Fox Sports' Shanks Weighs In On Anthem, Touts Military Tributes

Fox Sports President Eric Shanks weighed in on the national anthem controversy last night, saying that his network’s policy on showing the anthem will not change this season and highlighting the coverage Fox Sports gives to military members throughout the NFL season. Fox in past seasons has aired the anthem live on certain days, like Veterans Day and its Thanksgiving Day games. “We will do it routinely like we’ve always done, but what we’ll do is really pay attention to big special events,” Shanks said during a Fox Sports media reception in N.Y. for its “TNF” pregame show.

He added, “We have big plans for Thanksgiving and Veteran’s Day this year. Those are the great moments for Fox Sports to shine a spotlight on all the people who volunteer to serve this country.” Shanks referred to Fox’ decision to take its NFL pregame show to Pearl Harbor in ’15, the Norfolk Naval Station in ’17 and Afghanistan in ’09 to illustrate how Fox Sports supports service men and women.