Rich Gannon is out as an NFL TV game analyst at CBS after 16 seasons, The Post has learned.
Gannon, a former MVP quarterback, would not renew his contract in the first move of NFL TV free agency. When contacted by The Post, a CBS spokesperson confirmed the news.
CBS has not yet determined Gannon’s replacement. The two internal candidates are Adam Archuleta and James Lofton.
Prior to last season, CBS began laying his hands on the 55-year-old Gannon after he separated him from his long-time partner Kevin Harlan. Although CBS does not officially nominate its depth chart, Harlan and Trent Green had the third-best play in most weeks, while Greg Gumbel and Gannon received the fourth most-watched matchup.
This NFL TV hot stove may not be as attractive compared to last season, when CBS turned down Tony Romeo in a 10-year, $ 180 million contract. NBC signed Drew Breeze, as he retired as a studio and possibly as a “Sunday Night Football” game analyst. Fox anointed Greg Olsen’s No. 2 game analyst with Kevin Burkhart. Burkhart and CBS ‘Ian Eagle were kept off the market with new deals, which would result in less movement.
At the moment, ESPN is studded with its “Monday Night Football” crew featuring Steve Levy, Louis Riddick and Brian Gries, while potentially the biggest fish on the market is Jim Nantz. CBS is working towards re-signing Nantz, who is looking for a similar deal to Romeo.
ESPN Push Back
CNBC reported that Disney has pushed back against the NFL Asking for a 100 percent increase in price for its next TV rights deal. We heard a similar rumble from sources last weekend. While it is a good story, it is also called “conversation”.
The reason for this is the news the NFL is so powerful on TV that it can basically name its price. However, Disney already plays about twice ($ 1.9B per year) compared to NBC, Fox and CBS.
For its money, ESPN gets an hourly schedule, a playoff game (always the least attractive) and no Super Bowls.
Even if it could add a Super Bowl or two and a few more MNF double headers, it’s very easy to see why ESPN would bring it back in the talks.
Disney may have some points, as the NFL likely does not have another network that will pay ESPN / ABC on Monday. That said, the NFL is used to doing exactly what it wants.
Sid on Sports
Sid Rosenberg is bringing back his sports radio show on WABC from noon-2 to Sunday. The 54-year-old Rosenberg hosts his show every morning with Bernard McGirick. On Sunday, he will enter the lanes of WFAN and ESPN New York.
“Neither of the two are good at the station with me,” Rosenberg said.
Clicker books
Paul kenper’s “Knock of the nineties” The Knicks are about the team that just missed becoming champions, but got a spot in New York with Pat Riley, Jeff Van Ganey and Patrick Ewing. Papa Clicker says Cannapar gave like knots that deserved an NBA Finals number one with a compelling story … 4.45 out of 5 clickers.
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