ESPN is closing in on a new contract with Mike Garafolo. The move would keep the longtime NFL Network insider in the fold as the network’s NFL reporter ranks continue to grow.
What We Know: According to a report by Front Office Sports, ESPN and Garafolo are nearing a new agreement. Garafolo has long served as an NFL Network reporter since 2016. He helped contribute to all NFL Media platforms, including NFL Network, NFL.com and NFL Now. Meanwhile, he also co-hosts The Insiders alongside Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
What Remains Unclear: No details of any contract with ESPN are known. Neither ESPN or Garafolo have released any statements on the matter.
What It Means: ESPN’s NFL insider roster is quickly becoming one of the deepest in the business. Rapoport just signed his own multi-year extension, and Garafolo appears next. Meanwhile, ESPN already features insiders like Adam Schefter, Peter Schrager, Jeremy Fowler, Field Yates, Dan Graziano, and Jeff Darlington. However, with the added costs of NFL Network talent shifting over to the ESPN brand, there are reports of layoffs elsewhere within the company.
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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.
