Michael Irvin had been an analyst at NFL Network since 2009, playing "a major role" in "GameDay Morning"Getty Images
Pro Football HOFer and NFL Network analyst
Michael Irvin’s contract "will not be renewed" at the net as the league-owned channel "undergoes a round of cost cuts." Irvin had been an analyst at NFL Network since 2009 and has "played a major role" in the Sunday football pregame show, "GameDay Morning." Irvin was sent home from NFL Network’s 2023 Super Bowl coverage after he was accused of making lewd comments to a woman in a Phoenix hotel. He denied wrongdoing and was reinstated to NFL Network’s programming last season. Meanwhile, the network's "NFL Total Access" will air its final show "later this month." The nightly news program had been a part of the network’s lineup since 2003 (
N.Y. POST, 5/3).
The decisions are all taking place "with the backdrop of continued negotiations with ESPN" over a deal in which the Disney-owned network would take on the network and other NFL Media properties and in exchange, the NFL
would receive a minority stake in ESPN. Discussions have continued with ESPN, while the NBA "also is a potential player for an equity stake" -- though those talks "have been tabled until after the NBA completes its TV rights negotiations" (
THE ATHLETIC, 5/3).
