• Loading stock data...
Sunday, March 30, 2025
Nominations Are Open for Front Office Sports Honors! Submit Now

Fox’s Next Problem: Can It Keep Colin Cowherd From Free Agency?

  • Cowherd’s FS1 contract expires in early 2025.
  • ESPN tried to woo him back a few years ago.
Colin Cowherd
Fox Sports

With Shannon Sharpe out the door, Fox Sports has another huge potential talent problem: Can it retain superstar Colin Cowherd?

The possible free agent’s current deal expires in early 2025, after the conclusion of the NFL season, said sources. 

The 59-year-old Cowherd is happy with his successful eight-year run at FS1, said sources. His long-running show, “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” airs simultaneously on FS1 and Fox Sports Radio (12 noon ET), and he also appears on the “FOX NFL Kickoff” Sunday pregame show. 

He previously co-hosted the original version of “Speak for Yourself” with Jason Whitlock. Cowherd’s also finding success on his own with “The Volume,” the startup sports podcast network.

But ESPN is very interested in a reunion, said sources. The brass in Bristol views Cowherd as the answer to their struggling ratings on ESPN Radio, said sources. 

ESPN recently canceled the “Keyshawn, JWill and Max” morning show, then laid off co-hosts Keyshawn Johnson and Max Kellerman. 

“The monster negotiation coming up for Fox is Colin,” warned one source. “His ratings are at an all-time high. And he causes zero issues — unlike Skip Bayless.”

Stephen A. Smith

Stephen A. Smith Confirms: ‘I Want Shannon Sharpe’

Stephen A. Smith confirmed FOS report that ESPN is in talks with…
July 21, 2023

Despite the painful recent round of downsizing, ESPN is willing to pay what it takes for the biggest talents. 

Chairman Jimmy Pitaro recently signed an estimated five-year, $85 million deal to bring “The Pat McAfee Show” to ESPN’s weekday programming block.

Stephen A. Smith recently confirmed a Front Office Sports story that he wants to enlist Sharpe for his team of rotating debate partners on “First Take.”

Former FS1 chief Jamie Horowitz recruited Cowherd to FS1 in September 2015 after 10 years at ESPN, where he co-hosted the original “SportsNation” with Michelle Beadle.

Cowherd recently told the New York Post a top ESPN executive wooed him the last time his contract was up. That executive is believed to be ex-ESPN Radio boss Traug Keller.

Shannon Sharpe

Shannon Sharpe Could Score ‘Contributor’ Role With ESPN

Media free agent Shannon Sharpe has talked to ESPN about a role.
July 19, 2023

With Smith musing about eventually leaving “First Take” for a late-night comedy, entertainment or politics, Cowherd is the kind of heavyweight talent that Pitaro would be willing to pay for.

The once dominant ESPN Radio has been bleeding talent, and ratings, over the last decade, including Cowherd, Dan Le Batard, Mike Golic Sr., Trey Wingo and Will Cain. Le Batard recently called ESPN Radio a “dinosaur,” unable to keep up with changing times.

“Why wouldn’t ESPN go huge for Cowherd? He’d solve the ESPN Radio problem in one stroke,” said another source.

For the first time in its nearly 10-year history, FS1 is in more U.S. homes than ESPN, with 71.38 million homes, according to Nielsen.

Fox and ESPN declined to comment.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Columbia, SC - February 16, 2025 - Colonial Life Arena: Rebecca Lobo and Ryan Ruocco during a regular season game.

Inside Ryan Ruocco’s Rapid Rise to ESPN’s Top Voice of Women’s Hoops

The top voice became “quickly addicted” to calling the women’s game.
Mar 27, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Chris Youngblood (8) and the Alabama Crimson Tide bench celebrate during the second half against the Brigham Young Cougars during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center.

How Alabama Became College Basketball’s Newest Juggernaut

The Crimson Tide have found success rivaling their historic football program.

UFL Kicking Off 2025 Season With Labor Fight Still Simmering

The league’s first game is still on, even without a labor deal in place.
exclusive

ESPN Making Erin Dolan In-Game Betting Analyst for UFL Games

Erin Dolan will provide betting news and notes during game broadcasts.

Featured Today

Kendall Coyne Schofield

Kendall Coyne Schofield Wants More for the Next Wave of Mom-Athletes

The Walter Cup–winning Frost captain says small changes mean “everything.”
Dec 21, 2024; Hartford, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) looks to pass the ball against USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) in the first half at XL Center.
March 23, 2025

‘More Value to Be Had’: Were Women’s March Madness Media Rights Undersold?

Could the NCAA have gotten millions more in its latest TV deal?
Mar 20, 2025; Lexington, KY, USA; Creighton Bluejays forward Jasen Green (0) dunks the ball during the second half against the Louisville Cardinals in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Rupp Arena
March 22, 2025

Basketball-Only Schools Could See Power Surge After House Settlement Approval 

Football teams might monopolize the revenue-sharing dollars at power conference schools.
Mar 15, 2025; New York, NY, USA; St. John's Red Storm guard RJ Luis Jr. (12) after hitting a three-point basket against the Creighton Bluejays in the second half at Madison Square Garden.
March 20, 2025

Perfect Storm: St. John’s Biggest Fans Can’t Bet on the School

In the No. 1 sports betting market, the Red Storm are off-limits.
Both teams line the field during the singing of the national anthem prior to the start of the opening day game between the NY Yankees and Milwaukee Brewers at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.

Yankees RSN, Comcast Reach Last-Minute Extension in Ongoing Dispute

The two sides will keep negotiating as large-scale issues remain unresolved.
Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) is pursued by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse (8) during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium.
March 26, 2025

RFK-Threatened Pharma Ad Ban Wouldn’t Hurt NFL Broadcasters

It wouldn’t be the first effort to restrict drug ads.
March 26, 2025

Yankees RSN Faces Comcast Blackout Threat Ahead of Opening Day

The Yankees-led RSN and the No. 2 U.S. cable carrier clash again.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Apr 5, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; General view of Yankee Stadium before an opening day game between the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays.
March 25, 2025

Could ESPN Have a Future With MLB? Network Hints at Renegotiation

The Disney-owned network signals a willingness to renegotiate.
March 25, 2025

March Madness TV Ratings Surge to 32-Year High Despite No Cinderellas

Games so far have averaged 9.4 million viewers.
March 24, 2025

No Cinderella, No Problem: Why Sweet 16 Could Draw Huge Ratings

There are only four conferences represented in the men’s Sweet 16.
March 23, 2025

MLB Wants to Split ESPN’s Rights Between Multiple Companies

A more disparate strategy is emerging for ESPN’s expiring MLB rights.