Andrews' access to players and coaches in the hour before kickoff has changed dramaticallyFOX SPORTS
Fox Sports’ Erin Andrews has traveled to nine different stadiums so far this NFL season with the network’s A-team broadcast crew, working games with no fans in places like Seattle and N.Y., as well as venues like Jacksonville’s TIAA Bank Field, hosting over 15,000. Last week was particularly busy, as the crew worked Packers-Buccaneers on Sunday, Chiefs-Bills on Monday and Giants-Eagles on Thursday. “We did three games in five days, but honestly I cannot (complain) because Joe Buck has done a game every single day with baseball playoffs and Thursday night/Sunday/Monday football,” Andrews told THE DAILY. In this Q&A, Andrews gives us a deeper look at broadcasting games during this unique season. Some answers have been edited for brevity and clarity.
Q: How has your role been different this season?
Andrews: I can’t do a lot of the last minute off stuff-- it's probably about 60 minutes maybe 70 minutes during the pre-warm-up before they get their uniform on that they're out there that you can get the last-minute stuff in, or go talk to a random linebacker or go talk to a safety. I used to love talking to position coaches at that time to get some last-minute info and you don’t get to do that anymore, which really sucks.
Q: What is it like reporting from the stands instead of being on the sideline?
Andrews: If there’s fans, you have to go up in the concourse, you have to dodge the fans and run all the way to the other side of the field. It was hilarious listening to the Philly fans behind us, they had some colorful things to say. You've also got to keep paying attention to what (the broadcast) is saying, because I don't want to bring up a story that they're already talking about. It's a lot of multitasking and it's not the easiest, as if you were right there on the field and just kind of walking over.
Q: Are you doing anything unique to other productions?
Andrews: I feel like we're doing our postgame a little different. They bring the mic kind of close to where I'm standing in the first row, the (player) is standing there (on the field) and looking at the monitor. I would just rather have eye contact because that's the first eye contact I've had with the athlete all week long. I just feel like when they can see your facial expressions that translates a lot better. (When I interviewed Patrick Mahomes), I just said, ‘you can look up at me, you don't have to look straight into the camera,’ because I just kind of felt like you lose the interaction with the players.
Q: How does your schedule this year vary from normal seasons?
Andrews: I think I'm busier. I feel like because I know I'm not going to have the interaction during pregame, I guess I'm on the phone a lot more with guys, so that essentially takes up more time.
Q: What has been going on with your apparel line: WEAR, in partnership with Fanatics, launched in ’19?
Andrews: It's going amazing, and that's probably the biggest reason why I'm a lot more busy. I kind of thought with “Dancing With The Stars” off my plate on Mondays, it seemed like a lighter schedule but it's been crazy. Our sales rose by 300% this year, even with the pandemic. We expanded to the NBA and select schools with the NCAA. We're trying to work out a deal with another league which is very near and dear to my heart. I hope it gets done. We already have our 2021 line done up -- the NFL has seen it -- and we're getting ready to pitch it to the buyers. When you get text messages from Andy Reid's wife asking if she can get a sweater because it's sold out, or certain players’ wives are DM-ing you on Instagram, it's pretty damn cool.
Q: What else have you been up to off the field?
Andrews: I also have a scripted project with Kevin Hart's production group that we're excited about and trying to make some noise in the entertainment world now that I've got my Monday nights freed up, and we're looking for opportunities.
