• Loading stock data...
Sunday, July 20, 2025

ESPN’s Acho Next In Line To Leave ‘Get Up’ Morning Show Nest

  • Emmanuel Acho has risen quickly through the ranks at ESPN, appearing on Mike Greenberg’s flagship morning show ‘Get Up.’
  • Greenberg’s ‘Get Up’ has become factory line for young ESPN stars, includng Maria Taylor, Laura Rutledge and Dan Orlovsky.

ESPN college football analyst Emmanuel Acho is playing out his contract and is in talks with other networks, said sources. The 29-year old Acho is a frequent commentator on the New York-based morning show “Get Up,” where he talks college and pro football plus other sports

Acho has held preliminary talks with Fox Sports, which has been revamping the cast of “First Things First,” its weekday morning show on FS1. But no deal is imminent, said sources.

ESPN and Fox both declined to comment. Acho could not be reached.

The Dallas native was an All-American linebacker for the University of Texas. He played four seasons in the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns before entering the TV business as a contributor to the Longhorn Network in 2016.

In 2018, ESPN shifted him to ESPN2, where he worked on Saturday college football coverage with Jim Mora and Chris Cotter. He also appeared on “College Football Live.”

During ESPN’s MegaCast coverage of the College Football Playoff Semifinals on Dec. 28, he co-headlined the “ESPN Film Room” presentation on ESPNU.

Gerry Matalon, the former ESPN executive in charge of talent and development turned founder of Matalon Media, served as a TV coach for Acho when he was transitioning into media via the NFL Player Engagement program. 

“Manny is an intelligent and opinionated speaker whose commentaries are enhanced by his vocal and visual delivery,” Matalon said. “Add to this his competitive nature and lust for vigorous intellectual conversation. It all makes for a highly engaging performer.”

Younger ESPN personalities like Maria Taylor, Laura Rutledge, and Dan Orlovsky have become more high profile since guesting on Mike Greenberg’s “Get Up” morning show on ESPN. The show has also helped raise the profile of NFL Insiders such as Josina Anderson and Dan Graziano and football analysts Marcus Spears, Damien Woody, and Ryan Clark.

Serving an apprenticeship on ESPN’s flagship morning show provides “good exposure,” said Matalon. “Get Up” highlights get shared across social media and the sports industry. That leads to more career opportunities.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

(NCL_OSU_11_SUGAR_LAURON 04JAN11) Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2) slips around the Arkansas Razorbacks defense during first half of the Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, January 4, 2011.

Terrelle Pryor’s Case for NIL Backpay Dismissed in Court

Pryor played seven years in the NFL after leaving OSU amid a scandal.
Feb 7, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Calais Campbell (middle) receives the NFLPA Alan Page Community Award from executive director Lloyd Howell (left) and president) JC Tretter (right) at the NFLPA Press Conference at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center prior to Super Bowl LVIII.

What Comes Next After NFLPA Chief’s Sudden Resignation?

Howell quit on his own accord; he was not forced out.

New NFLPA Head Will Face Multibillion-Dollar Decisions

The next NFLPA leader will wrestle with a series of pressing issues.

Featured Today

Ryan Field Construction
exclusive

First Look Inside Northwestern’s $862 Million New Ryan Field

Five big things FOS learned on our exclusive stadium tour.
Jul 21, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Xander Schauffele celebrates with Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.
July 17, 2025

The Boozy History and Traditions of The Open’s Claret Jug

The Open awards the world’s most famous wine decanter.
2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen
July 16, 2025

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive
July 13, 2025

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.

Netflix Beats Projections Again—and Plots Big Holiday Sports Slate

The streaming giant again beats analyst projections in every respect.
Jul 15, 2025; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; National League designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a home run in the swing off of after the 2025 MLB All Star Game ended in a tie at Truist Park.
July 16, 2025

MLB All-Star Game Viewership Dips Despite Historic Swing-Off

Game viewership falls 3% despite late dramatics in the unique tiebreaker.
July 17, 2025

ESPN Bidding Against NBC, Apple for MLB Rights Package

The league continues to negotiate with multiple media-rights bidders.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
July 15, 2025

MLB Home Run Derby Draws 5.7M Viewers on ESPN, Up 5%

ESPN reverses the trend from last year and registers audience growth.
July 15, 2025

WNBA Hits Fourth-Highest ABC Viewership With Clark-Bueckers Duel

Clark missed the first Fever vs. Wings game with an injury.
Brittney Griner and Caitlin Clark
exclusive
July 15, 2025

‘Good Morning America’ Will Air From WNBA All-Star in First

The All-Star Game’s relevance has exploded with the league in recent years.
NBC Sports
exclusive
July 14, 2025

NBC Hiring Ex-Hawks Exec Grant Liffmann As NBA Front Office Insider

Liffmann spent the last three years with Atlanta after covering the Warriors.