NFL Network revealed its weekday studio show schedule Thursday. Two new programs headline the slate with a return of ESPN SportsCenter anchor Stan Verrett signing a new deal with ESPN.
What We Know: NFL Total Access returns September 8, hosted by Stan Verrett after he signed a new contract with ESPN. Verrett left ESPN earlier this summer after 25 years with the network. Steve Wyche joins as a regular contributor. The Aftermath debuts September 14, hosted by Zubin Mehenti and Herm Edwards, and leads into ESPN’s NFL Live and Monday Night Countdown. Good Morning Football enters its 10th season, while NFL Fantasy Live marks 15 years on air.
What’s At Stake: With the new programming lineup on NFL Network, it will provide additional studio programming options for football content for news and headlines.
What Remains Unclear: The release doesn’t specify Verrett’s terms with his new deal. It’s also unclear how The Aftermath’s coaching-presser format will differ from prior studio coverage.
What It Means: NFL Network is reviving some familiar faces from ESPN to provide a new look on the network’s newest acquisition. In addition, the return of Verrett to host NFL Total Access provides a seasoned veteran in navigating breaking news headlines for a live audience. Moreover, pairing The Aftermath with ESPN’s Monday lineup deepens the cross-network strategy tied to ESPN’s Year of the Super Bowl. Streaming access via the ESPN App also widens the audience for NFL Network originals ahead of Super Bowl LXI.
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