On Monday, ESPN Fantasy Football analyst Matthew Berry announced this would be his last week with the network. While his next stop is still unknown, James Andrew Miller believes Berry’s decision wasn’t over financials.
Miller, author of the “ESPN book” Those Guys Have All the Fun, appeared on the Sports Illustrated Media Podcast with Jimmy Traina, and amongst their topics was Berry and his sudden departure from the company.
“I’ve heard it from two sources that ESPN, not surprisingly, tried to keep him,” said Miller.
Miller went on to get to the idea that he didn’t think Berry’s decision was based on dollars and cents. “I think that eventually Matthew is going to talk for himself about why de decided to leave, but he’s never been somebody who has just made decisions based on dollars… I think he’s probably trying to couch this in a way that’s better for him at this stage in his career”.
Traina followed up with Miller asking then if the decision might be more based on Berry being “unhappy” or the analyst just “wanted a change”.
“I have not spoken to him since the announcement just in full disclosure,” Miller began, “but I actually think it’s because he wants a change.
“Were there a couple of things thru the years that Matthew wanted to do that Matthew didn’t get to do? Absolutely,” said Miller. “But he stayed. He understands that. He’s a practicing adult. He knows that he’s not going to win or get everything he wants.”
Miller also said that Berry was wanted and appreciated by ESPN so it’s a factor in determining why he left the network.
“I think that, by and large, that ESPN certainly appreciated him. And his life there was far from miserable. You can tell that because he was there for 15 years. Maybe he’s frustrated with certain things there. But if I had to guess, it’s more about new horizons and new platforms and wherever he goes he’s going to bring a lot of value”.
He will end up working for one of the sportsbook companies doing podcasts and providing daily fantasy content. I could see as a long shot CBS. I Think it will be Draft kings an Meadowlark if I had to guess.