Veteran broadcaster Rich Eisen shared a candid and emotional response to news that ESPN will assume control of NFL Network operations during The Rich Eisen Show Wednesday. He called the move “exciting,” and was blown away by the news.
Eisen, who helped launch NFL Network 22 years ago, reacted to the groundbreaking media deal offering both personal reflection and measured optimism about the transition.
“I’m blown away,” Eisen said. “Totally blown away that this is happening—but in a good way for various reasons.”
The longtime NFL Network host expressed pride in the legacy built by the NFL Network team, many of whom have been with the operation since its early days. With ESPN acquiring operational control in exchange for a 10% stake in the NFL’s media properties, Eisen viewed the deal as validation of the work put in over two decades.
“I just think of the 22 years of people that I have worked with from jump who are still there. Or over the 22 years who are still there who are diehard NFL fans and poured their blood, sweat, and tears into creating the NFL Network and creating a sense of style and substance. It became its own brand,” he said. “Now, that [brand] is part of a package worth 10% of one of the greatest sports media companies ever created.”
Eisen noted the new arrangement creates opportunities for synergy, not competition. He pointed out recent crossovers between NFL Network and ESPN talent, including his own appearance on First Take and Daniel Jeremiah’s contributions to NFL Live. He suggested this collaboration may become a year-round norm.
“Now I guess it’s just 24/7, 365,” he said. “It’s a brave new world. I know the NFL management team is excited about this moving forward.”
Still, Eisen acknowledged there are unanswered questions. As he spoke, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was preparing to address NFL employees during a town hall. Eisen said he was eager to hear details from that conversation and learn more about how the deal impacts NFL Network’s Englewood, Calif., headquarters and its personnel.
“There’s a lot of spaces to fill up and a lot of NFL to talk about. There’s a lot of people who know how to do it and sitting there with institutional knowledge of the NFL Network and the NFL already built into our DNA. You don’t need to introduce us to the league,” Eisen emphasized. “We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work.”
Looking ahead, Eisen remained hopeful that the unique culture and production style of NFL Network will remain intact—even under the ESPN umbrella. With Disney’s ESPN+ and direct-to-consumer strategy expanding rapidly, the move could provide greater reach for NFL content across platforms.
In the end, he couldn’t help but marvel at the poetic nature of the moment.
“Twenty-two years after launch, it’s worth so much that let’s just swap,” said Eisen. “Like Al Michaels’ memoir says—‘You can’t make this up.’”
Last month, ESPN announced The Rich Eisen Show will take over ESPN Radio’s national noon-to-3 p.m. ET time slot beginning Tuesday September 2. Eisen will be taking over the timeslot currently occupied by Joe & Q hosted by Joe Fortenbaugh and Qiant “Q” Myers.
Eisen’s radio program, which is currently distributed by Westwood One and also airing on SiriusXM, will stream live on Disney+ and ESPN+ beginning this fall on the new ESPN direct-to-consumer platform as well.
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