Sean Salisbury Out, Cris Carter In As ESPN NFL Analyst

Cris Carter Joining ESPN As Studio Analyst

ESPN NFL analyst Sean Salisbury is leaving the net after 12 years. Salisbury said in a statement:  "I have created a brand and it's time to expand into other opportunities in TV, radio, Internet, publishing, movies and public speaking, among others" (ESPN). Salisbury indicated that he felt "unappreciated and underpaid and he knew that by asking for a seven-figure contract, the result would be a 'mutual parting.'" Salisbury: "Don't get me wrong, I appreciated the opportunity ESPN gave me, but they had capped my ceiling. There was only so far I could go there." Salisbury said that he already has received offers, including one from FSN, and added that another possibility was a "non-sports role with CBS" (L.A. TIMES, 2/27). Salisbury's stint with ESPN included a one-week suspension in '06 for "misconduct" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 2/27).

GET CARTER: Meanwhile, ESPN has hired former NFLer Cris Carter as a studio analyst on various ESPN programming, including NFL Live, effective April 1. Carter also will contribute to ESPN Radio and aid in the net's '08 NFL Draft coverage, as well as participating this weekend at ESPN The Weekend at Disney World (ESPN). USA TODAY's Michael McCarthy notes the "surprise announcement" of Salisbury's departure came hours after the net announced its hiring of Carter (USA TODAY, 2/27).