When TV networks set up focus groups to gauge the popularity of their on-air talent, ex-athletes typically come away with the highest marks. That’s due mainly to their name recognition among fans, as well as the expertise that comes from having played a sport at its highest level.
Network executives also feel like they are taking a much smaller risk by hiring the ex-athletes, especially ones with whom they have developed relationships. That’s why CBS Sports Chairman Sean McManus felt so comfortable giving the recently retired Tony Gonzalez a high-profile role on the network’s “NFL Today” pregame show last season, a move that drew critical praise.
“We sat down with him a number of times during his playing days when he had expressed interest in becoming a studio analyst after his playing career,” McManus said. “He is a dynamic personality. He is someone who wants to work hard to become good at his new craft. And he is someone who has the personality and the vibrancy to really cut through.”
Here are some current players who are attracting interest at major television networks.
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Peyton Manning
Denver Broncos
Nearing the end of his Hall of Fame NFL career, the Broncos quarterback is certain to attract a lot of interest from networks that carry NFL games.
“If Peyton Manning wants to become an analyst either in the studio or in the field, he has all the attributes to really have an impact,” McManus said.
The networks are familiar with Manning, having interviewed him several times. Plus they have seen him as a pitch man for brands like Nationwide and DirecTV.
CBS used Manning in the booth for SEC football games a couple of times, where he sat with Verne Lundquist and Gary Danielson.
“You could tell just by those 15 minutes that he’s a natural,” McManus said. “If he wants to pursue it and wants to spend time dedicating his life to become a good broadcaster, he has all the qualities that you need. Any time he’s set his mind to doing something, he’s done it 100 percent. That’s the kind of commitment you need if you want to be a good broadcaster.”
Kevin Garnett
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Minnesota Timberwolves
It takes a big personality to share an NBA set with Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal. That’s why someone like Garnett is on the radar of Turner Sports executives.
“Given the right platform and the right opportunity to be himself, which is one of the places where we really thrive with talent in our shows, Kevin could create a lot of value,” said Craig Barry, senior vice president of production and executive creative director at Turner Sports. “That’s not only for hard-core basketball fans but also casual fans.”
Barry sees Garnett as someone who is opinionated and not afraid to speak his mind on everything from basketball issues to social issues to pop culture.
“These are all things that we look for to work into our shows,” Barry said.
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David Ortiz
Boston Red Sox
Forget about Ortiz’s gaudy statistics, which include being named MVP of the 2013 World Series at the ripe old age of 37. It’s Big Papi’s outsized personality that television executives think will translate best to a second career as a baseball broadcaster.
“He has fun,” said Laurie Orlando, ESPN senior vice president of talent development and programming. “Fun is something that is so important when you’re on the air when talking about sports. After all, we’re talking about sports. We should have some fun with it.”
Orlando has been impressed with Ortiz’s pregame and postgame interviews. But she’s equally as impressed with the designated hitter’s television appearances outside of sports, including cooking segments.
“I hesitate to say this because I’m a Yankee fan, but Big Papi is full of life,” Orlando said. “He’s smart. He’s funny. He’s got a lot of different interests outside of baseball.”
Charles Woodson
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Oakland Raiders
A player like Woodson has been on television so often during his playing career that his appearances have become de facto job interviews.
NFL Network has used Woodson on some of its postseason coverage over the past couple of seasons, during which time the Raiders free safety has impressed network executives.
“He knows the game, and specifically from the defensive side of the ball,” said Eric Weinberger, executive producer for NFL Network. “He’s confident and comfortable in his own ability, communication and style.”
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Henrik Lundqvist
New York Rangers
NBC Sports Group executives see the 33-year-old Swede as someone with a lot of television potential. NBC Sports executive Princell Hair likes the fact that the Rangers goalie is at the top of his game, which he believes will lead to a perspective that fans want to see.
“He’s a guy that is very well-spoken — a good-looking guy,” said Hair, NBC Sports Group’s senior vice president of news and talent. “You’d like to see a guy like that get an opportunity in broadcasting. He seems to have the external things that you need to be successful.”
