Thoughts and a Question on ESPN Courting Peyton Manning for Monday Night Football
By Bobby Burack
This will not come as a shocker, but the post-Jason Witten era of Monday Night Football is filled with Peyton Manning rumors. The Hollywood Reporter states ESPN is courting Manning to join the booth. While it is unclear Manning’s interest in the role, here are some thought and a question in reaction to the news:
The Tony Romo factor
No challenge for Manning will be greater to overcome than the inevitable comparisons he will draw to Tony Romo. Every network is looking for their Romo. Even if Manning is great at color-commentary, and he projects to be that, just great doesn’t top or even match what Romo is. Especially coming off the performances Romo has in the playoffs in the booth, Manning is sure to lose out on the Peyton Manning vs. Tony Romo The Broadcaster Debate if his talents are taken to Monday Night Football.
Would he work with any of the network’s play-by-players?
Surely, Alex Rodriguez leveraging his star-power to work with Matt Vasgersian will not be the last time a former superstar on the field makes that type of power play. It has to be wondered if Manning would even join the booth with any of ESPN’s current play-by-players. The two that come to mind as ones Manning would sign off on are currently under contract with NBC and CBS in Mike Tirico and Jim Nantz. Manning’s agent Sandy Montag represents both Tirico and Nantz. Joe Tessitore only has one year under his belt calling high profile NFL games. While it was an impressive rookie showing for Tess, would Manning work with him, or any other broadcaster ESPN currently employs, or could get?
ESPN and the sports world should be preparing for a no.
Maybe ESPN feels the relationship centered around ESPN+’s Detail changes things, but last year already proved wooing Manning is an enormous waste of time and energy. Industry sources do not expect that to change this year, either. And if that does turn out to be the case, ESPN will have to decide if they are okay going with Booger McFarland and Tessitore – reportedly they are – or if they want to take a chance and replace Jason Witten for a new three-person booth in the 2019 football season.