Nearly two decades removed from ESPN, Dan Patrick insists he isn’t going back full time. He is, however, telling others they shouldn’t leave as he revealed in an interview with Rich Eisen.
What We Know: Patrick departed ESPN in 2007 after 18 years with the network. He has since built an independent media operation with The Dan Patrick Show. He occasionally appears on ESPN programming but said he has declined previous full-time return opportunities, including a proposed 6 p.m. SportsCenter revival alongside Keith Olbermann. Most recently, speculation about Rich Eisen’s move to ESPN reignited questions about Patrick’s own future — questions he quickly dismissed. In an interview on This Was SportsCenter, Patrick also revealed that he has counseled four ESPN employees to remain at the network instead of leaving.
What They Said: (All quotes from This Was SportsCenter)
Dan Patrick on being asked once to return to ESPN for the 6pm SportsCenter slot with Keith Olbermann: “I think what we did, when we did it. How we did it was interesting and groundbreaking. It shaped the business in some ways. But we did it, and then I didn’t want to. They reached out to Keith [Olbermann] and I to do the 6 o’clock SportsCenter years ago. I love what I do now, and I just didn’t want to go backwards.”
Dan Patrick on still refusing to go back fully to ESPN: “Somebody said, ‘Hey, Rich Eisen’s going to ESPN. Are you going to ESPN?” No. They didn’t call with anything right there. There’s no reason to go back there, but I’m on good terms with people.”
Dan Patrick on counseling people to stay at ESPN: “I’ve counseled or given guidance to four people at ESPN and told them not to leave. I’ve been gone 20 years than I did 18 years working there. People would say, “Hey, I want what you got.” I told them you’re not going to get it. I’m in a small town, and we’re very lucky. There’s 12 people that work on this show. Stay there. Those four letters are extremely powerful, because you’re going to get your ass handed to you. If you leave there, and you think everybody’s going to fawn all over you, think again.”
What Remains Unclear: ESPN has not confirmed Patrick’s claims that he has received offers in the past in a full time role with Keith Olbermann. His occasional appearances on ESPN platforms keep the door ajar creatively, but not professionally. Patrick also did not name the four ESPN people that he counseled to remain with the network.
What It Means: Patrick’s position is genuinely paradoxical. He won’t return to ESPN himself, yet actively discourages others from leaving. That tension reveals something important. The brand equity of ESPN remains significant to Patrick — even to someone who walked away from it. For talent weighing independence against institutional security, Patrick’s advice carries weight precisely because he chose the harder path and still respects what he left behind. On a broader sense, the amount of transparency in the debut episode of This Was SportsCenter should provide some fascinating nuggets of information and story for longtime fans of the network.
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John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.
