CBS Sports’ host James Brown says he’s not done yet with his role on The NFL Today. In a recent profile with Sports Business Journal, he revealed new details behind his 2005 FOX Sports exit, and addressed retirement from his CBS Sports role.
What We Know: Brown left FOX Sports after the 2005 season and returned to CBS Sports. He’s been hosting The NFL Today ever since, nearing two decades in the chair. His comments came via an exclusive Sports Business Journal feature. Brown was an inductee of the 2026 class of the NSMA Hall of Fame. Brown began his national broadcasting career at WUSA-TV in Washington, D.C., after playing basketball at Harvard University, where he was a three-time All-Ivy League selection. He previously spent 12 seasons as host of FOX NFL Sunday and covered multiple professional and collegiate sports for CBS. Brown’s accolades include three Emmy Awards and the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Pete Rozelle Award in 2016.
What They Said: (All quotes via Sports Business Journal)
James Brown on retirement from his post on The NFL Today at CBS Sports: “I’m not being dismissive of that which I’m doing, because I love what I’m doing. But Marilyn Hickey, before she passed away, people were asking her why she didn’t retire. She said: Retirement is not in the Bible. Whatever gifts and talents I’ve been given, I want to use them to the fullest. When it’s my time to go, I don’t want people looking over, as the proverbial story is, to see all that talent that was unused in the grave. I want to give it all. Whatever that may be.”
James Brown on why he decided to leave FOX Sports following the 2005 NFL season: “I wasn’t asking for anything ridiculous; just wanted it to be fair. I was low man on the totem pole financially, but I understood. I had to prove myself. It’s all about being a good team player. But my colleagues, once or twice during the time of their deals, were always able to bump up. I just waited for mine. We had a great thing going. I will delicately say, I would never have left the show and wasn’t thinking of leaving the show.”
What Remains Unclear: Exact figures from Brown’s talks with FOX Sports in 2005 are unknown. Also, Brown did not share how much longer he’s considering hosting in his role at CBS Sports. Several reports had Brown working on an extension with CBS Sports last summer.
What It Means: James Brown is an NFL gameday institution. He’s been a part of NFL Sundays for nearly three decades on multiple networks. Even at 75, Brown is still performing at the top of his game. This season, he’ll be working with two new faces in Kyle Long and Russell Wilson at the desk. The NFL Today has undergone significant turnover in recent years. However, with Nate Burleson transitioning to CBS Mornings in a hosting capacity, he likely could be Brown’s successor in waiting.
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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.