The Athletic’s top two sports media writers joined forces this week for a conversation. On the Sports Media with Richard Deitsch podcast, Andrew Marchand and Richard Deitsch discussed a variety of sports media topics including the story they believe will dominate 2024 – Tom Brady starting his career with FOX Sports.
“I think you could make a pretty good argument, it’s the biggest story in sports media,” said Marchand. He mentioned that it’s not rare for a great NFL quarterback to be in the broadcast booth in the modern era of football. However, Brady instantly becomes the biggest celebrity sports broadcaster that exists.
Marchand thinks Brady will be set up to succeed, similarly to the same way Greg Olsen was. Getting the former quarterback into a groove will fall on play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt’s shoulders.
“Kevin Burkhardt is a very good play-by-play’er, but what he’s really the best at is getting a lot out of his teammate,” added Marchand. “I think Olsen’s success had something to do with [having] Burkhardt as a partner. Kevin is unselfish, and wants his analyst to do well. He [made] it about Olsen, and he will make it about Brady. That’s a huge advantage for him that the point guard that he’s going to have is someone who wants to make him look good and put him in good situations to do well.”
Deitsch has said before he believes Olsen should stay with FOX and move to the number two team. That would allow him to see what else opens up or even stay and eventually replace Brady. “I’d bet all the money I own that Tom Brady will not complete the FOX contract,” Deitsch said. “I can’t tell you how many years he will be there, but it seems inconceivable, to me, that he would be there for all 10.”
Marchand mentioned that the difference between number one and two team money could be around $7 million less. That’s assuming Olsen was even interested in moving down. Fox could also add payroll and feature the highest paid number two guy in an NFL booth.
The comparison for Olsen’s future was drawn to Cris Collinsworth. Marchand says that’s the type of career he can see for the promising analyst.
