Mike Tirico does all of that. And, according to SportsBusiness Journal, he’s leaving ESPN this summer after his contract expires for NBC Sports.
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From SBB’s John Ourand:
A source says that Sean McDonough, who recently renewed his deal with ESPN, is a leading candidate to replace Tirico on “MNF,” though no decision has been made yet. NBC would not comment on the move, with a spokesperson saying that the net does not comment on people under contract with another outlet.
McDonough is a good choice to work with Jon Gruden, but, like we said, there are a lot more holes to fill beyond that.
What Tirico will do at NBC is unknown, but Al Michaels’ contract is up in two seasons, so “Sunday Night Football in America” would make sense. He’d have the opportunity to call a Super Bowl, which ESPN wasn’t going to get anytime soon. There’s also the Olympics to think about; Michaels had worked there, too, sharing some of Bob Costas’ duties.
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Tirico, somehow, is still just 49, which is part of what made him the leading candidate to replace Michaels back when Richard Deitsch explored the possibilities. Not coincidentally, McDonough was mentioned there, as well.
NBC also has PGA Tour and tennis rights, so you can expect Tirico to pop there, too. Their rights to the British Open start this June, a year earlier than expected. NBC took over for, naturally, ESPN.
Still, if he wants to stay as busy as he has for the last several years — at least until Michaels retires — he has his work cut out for him. Or, he can just hang out for a couple years. Not a bad decision to have to make.
