all about content. Personalities don't matter. Never have there really.

 

[StrosBros]

Disney is not stupid. They see the writing on the wall and have for some time. It's all about content. Personalities don't matter. Never have there really.

Disney isn't dumb. The people the run ESPN having proven to be. Disney doesn't make the day to day decision or at least they didn't. Maybe they are responsible for the recent shift.

 

[RobbieLew]

Love Tom Jackson. It was at its finest when it was just Berman and Tommy with Jaws and others reporting. A show already lacking eloquence just lost some more. He has always struck me as very dignified and venerable. I don't watch the show anymore, but man, I sure did when I was growing up.

 

[TruthfullySpeaking]

I haven't watched the NFL show in years, but what I most remember about him was hearing him chuckling as Berman was doing his shtick during game highlights.

 

[lindseyddh]

Jackson gone, and yet Berman still lives. Amazing.

 

[FTP Horn]

Is a 65 year old who the average American most likely couldn't pick out of a lineup really a big time talent?

To me the announcers of games are a dime a dozen. Don't really care who it is.

 

[dkrewz]

Looks like Tom Jackson is done at ESPN.

The mass exodus of big-name talent from ESPN could be set to continue with Tom Jackson, who was described in multiple reports Monday as being close to parting ways with the network. The 65-year-old Jackson, a former Broncos linebacker, has been teamed with Chris Berman on popular NFL-related programs since 1987.

By some reports, Berman himself is entering his final year as a leading voice on ESPN's NFL coverage. "Sunday NFL Countdown" and "Monday Night Countdown" are undergoing major on-air personnel changes at a time when the network has lost the likes of Bill Simmons, Skip Bayless, Colin Cowherd and Mike Tirico.

Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News was the first to report Monday that Jackson was "likely" not to return to his familiar spot on the Sunday "Countdown" panel. "He's still weighing his options," Raissman quoted a source as saying. "This will be Tommy's call. … The situation is fluid."

"My guess is he is going to leave," another source told Raissman. In 2015, Jackson, a member of the Broncos' Ring of Fame, was given the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award from the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Pro Football Talk cited "multiple industry sources" in claiming that "Jackson won't be coming back." The website indicated that ESPN's re-hiring of Trent Dilfer, who had been rumored to be heading elsewhere for more money, was based on an expectation of the void Jackson would be leaving behind.

Jackson was selected by Denver in the fourth round of the 1973 NFL draft, and he went on to spend the entirety of his 14-year NFL career with that franchise. He was a three-time Pro Bowler, was named first-team all-pro after the 1977 season and played in two Super Bowls.

If Berman and Jackson both depart by 2017, "Sunday NFL Countdown" would have an entirely different look from 2015, when its panel also featured Cris Carter, Keyshawn Johnson and Mike Ditka, a trio that has been replaced with Dilfer, Randy Moss, Matt Hasselbeck and Charles Woodson.

Burn it down and start over...

 

[moneyinthebank]

One of my favorites. Very knowledgeable and straightforward in his commentary. Sorry to see him go.

This, he a was no nonsense football guy. I will miss him if this story is true.

 

[WLRetrievers]

Anyone's opinions about ESPN's perceived political leanings won't impact whether or not Tom Jackson returns to the network. That's what makes it irrelevant. Nor is it relevant to the discussion about that topic. It's just unnecessarily politicizing the thread...and THAT'S what's not popular around here...not his opinion. And that's a good PSA to pass along.

Actually, it does. Employed conservatives have left ESPN's viewership. Less people to fund his salary by providing ratings. Also, it was mentioned that the Millenial's don't have a clue to who he is so he becomes expendable.

Most people with jobs/kids/ etc don't have time to sit in front of ESPN for 30 minutes to watch some loop footage and hear about how the word "Redskins" is vile.....Caitlyn has more courage than anyone.... Herbie tweeting the evils of the Trump campaign....etc. We pic up an a phone and check scores on mlb.com, etc. ESPN is now a "game only" channel for a good portion of viewers in the advertising demographic "sweet spot".

 

[gmfhoos]

Tom was excellent. . .

Now if they can get rid of Stephen A Smith . ..bit move in the right direction. . . .except he fits perfectly with their new "direction" . .. . . .have to be careful how I say that, commenting on the media is not viewed favorably here.

Tom is great. hope he stays. It is already getting tougher and tougher to stick with ESPN due to their political bent on so many subjects. TJ is so good. Wherever he goes, I am going with my viewing time.

 

[Jonathon Mox]

It's also tough to find actual highlights anymore on sportscenter. Granted any good play will be a twitter vine in a matter of minutes, but I used to enjoy the narrative of highlights giving a flow of how the game went. I rarely watch now, but when I do, it takes forever to get to what actually happens in the game.

 

[Ketchum]

ESPN just can't provide enough relevant content....social media has stolen their thunder. It used to be that folks would sit down to watch Sports Center and learn everything that happened or was about to happen during a day. Now, obviously, we learn all the news we care to learn as it happens...real time.

As an old fart, I am amazed at the speed and quantity of information at the tip of my finger!

ESPN has become a dinosaur.....SMH

There's a lot to this. I had this exact same conversation with my OB team last night. I don't think sports media as a whole has completely adjusted.

 

[dallashorn02]

Here is my 2 cents on ESPN. They realize that outside of live sports and original content they have nothing else to offer. So they are investing in tv contracts and shows like 30 for 30 while cutting cost at the personality level. No one cares about their 30 different "sports talk" shows where some over paid asshat tells us what he or she thinks. Also people are going to watch the live sports regardless of who is calling the game. So why spend money there. I think they are attempting to concentrate their funds where it matters and cut the fat. Of course that would mean that ESPN is run by someone other than complete morons and I doubt that is the case.

Yep. They need more original programming and focus on that. The 30 for 30 series is great. They could probably do more all-access type stuff. The NFL network does a good job with their 'A Football Life' series, so something like that. I think Outside the Lines is a great investigative piece, but is featured only on Sunday mornings. In addition, if they really wanted to think outside the box, they really could use a couple of hit TV dramas, like their own House of Cards, obviously with a sports theme.

 

[StrosBros]

Yep. They need more original programming and focus on that. The 30 for 30 series is great. They could probably do more all-access type stuff. The NFL network does a good job with their 'A Football Life' series, so something like that. I think Outside the Lines is a great investigative piece, but is featured only on Sunday mornings. In addition, if they really wanted to think outside the box, they really could use a couple of hit TV dramas, like their own House of Cards, obviously with a sports theme.

You mean bring Playmakers back?

 

[madbone63]

Disney isn't dumb. The people the run ESPN having proven to be. Disney doesn't make the day to day decision or at least they didn't. Maybe they are responsible for the recent shift.

Yes. This shift is all about Disney. The value of the asset and the business model have completely changed. They are making all the calls, at least the big ones. Cut unnecessary costs, maximize cash flow, etc.