ESPN Signs Steve Phillips To Five-Year Deal

ESPN Inks Phillips To New Five-Year Contract

ESPN has signed MLB analyst Steve Phillips to a “new five-year contract,” according to Andrew Marchand of the N.Y. POST. In his second full season with the network, Phillips has “emerged as a main component of the network’s coverage.” Meanwhile, an ESPN spokesperson indicated that analyst Peter Gammons is “making progress” after suffering a brain aneurysm in June, but “would not discuss a timetable for his return.” Marchand also reports that ESPN/ABC Sports execs are “strongly considering” moving Dan Patrick to its NBA studio full-time to replace John Saunders, “who is expected to become ESPN’s No. 3 play-by-player behind Mike Breen and Mike Tirico.” Patrick, who is “expected to be joined by Mark Jackson and Michael Wilbon” for NBA duty, would “likely not host SportsCenter anymore.” Lastly, Marchand notes SNY has signed former Giants LB Carl Banks as a Giants analyst for “SportsNite” (N.Y. POST, 9/8).