"I think ESPN rightly wanted to own and operate and produce RedZone outright because of the galactic popularity of the show. But the NFL, for their reasons, wanted to retain control of the production of RedZone."
"This opportunity is something I’m not taking for granted. It’s cliche, but it’s a lifelong dream of mine since I was old enough to realize what goals are."
Long returns to TOPS after being an analyst for the show in 2020 but left to return to football for his final season in 2021 with the Kansas City Chiefs.
"I think ESPN rightly wanted to own and operate and produce RedZone outright because of the galactic popularity of the show. But the NFL, for their reasons, wanted to retain control of the production of RedZone."