NFL Network host Rich Eisen hosts a Q&A Panel at the Hall of Fame High documentary premiere, Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at the Senator John Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Jul 5, 2026, 11:00 AM CUT

ESPN take Major decision on Rich Eisen’s future after securing NFL network rights

The ESPN-NFL Network merger may have just put Rich Eisen's broadcasting future in jeopardy. After calling games since 2018, his play-by-play role suddenly appears far from secure.

In fact, SI writer Jimmy Traina recently asked Eisen on the SportsCenter podcast if calling extra games for NFL Network was still part of the commentator's résumé.

“No, it is not,” Eisen said on July 2, confirming that it was no longer part of his duties. “I believe I am done.”

Credits: IMAGO, INGLEWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 12: Rich Eisen of the NFL, American Football Herren, USA Network during an NFL game between the Chicago Bears and the Los Angeles Rams on September 12, 2021, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. (Photo by Icon Sportswire) NFL: SEP 12 Bears at Rams Icon592210912931

Eisen had been part of the NFL Network's broadcast team since 2018, primarily handling international games alongside Kurt Warner. But despite his veteran status, Fox News' OutKick reported on July 3 that Dave Pasch was expected to step into the role instead.

On the July 2 podcast, SI Media's Jimmy Traina also asked Eisen how he felt about the decision. The latter admitted that while he enjoyed calling games, it was completely different from what he usually does.

"I enjoyed doing it a lot, man. I enjoyed doing it a lot. But it's so counter to what I normally do," Eisen said. "Sitting in this chair on this set, three-hour radio TV simulcast game day morning on Sunday morning, if there's dead air, if there's blank space, if there's no talking, my first thought is to jump in and fill the void. It's the exact opposite when you're calling a game.”

ESPN paid a hefty $3 billion to bring the NFL media under its umbrella. The deal also included the league receiving a 10% equity stake in ESPN, valuing the network at roughly $30 billion.

One of ESPN's biggest deals in recent years, the acquisition quickly led to structural changes, including the cancellation of the Monday Night Football doubleheader.

As ESPN looks to make structural changes within NFL Media, Eisen said his primary concern was his colleagues.

Rich Eisen puts colleagues first amid ESPN deal

When Jimmy Traina asked whether his primary concern following the ESPN-NFL deal was the fate of his Sunday morning pregame show, Eisen said that was the least of his worries. He was more concerned about how ESPN would treat his colleagues.

“I don't know, my main goal and concern was that all of my colleagues are taken care of, to be honest with you, and that the mission of NFL Network for 23 years would be maintained, and so far so good,” said Eisen in the SI Media podcast.

Following the takeover, all NFL Media employees became part of ESPN, and the multibillion-dollar company has been expanding its NFL footprint at a rapid pace. First, Eisen returned, bringing The Rich Eisen Show to ESPN Radio.

Then came ESPN's acquisition of NFL Media, followed by Skip Bayless' return to First Take. Now, Mike Golic Sr. and Mike Golic Jr. have also rejoined ESPN after years away.

On top of that, ESPN is set to air 28 NFL games this season, the most the company has ever carried.

Given that, as the entity is betting big on the NFL, what are your thoughts on them? Let us know in the comments below.

Written by

Suryakant Das

Edited by

Arundhoti Palit