• Loading stock data...
Thursday, March 28, 2024
2024 Best Venues nominations are open now through April 8! Submit Now

A Big Reunion? ESPN Wants Dan Patrick Back

  • ESPN is interested in bringing back prodigal son Dan Patrick. But is Patrick interested in rejoining ESPN?
  • Ex-ESPN President John Skipper tried to lure Patrick back in December, 2017.
Feb 4, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson takes a moment with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after being presented by Dan Patrick (right) against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
ESPN has been getting the band back together, bringing back Chris Berman, Tom Jackson and Keith Olbermann. Now it wants prodigal son Dan Patrick back in Bristol.
Photo Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN has been getting the old band back together, bringing back veterans like Chris Berman, Tom Jackson, and Keith Olbermann. Now ESPN is interested in bringing back another blast from the past: Dan Patrick. 

Ideally, ESPN would love to hire Patrick to host a weekday afternoon edition of “SportsCenter,” said sources. He could also possibly do radio.  At the very least, ESPN would like Patrick to make regular appearances on the network, sources said.

Patrick is still plugged into the biggest news stories. He made headlines last week by reporting Jay-Z was putting pressure on NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to “do the right thing” by staging a workout for the blacklisted Colin Kaepernick. 

Still, it would take convincing to get Patrick to put on an ESPN jersey again. There are several obstacles that make this reunion a long shot. 

Patrick hosts his own nationally syndicated “Dan Patrick Show” with his popular supporting cast of “Danettes:” Executive Producers Paul Pabst and Todd Fritz; Director of Operations Patrick “Seton” O’Connor; and Blogger Andrew “McLovin” Perloff.

During an emotional radio show in May, the 63-year old opened up about his struggle with polymyalgia rheumatica, an inflammatory disorder that causes extreme joint pain.

Patrick underwent chemotherapy. But side effects included memory loss and daily headaches. He may want to do less TV/radio; not more.

Patrick has also had a testy relationship with ESPN after leaving what he calls the “Mothership” in 2007. But the cold war between Patrick and the network has been thawing.

Along with notable alumni like Robin Roberts and Mike Tirico, Patrick made a surprise trip to Bristol to help ESPN celebrate its 40th anniversary in September. Patrick said he was personally invited by ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro, who he has “great respect” for. 

At the urging his former boss Norby Williamson, Patrick teamed with Olbermann to shoot their first “SportsCenter” episode in 22 years. 

The wisecracking duo were the most celebrated “SportsCenter” anchors ever during their five-year run from 1992 to 1997. While Patrick and Olbermann are not close in real life, they created a connection on the air. 

On his radio show, Patrick confessed to becoming emotional during his return compared to a more stoic Bob Ley. But he stated afterward he was not returning to ESPN to host “SportsCenter.” 

“This was a one-and-done, officially retired and I’m glad I did it,” said Patrick. “If you had said to me two years ago, five years ago, seven years ago, I would have said, ‘Never.’

READ MORE: Stephen A. Smith, Skip Bayless Could Reunite on ESPN’s ‘First Take’

A Patrick comeback at ESPN would underscore the back-to-the-future approach of Pitaro and Williamson. The network recently brought back semi-retired Berman and the retired Jackson to recreate their legendary “NFL Primetime” highlights show, this time for the ESPN+. 

At a time when many experts were predicting the end of highlights shows, Williamson has successfully remade “SportsCenter” into ESPN’s flagship studio property and a linchpin of their daily studio programming.

An afternoon time slot could be opening up soon. Ben Strauss of The Washington Post reported the contracts of “High Noon” co-hosts Bomani Jones and Pablo Torre will expire in the early spring. If the duo doesn’t return, “High Noon” could be canceled, opening up a slot for a Patrick-led show.

“This is Norby getting his old gang back together,” said one source.

This is not the first time ESPN has tried to hire back Patrick either. He previously confirmed on his radio show that ESPN President John Skipper held an exploratory meeting with him just days before Skipper resigned his post in December 2017. 

READ MORE: With Cris Carter Out At Fox Sports, What’s Next For ‘First Things First?’

At the time, ESPN was interested in possibly making Patrick the success to Berman as the anchor of the “Sunday NFL Countdown” pregame show, said sources.

ESPN declined to comment. Patrick could not be reached.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NFL Executive Questions Logic Behind Streaming Giants’ Joint Venture

The ESPN, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Fox alliance is expected to launch this fall.

Midweek Special: NFL Planning Two Games on Christmas Wednesday

The NFL will play a doubleheader Wednesday, Dec. 25.

Inside the Proxy Fight for the Future of Disney (and ESPN)

Dissident investor Nelson Peltz is seeking two board seats in an upcoming election.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

MLB Opens Season With MLBPA, Ohtani, and Ownership Dramas

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

March 22, 2024, Brooklyn, NY, USA; Northwestern Wildcats guard Brooks Barnhizer (13) and Northwestern Wildcats guard Boo Buie (0) react in overtime against the Florida Atlantic Owls in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at the Barclays Center.
March 27, 2024

‘An Expensive Game’: March Madness and NIL Collectives Are Intertwined

At schools nationwide, collectives are fueling NCAA tournament runs and vice versa.
Iowa’s Caitlin Clark (22) waits to be announced in the starting lineup against West Virginia in a NCAA Tournament round of 32 game Monday, March 25, 2024 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
March 26, 2024

The Women’s Trading Card Market Is Overlooked. Can Caitlin Clark Change That?

Traditionally, women’s sports cards have been a marginal part of collectibles.
The Sports Illustrated cover signed by Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, February 27, 2019, at Don & Charlie's, 7501 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale. Don Charlie S
March 24, 2024

Everything You Need to Know About the Ongoing ‘Sports Illustrated’ Saga

Understanding the strange state of affairs for the nearly 70-year-old publication.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Live Nation
Multiple - USA Careers
Adidas
Multiple - USA Careers
Spotify
Multiple - USA Careers
exclusive

Threats, Demands, a Lawsuit, and a Website in Limbo: Inside the Chaos at ‘SI’

‘Sports Illustrated’ has new publishers, but the transition has been messy at best.
March 23, 2024

At ESPN, She’s the Storyteller of the Women’s Tourney—and What a Year It Is for That

Sara Gaiero sees Caitlin Clark hype as an opportunity to hook people on two ESPN products: March Madness and, eventually, the WNBA.
March 25, 2024

The Brian Kelly ‘Hit Job’ Kim Mulkey Ripped Is Barely About Brian Kelly at All

The article was hardly about Kelly at all.
Sponsored

How Daily Fantasy Sports Solved NBA Fantasy

The remarkable growth of the #1 Discord sports server in the world.
March 21, 2024

Ian Eagle Is Ready to Get March Madness Started

He succeeds Jim Nantz as the lead play-by-play announcer for CBS and TBS.
March 19, 2024

ESPN Locks Up a $7.8B College Football Playoff Extension

Network chairman Jimmy Pitaro announced the six-year deal at a conference Tuesday
March 19, 2024

WNBA Could Seek Its Own Media Deal

The league is open to splitting its negotiations from the NBA’s, sources say.
March 19, 2024

Clemson Files Lawsuit Against the ACC, Following FSU’s Lead

The ACC is fully embroiled in a legal battle for its own survival.